Pain Awareness Month in Full Swing!

September is Pain Awareness Month and it is hard to believe that it's already half over!  It has been an exciting month full of opportunities for learning about pain and its management. www.painawareness.org  jointly sponsored by the American Society of Pain Educators and Aventine HealthSciences has been providing learning opportunities on daily basis. I encourage anyone who has an interest to check out some of their telecasts being presented. Read some of the information and select materials of interest. This is a great way for professionals to earn continuing education credit as well!  Do so and let me know what you think!!  I look forward to hearing from you on either my Pain Management or Migraine board here on WebMD!   

Related Topics: WebMD Video: Acupuncture for Back Pain, Meditation May Help Brain Handle Pain

Technorati Tags: pain awareness month, pain management

Whiplash!

It's amazing how a seemingly normal day can turn awry so quickly. While traveling to a meeting earlier this week, while sitting at a stop light in traffic--BANG! I am jerked backward in my seat unexpectedly. The lady behind me comes running to my door asking me if I am alright...All I can say is "I don't know"...

She phones the police and shortly after arrival we all move to the side of the road and exchange information. My bumper is shoved down and up under the rear of my SUV and the sun roof shade is shoved open a bit from the impact. Her SUV has a cracked license plate holder. After the police are finished, we go our separate ways.

During the day my neck and shoulders are tender and I attribute it to the unexpected tensing of the muscles in the area. I attend my meeting and return to my home after seeing my doctor. He prescribes muscle relaxants, pain meds as needed and suggests I get an x-ray of the area. If I have increased symptoms, go to the ER and be evaluated.

The next morning, I get up and head to work. I teach an early morning class fully aware that the more I am in an upright position, the more I hurt. Moving my arms and head become more difficult. I feel pain radiating up my neck and pressure building in my head. Certain movements make me a bit dizzy and I feel a little nauseated. The pressure in my head becomes a headache. I realize then I have to be seen and evaluated. Thank goodness I work in a hospital so to get to an express-care/ER was a matter of going down in an elevator and going to another part of the facility.

This is horrible. I have had difficulties with my back before but that has been the lower part of the spine. Up until now the upper spine and neck have been doing fine. This is not right...I was sitting in traffic at a red light waiting for it to change. My tires were not even turning when I was hit.

Testing is performed, meds are given and I am diagnosed with what is known as Whiplash. Well I have heard many folks talk about it but had yet to know the experience until now. It is incredible and very limiting. Treatment consists of large amounts of muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, ice and pain meds. After 24-48 hours I switch to heat and continue the regimen.

I have so much work to do. I don't have time for this. I have classes to teach, work to catch up on, much too much. But I go home and obey the doctor's orders and I quickly see why he says I have to rest for a few days. The medications I have to take make me sleepy and there is no way I can drive or work that way so I give in and accept the fact that I am going to have to deal with things when I return to work.

It is important to follow the doctor's orders when it comes to something like this. I hope and pray I can function well and be back to my old self. I have to sit for long periods of time at computers and use my arms alot for teaching and typing. I am mindful about posture and hope I feel more comfortable soon because right now, even good posture hurts.

I have a better appreciation for those folks who have shared their experiences in the past. Having whiplash is painful and limits function. I am hoping for a complete recovery.

Related Topics: Sleepy Drivers Better Pull Over, Neck Problems and Injuries

Technorati Tags: whiplash, car accident, rear-end collision

Surviving Travel and Conference Part II

In my previous post I described how I prepared for and travelled to my conference destination. During this part I would like to share some of the adventures I was able to manage in spite of my physical limitations.

The conference I am attending is located here in the heart of Disney in Florida. One of the important things I needed to do upon arrival is recognize my limitations and plan my strategy accordingly. My first full day was spent touring one of the major theme parks. Before even leaving my hotel I vowed if I began to feel tired or unable to cope, I would simply head back to my hotel and rest.

I maintained a slow pace, rested frequently and enjoyed the air-conditioned buildings throughout the park. I used my cane as needed and selected the attractions I felt would be most meaningful and do-able. At no time did I plan to see the entire park that day.

But you know, surprising enough I did see it and I managed to stay for the fireworks at the end before leaving to return to my hotel. Now I have to say, I spent a couple hours sitting on a nice bench enjoying the surroundings and watching the people and it was really nice to do so. And that was how I was able to rest my legs and back in order to stay that much longer.

When I returned to my room, I took my meds and settled in with my heating pad for the night. The next day I took it easy during the morning hours and tailored my day according to how my legs felt that day. I must say, I did try a second theme park but found I was not comfortable to see it all so I managed to visit the most important highlights first and after a few short hours I returned to my hotel to put my legs up for the rest of the day.

The conference started this morning and I am now doing a lot of sitting. I am taking time to get up and walk around and make sure my posture is ok in the seats. If I become too uncomfortable, I will sit out part of a session if necessary.

Tomorrow I may take some meds proactively to ward off any back spasms that threaten to occur. This along with my current regimen should get me through ok. During the evening, I will relax and enjoy my heating pad. It will be important for me to eat well and get enough rest so I can finish out the conference these next couple days and prepare for the trip back home.

Travelling sensibly can enable even folks with limitations to have some fun and take care of business!

Related Topics: Sleep and Travel, Travel Without Injury

Technorati Tags: travel, back pain, travel planning

Surviving Travel and Conference--Part I

This past week I have been travelling in order to attend a conference being held out of state. It is amazing how much focus I put on my limitations while preparing for this trip. With lifting limitations and problems with weak legs and back spasms, I knew my challenges were ahead of me.

Some of the things I did to prepare:

• Made a list ahead of time of things I would definitely need to take.
  
• I scaled down my wardrobe in order to condense my luggage needs. I selected pants and tops that I could mix and match and I added light accessories like scarfs and jewelry. Doing so enabled me to leave out the suit jackets and opt for light sweaters.
  
• I limited my shoes as well-including a set of good sneakers for walking and all purpose shoes/dress shoes
• I also included my heating pad and my meds.
  
• I knew the hotel would have a hair dryer and shampoo/conditioner so I carried small bottles of everything I needed rather than large ones.
• My laptop and case are a heavy item so I went through and cleaned out the case, removing everything except the power cords and network connectors. That was a big help.
  

When I finished, I had one large suitcase and my laptop case. I carried important items in a backpack with my fanny pack inside it. This helped with carry-on and check-in procedures.

When I arrived to park my car, arrive at the airport and check-in, I sought out assistance. For me this was a new thing since I tend to be an independent lady and tend to try and do everything by myself. But I realized I needed the assistance and it was not wise for me to risk any more problems than I was already dealing with by being stubborn!

My travel plans included a time of rest once I arrived in my room. I use this time to regroup, look at the options of how I would spend my time and determine what my plan would be. During this time, I enjoyed my heating pad and actually took a brief nap. The important thing was I gave myself time to do this.

It is important to plan ahead in order to remain calm and relaxed during this time. In spite of my limitations, I managed to accomplish a lot during this trip. Part II will include some of the adventures I went on and how I am managing the conference so far!

Related Topics: New Flight Rules: 11 Travel Tips, Travel Without Injury (WebMD Video)

Technorati Tags: travel with disabilities, smart travel, travel tips