Well, last night wasn't a very good night as I had pain in my leg, which was swollen, numb and tingling, and I found it impossible to find a comfortable position in which to sleep. Flat on your back, with pillows to help cushion the spine and under your knees is the most recommended position, but, my leg hurt. On your good (non-painful side), with a pillow between the legs to cushion the knees which are drawn up to form a sort of 90 degree angle is the second most recommended position and was the one I was able to maintain for the most part. The pain points seem to be located along the back outer edge of my upper thigh, behind my knee, and on the outside of my ankle bone. Apparently, that is the path of the sciatic nerve.
I had heating pads and heated rice and gel packs placed all along my leg to try to alleviate the pain (it seems to help) and took two acetaminophen. I was reluctant to take the prescription medication and, I was able to bear the pain without it. I wasn't screaming in pain, but, it was not a very comfortable night, at all. Poor daughter, who has moved into my bedroom to sleep at night, after not waking up when I called out to her on a previous night, had a very disturbed night of sleep as she woke up with a start every time I so much as turned or twisted or moaned. I felt so badly for her.
Eventually, I fell asleep, but, I woke up with my daughter when she woke up. She brought me tea in bed and, later, a scrambled egg with toast for brunch. I have been relatively pain-free all day, however, so, that is a blessing! I haven't walked around much, today, though, as I am most reluctant to aggravate anything! My fear of doing something wrong is what keeps me from trying out any of the stretches I've seen online for sciatica. I want to wait until Tuesday, when I see the doctor, to ask her exactly what I should or shouldn't do. Especially since I've no idea what might have triggered this attack! Surely I couldn't have done this much damage over those few days when I weeded several hours a day?
Daughter is in a work-related online meeting as I type this. After she is done for the day, we will have some tea and, no doubt, she will need to cook something for dinner. In the meantime, Dancer is keeping me company!
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to manage last night's pain with only Tylenol
- My daughter's caring ways and being there for me
- A relatively pain-free day
- Prayers to give me strength
- The internet and blogs to catch up on reading!
Today's joyful activity was reading blogs and relaxing.
Plans for tomorrow include going to my lab test in the afternoon! I hope it will work out well.
Hope you've had a good day and tomorrow will be an equally nice day. Be in good health, everyone!
Oh this is all very tiresome for you. The only consolation is that Tuesday is getting closer and closer! I think you are right to be cautious until you have been reexamined. I agree it does seem odd to have induced such bad, sudden and prolonged pain from those stints of weeding. I do hope that once the nerve is released (if necessary) and any inflammation has subsided, you will be able to carry on as normal. Take care of yourself and I hope that you and daughter are able to get some rest tonight.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lady Ella. I am feeling concerned about it all because, well, I need to be more mobile in order to lead a relatively independent life, don't I? If I can't manage daily tasks without being in pain, how can I make it on my own once my daughter goes back? I hope the doctor will have some helpful advice on Tuesday!
DeleteBless, I wish you could see the doctor immediately without waiting until Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteI’m so glad your daughter is at home to take care of you. It’s good not to walk around too much yet.
Take care, Bless. Have a restful night.
Thank you, Nil. We were asking for an earlier appointment, but, the doctor couldn't do so. Her office (it's a single doctor clinic) was closed for over a year due to Covid, so, I guess she's backlogged, too! But, I am so blessed to have my daughter home to look after me! I honestly don't know what I would have done if she wasn't here!
DeleteOh boy, sorry the pain continues. I do notice with most ailments the pain seems to be worse at night. At least that has been the case with me. Maybe you can get some much needed sleep during the day. It is getting closer to your doctor appt. so hopefully she will be able to bring you some relief through physical therapy etc. Yes, that was my comment a couple of posts ago. Oops, sorry, I forgot to put my name. Praying for you to feel better. Denise
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. It was better, yesterday, and last night, I was able to sleep well. I'm feeling OK, so far, today, too, which is a blessing. I've just returned from having my lab tests done and Tuesday's appt. isn't that far away. Thank you for your continued prayers. Hope all is well with you.
DeletePraying that you (and your daughter) have a better night tonight. Tuesday must feel a long way off when you're in pain in the middle of the night.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. Your prayers worked! I had a pain-free night and we both slept well. Such a blessing! I had my lab tests done, today, and I've been pain-free so far. I am hoping that it continues to be so. Truly appreciate your prayers on our behalf.
DeleteOh no! I'm so sorry to hear you're in pain again. It must be frustrating having to wait until Tuesday for your appointment but I think you are wise to avoid doing any stretching exercises for the time being. Thank goodness for your wonderful daughter being there to help you. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. I have had a good night and a good day (so far); I'm hopeful it will continue that way. Having my daughter home has been a wonderful blessing! I don't know how I would have coped, otherwise!
DeleteBless, I wonder if you have a ruptured
ReplyDeleteor herniated disc. I had one years ago, and had pain like you describe. It went off and on for years, for no cause I could think of. PT helped, but eventually I had to have surgery. I hope your doctor can sort it out for you. Best wishes that this episode passes soon, Celie
It could be possible, Celie. I asked the ER doctor about a herniated disc, but, he said the X-ray they took wouldn't show that; apparently an MRI would be needed. I'll bring it up with the doctor when I see her on Tuesday. The ER doctor did say that the x-ray showed bone spurs...
DeleteDon't do anything at all until you see the doc Bless! I hope things will improve over the weekend. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha. I'm not doing anything, I promise! :)
DeleteI had a clear idea of your pain at its worst when I recalled how occasionally I have woken up with a leg cramp and the thought of that lasting more than a minute or two would be horrendous. I hope your resting is helping now. I wonder about the weeding. I know how easy it is to get carried away with yard work as it can be so satisfying. Over 20 years ago I spent far too long with the long snips working on a wild area in our yard and I ended up not only with wrist pain and swelling but also other pains and for some time I was going to a rheumatologist who eventually decided that I was remarkably healthy with my (wrongly diagnosed) lupus! It is all a dream now. Anyway, I hope that you will soon get over this setback completely and be able to garden again for limited sessions.
ReplyDeleteI had a pretty good night, last night, Bushlady, without pain and I've been OK so far today. Did my lab work in the afternoon and am back in bed, resting, now. Waiting until Tuesday to find out what's going on. I think it will be a matter of trial and error, figuring out how much I can do without aggravating the condition. Thank you for continuing to keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
DeleteNot long to go now until you see the doctor, but frustrating for you if you can't find a comfortable position to rest and ease the pain. Let's hope the doctor can sort you out so that you are free of pain and can regain your mobility and independence.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. Yes, Tuesday will be here before we know it. I had a restful night of sleep, last night, and I've been feeling OK, today, too (so far, anyway). Hope tonight will be another good night. I took a cardigan with me when I left the house, today! :D
Delete😆😆😆
DeleteMeanwhile, back in Blighty: 🌫🌧🌬⛅🌬⛈🌧🌧☔🌫
Oh, no! Keep warm and stay dry!
DeleteI wish Tuesday was sooner as, in addition to your pain and discomfort, this has got to be exhausting for both you and your daughter.
ReplyDeleteWhen I stayed with my mother after her heart surgery, she would call me in the middle of the night on my cell phone in the guest room. Sounds silly but it worked great. I knew immediately when she needed me because the phone woke me - otherwise we both rested pretty comfortably.
Maybe that set up might work for you and your daughter.
I hope you are having a better day today and your night is a peaceful one.
Thank you, Debra. I had a good night, last night, and so far, today has been good, too. I must suggest the cell phone calling to my daughter, not that she will trust me to call her! Even when I had my chemo, she would bring her mattress from her bed and put it on the floor next to my bed and sleep there. should I need her in the night.
DeleteHope all is well with you and your garden is growing well.