Tag: Pain

Progress?

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

It seems a bit ridiculous to think that in the same two hours two days in a row I didn’t accomplish the same amount of work but I didn’t.  Yesterday I got up in pain.  I made such little progress I was frustrated with myself.  Today I got up not in pain.  Here it is 9:00 am and I’ve accomplished a lot. 
In my head, I’ve had this to-do list which I know is too long for the amount of time I have but still I want to accomplish all the things on my to-do list.  Today I’ve checked off a number of things in just a short period of time.
Yesterday I tried to write my paper for Prose Stylistics.  I sat at the computer and bumbled my way through it.  Now I had a strong outline and all I really had to do was organize and fill it out.  I tried doing that and it was a poor attempt. 
Today I got up, showered, dressed, and while I was going to the bathroom (I know too much information) I realized exactly what I needed to do for my intro and how to reorganize.  After my shower, I sat down and whipped it out.  I now have nearly four pages for my paper and I think it is done.  I’ll leave it until tomorrow and read through it.  I’m sure I’ll find things I want to change but mostly I’m done with it. 
Last night I read two chapters in a book for Prose Stylistics.  It is the most blathering type writing.  He goes on and on and is ridiculous.  But I managed to skim my way through the two chapters.  I have one more to read and then I’m done. 
Today I have been reading some of the nine excerpts I need to read in order to finish off the best sellers vs classics for Prose Stylistics.  I’m through with three of them and will be done with the fourth shortly.  I will try to get through all of them before I wander back to the couch. 
Last night I got my grade for my science exam – 27 out of 30!  I was thrilled as this is the best I’ve done.  I finished chapter 10 earlier this week and today I am hoping to finish chapter 11.  I was hoping to finish all three chapters but it doesn’t look like that will happen so I will just keep plugging away at them.  I literally have four chapters left after I finish chapter 11 and I will be glad to be done with my science class.

Hopefully the rest of today will be as productive as the first two hours.  It is amazing how much I can accomplish if I’m not in pain and I put my mind to it.

Gout…

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

Such a small word, who knew it could have such impact on your life.  I’ve had gout for a while.  Mostly it is under control.  Then I have times like this past week where it flares up.  Now normally a flare for me last a couple of days and goes away.  Not this time. 

Last Thursday I left work with a swollen foot and knew it was coming on.  I did what I could.  I doubled up on my arthritis meds, added in pain killers, and anti-inflammatory, increased my cherry juice intake, elevated it and massage (carefully) the affected joint.  These are all things that have worked well in the past. 

I spent all weekend and part of this week in my recliner.  I got a lot of crocheting done.  I read most of my stuff for my formal project.  I caught up some on my DVR watching.  My foot remained stubbornly swollen and the red spot stuck on. 

This weekend I have a lot to do.  I have to finish crocheting the things mom asked me to make.  I have to finish the gifts for my student workers.  I have to read proofs for the short stories I’m getting published in an anthology.  I have to finish reading the articles for my formal project.  Then when I am done reading everything I have to write the formal project.  Oh and let’s not forget the short story and other writing I need to do for my Creative Writing class.  I’m going to have to take a quiz as well for Language Studies. 

This is just a portion (very small portion) of my to-do list.  Somehow I’m going to have to do this all from my recliner because my foot is still painful and swollen. 

Any suggestions?

Risk Management

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
I’ve been taking Darvacet / Darvon for 19 years.  It is the only pain killer that has given me relief from the arthritis, gout, bent bone etc pain that I suffer.  Now Darvacet has been taken off the market.  Apparently it causes heart issues. 
So far the docs have tried one other pain med, Tramaldol, which I of course had a reaction to.  I’m also allergic to codeine so can’t take Tylenol with codeine.  I have an appointment with the docs in two weeks to try to find a different med. 
In the meanwhile what the heck am I supposed to do?  I have two prescriptions at home I can’t take for pain.  One could cause heart issues and the other could cause seizures.  Which risk do I want to take?  On my bad days, Tylenol/Advil etc doesn’t touch my arthritis pain.  Being immersed in hot water helps, however, I’m pretty sure that I can’t work while sitting in a hot tub.  It might be awkward to say the least…
Anyone got any home remedies?  I already drink cranberry / cherry juice to help with my gout.  I will increase that intake.  I’m trying to lose weight by going to the pool to work out.  Love the pool time but with the cold / inclement weather it is harder to go to the pool. 
When we have a week of weather – lots of snow – then I hurt.  Today I sit at my desk and every joint in my body hurts.  I can’t close my hands into fists because my hands hurt so much.  Sitting up straight is too painful. 
In all of this I try to remember that it is just pain and will pass.  Eventually the weather will change, the pain meds will help, or my joints will be warm enough that they will stop hurting.  I now there are people out there with much worse situations than I have.  This will get better.  For now all I can do is curl up under the quilt my daughter made with love and hope the pain eases sooner rather than later.