Well, masochistic me decided to see what it'd be like to be off of the oxy again for a little bit last night. I had another scheduled dose at 9:30, but I decided to skip it and just take one at bed time. There's definitely a difference, but it wasn't agonizing or anything. I think the worst part of my pains is probably exacerbated by the morning time when I try to get up too quickly.
After skipping, I started feeling tingles occur a little more often, even while I had the foot elevated. I also felt the slight burning sensation on top of my foot. I'd say the burning pain, felt similar to a sunburn...so maybe a pain of 2 on the scale. The tingles are just annoyances...1 on the scale. However, I also feel the twinges when I move the wrong way. These guys, I'd still give a 4. I don't think it'd be something that I'd be able to run through, if they happened consistently. Again, they seem to happen when I bump the cast and the cast bumps a part of my ankle...so hopefully, my running shoe isn't gonna bump the nerve or anything.
I wonder how much this warming sensation is part of the big, honking cast on me. I know it has to be part of the whole nerve thing, 'cuz the sensation happens instantly and I can actually feel it spread. I'd be completely comfortable one second, and then I just feel as if I just walked next to a heater blowing hot air (as opposed to cold air as heaters often blow).
Anyways, so experiment without oxy showed some difference, but I didn't go from a 0 to a 10 or anything. However, I do think the Oxy is reduces the occurrence and consistency of these effects.
I took an oxy before bed and found a comfortable position to sleep in...I woke up a little past my dosage time...no pains, just tingles. Took my dosage and then went back to sleep.
Today, I'm feeling tingly all over the foot. It's still a normal color. I had maybe one instance where I bumped the cast and felt a more painful twinge. I'm gonna sticking with the Oxy for my normal schedule today.
Side Effects of Oxy
I'd say I'm relatively ok when it comes to taking the Oxy. I do think I get a bit sleepy within the first 15 minutes of taking a dose. Not sure that's the oxy's fault or just my own laziness...but it's been pretty consistent timing. If I'm reading something, I'd probably start dozing off. I'm not out of it the entire 4 hours, though...I can probably take a power nap and then be good the rest of the time.
I mentioned that my heart rate has been pretty low. Not sure if that's coincidence or not. Again, my heart rate is normally pretty low. But being consistently in the low 40's, is low, even for me. It is supposed to be a side-effect to look out for (along with shallow-breathing, which I don't think I have), so it's something to keep in mind if you start taking.
Visitors!
Ok for those of you who may be laid up, like I am...never underestimate the positive effects of visitors. My parents came over to end multiple days of boredom. They brought over some food and we just caught up on how the progress is going. Mom was kinda enough to help with some of the chores that I can't really take care of right now. It was really a nice change of pace...my dog, Kodo, who has been really bored with me, was even more ecstatic at the visit...even the kitties were ecstatic. It was a nice change up to my normal routine, and good to get a little different food in my system.
Shower!
This isn't the first time that I've tried to wash up. I'm kind of on the every other day plan. I won't get into the nitty-gritty detail, as I'm sure no one wants to hear that...but this is another thing never to underestimate! While I can't actually get the cast wet at all, it was nice to at least get a refreshed feeling every once in a while. I basically have a soap towel, a wash towel and 2 dry ones. I wrapped one of the dry towels around the knee of my bad leg to catch any water that wants to stream down into the cast. Then I just wash up just like any other normal hobo would do. I actually haven't shaved since the surgery, so I'm actually looking the part as well. Still refreshing though!
After my parents left, I just felt the constant pins and needles all over my foot and ankle. I think I had the leg down for a little longer than I should have...(really only maybe 1 hour) Time to go back to my boring elevation. 18.5 hours until I officially his the one week mark.
No comments:
Post a Comment