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Chronic pain makes you more clumsy

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 12/7/2012 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
I was reading finnish science magazine, and in Finland they made new research where they suggest that long term pain is making you more clumsy. I would give link but I don't think it's much use for anyone else here, since most are from US. So I try to roughly translate how it was explained.

Clumsiness is because the area, that is in chronic pain, is getting the biggest impulse on the area where you feel touch. While you have "touch" all the time in one place, it makes other touch areas more irrelevant. Chronic pain in a way leaves a track on the brain.
For example, if you front finger is in chronic pain, it's touch area in the brain is getting bigger. While your little finger is all fine, you need much more stimulation to even get noticed in the brain. So that kinda means you don't feel so well there and you might not even notice that you poked coffee mug on the floor.

So there's bit simplified version from the story, but if someone wants I can get more specific.

I would want to know if anyone here have noticed anything like this?
Have you somehow mysteriously got more clumsy while your pain stated to get chronic?

When start to think of it, I have been wondering why I've become so darn clumsy. I always have been kinda one, but got worse in past year. I was just thinking that I don't put too much thought on what I'm doing or something like that. But really I think those scientists are very right on this one. It would make sense at least on my case only.
Posted 12/8/2012 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
In my case, I can't say that has been the case the past 2 years of dealing with the nasty CP I have. However, my reaction times in general seem a bit off the mark. Not sure if its the CP, or my brain adjusting to the pain meds I am on. Could be a bit of both. Knowing that I am on strong meds, I make a point of doing everything more carefully, including driving, etc.

david
Posted 12/8/2012 8:18 AM (GMT 0)
I'm clumsy anyways, like a bowl in a china cabinet lol. Not much different with medication, though I do.get a lot worse with fatigue.
Posted 12/9/2012 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Well I know my Drs have said that having CP can intensify our pain receptors. Because of the CP and the tolerance issues with the meds, according to my Dr, it makes me feel pain worse. Which I already know I have a high tolerance level to pain. The corpsman that watched the Dr attempt to put an IV in my bicep four times, before she got it, he commented that "I was one tough lady, he's seen Marines cry with the first stick, and it wasn't even in the bicep.

So I would guess, that potentially being more clumsy is a possibility. I know at times, right after taking my meds, I seem a bit more awkward when doing things.

I do know that my hubby and daughter both can tell when I've taken my BT medication dilaudid. They say I get hoarse sounding when I speak, and how I speak is affected. However, when I'm really really fatigued I do the same thing and sound the same way. So which is it I say.

I know at least as my hubby is concerned he really doesn't approve of me being on pain meds. It doesn't help that his sister the Dr is whispering in his ear on how bad narcotics are.

Guess I'll have to take note next time I take my LA and BT pain MDS.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 12/9/2012 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
I believe my memory has been affected by my pain meds -- both long and short term. When in pain (so distracted and drained) plus after taking some BT meds, I far more readily forget things.

This can lead to clumsiness as I can even forget that I just put a glass down, etc..

Yesterday for example, I was doing some very fine detail work, and told myself again and again what steps I needed to follow to not damage some fine wood. Sure enough, as I was in the middle of the repair, I forgot to check something and scratched the wood with the screw driver exactly how I was worried I would if I forgot to pay attention to the details!
Posted 12/9/2012 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am definately more clumsy. The higher my pain level goes, the more I stumble and drop things and bump walls and tables. My memory is horrible, also. I can make a list for the store, forget the list, rewrite it as best possible in the car while in parking lot, manage to lose it before I get down the first aisle of groceries. Not sure if the memory is pain or Flexeril connected, since the Flexeril is the only thing I've been on long term.
Posted 12/10/2012 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
I definitely feel more clumsy with my chronic pain. First, my balance isn't what it used to be...I don't know if this is the result of leg/back weakness, numbness etc. I don't know what role pain medicine might be playing in this regard. Also, I have developed a significant shaking problem, mostly with my right hand/arm. This is noticeable to others and is pretty frustrating and disturbing. If I try to pour something from a bottle, pitcher, etc. it's very difficult. Even with nothing in my hand, the shaking, trembling is there. I guess these things combine to contribute to my clumsiness.
Posted 12/10/2012 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
…I agree with Cogito here, and believe that the meds at times may affect balance a bit, but I really do not notice this much, as I do not feel much of a high with my meds. Actually….now that I think about it, I think my balance is better when on meds, and I tend to over compensate to avoid pain without them.

Interesting topic, and one to ponder on a bit I suppose!

Thanks!

SE
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