INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours

Gingerbrew

Today is the last day of Cool Breeze, /Ann's best health blog contest. She is barely holding on to first. The blog is called 

But Doctor I hate Pink. 

http://www.healthline.com/health/best-health-blogs...

This is the last day of the contest. I have known this woman online here at BCO for three + years now. She is trying to win this best health blog contest prize of $1,000. for her son's college fund. It takes just a moment to vote, I also vote on my twitter account as well as Facebook. It is very quick. 

If you have the time to vote please do so, Ann will appreciate it.

Hugs Barb

sas-schatzi

Blessings, Sweet Peas a cardiac nurse, I was using nurse lingo to her-VERY GLAD YOU SPELLED IT OUT IN DEPTH.

Others can and should consider scheduled round the clock use of pain meds when around the clock pain is an issue. You will actually use less pain medicine overall, b/c when pain gets out of control you, generally, need twice as much to get it under control.

There is a two page pain thread I answered allot of questions. I don't bump it b/c the second page got into a discussion on addiction. It wasn't appropriate to the talk of pain med after sx etc.

I'll put the link here, but keep in mind while you may read the addiction stuff, concentrate on the pain scale & med use. I explain how to use the pain scale. Too many professionals use the smiley faces. The smiley faces work with children. Adults need a definition.

http://community.breastcancer.org/topic_post?forum_id=8&id=770655&page=1

sas-schatzi

OMG Chevy and Wren, SOCKS spawn too! AND they never match their parents!

Littlegoats, no I don't have a proper linen closet LOL When DH was so ill, changing sheets was very frequent. I put two baskets in the bed room---one flat sheets, the other pillow cases. I used the flat sheets instead of cornered sheets. I didn't tuck anything. I could change a sheet likety split.

Later I realized how convenient it was to have the sheets and pillowcases in the same room. Emptied out a drawer or two in each bedroom for s/p's. I still don't use fitted sheets. Now I have lots more room in the linen closet, but it keeps spawning things too.

I guess that linen closet needs a firm hand and a large garbage basket to get it under control. Okey-dokey--off I go to do battle.

Wren44

Sas, How do you keep flat sheets on the bed? I have trouble keeping the fitted ones on. I think DH rolls up in the blankets. How else could it end up with covers over him and bare bed on both sides (including mine).

Chevyboy

This is soooooo funny!  About socks, buttons and paper clips!  Erma Bombeck...

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=932&dat=19790530&id=3CFTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=soIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6682,6315591

Blessings2011

Sas- let me bore you for a minute about what I learned about pain.

Even though I had a two year masters degree in Medical Counseling, I asked to be referred to the Chronic Pain Management clinic at Kaiser. I went every Wednesday afternoon, from 1 - 4 pm, for ten weeks. The reason was  severe pain from fibromyalgia.

The Orientation session was a real eye-opener. You could tell right away who would be in the program and who would not. Just sitting in the hallway, waiting for our room to open, several people just bitched and moaned and complained about everything. EVERYTHING! One man got so angry he was going to march into the room we were waiting for, and tell the lecturer he had to leave - it was OUR turn! The lecturer turned out to be the Psychologist who was leading the Orientation.

You had to be evaluated to get into the program. It took a one hour appointment each,  with the Physiatrist (Rehabilitation Medicine doc), the Psychologist, and the Physical Therapist. They were checking to make sure all physical causes for pain had been identified, that you had the personality to benefit from the program, and the ability to at least try to do some of the exercises that would be taught.

The three hour classes started with two hours on the anatomy and control of pain. In some cases, we really do have control over how we perceive the pain signals. Anger, sadness, and other negative emotions DO affect our perception. There is documented physiological evidence that these emotions flood the brain with stress chemicals that open up the "pain gateway" in the spinal cord. This allows pain signals to have more and FASTER access to the pain center in the brain.

That's why things like deep breathing and meditation really do help. They bring oxygen to O2-starved muscles, increase endorphins in the bloodstream, and start to close down the pain gateway almost immediately. Also, focusing on some activity other than your pain (distraction) is helpful.

I had taken years of Neuroanatomy classes, and this was the first I'd ever heard about the pain center of the brain, or the pain gateway explanation of how pain signals reach the brain.

The last hour of the class was devoted to the Physical Therapist, who gave us individualized exercises to help our pain issues, and also taught us the basics of Tai Chi. (I never followed up on that... my balance sucks.)

I left that program knowing SO much more about how much control I had over my pain. When I started to hurt, I usually went through a cycle of "This is awful! I hurt all over! This pain is increasing! I can't stand it!" which, of course, made it worse.

I kept on practicing the principles they taught in the program, and it helped, (even five years later, after my BMX and recon.)

The other thing I learned was the reality of taking pain meds. If we needed them, we needed them, and addiction was not a concern.

We were told that if we were taking pain medication to eliminate all our pain, we were abusing the drugs. If we were taking pain medication to simply be able to function during the day, or get some restorative sleep at night, we were using the medication in a proper way. 

For most of us, pain is a reality, and we will never be completely without some sort of pain. But with a combination of the right medications - narcotics, or any other meds that have proven to be effective, plus relaxation and distraction, we can get to a point of our highest level of functioning that is possible, given our individual conditions.

Of course, this is for CHRONIC pain. Acute pain has a whole 'nuther set of requirements; mostly, to alleviate the pain and reduce stress on the body, so it can heal. Pain causes an incredible amount of stress, and a body that is stressed cannot heal.

Anyway..... I'm done rambling..... the good news is that I may have put some of you insomniacs to sleep!!!!

You're welcome!!! 

luvmygoats

Blessings - You didn't bore me at all. Thanks. I'm sitting here on my hiney thinking how I hurt. I need to get up, deep breathe and distract. I sit here more when DH is at work - I feel too guilty sitting if he's outside working even if it's something I can't do.

Wren44

Blessings, Very interesting! When I was in labor with my first child, I drew a mental line across my back just above the waist. I decided that my body knew how to have a baby and my brain didn't need to be involved, therefore no signals were to cross the line. And it worked. I can also go to my special place (a specific beach in Hawaii) to avoid pain. I have to convince the doctors to stop talking to me. I tell them not to speak unless to offer me a Mai Tai. Unfortunately, it doesn't work at the dentist. My yoga teacher said there were 2 ways to deal with pain. One was to draw your consciousness up into the crown of your head. The other was to become one with the pain. I think the first would work for chronic pain and the second for sudden pain.

Njmom3

I wonder if that would work with stress.  I am already worked up about the surgery for tomorrow, particularly the IV since my veins suck in my right arm and my left is off limits.  I tell myself all will be well, but yet I have a hard time relaxing and believing it.  They won't let me take anything for stress till I get there which is at 8 surgery at 10.  When I had my mx they let me take a Valium before, but my surgery was at 3p.  I know deep breathing right...

Teka

Morning surgery allows for less stress time.

Pre-Op Nurses always covered me with a toasty blanket ;o)

luvmygoats

NJmom - In your pocket for tomorrow. But I forget what you're having done. Hope you're well hydrated up until your NPO cutoff time. I agree with Teka - make a friend of an aide, transporter (wink, wink what I did) to bring nice warm blanket, your own soft socks (if allowed at least until OR time) will help relax. I think they actually let me keep mine on the whole time (anklet athletic socks).

Njmom3

Luv I have been having issues with healing after my mx so the ps is redoing the incision since I have an open wound, he is also changing out the te as long as there is No sign of infection.  If he does not put the new te in, I will have to wait for up to a year for reconstruction to start again.  All this one month to the day if my first surgery!  The worst is the dreaded drains will be back!

Wren44

You're right. The drains are the worst. Here's hoping it all goes well and you don't have to wait a year.

mostlymom

                                          Love all you Owletts

sas-schatzi

MM that is sooooooo sweet

Teka

Good Morning!!

-8*F in the North Country!

camillegal

How sweet, what a picture--AWWWWW see Chevy we can get along, even tho u r very difficult to talk to.

It's getting cold here too Teka all of a sudden--I'm all wrapped up with blankets.

IllinoisLady

My name is always behind but I come to cheer you on in any way you need it.

Lilli

Teka

sas-schatzi

Chevy where are you! You keep missing where you are supposed to be? What is up with you? How can I have My coffee with out reading your --whatever we call it. Cami what should we call Chevy's morning post? "Chevy's Pontificating", Chevy's Take". "Chevy & the Chickens", "Chevy's___________?"

All you folks that are cold, hope all is well. The weather map makes you feel cold just looking at it.

LMG's I did attack the linen closet, but got bored b/c I was winning to easily. BUT I did find 6 packages of "MR HOGG's" chili seasoning in a box. Each package is 10$. I know outrageous, but DH used to buy from them when the were cheaper. I can't believe the things I keep. You know "things" that someday you may need. Or boxes that are kept b/c someday you may need a box just that size. I don't often get ruthless like this, once every 10-20-25 years. So, taking advantage of it.

sas-schatzi

Blessings, nice class. Story--1975 I had multiple cervical neck sprains/strains ----slept in 10 lbs of traction from 1975 to 1978. 1975 I started to visualize the neck and repeat like a Mantra "It will be numb". Visualized imagery wasn't coined yet, at least in standard circles. I got very good--my neck would be numb within a few minutes----so nice------the worse the pain, the quicker I could make it numb. If the pain wasn't bad, it wouldn't work.

Two strange things about doing it. 1. it wouldn't work if I had taken any medicine..... 2. I got higher than a kite.

Months after I was doing this, the first nonjournal reports came out about endorphins and endorkins.  I figured that's what I was producing.

I can't do it for widespread pain, just more localized pain. Maybe I should practice lol.?

Wren44

I know my linen closet (in the hall and very tiny) has some covered pottery dishes that I think are meant for baked beans. They were given to us in 1984 and we have never used them. DH wants to keep them. 

Our animal shelter uses old towels and blankets for the kennels, so that's a great place for the ones looking ratty. I've actually seen towels there much nicer than the ones we're using and wonder what their story is. Wrong color? Given to person by someone they don't like?

sas-schatzi

WELL NOW I'VE DONE IT, I LOST ALL THE QWLS. TRYING TO ADD ANOTHER OWL! THEY ARE JUST GONE!

HELP?

luvmygoats

Wren - Sounds just like my closet. I haunt thrift stores for whitish beach towels to put on the love seat where dog lays. They are hard to find. Seems everyone wants garish flowers lol. I actually had to order cheap faint yellow striped ones from Amazon. I will only bleach towels every 2 weeks - on septic and afraid to overload it. Afraid if I bleach bright ones I will dye all towels some awful color. But I did have one I found in garage darkish blue/white penguin. Washed with a med. green one well used - it faded some but green towel seems about the same. Now have another to add to rotation.

I probably have some old blankets in garage. DH keeps trying to get rid of (like trash) those kinda things and I resist. I have 2 single sheets - black - one (the flat one) that DD used as blackout curtains in dorm room. Faded but who knows when you need some sheets. I have had to with DH's help pull a goat out of the yard on a blanket that could not/would not walk.

I have no qualms about towels having to match. None of ours do. If they are serviceable, we use them. Dog towels have gone thru bleach and in our linen closet - some a little worse for wear.

My dog is sound asleep in south window in sun.

luvmygoats

Sassy - I found owls on here and I think I saw some of Chevy's. Use Google and quotes "cute owl pictures". You will get tons of images - some pictures, some cartoons. I will look after posting this.

luvmygoats

Sassy - I knew when I started on here. Mostlymom's picture is on page 213. Go up to URL and substitute 213 for current page #. Will keep looking.

Chevyboy

Cammi!  when you are cold, you have to go back in the house.....   You can't stay out doors over-night like you do!    No wonder you can't sleep!

Hi Sass!  Been trying to take care of 'stuff"....  Going to pre-pay tomorrow for our Cremation, then I won't have to think about it anymore, much less talk about it.

I remember my Mom trying to show me where all their important papers were.... and I tried not to "look" in their closet, when she showed me...  And I just didn't want to ever think about them not being with me....     But thank God, when I HAD to, I did it....  Couldn't have done it all without my Brother....   So them making arrangements, and paying for most of it, really helped.   It's the hardest thing you ever have to go through, I think. 

So I know this is making it easier for our Daughter's....  We are "registered" but now it will be paid for.... which locks  in  the price. 

You guys are getting hit again!  I'm so sorry for all the cold and snowy weather!  Still nice here, but supposed to bet cold Thursday, with a little snow. 

Sass, when I had so much pain with my back....  before the surgery, I could NOT get any help for the pain...  And I would only take 600 mg of Ibuprofen every 4 hours.  The muscle relaxers didn't help a bit....  I never dreamed I could talk myself out of it?   So you must be talking about psychosomatic relief from pain?   This makes my brain hurt, trying to figure it all out. 

I think there is a term for that....  like either full of chit, or mind over matter?  Or smoking weed!  (I'M JUST TEASING!!!)

Are you sure, or are you just teasing?  Were you smoking something?   The ONLY time it didn't hurt, is right before the surgery, when they gave me a shot of something.  I thought, "oh wow!  maybe I can go home now?"   And right after I woke up, that PAIN was GONE!  Like a miracle!  But they cleaned out my spinal column, from the double laminectomy, and the "coagulated" something or other, and there was no more pressure pressing on that sciatic nerve!  I was very lucky! 

luvmygoats

Chevyboy

Anonymous

Luv, wish I would have known years ago about towels. My MIL always found something wrong with what  I did. Way back when, bought some expensive peach-colored towels for the guest bath as they were staying with us long term after FIL's stroke. MIL didn't like me to wash their clothes, she took to washing linens and towels and she loved to use bleach. She bleached my pretty peach towel till they were just off-white. From then on, only bought towels for the guest bath. 

Suggestions please: Started with a sinus headache Sunday so I used nasal rinse, no help. Just one side is affected: just above the brow and feels like something is viciously poking me in the eye. Yesterday, it got so bad I was nauseated, so I took the sinus pressure/allergy pills and fell asleep. Slept most of yesterday, the previous night and most of last night. Only awake a couple hours in 24 hours, definitely not night owl material. Still hurts. I did notice, no sunshine, feeling temperature/barometric change. Hurts so much I just want to sleep, and have chills too (except for hot flashes). Any suggestions for relief? Went to ENT 2 years ago, did scans, found nothing, gave me inhalers which had no effect so I stopped using. Funny thing I didn't have it all last year when I was home recovering. Hard to read so I'll be on limited use of BCO today.