So I thought the worst pain I've ever experienced was labor pain. You know, the contractions near the end where your body is DYING to push but the doctor is telling you not yet and you are just barely hanging on waiting for the contraction to peak and then come back down? I thought that was the worst pain ever.
But then I experienced hip pain. This isn't new for me - I have a lot of hip pain (which also contributes to lower back pain and knee pain). I was born with my hip dislocated, and though they took care of it while I was a baby, as I've gotten older I've noticed some side effects. Both of my knees popped out of joint in high school, requiring extensive physical therapy over the years. After childbirth my hip was so bad I couldn't bend down and pick up K1, and after K2 I finally broke down and saw a chiropractor for about a year until I was feeling good again. So my point is, I've had hip pain before and while it can be extremely uncomfortable it doesn't compare to labor pains.
Until now. For reasons unknown to me and apparently unknown to every medical practitioner I've consulted, the pain in my left hip has escalated to unbearable proportions. It really started last Thursday, the day before we were set to make an 8 hour car drive. Thinking I was just out of alignment, I went to the chiropractor. Unfortunately that did nothing for the pain, and I spent the drive on Friday cringing and desperate for every stop so I could get out of the car and out of the most painful position of all - sitting.
After a weekend of trying every (legal) drug I could get my hands on to no avail, and wishing I had access to a whole bunch of illegal drugs, by Monday the pain was so intense I was having a hard time taking breaths. We were supposed to drive the 8 hours back home but only made it about 1 hour before we had to stop at the ER because I was ready to just amputate my lower half. At the ER they did give me better meds, and they took x-rays, but couldn't see something specific that was causing the pain. And despite the pain medication I still spent most of the drive on my knees backward facing the kids until car sickness set in, at which time I would move to the side and face B.
So now I'm back, and I am reminded of why HMO's are not my favorite. The earliest I can see my primary care physician is next Tuesday, and the orthopedic surgeons are booking out in September right now. Apparently they are ok with me surviving on pain meds until then. Me, not so much. So who knows. It's amazing how intense pain can make you pretty dang cranky. And lose your appetite. And any gumption to do anything. Ugh.
6 comments:
Oh that sounds miserable. I hope they can do something to help you next week. You may have to take a little trip to Mexico! :)
Oh my goodness--that sounds awful! I'm so sorry that you're in so much pain. I wish I could do something to help--maybe I should call and threaten the surgeons to let you book an appt. now... :)
I am so sorry about your pain. Seriously let me know if there is anything I can do for you. (Sorry I don't have any good meds!) I was really loving the running/walking together. We will have to come up with something new. I need a workout buddy! :)
I'm so sorry you are having so much pain. I wish there was something more that I could do other than reach out across the internet to extend my sympathy. I'm right there with you about the HMO's. This is why our nation's medical system needs a serious overhaul. But I won't go off on that now. Keep me posted. I hope everything is OK. You are in my thoughts.
I am crying for you right now. Really, that sounds so stinking terrible. Maybe your hip is pregnant?
Yikes!!! That sounds excruciating. I'm so sorry you have to endure that. I hope they figure it out soon. I wonder if they will have to do exploratory surgery to find out if there is nerve problems. Keep us posted and our prayers are with you.
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