Cam's New Lease on Life Journal (comments welcome!)

[keenercam]

Thanks for all the good WISHes, my friends.
Well, the doctor did an adjustment on my back Monday, saying it was my ribs and they were mis-aligned. He gave me an anti-inflammatory and some valium to help me sleep. I've been taking the voltaren, but only tried the valium last night because I was desperate for sleep.
The pain is actually much worse today, and I am mostly just slumping over my desk working until I go back to the doctor later this morning.
Havent' been able to go to the gym, though he says it would be alright to use the recumbent stationary bike, nothing else. Right now, I'm too exhausted and in too much pain to even consider it.
Hoping to have something good to report later.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Cam! Just want you to know that I'm thinking about you and hoping like crazy that you have a really speedy recovery for your back injury! It sounds so painful . Let us know how you are doing if you get a chance....worried about you!!!

 

[keenercam]

Thank you, Amy! You are so sweet to worry about me. I feel like such a wuss!
Well, the doctor gave me vicoden for the pain, which I finally tried last night before bed in the hopes of relieving the pain enough to get some sleep. And it did help me to sleep, though the pain is no better today and I can't take it while I have to function at work. Apparently the muscles surrounding where the ribs came out of alignment are inflammed and it could take 7-10 days on the anti-inflammatory for it to be better. I couldn't bear the thought of another adjustment yesterday; I think I would have passed out.
The plan is physical therapy starting next week for 3x/week if I'm not better by then and xrays tomorrow if I am still in this much pain (though I think an MRI would have been more conclusive).
I am just confused about how I did this and how to fix it and make sure it doesn't happen again.

 

[MIdanceMom]

Gentle Cam,

The doc ordered the xrays because a lot of insurance companies will deny coverage for an MRI, if an xray wasn't done first. You don't want to be stuck for a $1200 Mri bill.

Cam, as soon as you are home, take a vicoden. It may take a couple of doses to get the pain under control, so you can actually rest. If you are home at 6Pm, you could take a 2nd dose at 10 or 11. You will probably get more relief with the second dose.

Take care and keep us posted.
Beth

 

[keenercam]

Thank you so much, Beth! I didn't know any of that, and the doctor didn't explain it to me.

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Cam
Take it easy for now the gym can wait, get yourself well first
I hope the meds give you some relief tonight.

 

[toystoryduo]

Cam,

I'm sorry to hear that you are in so much pain. I hope that the meds work soon and that you start experiencing some relief. Please be sure and take it easy this weekend.

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hi Cam,

I used to teach nursing clinicals. It was really hard for some students to understand the need for scheduled pain medication. I used homework as an analogy. Let's say that you have 2 hours of homework every night. It is manageable, but not fun. Now, you go on vacation for a week. When you come back, you now have 10 hours of homework to do in one night. It takes much longer and is harder to get it all done.

You have back pain. Using a pain scale of 1-10. When you take your vicoden every 6 hours, the pain never gets above say 5. It is usually at about a 1-2. That is right before your next dose is due. Now let's say, you have skipped your doses during the day. You come home, and the pain is 9. You take your vicoden. It is only able to bring the pain down to a 5. The next dose may be able to bring that down to a 3. You may reach a 1or 2 by the 3rd dose.

I hope that made sense tp you. I also hope that you are feeling better. Don't push yourself too hard. You need time to heal.

If there is anything I can do, let me know.

Take care,
Beth

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi Cam
Sorry you are in so muchpain! please relax and get better--nop ushing it!

 

[traceycooper]

How are you doing Cam?
Hope your ok & having a good weekend!

 

[toystoryduo]

Cam,

Hope you're feeling better sweetie.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

How are ya doing Cam?

By the way-definitely tihynk me you and Kim need to get together!

 

[keenercam]

Hi,everyone! Thank you so much for all the good WISHes. My back is so much better! Thank you, Beth, for all the amazing information on the physiology of the medications. My pain level is definitely at about a 2 now, compared to an 8 or 9 all week. Yeserday morning was the first time I was able to push myself up out of bed without it hurting!

Went to the gym tonight and did 12.2 miles in 60 minutes on the recumbent bike. Not breaking any land speed records, but just so glad to be able to do anything!

Love you guys, mean it!

 

[traceycooper]

Great news your on the mend Cam
speed isnt the important thing - 60 mins on the bike is awesome!!
One day i will follow in your footsteps!!!

 

[keenercam]

Thanks, Tracey!

I went to the gym last night to use the TM for the first time since I hurt my back. I really pushed it to stay with it for 4 miles (after all, my race is now 18 days away and it is 8.1 miles!). I did 4 miles in 57:45. Not a great pace, but at least the miles are covered. My back really started hurting if I had to hold onto the bar at my right side and when I jogged and swung my right arm, so it obviously is not back to normal yet.

I have an appt. with a physical therapist Thursday morning.

The scale seemed quite cooperative this morning. However, I continue to go up and down within a 3 pound range, never breaking past that bottom number. Well, it either will or won't happen with time. Least of my worries right now with the full marathon less than 14 weeks away. I can't expect to lose any significant amount as the miles start to pile up. All I can do is try to fuel my body with healthy foods and continue to work on getting and staying fit. 26.2 miles is a hell of a long way to go.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi Cam-
I wanted to say good for you getting the workouts in--just be careful not to overdo it and hurt yourself!

Hope you have a GREAT night!!

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hi Cam,

I am glad that your back is feeling better. Please do not push it with the exercise. Plus make sure that your sportsbra is very supportive. Too much bounce will only aggravate the injury. Slow and steady is the mantra, sweetie.

You have a phenomenal attitude about the scale. I am so proud of you.

Take care,
Beth

 

[toystoryduo]

I'm glad that you are feeling better, Cam. Please be sure and take it easy when working out.

I'm glad the scale is cooperating for you too!

Hope you have a great Wednesday!

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hi Cam,

I am just checking on you. How's the back?

Take care,
Beth

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Cam
hows things?
good luck for the TOT