05.19.09
Drug Retention?
Today was a long day between getting my hair done and an event of our oldest son’s that I absolutely had to attend. By 7pm I was falling asleep in my chair. Even all that aside, I’ve noticed something over the last several days about my brain function, or lack thereof. I have very little ability to focus. I can’t keep things straight in my head for very long. Even writing this post is difficult for me because I just can’t get the words straight in my head. I haven’t had any pain meds since 3pm Monday afternoon because I haven’t really needed them. So I know it’s not being unfocused because of that. My pain level is also not to blame because I’m really not over a 1 on the OMG-It-Really-Fucking-Hurts scale.
I am beginning to think that, because I am overweight, it is possible that my fat cells have stored up the opiates and are still releasing trace amounts. Since I am very inactive because I’m still recovering, my body has not had an opportunity to burn it off.I’ve been told that it can also take as long as 6 weeks for the anesthetic to be completely out of my system.
On the other hand it is possible that my erratic sleep schedule may also be responsible in part. I have also been inconsistent on the time of day that I have been taking my Levoxyl, which is the med I take for my Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. I MAY eve have forgotten to take it for the last few days. I just don’t know. So that may be a contributing factor as well. It could be one, two, all or none of the above.
I’m rather looking forward to being able to think clearly for more than a few minutes at a whack.
05.16.09
Sucking Rocks Through A Straw
This is an older draft I found but I really feel like the issue of prescription drug addiction and the healing process in general calls for me to post this. Enjoy 
5/10/09: This morning I faced the conundrum that most surgical recoverees will face at some point: Hit the top of the pain charts by getting up or wet the bed. I had been blissfully asleep until my bladder woke me. Apparently it had also been quite some time since I had taken my last pain pill. So I laid there debating which was worse: Pain or Embarrassment.
I took Door Number One there Monty Hall.
Side Note: Speaking of Monty Hall and Let’s Make A Deal, *I* think that was an early instance of cosplay on the part of the contestants.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program: And I was right. My chest was screaming louder than it had since the end of Week 1. I’m starting to feel a bit like for every two steps forward I take, there’s generally this one little backwards stumble. First there was the over doing it with walking. Then it was the non-infection infection, Then came the Elephant with Barbed Wire Boots followed by the Darvocet Disappointment. Now this.
Recovery, while it IS a good thing and DOES continue forward, just has days where it sucks rocks through a straw.
In the mean time I’m still waiting for the Hydrocodone to kick in all the way. It’s better but there’s still pressure and the occasional muscle pain. Soon though. I can actually take deep breaths without wincing. That’s progress.
I’ve got to be careful about how often I take the Hydrocodone now though. I thought I had more than I do and every one of those halves is precious. Granted I DO have the muscle relaxers and those work too. So I’m just going to have to figure this out. OR I could do the smart thing and ask for a refill on the Hydrocodone IF it comes to that. Maybe Dr. Elliott will do it and be glad I’m off the Oxy. And for the record kids, I REALLY understand why doctors make that a short term med. It’s SO very addictive. When you’re on Oxy, you’re wrapped in a cottony cocoon where nothing bad ever happens and the world is filled with caviar dreams and champagne wishes. It’s a wonderful place that you really never want to leave. So of course at the first inkling of pain…even low level pain, you just pop that wonderful little pill and you’re back in that safe, warm place again. I could very easily see myself becoming addicted to it. So as much as I complained, it really is a good thing that Dr. Elliott switched me to hydrocodone.
