This morning I called my doctor’s office because the muscles in my leg were really acting up ---I had been putting it off, but it has me really worrying about being on that long flight to Bali, and how I’m going to deal with this as the leg pain happens mostly when I’m sitting for long periods --- like when driving a car or flying a plane, and even sometimes when I sew.
When I was in Pennsylvania, the doc’s office called ahead a prescription for “pain pills” for me. I picked them up at a local pharmacy, only to find that it was vicodin, and I can’t take that stuff. It makes me ill, so I’ve just been dealing with the pain since then.
I've been doing the stretches that Helen suggested when I met her in my class in Williamsburg. I hope she is proud of me!
So now comes the muscle relaxant ---they say this should help. I’ve been warned that it WILL make me drowsy. And the long list of side effects is a bit scary, as always – but at this point I’ll do anything to get those muscles in my right leg to let go!
It was for this reason that I mentioned that I was trying to get used to sewing with my left foot instead of my right when someone asked why sewing with their right foot is bad. Your right foot isn’t bad….MINE IS! :cD when I push on the foot pedal, or the accelerator of the car, it engages those muscles and whammo – shooting nerve pain.
One of the warnings say not to operate heavy machinery on this drug.
I suppose that should include power tools like sewing machines and rotary cutters!
In the mean time – I’m still stocking up my kindle for this trip!
Do you like time travel stories? I am such a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon, and I’ve been waiting for what seems like forever for the next volume in the Outlander Saga and I don’t know when that is expected to be released.
This one has kind of a similar flavor, so I thought I’d give it a shot:
Out of Time by Deborah Truscott is free tonight in the Amazon Kindle Store.
Genre: Fiction/Time Travel
Book Description:
Kathleen Findlay is married to a cad, her mother is driving her crazy and her life is falling apart. Then her uncle dies, leaving her the family’s Revolutionary-era home and, she believes, an escape from her chaotic marriage. But one afternoon, while searching for a rake, she discovers a man in her garden shed — and a free fall through the centuries.
As her life spins wildly out of control, Kathleen finds her heart and in the process, her own place in time.
Sounds good to me! And in my muscle-relaxant induced stupor, I downloaded it and will commence to reading! Be sure to check first before clicking that it still is for you.
Tomorrow is another day closer to Bali and my packing frenzy will start in earnest once we hit the weekend.
FIVE MORE SLEEPS!!
Sooo sorry you're hurting, and, yeah, I'd be worrying about that long flight, too. Hope the muscle relaxer helps.
ReplyDeleteI've read that one - it was offered free for awhile months ago - it was a good read. Hope your leg gets to feeling better - sounds like something you are going to have to take care of as soon as you get back from Bali - sure wish I was joining you all but can't - have fun,
ReplyDeleteKaren
Oh Bonnie Bless your heart. I have terrible back pain when I drive, ride, sew etc. Have you ever tried the lower lumbar back pillow? Around here, it is available at drug stores that carry all maner of sick room and health supplies. And only $12.00! Wondering if something like that can help relieve some pressure. Works fairly well for me when I remember to take it from noe room to the next.
ReplyDeletePraying for your comfort, safety and that you have a WONDERFUL pain free time with this BALI excursion.
SMILES
JulieinTN
Oh no more leg pain!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Physical therapy?
Are you exercising everyday?
I do hope you can tolerate this long travel
sitting is probably the worst thing possible for you.
Be very careful of those muscle relaxants.....they
make you weak as a kitten and knock you out pretty solidly.
Give yourself 8 hours of rest or sleep after taking one before
driving. Can you give your Dr. a call and tell him what's happening?
Happy Sewing and safe travels, I too sew with my left foot for the same reasons and have found a good one hour walk everyday really helps.
Bonnie, I feel for you and your long trip. Are you taking an anti-inflammatory medication as well as muscle relaxants? If not, get an OTC(over the counter) medication such as Motrin or Naprosyn. You can take up to 600 mg Motrin 3 x daily and will help with the pain as well as the inflammation. On the plane, try and get up to go to the bathroom at least every 2 hours just to move around. I am a registered nurse who works with back injuries frequently in work comp so understand what you are going through. By the way, the book you recommended last night,"Carrots" is such a good read! Take care and hope you have a blast. Wish I was going too.
ReplyDeleteI recently had a knee lever installed on my sewing table, and wondered why I hadn't thought of it years ago. An easy fix, and works wonderfully :) No more chasing the pedal around... Might work for you!
ReplyDeleteMy sister told me that when she was on a long flight to China that they recommend she wear support stockings (the thigh high ted hose variety). She said they worked miracles for keeping her legs from aching. Don't know if that would help, but it would sure be worth a shot.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon!! I LOVE Diana Gabaldon, got hooked when I stumbled on the third book and realized it was a sequel...spent all of Christmas break that year reading and reading!
ReplyDeleteFYI...don't be too far from a bathroom as you're on the MR pills. It relaxes those muscles, too! :-)
ReplyDeleteBonnie......I would also suggest you wear support hosiery designed for long flights and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), they also help stop swelling for anyone especially on long haul flights.....Enjoy Bali
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem on mt left side so we would make a good pair you should check online at north American spine.com I had this problem fixed on the right side a little more than 2 yrs ago has been great until left side decided to act up so thinking I will go back to Texas and have this side done too just something for you to look into have fun in Bali mtquilter09
ReplyDeleteFor three months I was down with what sounds like the same symptoms you are having - I tried physical therapy, cortisone injections, had MRI's, pain meds, muscle relaxants - finally, I found a doctor who did massage - you know about that - and he was able to resolve my problem - and right before that surgery was mentioned - so glad I didn't go that route -
ReplyDeleteI was just looking at Diana Gabaldons blog and they are going to make a Outlander tv series. They hope it will be as successful as Game of Thrones.
ReplyDeleteLike or friend Diana Gabaldon on Facebook. She talks about the next book & when it's due out.
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll be able to get up once the plane is airborne and walk the aisle a bit just to give your leg a break. I don't want to scare you, but I've heard some terrible stories about long flights, blood clots, etc. Someone mentioned support hose and I think that is a good idea. I know it's really important to get up if you can and move around. I've really enjoyed the webcam evenings. Next time I'm going to be joining you and working on a project too.
You should look into getting an inversion chair. I fell down a flight of stairs about 25 yrs ago. All sorts of back, arm and shoulder problems. DH got me the inversion chair (table?) and I use it everyday. Five minutes of hanging upside down straightens my back and neck right up. Sounds weird but it works.
ReplyDeleteDeep tissue massages also work very well. Good luck.
Iknow that is frustrating to have that discomfort. I can't vicodin either w/o laying down right after swallowing it. i don't know why they don't give us something that is a little stronger than NSAID and vicodin there should be something in between. There is an Outlander graphic novel out. It is like a comic book that is bound... and graphic! I didn't know Diana G was on FB....I'm really going to look that up!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that you are dealing with all this pain. As others have warned, be very careful with the muscle relaxers. They did work for me, but when I took them, I had to be in bed. Also, you have to take some serious precautions for your very long flight(s) to Bali. You want to be able to enjoy yourself when you get there. I hope all goes well for you, and that you have a great time. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Missed your webcam last night.
Sure hope you get along ok on your trip. I had a cast on my right foot and quickly learned to sew with my left. My feet are much more ambidextrous than my hands! I have read this book - seemed a little cheesy at first, but ended up being a good one!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear you aren't getting much relief from your pain. I recently tweeked my sciatic nerve just a week before I was to go on a 15 hr. drive to Iowa. Oh, misery. And my leg below my knee and my foot were knumb so I had a drop toe going on. I felt like my Grandpa who had polio as a kid. Anyway, I went to the Chiro the two days prior to our trip and just wanted relief for the long drive. I had a couple of adjustments that helped, but the best advice, I think, was to roll up a bath towel and put it at the lower back...you will know where. It worked and I'm glad to say I had no problems being in the car at all. I was so relieved. Just a thought. Have a relaxing day.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, please be careful with the meds. I hope you are seeing a chiropractor everyday for an adjust before you fly. Exercise in water is wonderful. My body is addicted to it.
ReplyDeleteBonnie,
ReplyDeleteI, too, suffer from back and leg pain caused by arthritis in the vertebrae and sacro-iliac joint. I, too, can't take Vicodin or Lortab because it makes me sick.
I have found that Ultram works well for me and doesn't make me sick. It also doesn't make me sleepy. I can even work while taking it.
You might want to ask you doctor to try it. But it shouldn't be mixed with Flexeril (a muscle relaxer) because the mixture can cause seizures.
Ultram has been a lifesaver me and I only have to take when needed...not all the time. I'm an RN and am on my feet all the time, and when my back or leg pain gets to be too much, Ultram has been my relief.
Hope this info has been helpful.
Loretta
Hi Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteI am going to try to clearly explain how I "avoid" leg issues, when sewing. I turn the foot pedal around, so I am operating it with my heel. The pedal is under the chair, so the knee, ankle,foot are in alignment (like an upside down L), rather than stretched out in front of you. It also keeps your hips and pelvis straight in the chair --- not slightly turned. This method was explained to me many years ago, by a chiropracter, who understood operating a sewing machine. At first, you will feel the stretching in your foot, because you have reversed the angle --- your toes are down and your heel is raised. I have yet to figure out how to drive a car, without stretching my foot/leg out in front of me! I want you to be feeling really good, when you come to teach in Lansing! If this doesn't make sense, you will see me sew this way. Have a great trip to Bali and, I hope, your leg is much better!
quiltschon@att.net
Hi Bonnie, Instead of taking a pill how about trying Voltaren emulgel/cream. It is available in the US by prescription but is available online from Canada on Amazon. I recently had knee replacement and was having alot of inflamation in the IT band and knee area. I started using the Voltaren cream and it has worked wonders for me. The one good thing is it doesn't get in your bloodstream. Just another thing you could try. Have a wonderful trip to Bali. Also watched the webcam the other night. Really fun.
ReplyDeleteOften leg cramps are due to a lack of hydration, mainly water, and not enough of the right kind of calcium. Also, too much sitting at the machine doesn't help either-ask me how I know.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I too had problems with pain in my leg. What worked for me was physical therapy, a lumbar back pillow for driving/riding/flying/sitting and a doctor who massage my leg muscles. From time to time I still need to do the exercises my therapist gave me, I always use the lumbar back pillow and occasioning see my Doctor for leg massage. I hope this helps you. It is not fun having leg pain.
JaneN
Bonnie ask your doctor about Lidoderm patches, Elaine
DeleteI use my left foot pedal all the time, right knee is on th eknee lift. I also have a Janome 6500 - I think you do as well. I think I practiced for aout a half hour, and I was fine with it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go to a class, and take my simple little machine, I use my RIGHT foot on the pedal, (no knee lift) and go home with so much discomfort in my right foot, I can barely walk. Still haven't quite figured that out! Take care of your body!