Coping with pain
Posted on Mar 1, 2012 in Cottage tales | 33 comments
Snowdrops in the grass
“I’m afraid you are going to be rattling for the next couple of weeks or so.”
The duty doctor looked at the screen as he filled out the prescription.
I didn’t care if I rattled or even hooted at midnight. Anything to get rid of the pain.
Rushing down the garden last Friday, I slipped on a mossy brick path and fell backwards. Breaking a rib on an old stone planter.
Apart from being a bit sore over the weekend I must have been cage fighting in my dreams on Sunday night. By Monday I could hardly move – the pain was so severe. I also had developed a nasty phlegmy cough. Each deep cough tickled up the broken rib. In the end I realised that I couldn’t even sob as it was just too painful. Danny was away on Monday, so only the Min Pins saw my operatic slow stagger down the stairs to the loo.
I was treating the pain with Ibuprofen. The max dosage is six tablets in 24 hours. The gaps between the pills were a ghastly struggle. I’m a wooz when it comes to any sort of pain. The risk of torture meant that Spy was a career choice that I’d left to others long ago.
So yesterday I rang NHS direct and they advised me to go straight to my doctor. I was really impressed with the service from NHS direct. They were kind and gave me loads of useful advice – such as holding a pillow against the ribs to ease the strain of the cough. They also informed me that you could combine different types of painkillers to give 24 hour relief. You do need to check with your doctor before you try this.
They also explained that if you have damaged ribs the tendency is not to breathe too deeply. Consequently the lungs do not clear naturally and an infection can quickly set in. The key thing was to deal with the pain so as to be able to cough easily and effectively.
Danny and I glided down to Newmarket in The Duchess. The doctor took my temperature by putting a clever instrument I my ear! He prescribed antibiotics, codeine and worked out a combination of the latter and over the counter pain killers to make me more comfortable.
So I’m grazing on a handful of pills a day now. The pain is no longer at the knife twisting level of yesterday and hopefully I’ll be up and about very soon.
I’m looking forward to hearing that rattle when I can run down the stairs again.
I made two litres of dog food by mistake
Recipe for meatballs and spaghetti with red wine, tomatoes and bell peppers. Foolproof slow cooker/crock pot recipes
Win £50 worth of B&Q vouchers with The Cottage Smallholder and Direct Line Grand Draw
New layout for CSH – testers wanted please
Update on the remaining Min Pins
It’s the little things that make the difference
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HG
Oh you poor thing!
oh for the love of God, you’ve really gone for it this time haven’t you?!
Poor you Fiona…feeling very sorry for you.First flu and now this.Hope you feel better soon.
I hope Danny is treating well and tenderly. Danny? Did you hear that? This woman needs utterly devoted attention for a while!
Oh Fiona, you poor thing! This is all you need
Please take it easy, and Danny, get those nursing skills honed to perfection!
Oh dear Fiona – first flu now broken ribs – you really need some TLC
Take care and get well soon
DEEPEST sympathy – been there and done that with the
rib – more painful than childbirth!! Hope it feels better soon. x
having spent the last five months off work recovering from post op complications, i send you every sympathy for the pain you are in – i too relied on different painkillers at different times to manage the pain. Take care Fiona, concentrate on getting fully well and don’t be tempted to “potter” too soon. x
I’m so sorry to read of your mishap! Please don’t turn into the type of little old lady (eventually, that is) who breaks shoulders and hips, too! Did they have to set your rib? Moss is a problem here in the Pacific Northwest and people in these parts really work at killing moss on pathways, et al. You can even buy chemical moss-killer- I’ve never seen it on offer anywhere else. I like the way that moss looks on old things, but it has no business on the walkways, for just the reason you cited.
I think vitamin C is supposed to be good for healing quicker, so try some of that.
I’m not going to say feel better- after all, that’s what the painkillers are for- I’m going to say Get Well Soon!!
What a terrible accident, I hope you take care of yourself and feel better soon!
Oh Fiona, what a pain!
You will have to take things carefully for a while. I wish you a speedy mend. The pathways are lethal at the moment. Sending you get well vibes.
Ouch! Done that in a car accident.. made me realise how much my man loved me as he had to pull my knicks down every time I needed the loo and back up again when I’d finished… true devotion!! I’m sure Danny is up to the job:-D. Get well soon. x
I’m so sorry Fiona! It’s one thing after another at the moment. Take care of yourself and don’t try to do too much too soon when the pain eases.
So sorry to hear about your accident – and waiting so long before getting extra-strong painkillers from the doctors too!
Yes, I too learned you can combine paracetamol and ibuprofen when in need.
A word of warning on codeine – have you been warned about the possible side-effects? Constipation! be warned. You will probably not care as you are in enough pain to need the codeine, but don’t be surprised is all…
You have really been in the wars, haven’t you? No advice, just sending you my love. Get well soon.
Get better soon, Fiona.
Not heard of taking temperature from your ear, but at least he didn’t stick it up your bum – otherwise you’d have another sore spot.
Take care F
Hope you heal quickly Fiona.
Ooops! Take care,hope it all heals up quickly.I decided last year to gravel all my paths after sliding swiftly past the greenhouse one morning,I fall over enough already without encouraging it!
Oh no that is all you wanted just before seed planting time. I do hope you recover quickly, All love xxx
Terrier that is so funny, now my cats think I have totally lost it laughing so loud. Poor Fiona wont be able to laugh out loud just yet
So sorry to hear of your plight, Fiona. I missed my footing on an uneven path in the garden and fell on my side, breaking a couple of ribs. I also had a cough at the time so I can sympathise with your pain. The GP I saw gave me codydramol (sp?) but the dosage was so strong I didn’t even know what day it was. Much better to alternate between paracetamol and ibruprofen and take things gently. All good wishes for a speedy recovery.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery – take the strongest painkillers at night – it’s usually easier to bear pain if you can have a half decent night’s rest. And get something like Lactulose for the side-effects!
Crikey – all this lovely sympathy for Fiona is making me jealous.
Where is the sympathy for her nurse (me) or the admiration for my crisply starched white uniform with pretty blue piping and navy blue tights?
To be fair, she is a really great patient. Her primary requirements are hot drinks (tea) and hotties – but several time a day. My knees will never hold out at this rate! It’s a tricky stairs here at CSH.
.. just watch where you put the thermometer, nursie! ( see Terrier comment!)
So sorry to hear you are in so much pain and discomfort. Hope the meds are working and that you’re back to normal ASAP. Take care. xx
The Solution Danny is to treat Fiona to a Teasmade! just carry up a 5 gall container of water and a box of tea-bags and leave her to it! – she can both make her tea and fill her “hottie” whilst you put your fee…I mean Slave away downstairs and in the garden! – soon be “Spud” planting time!
Photo please, Danny