It’s a beast. An all consuming beast that needs taming in whatever manner you can find.
Historically I have had a real hesitation to take pain killers, especially opiates, to manage my pain. I’ve always had this need to really understand where the real pain is emanating from. I feel a responsibility to explain to the medical teams so we can come to a solution. I always feel if I’m on pain killers I can’t give an honest opinion of the problem.
This is a strategy that I am revisiting. I was educated many times by the palliative team on the importance of getting ahead of the pain in order to begin the healing process. While in that ward I started accepting the drugs as a means to an end.
But I still keep a little pain around to know for sure that I have an issue that needs addressing. I don’t like fully masking it. Right or wrong it’s how I manage, how I manage to be able to give intel and how I accept pain medication to reduce severity.
For about three months I have been in pain. I finally addressed it when it became unbearable, that’s when I called to discuss the pain with my Oncologist and GI. Dr. These consults resulted in the the two procedures a couple weeks ago, and why I am having another this coming Friday.
Ever since the surgeries I have been dealing with pain registering from 2 to 7 out of 10. I am getting better at managing between Tylenol, hydromorph, dexamethasone (Steroid for inflammation) and resting my body. The most pain comes when I eat or drink.
I avoid the opiate until it’s the only option. I don’t like how I feel and it has side effects of constipation and repressing my Prostate from allowing me to urinate. And the last thing I want is another catheter. I’d rather deal with the pain.
I have a consult with the pain management team today or tomorrow to see what might work best for me. That being said my belief is that this is just a stop gap till my ERCP on Friday as I believe that procedure will reduce the pain greatly.
Fingers crossed.