Injuries and pain meds
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:49 pm
My body mysteriously and unexplainably got (what we think is) an inflamed rotator cuff and/or impeded (maybe? I don't remember medical jargon) ligaments. Which has left my right arm in extreme pain with very little mobility. I went to the doctor yesterday where he gave me an injection with litocain and an anti-inflammatory. Normally I would be against just taking pain meds, because I'm the kind of girl who wants to fix the problem, not just cover the symptoms, but he presented it as a diagnostic tool (without even knowing my stance on the matter). Where we didn't know exactly what was wrong, if an anti-inflammatory makes it feel better, then we know to treat the inflammation. If it doesn't, then we know to look at other things. He also emphasized that, "Even though you'll feel great, DO NOT OVERDO IT! WE HAVEN'T FIXED ANYTHING YET!"
Anyway. My point. Yesterday after that visit and today have been bliss. I've been able to drive my car, cook freezer meals, take care of children, etc., with very minor pain. I'm pretty sure it's still the pain-killer portion of it in effect. My range of motion has increased dramatically before I feel pain.
I'm totally torn about this. On the one hand, it is *amazing* to be able to move and do things without wanting to cry. I am so grateful. But on the other hand, I have this fear that I am actually going to end up injuring it more. I purposely have chosen not to listen to the pain that my body is sending me to warn me not to make things worse. So I'm moving it more and more often, completely unconsciously, than I would have without the injection. When all this wears off on Friday (and then I have the weekend before I can do anything more about it), am I going to be in even more pain because I've increased the injury?
I am completely torn on my feelings about pain meds right now.
And… I feel like I should ask a question. Except, this isn't the Board. It's just my random chatter/thoughts. So there.
Anyway. My point. Yesterday after that visit and today have been bliss. I've been able to drive my car, cook freezer meals, take care of children, etc., with very minor pain. I'm pretty sure it's still the pain-killer portion of it in effect. My range of motion has increased dramatically before I feel pain.
I'm totally torn about this. On the one hand, it is *amazing* to be able to move and do things without wanting to cry. I am so grateful. But on the other hand, I have this fear that I am actually going to end up injuring it more. I purposely have chosen not to listen to the pain that my body is sending me to warn me not to make things worse. So I'm moving it more and more often, completely unconsciously, than I would have without the injection. When all this wears off on Friday (and then I have the weekend before I can do anything more about it), am I going to be in even more pain because I've increased the injury?
I am completely torn on my feelings about pain meds right now.
And… I feel like I should ask a question. Except, this isn't the Board. It's just my random chatter/thoughts. So there.