on so many mixtures of meds dont know what to do anymore

[jeanz]

Hi, I have been on solphadol , tramadol (at night to try n help me get some rest ) was on diclofenac which was changed to meloxicam that didnt help which has now been changed to naproxen. I recently (whilst looking after my mum as i am her full time carer ) managed to twist "pop" or strain something in my right side around the front and back of my ribs after 3 days waiting i got to see a triage nurse who immediately got a dr to see me who gave me a low dose diazepam (that i could have only for a week ) a week later still in agony so went back to same dr who gave higher dose diazepam and oramorph (to use only when i absolutley needed it ) My dr also advised taking things a bit easier ie lifting bending housework etc ( i just smiled knowing full well thats impossible) I got up this morning and the pain has eased at my right side but is now extremely painful at the left front and rear rib areas..... i feel scared to take too much pain meds at night for it to knock me out for a good nights sleep as my mum sometimes has choking fits in the night so i need to be alert for her... i have just phoned aids and adaptations to "chase up" an application for a stairlift for my mum as at the moment when she goes up/down stairs i have to go with her supporting her (usually in agony) If we go out my mum uses a stick and literally swings on my right arm (she has a mobility scooter but i cannot manage to lift it in and out of the car myself) I am beginning to feel at the end of my tether with everything and all my mum could say after i phoned aids/adaptations was" huh look well if they say i have to go in a home then what!!" I was made redundant in march 09(dont think my constant sickness absences helped) and finally my gp actually used the correct term of hypermobility syndrome a few weeks ago (thanks to Donna for the support throughout helping me stand my ground with my gp and going armed with the relevant info) I just filled in the forms to see if i can claim disability living allowance in my own right. Sorry if i have rattled on or posted this is in the wrong place any advice??? I havent listed quantities of each medication as i thought that wasnt allowed.

[Finarda]

For your meds, talk to your pharmacist and ask them to do a review of your meds with you and give you some limits on how much meds is too much. Personally I also fill all my prescriptions at the one pharmacy and they check my current prescriptions to verify that there arent ant conflicts but they have also given me some advice on what combo of sedating drugs including painkillers that I can take at one time. I gave them a few scenarios and they gave me advice on what to do in each scenario.

Fiona

[Sandy L]

A disclaimer first, then some information that might be useful.

One of the more common problems with stretchy people is subluxation of costovertebral joints--between a rib and the lateral process of the spine. That hurts like the dickens in back, usually between the shoulder blades. Since the nerve at each level of the thorax runs along the under side of the rib, it may be stretched when the joint goes out resulting in pain perceived anywhere along its course. It may seem to penetrate through to the front or may come around the side. There is usually a palpable, tender bump at the site of the joint, two inches or so from midline. If that is the case, there are several remedies that might help:
1. Fold your arms and make a sharp twist to the opposite side. That will sometimes pull the rib back in place and give considerable rapid relief.
2. Hang from a door or other overhead support. If your shoulders subluxate, be careful with this one!
3. Tie a tennis ball into the middle of a long stocking or pantyhose. Lay it on the floor, then use the ends to position it under the rib just to the side of the sore spot and rest your weight on it.
4. Have someone reach around you, place the base of their thumb along the rib and make a fist, then place the other hand on the fist and give you a firm hug. Experiment with the force; it takes a firm hug but you don't want your helper to get too enthusiastic.
5. See a chiropractor.

[barkingmad]

I do like it when Sandy comes along!
Wow that is a lot of pain meds. And you were right not to list the quantities. Eloise is a pharmacist and I always tell people to PM her if they have concerns over their meds. I am so out of date now I cant really advise on any of it.

But I would try what Sandy suggests, I suffer from that and I find stretching it out and turning, I am not good at explaining this as my body just seems to know what to do! But it is similar to what Sandy says.
If you can, you need to get some you time to practice relaxation and to take you away from your caring responsibilites. Time to just be you can be a good medicine in itself, as can meeting up with friends for lunch for a laugh.

Have you done a pain management course yet? If not have a look through the pain management threads. I am glad your GP is now using the correct term, there is hope there after all.
TC Donna