Health Updates

[sKePTiKal]

 Maybe an urgent care would be less wait, Hopsie.

[Hopalong]

Thanks, hon. I don't know if they accept Medicare though. I could go to the nearby community hospital ER for this, as it's smaller and normally less jammed.

May do that later today -- have to give a little talk about the Village at 11am. The one concern with ribs, if broken (I believe the bottom one may be) is that if it interferes with breathing deeply (one is), that can encourage pneumonia in olderies. I should suck it up and get the image.

Hugs, gingerly,
Hops

[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