I totally just realized today that I never answered your questions! There were only 2 left but that doesn’t mean those 2 questions are any less important!
Before I answer your questions, I will share that my MRI is OVER. This was my 3rd MRI – I’ve had one previously for my shoulder and one for my brain – but this one was definitely the longest. I was in the tube for over 45 minutes. It was noisy of course but the worst part was having to hold my breath through certain sets of images. I’m assuming it was because it was abdominal/pelvic. I would have been ok if the instructions were to take a big breath and hold it, but it was blow out all your air and stop breathing. There was a time or two that I really began panicking because I was running out of air. I didn’t want to breathe because it meant having to start the series over but I didn’t want to fall out either, you know? Definitely not something I want to repeat anytime soon. I will give the nurse props for getting the IV in in one stick, which in my history, is HUGE. I have an appointment next Tuesday with my doctor to go over results. She said for the most part, it takes the hospital a week to read the MRI and send results. I’m hoping they will call if they get them in sooner.
But back to answering your questions:
Cheryl asked, “How do painkillers fit into your life?”
Honestly, not very well with trying to keep up with a 2 year old and working full-time. I’m at the point where nothing over the counter will work for fibro or endo pain so I skip the OTC meds all together. Currently the only medications that take the edge off the pain are narcotics. I see a pain specialist to receive my prescription, which means I am subject to random pill counts and drug tests. I had to sign off on this huge list of rules in order to receive my medications which I am totally fine with but some of the things on that list were outrageous and can’t believe that anyone would pull some of the stunts but all I have to do is turn on the television and I’m reminded why I had to sign. I do not take medications at work unless it is really bad and I will take 1/2 a pill, which will not alter my mental state and will at least take an edge off. I also do not take pain medications if I am home alone with Abby. I need to be fully alert as she is crazy active and her safety is my #1 priority. I usually will take pain medication around 7pm which will kick in just in time to hopefully make it possible to fall asleep. Because there are issues with building tolerance, I try to only take them when absolutely necessarily which unfortunately in my current state is daily.
C.C. asked, “If you could change one thing about your current life, what would it be?’
I am assuming that I should branch out beyond the obvious “not be sick” here so I would say I would love to have more energy. I wish the constant pain was not so physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. I think I could handle it better that way. I wish that I could have enough energy after coming home from work to cook a meal and go for a walk with Abby or play in the yard. Lately, its just not the case. I think that’s why I relish Saturdays as family days because I’m able to rest up and have energy just for them.
thanks for answering!! i have tried over the years to be sparing with pain meds (like you, all higher level…the OTC stuff isn’t any different than tic tacs to my body) but a back injury beat down that reserve and i’ve needed a LOT of them. but i feel more okay with that in context since i have the hope of a fix on the back (surgery scheduled) and thus an end to the pills that i don’t really foresee with the current lack of an endo cure
I’m with you. I definitely don’t like not having an end in sight to narcotics. I’m hoping that we can do surgery and then be done but we’ll have to see!
I feel your pain. I wish I had energy to do things, but most days, I just collapse into my chair and don’t get up. I hate it. We’re moving in about 6 weeks. Not sure where yet. We’re hopeful the humidity change, we’re going somewhere drier, will make an impact positively on my pain level.
The humidity here as been killer. I keep telling my husband that I want to move to Arizona where there is no humidity! Heat I can deal with. Humidity is a whole other story! Hopefully your move will help!
I hate that tube! I’m only 4’11” so I was in almost to my knees. uuuggghhhh! Getting a yucking feeling just thinking about that.
Glad you didn’t have to start over.
~ Mona : )
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I’m am 5″4″ and was completely in the tube! They sent me in feet first! My head was just barely in but with the way I was positioned I had to look up and over my head to see daylight which was tough. They had to strap me completely down too since it was abdominal. So glad its over!
First time here — found you through Google+ Sparks! — and I agree and identify completely with what you’ve written in this post.
“I try to only take them when absolutely necessarily which unfortunately in my current state is daily” — same here; I’ve been unemployed for some time and during that time it was OK as I had less exertion (physical, mental, etc.) but after finding some work it’s become as bad as before. I’d thought I was getting better but now I think it’s only because I had all that time to rest and relax, sigh. I also try to do the other things that you described e.g. just take enough to take the edge off so I can continue to at least minimally function.
“I would love to have more energy. I wish the constant pain was not so physically, mentally, and emotionally draining” — again, I feel exactly the same. I’m single but already I can’t keep up with my personal interests — sometimes not even my needs (chores etc.) — after a full day/week of work! 🙁 There are so many things I want to do, I can’t even volunteer or do the community work that would make me feel useful, I can’t even take good care of myself. We soldier on, but I feel sad at the loss of my productivity and community contributions.