Health Updates

[sKePTiKal]

Knowing will help. They no longer wrap ribs, but you'll probably get some pain meds.

[Twoapenny]

I hope you got checked out and that everything's okay, Hopsie xx

[Hopalong]

Thanks, y'all. There's no overt fracture but it's basically deep bone bruises plus some smashed soft tissue. The prescribed pain med didn't touch it so I'm asking my PCP for something stronger.

Daytimes I cope fine, but getting into any sleep position involves crying out over and over at night. Just about at "I can't take it" level, truth be told.

Ribs reasearch suggests that injured ribs hurt like hell whether overtly fractured or not.  I don't care, just want to sleep. Cranky and crumpling a bit. This too shall pass.

hugs
Hops

[Twoapenny]

That sounds grim, Hopsie, nothing worse than unrelenting pain, especially when it prevents sleep.  I hope the doc was able to give you something stronger and that it starts to heal up quickly as well xx

[sKePTiKal]

When B is in a lot of pain, it helps for him to sleep in a recliner. It's enough support for the body to relax, but won't put as much pressure on your back.

[Hopalong]

No recliner here, LOL.
A new couch with a recliner seat at one end would be lovely. No furniture budget.

But the good news is that after finally getting my doc to acknowledge that I take such low doses I don't need to worry about serotonin syndrome, I started the addition Rx from the urgent care doc (1 anti-inflammatory and 1 muscle relaxant) and felt way better this morning. Oh, and I added the Costa Rican version (gift from M) of a gel rub, Voltaren in the US, all over the bruise and that helped a lot.

TMI? Hope not!

hugs
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

So, Voltaren works, huh? I found it in my search for things to help B but didn't buy it. We just use the usual capsaisin, aspercreme, arnica, etc. I did find a tincture - combo of herbs - that seems to help. It's a nerve tonic that helps the nerves do what they're s'posed to do... so it's more a long term assist. He is still on half doses, once a day WHEN he remembers. Maybe a placebo effect, but he thinks it helps and that's all that matters!

[lighter]

Sorry that happened to you, Hops.  I'd look at your neighborhood message board and maybe post for the loan of whatever chair you think would help.  We had a heated one that stood my dad up....thinking that might be a better sleeping situation for you?

Sometimes you can find them available for cheap or free.

Lighter

[Hopalong]

Y'all are so kind to track my painful stuff. Thank you, dears.

Actually, the Voltaren is worth a try for B, imo. I was amazed.
And I'm better enough now that despair lifted off. Whew. I've
even slept some, because I can shift better in bed.

It's just going to take time now that the pain is down a bit.

Watch me be patient! C'mon nature, hurry up....LOL.


hugs
Hops

[lighter]

I'm glad the worst pain and despair have lifted, dear one.

Lighter

[Hopalong]

Pup got some kind of bird bone outside and I heard him crunching in the gap between bed and wall. I was trying to reach the bone splinters to get them away from him and my body decided to fall gracefully over the side of the mattress and land me on my head. OW.

I drove to the ER, not worried but just obeying Dr Google, got a CT brain scan (I'm okay, no bleed) and all is well. Just another mortality reminder.

It'll make for a fun addition to the Organ Recitals, though. Milking it for all it's worth, as usual.

hugs
Hops

[Hopalong]

Bit short of breath today. Thinking it's allergens but still always hate the sensation. For some reason, I'm pondering age and vulnerability a lot. I'll be starting again at the little cardiac rehab gym soon. Not looking forward to it but believe if I don't stop this sedentary cycle I'll die. When I start walking, the weakness hits. Immobility is a stupid, stupid way to manage anxiety, imo. And I'm probably having that because of getting to know another male and primarily, having let my house go completely squalid. It's not just shame, but fear. Both.

The back pain on bending is the primary physical cause, as doing dishes, food prep, etc send me into back spasms. I'm so weary of it and it's worsening. Actually, something else might be the primary cause: ADD. Once I started the cycle when my dear cleaner has been unavailable for months, it's been like falling. I stopped taking care of this, then stopped taking care of that, etc etc etc. It's been like watching a very slow, time-lapse mudslide that's now engulfed my kitchen, bath and bedroom. I wander around like a wraith with blinders on. I SEE the mess and detour around it back to the womb: on bed with laptop.

The extension isn't too bad, despite mounds of laundry that need folding and multiple more loads to go. Pulling wet laundry out and transferring it to dryer...ow.

I do know what to do. I don't know WHY I haven't done it.

Thanks for listening to an extended, really absurd WHINE. I am so lucky to live here and to be alive. Something's just not been connecting lately and I think it scares me.

There've been highs and lows this spring. Highs especially with the old family friends, a nervous bit with Birdnerd, lows about...falling, home mess, and Poet. Can I blame her for my recent decline? LOL. J/k, I'm no longer grieving but relieved.

hugs
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

Unless falling is a regular thing that happens, I don't think it's anything to connect with age, Hops. Being sedentary can be more than a lack of strength though. Balance, flexibility are things that aren't getting used as well. (This comes from a total klutz who KNOWS how to move well - and doesn't always practice it!) I run into doors and walls. Yes, for real.

Maybe find a leafy park to gently walk with bird nerd for a bit - doesn't have to be a 10 mile hike! Walking is good exercise - and probably gentler (coz you're in control of pace) than cardiac rehab.