Coping with pain
Posted by Fiona Nevile 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.
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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.
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.
What a terrible accident, I hope you take care of yourself and feel better soon!
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!!
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
DEEPEST sympathy – been there and done that with the
rib – more painful than childbirth!! Hope it feels better soon. x
Oh dear Fiona – first flu now broken ribs – you really need some TLC
Take care and get well soon
Oh Fiona, you poor thing! This is all you need 🙁 Please take it easy, and Danny, get those nursing skills honed to perfection!
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 you poor thing!