Quote:
Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie  Juliet's Dad, I am thinking I might not actually take any meds past midnight or so, so that they can see exactly where the pain is without it being numbed by the meds.
I am still nursing DS, and am a minimalist when it comes to medication. I refused any stronger pain meds tonight when I spoke with the doc on call. She was going to call something in, but I said no to them. I much prefer to be in manageable pain (even if it is pretty significant) than to dull it and possibly injure myself more, or pass something on in my milk to my son. I just want to get some sleep tonight and have it checked out tomorrow.
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No, NO,
NO! There is absolutely no evidence that ceasing or interrupting pain-killers to "assist" in diagnosis does anything other than increase the complications of pain. From my reading of the US literature and lay-press, there does seem to be a persisting perception by many US lay-people and some US health professionals that interrupting pain-killers aids diagnosis. This is an archiac attitude and has no place in modern health care.
You do not say what strength of ibuprofen you are using. Be careful not to exceed the recommended dose (400mg, four times a day by mouth, with food, without the use of any topical anti-inflammatory gels) as there are significant complications associated with ibuprofen when the recommended dose is exceeded. ALWAYS take them with food, and I don't mean half a slice of bread or a couple of cookies, and a cup of coffee! Hales says the relative infant dose is 0.65%, i.e. insignificant. Of course whilst not relevant to you, ibuprofen must not be used by pregnant females at all, unless benefit outweighs risk as decided by a knowledgeable health professional.
Good levels of pain-killers will improve you ability to care for your son and greatly improve your quality of life. I believe that there is no point in being concerned about injuring yourself more by taking wisely prescribed pain-killers. A good health professional should be able to assess the client and prescribe pain-killers to optimise lifestyle, permit essential activities, whilst minimising complications. Fear of addiction is not relevant in the acute phase of injury.
If you are determined to use inadequate doses of pain-killers you may find icing your shoulder reduces pain, at least transiently. Apply ice packs while protecting the skin and nerves (ice in sealed bag or ice pack in damp cloth gently to the effected area for not more than 20 minutes at a time, and no more frequently than 4 times a day). Use of a broad arm sling may provide some comfort and will reduce inadvertent use of our arm. Long term use or a sling can lead to shoulder movement complications.
A fractured (broken) upper humerus should certainly be considered, and quite honestly more likely than shoulder soft tissue injury or neck injury in my opinion. Diagnosis is by x-ray. Indications of this is your described almost complete resolution of pain at rest and severe pain on applying a distracting weight (trying to lift something up) and any movement.
Being a single parent certainly complicates things for you. Not only in getting the x-ray done, but in the necessary treatment if you have fractured your upper humerus.
You will need analgesia for some time. This of course will be determined by your choice and availability of the treatment required.
Chris
