How do you manage pain? I thought I had a high pain tolerance but I'm not doing so well these days.

I was in a car accident a week and a half ago. I'm getting physio twice weekly but I'm still so distracted by and focused on the pain in my shoulder and back that I can hardly focus on anything else.

I'm feeling so discouraged and just want to get back to my normal self.

(I'm on Tylenol 3 and ibuprofen) . Any other advice on how to manage?

TIA

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Mom to dd (age 9) and ds (age 11)
blogging daily about purpose and personal identity

so sorry KH, I do not have a high tolerance for pain so I don't have any advice. though a nice warm bath comes to mind.

hope it heals quickly

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I have a ridiculously low pain threshold and am a big fan of better living through chemistry! There are many kinds of pain relievers out there. If what they have given you is not working, tell them. Ask for something stronger, or if you can adjust your dosage. When my sister's neck is in pain, tylenol/ibuprofen won't touch it. Not even things like Darvon or Valium. Everyone's body is different and we respond to meds differently. Ask for something else. Aleve might be better for you, Or just a higher dosage. I take 800 mg of ibuprofen for just cramps. Tylenol has zero impact on me.

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I have chronic inflammatory arthritis so I'm very familiar with pain. Mine comes out of the blue on any given day. It makes it hard to plan my time.

Start with the basics: eat right, get plenty of sleep (ya, I know), get a little exercise, especially sunlight when you can. Be with people. Pain can be isolating. Don't discount the basics - seriously. We get to the point where we're in so much pain, it seem easier to just eat junk food, hunker in front of the TV and stumble around tired all the time. In short, take care of yourself.

Ibuprofen is a fine anti-inflammatory, but make sure you're taking enough. Take to your doctor about the maximum dosage s/he will allow you in a day. There is that saying about "get on top of the pain". That is true. When you feel it coming on, don't tough it out. Take the anti-inflammatory right away before it gets worse.

While taking Tylenol (generic is acetomenephen), be careful with your liver. Don't drink alcohol, for instance. With any OTC medication, drink lots of water to help flush the toxins out of your body.

Other anti-inflammatories that can work are Naproxen and asprin. Naproxen never worked for me but my doctor put me on a prescription dose (500 mg x 2 day) and it seems to be helping. However, he paired it with another prescription medication so I think they're working together. Asprin isn't as evil as many people seem to think, unless you're allergic to it, of course. It is just as effective - sometimes more so - than ibuprofen and a heck of a lot cheaper. DO consider taking caffeine with your anti-inflammatories (unless you have trouble with stomach upset / ulcers, etc). Caffeine helps metabolize the medication into your blood stream. Avoid acid reducers or heartburn medications like Tums, etc because they block the medication's effectiveness.

There is also prescription prednisone which can help considerably. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory which can work to reduce your pain and aid healing.

Mega doses of vitamin C can also promote healing.

BTW, pain that is disturbing your thoughts and distracting your constantly is about a 7 or 8 on the pain scale. That's pretty high.

What are they doing for you at physical therapy? Are they icing the shoulder? That works wonders and you can do that at home. Don't use heat. It just makes the inflammation worse. Gently stretch the muscles in your back with mild exercise instead.

Are they putting you on the 'stim'? That is the machine that has the sticky pads that deliver electrical pulses to the area. That also works wonders. I own my own TENS unit and will use it for most of the day when needed. I got my mail order but sometimes a doctor will write a prescription for you so you can get it cheaper and quicker.

There are topical ointments you can put on the area that help interrupt the pain signals. Look for preparations that contains capsaicin oil (hot chili oil). I use a product called "Stop Pain" which can be found at Walgreens.

Lastly, you're more likely to re-injure the area at night when you're asleep than during the day. Consider wearing a brace to protect your shoulder while you sleep.

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Wow, thanks for the great advice!

Yes they are doing the electrical stims and therapeutic ultrasound and exercises as well as prescribed exercises and ice. They say everything is 'normal' for what happened which is good. I'm just surprised at how distracting it is. You are right. I would put it at a 7 or 8. I've only ever experienced a 10+ with a migraine and labour with no meds (not by choice!)

I have GERD which is why I'm not even suppose to be on anit-inflammatory so my Dr upped my Nexium prescription so I can take some but I can't take anywhere near the full dose.

I can't imagine people having to live with chronic pain 24/7. It gives me a great amount of empathy for what they face.

I come from a family that never complains so I've felt a bit lost not being able to talk to anyone about it.

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Mom to dd (age 9) and ds (age 11)
blogging daily about purpose and personal identity

Hmmm...I also have GERD and have never had trouble taking any pain pills. I've never been told not to. Also, calcium is a natural anti-inflammatory. My doctor tells me to take that at night as it helps to relax you as well.

Now I'm wondering what the deal w/ GERD is because I am not giving up my ibuprofen. That stuff is the bomb.

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I have chronic pain issues - a lot stems from chronic joint dislocations/subluxations (they happen daily).

I also have GERD and an iffy stomach, and no longer can take NSAIDs. However, there are TONS of medications out there that all have different mechanisms for dealing with pain. Tylenol #3 never does squat for me , but Ultram helps me (I think it's tramadol for the non-brand name?)

It takes time for tissues to heal - and pain is the body's way of letting you know not to do anything silly for a bit!

I also like using some sort of liniment or whatnot - the chili oil ones are good, as well as the menthol ones (I like those ones ) I love Ben Gay.

As long as the pain is bothersome, always take the pain medications on a time basis, not on a need basis. If you can get and keep the medication at a steady level in your system, it works much better than if you let it drop, then you hurt, then you take it, and then wait for it work. For the first week or two, take them as directed- every 4 or 6 hours, on the dime. As long as you are taking them to treat pain, addiction isn't much of an issue It's when you take them for that feel good feeling that it becomes a problem! I always worried about that - but now I'm on meds all the time, so eh.

Feel better!!

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I get horrible heartburn and stomach issues (puking/ulcers). So, no more for me

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Yup. Same here.

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Mom to dd (age 9) and ds (age 11)
blogging daily about purpose and personal identity

I don't think I've had to manage the type of pain you're experiencing! Gosh, I hope you get better soon! I'm a big fan of ibuprofen. LOVE the stuff. So that's the only thing I use for pain/inflamation. My doc told me once that 800mg can be taken safely, not that I've needed to do that, but I keep that in the back of my mind.

What about a hot bath? I'm a big fan of the hot bath as well...

How are your eyeballs by the way? Have you been able to adjust to your glasses?