I've been in flare up for the past 36 hours, of purgatory. My knee was so painful that I seriously thought of phoning someone, anyone, for an injection as the Tramadol and fentanyl patch weren't touching the pain. I held it together by being very naughty and taking an extra dose of painkillers. The pain has been so bad that I couldn't go to bed last night and slept on the couch as I had to keep my knee at 90 degrees. All of a sudden it dropped from excruciating to painful. No explanation. No idea why but I am not complaining. Painful I can cope with. Even the fog has lifted a wee bit.
Has anyone got a suggestion as to how to keep sane during a flare up? How do you all cope with it? All suggestions welcome
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Sorebones
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Concern flash....overdosing on painkillers is dangerous....really not a good idea, however tempting.
In terms of dealing with pain my personal suggestion is that it's worth becoming expert in a variety of relaxation techniques to calm the panic in the mind and reduce/reverse the automatic reaction of tensing muscles which only adds to the pain and becomes a vicious cycle.
Hope you find real relief soon ....but safely please!
I hadn't thought about the panic aspect but it's so true. I do panic when it's so painful. I think more so when my husband is working abroad, which he is at the moment.
I shall dig out my relaxation lessons and start again at the beginning. Thank you. I'd forgotten all about the benefits.
I know taking extra meds is dangerous but desperation over rules common sense at times. It's not always black and white. But I would never recommend anyone else to do it. It IS stupid. I will think of your kind words next time it hits. If nothing else trying to practice relaxation will take my mind off the pain.
I did learn from my doctor that overdoing the heating pad only exacerbates the pain!!! I did not know that, and was extending the heat, not knowing I was extending my pain, as well ... Switching off with cold is a good thing to do
hi, I have had bad flare ups with my right knee, the best thing I found is to take meds as normal and rest up until it calms down and I also find heat is good for the pain x
It's my right knee too. Snap! Have a heat pad on it and have remembered some of my relaxation techniques as stumpedok suggested.
The pain vanished this morning but came back with a vengeance a couple of hours later in true Fibro fashion. I have taken on board the very kind and polite reminders that I should not exceed my meds. Next time I feel so desperate I will go through the proper channels. I do appreciate your kind words. Thank you.
I am so genuinely sorry to read that and I sincerely hope that this excruciating pain does not return for you. I also want to warn of the dangers of over dosing on pain killers as it is very dangerous indeed. Please take care of yourself.
Thank you all for your advice. I find it really helpful. I have found that the pain is at a level I can cope with when my knee is bent. When I straighten it that's a different story. It's a pain new to me. The last time my pain was this bad my ovary had ruptured.
I shall do what we all do. Paint a smile on my face and carry on (while trying your suggestions).
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