smile, I have thought of you so much these past two weeks. I so remembered your days of pain. I've always thought of you as such an upbeat woman, so when you asked for prayer for your pain, I knew you needed it. Make sense?

My doctor just prescribed more of the rotten pain killers which I refuse to take. All they do is knock me out. I can't handle that feeling.

You are right about being distracted. These forums have been my saving grace. I've also had many visitors who have ehlped pass the time. Family and friends have definitely been the silver lining. Tomorrow night is Girl's Night Out. One of the gals sent an email saying they needed to bring the evening to my house. I can't wait.

Also, Ross and I just got back from what he calls DRIVING MISS DOTSIE. He packs me in the back seat of the car (I can't bend me knee due to the awful brace I have to wear. Plus it wouldn't bend yet anyway.) We drove to one of our favorite restaurants and got two salads with bread to go. We sat in the car and ate them. It's a glorius day and I loved getting out.

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts, words, and prayers.

Dots,
I'm just so glad to hear you sounding a little better. I'm sure it's the prayers and the fun too. Even with medication, pain can drag you down.

I was in terrible pain from my first 13 fractures at fifteen. I coped by staying terribly busy and having a wonderful time. I smiled a lot and it helped. Narcotics only made me goofy. Aspirin helped and I took it four times a day, but it caused me to bleed out twice so I had to stop.
All through my teens I was a cheerleader and danced on stage. The pain caused me to cry and throw up, but I kept doing it because I loved it and I loved the endorphin rush when I was onstage. It was one of few painfree times. I guess I learned to manage my own endorphins. But age makes all that impossible and I think pain changes at midlife too.

So since you can't dance, I say call that doctor back and get tough with him. Tell him you can't take that medicine and demand something else. Then keep raising cain until he gives you something that helps. Pain delays healing so you need some relief. Maybe you can sic Ross on him too.

I'm praying for you again tonigh and we're all sending love. Love can do anything.

smile

Thanks smile. I spoke with my doctor about your concern about the Ibuprofen and my e.coli poisoning/diverticulitis just this past summer. He thinks I'll be fine, however he did prescribe Protonix for while I am taking all this Ibuprofen.

I also had a friend remind me of her Motrin toxicity. She became so sick that she had to go to the ER. The diagnosis was too much Motrin so I am being very careful. Life goes on in spite of the pain. Distraction helps tremendously!

Dots, you sound a little stronger with each post. Keeping busy on the computer should help keep your mind off things and you need an outing once in a while too.

Glad the doctor is on top of the ibuprofen. I only wish I could take it. It helps so much. But no more bleeds for me.

When all this is over, you may need to go on a series of probiotics to restore the normal flora to your gut destroyed by antibiotics and steroids (both of which are almost always necessary in orthopedic surgery). We should talk more about that when you're past the worst. Doctors don't seem to know much about it, but I keep reading more about it. I did it and hopefully it helped avoid some of the problems.

Keep getting better. You are in my prayers.
smile

Smile, thanks for your concern. Funny you should mention probiotics. I had Girls's Night here the other night. One of my friends is very into vitamins and supplements. SHe also mentioned probiotics. I must mention this to my doctor. Thanks.

Dotsie, how's the pain relief? I hope you're better able to manage it. Constant pain of any sort can really get you down. It's so frustrating to be out of control. I have spinal stenosis in my lower back. So, when the pain gets out of control I take Vicodin (hydrocodone.)

Your pain is probably due to a lot of swelling, so taking anti-inflammatories is probably your best bet. Advil, Motrin, they all work the same way. For Motrin, the doctor can prescribe 800 mg. I think that's like 4 regular Motrins from over the counter. Are you also using a combination of heat/cold on your knee? That should help bring the swelling down as well and relieve some of the pain.

Distraction is always a good pain reliever. It sounds like you have some wonderful caregivers who are helping you get through this. Don't be brave. Take them up on all offers to help. That's best for you.

Vicki, thanks. I am doing either 600 or 800 mgs of Ibuprofen every 5-6 hours. Yes, I am swollen and that's what makes it so hard to get my range of motion back. I got 91 degrees today, but with a little yelp. I work a couple hours, then ice. I'm getting ready to ice again son.

Do you have a moist heat pad for your lower back? If not, you must RUN right out and get one. Since I've been sleeping on my back and sitting around so much, my lower back has been aching. I have a moist heat pad on the bed and I fall asleep with it on. You have to hold the switch down for it to work. As I fall asleep, I must let go of the switch. It has been a life saver! I hope you have one.

I love my heating pad. Doesn't have a kill switch on it, but it does have a timer and turns itself off after a certain number of minutes.

As for the combo of Advil and Tylenol...I am always very careful and very conservative about what I take.

I don't think that we should combine medications unless so advised by a doctor. Always better to be safe than sorry! (Something my mother always told me!)

Kimr, you're very right about that. Drug interactions can be very serious.

Overmedicating is a big issue with over the counter products. Our liver was never meant to process medications yet we ask it to do so. It's hard on it.

Have you seen the commerical from Tylenol where the spokeperson says "I'd rather you don't take our product at all." They're talking about those who take too much. It's serious. Especially for Tylenol because it can cause your liver enzymes to rise. Not a good thing.

Always talk to your doctor. Especially if you're going to mix OTC and prescribed drugs. And, to be on the safe side, talk to your pharmacist too.