Dealing with Chronic Pain

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Yep, I went to drs. Nope I didn't have test done. Why you ask?

Well because I told the dr I had problems sleeping for the last two months. I only sleep for 2-3 hours.

First I went in room and they made hubby come also, so I figured they would give me test. But then he asked how I was doing and I told him about my sleeping habits. Even hubby was concerned and mentioned it to him. So, becasue of that, he decided to wait 2 weeks. Then I told him I had issues taking phentex and asked for something cheaper. I even brought my med book and marked all the generic in pink. So he took a good 10 mins explaining all the meds to me and decided on a new one. So we left, went to Kmart to pick up new perscription. Now I was sitting in car waiting while hubby went in there. Somehow he locked the door and I opened the door to get some fresh air. That was a big mistake the alarm went off and kept going off for 5 mins! I was forced to walk in the store and find hubby to ask for the car keys to shut that dam alarm off! Everyone was staring at my car with me sitting in it of course. I got so imbarrassed I had to do something...lol. Now where he was parked it was a good distance to be walking anywhere especially without shoes on both feet, only had one. And one never sees me walk in a store, I have a problem with that, I use a scooter. But much to my surprise I did it! Of course I was breathing heavy, more tired than what I was, but hey, I wasn't going to sit there and look foolish either. So I found him and rofl....yes I scared him to death....he jumped when I called his name....ROFL ( this was well worth the walk for me) and told him to give me the dam keys so I could shut that dam alarm off! OMG his eyes got so big, and he knew I was ticked off, not at him but well you gals know what I mean...lol....So back I go, took me a good 10 mins to get to stupid car...lol Then there I stood, shut alarm off but couldn't figure out how to reopen the door! Of course Charlie had brains to come and check and knew something was wrong when I was standing there leaning against the car and my face told him I wasn't too happy then either. He got close enough so I could tell him I don't know how to open the doors now! (see I knew I should have had that test done!) So once again he saved me. Then he tells me how much the meds are going to cost and I about had a heart attack! WHAT?? we picked the generic one, there is no way it should come to that amount! I told him to forget it, just get the dam phentex. Many calls were made from the pharmacy to drs office to straighten the mess out. And I sat in car waiting, a long time by the way. But at least I had the keys this time....LOL Then my dr calls me last night and tells me about this lady that takes depakote and the new meds he tried to give me...she pays 30 for depakote and over 200 for the new meds!!! I told him I will just take what he gave me to start with. He wanted to look at the list again but I told him no....I am not playing around with meds here. No one knows why I am not sleeping, he doesn't think it is the meds. I've been on it too long and nothing else has changed with my other meds. I never slept a full 8 hrs my whole life, but I have slept more than 2-3 hours I assure you! And I am not all that tired really. I mean I get tired but not like extremely tired like most people would get. So that was my dr visit.

And Dan I am going to ask for some Tedhose thingys. I am sure one of the drs will give me a perscription for it. I know they come in different sizes, so I think I will get large just so they fit, leg is just about too big now as it is (foot included) before it will open and I get sores from it. Been there done that before, just forgot about them....lol

Couple of things, hon.

You may want to get a sleep test done. I did and I found I had sleep apnea. I had no idea I had it, as no one has ever told me I snore or have problems breathing. But there it was on the test. I get titred for a CPAP tomorrow night. Hopefully I'll start to get more than 2 or 3 hours of sleep per night. I gotta admit, I'm pretty exhausted. This has been going on for years, but I thought it was just the pain.

Secondly, you want to get TED hose that are tight. They're hard to put on, but they have devices that help. And if you use exam gloves, that helps. Also, you have someone there to help you. But get them so they fit your foot, not your swelling. Otherwise they won't take the swelling down. They'll be pretty hard to get on, especially at first. But it's worth it. Believe me. Just keep your skin moistened when you take them off, like for showering. I put a lot of lotion on my legs before I get in the shower. That way they don't get dry. You can't put lotion on before you put them on, or you would never get them on. Just try it and you'll see why. LOLOL

Hugs and lots of love,

What Dan said...TED hoses are meant to feel two sizes too small. If they fit just like regular stockings, then they aren't doing their job. When we help fit patients for them in the hospital, we take two people to put them on the patient. They really are a great product, but only if they are the correct fit.

Good luck with the sleeping issue and the medications. Hope you find some relief soon!

I had sleep study done a months back, because my husband & I couldn't figure out, how can I sleep for 24 hours straight?? I am serious, I don't even get up to go to the bathroom when I sleep that long; then there are times I would stay up for 24 hours, straight!

So, I requested my neurologist schedule an appointment for the sleep study. I received the results, everything came out fine.

I still suffer from the insomina. I see my psychiatrist monthly, she has me on Ambien. I only take them if I am having a hard time getting to sleep.

Dan, my husband's doctor mentioned to him that he ought to consider getting a sleep study done, because he suspects Chuck has sleep apnea.

He too, as you do gets between 2-3 hours of sleep at night. Between the asthma and epyshma, then his back wakes him up at night.

He is on Advair, so am I, as well. We both snore. You know, after being married for six years, and being used to his snoring I can't sleep if he's not snoring. When he's not snorning, I turn over to my left to feel if he is breathing. Sometimes he would say, "Yes, I'm still alive; then I would say to him, Then, make some kind of noise! LOL

Chuck told me not long after the doctor put me on Advair, he said that I don't snore as much as I used to. The only time I do snore is when I am sleeping flat on my back, so he nudges me and tells me to roll over then I stop snoring.

The only time he sleeps real good is, during the day. We are considered vampires because we're up all night and sleep all day...lol I swear our neighbors think we are night owls. I am at my best when evening approaches, like 9 o'clock.

I woke up at midnight I've been up for eight hours. I slept all through yesterday (Saturday), and here it was our 6th wedding anniversary. We'll make up for it today.

You all have a relaxing Sunday.

I believe you when you say it takes two people to get those TED hose on, Jen. I tell you, it's a real wrasslin' match for me to get them on every morning. And people wonder why it takes me so long to get ready in the AM. LOL

Yes, Cyndy, lotion before you get in the shower. It keeps your legs from drying out from the hot water. And no, it doesn't seem to make the surface of the tub any more slippery than soap does. LOL

Hugs and lots of love,

Angel honey, I'm laughing with you not at you but your tale of woes cracked me up. I could so see myself doing the same thing. I jump up to go to another room like I really have something to do and when I get there without fail I can't remember what I was going after. Sure hope that leg and foot heals soon. I know what you mean about meds costs. By the time Tom and I get our three months supply it wipes us out every time. We are on social security and no other income. Its tough!! Take care. lots of love gramanan

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