I had a Rhizotomy done on Friday, since then the pain has gotten far worse in my ear area. I took Tramadol last night, then apparently I got up from bed a short time later and took it again. The pain has been awful for days now. How does anyone, when they are in pain like this monitor thier drugs so they dont overdose? I live alone, so I have no one to do it for me.
I was thinking of setting reminders on my cell phone, but dont have the patience to figure out how to use Siri right now and would probably snap out at a non-human type HAl machine right now.
I’m having to do an old trick I had to do when my kids were young and got sick (you were up all night and the days became a blur and it was really easy to make an error) and its very low- tech. I keep a piece of paper taped to the counter with a pen and write down each thing I have taken and when, and change it each morning. I’m looking for a watch with an alarm as well so I don’t miss my afternoon dose of tegretol since I always leave my cell laying around. Hope this helps, it has helped me a couple of times.
Oh this is tough. I recently had shingles which fogged my mind with pain and know where you are coming from!
Here is what I did.
Made a spreadsheet to fill in when meds taken.
Set the alarm on my Iphone to alert me to meds time.
Bought one of those pill containers which you fill up with the meds you take at certain times of day. They have the day of the week on also. This ensured I could look see if I had taken.
Apologies as I know this all takes some brain power to sort out, you sound in a very bad way and I know it will be hard. I sorted mine after allowing my meds to work and a cold shower to "waken" me up enough to allow the above. I appreciate non of my suggestions would actually stop me or anyone accidentally OD'ing.All the best, I appreciate it is not easy for solo's.
This is a difficult issue and I go through it as well.
I am on my own and the only way I deal with the pain killer and how to take them is routine.
IE Start a routine and take the meds regularly.
Note Tramadol will work better when used in with caffine, IE in the morning (If you drink coffee) take your meds and have a strong coffee. take the tramadol midday then afternoon and evening
Thats if you have a 4 times a day instruction.
I find this is better than taking the pain meds just when the pain is bad.
what I am trying to say is a regular supply of pain meds taken at a certain times.
Morning noon evening bed. (for 4 times a day.)
If you find yourself getting up you know its out of routine and can stop. (hopefully).
I would suggest take tramadol with food. (any pain killer actually) Not ony as it can make you sick on an empty stomach but when you take it wih food you metabolise the drug faster and get the benifit faster and its more effective, (I find anyway)
So routine. constant intake of meds rather than a hit here and there, (only while its needed)
Coffee to give extra effectivness to the drugs
taken with food where possible.
All pain meds will have an addictive component so be aware. The more you take and the longer you take it the worse the come down.
Wendy, if you want me to do a simple spreadsheet for you, I am willing. You just need to send me the details through. Bear in mind the time difference between our countries and me working. I would do it ASAP.
Jackie I appreciate that, I can do it, hell I have plenty of time...and yes I am in a bad way, I will get over it, but I have been crying for hours. I just spoke to disability insurance, and I wont have a check until next month , so my mortgage will now be behind a month..so much for my credit history. I just bought my house and had my credit in perfect order,, so this is really killing me, on top of the constant pain. I have an Iphone, and will add reminders to it. I really dont take much right now other than the Lyrica and pain killers, I alternate between tramadol, which doesnt do squat to my migraine pills which seem to help (fiorinal with codeine) When I go to my doctor friday, I am going to ask her to look at some of the suggestions on meds that Red sent me for atypical pain and see if we can find something that works.
As for coffee, I drink tons of it a day, up to 4 pots, I love coffee and actually find that it helps with the pain.
Just offering Wendy in case you felt too ill to think too much, I know I sometimes feel like that!
I feel dreadful about your tears, you have worked so hard to have your own home and through no fault of your own you find yourself in a situation you cannot help, so sad.
I know Red's suggestions will be good, hopefully you can work with your neuro for a working solution.
It is a fact that caffeine can assist some meds in working, hell you can buy OTC meds with added caffeine! I love it but only sleep about 5 hrs a night so restrict myself to one or two cups a day :=(
