(no subject)

[violachic]

So I arrived, on the bus, sort of intact. It is not a fun experience. Doing this every day when the program starts may kill me. But I'm in one piece, and have half an hour till PT, so I am going to put my iPod back on, sit in a comfy chair, and try to ignore the enormous fucking television that is blaring at top volume.

Oh, and a clarification for folks who don't really know me yet, my aversion to taking public transportation is not public trans in and of itself; I usually LOVE taking the bus and the el, and kind of miss it (I know, I'm crazy, but we knew that). It is simply the fact that it FUCKING HURTS. Bah.

W00t for free internet in the cafe!

Comments

[dl76.livejournal.com]

I love you!

glad you made it ok.

[ironheadjane.livejournal.com]

Last week I went to a CME (continuing medical education) that was about the proper treatment for neuropathic pain. The doc said that the thing he does in his practice with people w/ chronic pain is to give them goals, and make them stick to them in order for them to continue to get their medication -- kind of an incentive to not just sit around, but actually be active in getting better instead of waiting for the pain to stop. I know I'm putting it sloppily, but it seemed like a good idea (you know, to avoid what happened with your last docs, for instance). He also talked about how to monitor narcotic pain meds, gabapentin, etc. The thing that was interesting was that there was another medicine like gabapentin, but it was like, pregabalin, or something like that -- which seemed to maybe be better tolerated, but could have the same side effects.

Anyway -- it was all intersting. Even though you totally hurt from going out on the bus today, I'm so glad you did it! This is huge, huge progress, and I'm so excited for you!

Much love and strength to you!

[violachic.livejournal.com]

Well, they did take me off the gabapentin and put me on something called Lyrica. That's the brand name, tho, don't know what the generic is, it could be the one you're talking about.

And yes, it seems the doctors I am with have the same philosophy towards pain. I do prefer it, even though it is damn hard work. But I'm really, really unsure of this bus thing. Good thing I don't have to try it again until Tuesday, gives me some time to recover.

I'm tired!

[eris-devotee.livejournal.com]

I've added you, if that's ok. I've noticed your comments on ankh156's journal, and saw that you are in Chicago, too. (We also have other things in common, good and bad... I lived in an intentional community for a few years (good) and although I couldn't quite figure out specifically what you are going through, I understand chronic pain and fatigue as I have systemic lupus (bad)).

I go through periods where I am skitched out about public transportation, too, or even being out of my house at all. Which is difficult to deal with because at one time I was more of a social butterfly, yet these days I seem content to be more of a hermit. It's hard to figure out which part is fatigue, which might be depression, and which is just a normal cautious life-preserving response to the uncertainty of being in public when ill. It's a mindfuck, that's for sure.

[violachic.livejournal.com]

Oh, we have a bunch of people in common! Welcome!

My chronic pain started in March of this year, and it came on suddenly- we're still not sure what caused it, but we've identified several possible contributing factors. Basically, its nerve pain in my right ribcage area. Technically, I suppose its a back injury, but its not your average back injury. And yes, that's exactly how I feel about getting out of the house, in general. I'm supposed to start an all-day program at the rehabilitation institute in a week and a half, and I'm really, really nervous about being out of the house and active all day.