I've been kinda conflicted on the codiene Jeff. I get where you're coming from. Either relieve the pain or, in my mind, be "brave". I recall a discussion years ago among a few 12-step friends in various programs with someone facing a similar uneasiness. It came down to, "Fuck being 'brave'. You're hurting. Take care of it."

Simply, my need was 1-2 half tabs spread out over nighttime. Hey, way back when (last month) I was doing a full tab every four hours. Daytime has been fine. But, dumped it 7-10 days ago and gave myself a break before the Gabapentin.

For all it's possible side-effects (particularly vision), the Gaba's been okay, not great. Skin sensitivity continues, but the sudden neuropathic pricks have stopped, as has my years-long RLS (which never particularly bothered me). Mostly, I have an underlying feeling as if I'm Han Solo when he's encased in the Carbonite.

I probably feel better, too, since I haven't attempted a yardwork repeat and have stayed relatively inactive. Drives me nuts. I think that when I get out again - perhaps tomorrow - that will be the test.

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Seems that my body's absorbing the Gaba after a few days. Had some trepedation about mowing this afternoon - especially after that pain disaster ten days ago. Went to lie down afterwards and the foot pain developed again. What I apparently need to do it take the Gaba an hour or two BEFORE the activity. I'm relatively okay - i.e., not crazy pain - tonite.

I'll keep the codeine as an option, but don't feel I absolutely need it to manage the pain for now. Did some online reading and it clarified things for me, easing my discomfort about the whole thing. In short, it's been to MANAGE pain. The difference I've read - time after time - is whether or not I can function. If the pain's so bad I can't function, that's pretty much my bottom line.

btw, we don't really have poison ivy. But we do have nice, stinky wild cucumber vines which I clean out every fall. Haven't quite gotten around to that yet. We also have some other nasty tropical plants with very sharp, painful spines. Oh, if you get stuck, it slowly swells, becomes infected, amputations, questions, etc.

What's up here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnrK-vm8YFg

Puffer

That's an idea Puff. Sometimes wished in the past week I could move like that. Where the hell you find that?

Spoke at length to the T about meds this afternoon and he allayed my fears to a considerable degree. Nor, given my lack of substance abuse history and "control" needs - many of 'em healthily integrated into my life - does he see a problem. Those were some feedback biggies I neede to hear.

In short, if I'm in pain and unable to function normally because of it - cancelled a couple optional shoots this weekend - that's the best indication FOR treatment. So, back on 'em again as of this evening after a partially successful week+ without 'em. Last nite was pretty bad...no sleep.

Don't like what it does to my head, but, hell, I've actually been back working this evening without the pain distraction.

So much for the Thanksgiving deadline. Maybe Christmas?

Y'know what scares me? I'M RUNNING OUT OF HOLIDAY DEADLINES TO GET OVER THIS!

I expected Halloween would pass without this being resolved. Then Thanksgiving was a bust despite my best efforts. I've got Hannukah, Christmas and New Year's left.

Hang on Lancer, I hope you'll get better soon and before Christmas.

I wouldn't like seeing you feeling like black sheep during upcoming holidays:


PS: This thread is so positive, funny and honest that I would like to see it to become standard assets among thousands of posts

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