@Jenny1980 or others

[joenali]

When I get up to go to the bathroom or just getting up in general my ankle hurts so bad. It hurts to the point that I don't even want to get up to pee. Then when I'm done it takes a long stretch of time before the pain and throbbing subside. Is this normal?

Then there's the guilt. I feel guilty when I complain about the pain I'm in. I always think, someone else has it worse right now, I should stop. But I've never felt anything like this kind of pain before. And there's not much I can do aside from taking pain killers and keeping my foot elevated.

ETA: sometimes I just want to cry...a lot.

Fuck! I can't wait until this is over.

[hungrycaterpillar]

I'm trying to piece together the back story but can't. What's the diagnosis?

[joenali]

Fractured ankle. I fell hiking the other day.

[joenali]

Weber B fracture if that means anything. I have surgery on Tuesday.

[AHappierHour]

(( hugs )) I'm so sorry your in so much pain. I didn't break my ankle just a small bone on my foot and I remember that was awful. I do remember having to take the pain killers for a week or two before I kinda felt better. But it did get better and I learned how to cope with a cast up to my knee. I hated having to rely on people to get up and do simple things like pee and just get up from the toilet. I became a pro at hopping around once I felt a little better. It will get better in time.

[joenali]

May 31, 2015 9:10:20 GMT -5 loonylunalovegood said:

I think the guilt and the crying are normal, especially since from what I can tell you're super independent and active.

I hate that you're in so much pain still. Did you tell the doctor? Are you in a hard cast? I would be taking the highest recommended dose of meds and calling my doc of it still was hurting, but I'm a super wimp.

I'm sorry you're going through this.

I'm taking two Percocet every 4 hours. The pain is really bad when I have to let my foot dangle. If it's elevated and I don't move much it's fine.
ETA: not in a hard cast, just splint.

[AHappierHour]

May 31, 2015 9:13:45 GMT -5 joenali said:

May 31, 2015 9:10:20 GMT -5 loonylunalovegood said:

I think the guilt and the crying are normal, especially since from what I can tell you're super independent and active.

I hate that you're in so much pain still. Did you tell the doctor? Are you in a hard cast? I would be taking the highest recommended dose of meds and calling my doc of it still was hurting, but I'm a super wimp.

I'm sorry you're going through this.

I'm taking two Percocet every 4 hours. The pain is really bad when I have to let my foot dangle. If it's elevated and I don't move much it's fine.
ETA: not in a hard cast, just splint.

Did your Doctor give you IBU? Mine prescribed me Norco and 800IBU. I took both for the first 2 weeks then just the IBU till I felt better. 

[joenali]

No IBU. I have to have surgery on Tuesday I don't think I can take it.

[hungrycaterpillar]

I would call your doc and see if you can add in something like ibuprofen that way you can take a pill, be it ibuprofen or percocet every two hours to help stay on top of the pain.

I'm sorry you are hurting so much.

[MixedBerryJam]

I've never had a fracture, only a bad sprain, and that pain to me was what you're describing, and I remember it still, years later. So I think your "Woe is me" feelings are completely justified. Sure someone, somewhere, has it worse, but it's your effing ankle that hurts you, now. You are entitled to those feelings.

Take the painkillers on schedule, though, even if you don't feel you "need" it in the moment. It's much easier to stay ahead of the pain than to try to get rid of it once it's back. (Advice changes if you have addiction issues, though.) I hope your surgery goes well on Tuesday!

[hungrycaterpillar]

Also try not to put the foot in a dependent position if you can avoid it. This is just going to increase your swelling which will cause that deep intense throbbing pain. Are you bearing weight through it?

[themysteriouswife]

May 31, 2015 9:26:22 GMT -5 hungrycaterpillar said:

I would call your doc and see if you can add in something like ibuprofen that way you can take a pill, be it ibuprofen or percocet every two hours to help stay on top of the pain.

I'm sorry you are hurting so much.

She's having surgery. They aren't going to allow ibuprofen.

I am sorry you are in so much pain.

[joenali]

May 31, 2015 9:27:52 GMT -5 hungrycaterpillar said:

Also try not to put the foot in a dependent position if you can avoid it. This is just going to increase your swelling which will cause that deep intense throbbing pain. Are you bearing weight through it?

What is a dependent position? No weight bearing at all.

[bab]

I'm sorry. This sounds awful

[liverandonions]

Ibuprofen increases your bleeding risks, don't take that before surgery. Is your couch comfy? Would it be easier to sleep on the couch because you're not getting up and down from as high a position? Sorry it's hurting so much .

[hungrycaterpillar]

May 31, 2015 9:30:31 GMT -5 joenali said:

May 31, 2015 9:27:52 GMT -5 hungrycaterpillar said:

Also try not to put the foot in a dependent position if you can avoid it. This is just going to increase your swelling which will cause that deep intense throbbing pain. Are you bearing weight through it?

What is a dependent position? No weight bearing at all.

Sorry. I was skimming and didn't see that you hadn't had the surgery yet. Dependent equals letting it dangle. Keep it propped up on pillows so the swelling doesn't get too bad. I understand it will have to dangle when you go from place to place but try and stay off your feet (well your other foot) as much as you can.

I'm so sorry again. Please don't feel as if you can't complain. Will pray for an easy surgery and fast recovery.

[joenali]

May 31, 2015 9:33:44 GMT -5 liverandonions said:

Ibuprofen increases your bleeding risks, don't take that before surgery. Is your couch comfy? Would it be easier to sleep on the couch because you're not getting up and down from as high a position? Sorry it's hurting so much .

It's easier to get out if my bed than the couch. Also the bedroom is closer to the bathroom. Lol! But I do switch up going from couch to bed. I like to spice things up a bit!

[joenali]

May 31, 2015 9:35:51 GMT -5 hungrycaterpillar said:

May 31, 2015 9:30:31 GMT -5 joenali said:

What is a dependent position? No weight bearing at all.

Sorry. I was skimming and didn't see that you hadn't had the surgery yet. Dependent equals letting it dangle. Keep it propped up on pillows so the swelling doesn't get too bad. I understand it will have to dangle when you go from place to place but try and stay off your feet (well your other foot) as much as you can.

I'm so sorry again. Please don't feel as if you can't complain. Will pray for an easy surgery and fast recovery.

Only dangling to get up. I'm staying off my foot for sure.

[joenali]

May 31, 2015 9:54:55 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

May 31, 2015 9:26:22 GMT -5 hungrycaterpillar said:

I would call your doc and see if you can add in something like ibuprofen that way you can take a pill, be it ibuprofen or percocet every two hours to help stay on top of the pain.

I'm sorry you are hurting so much.

New research indicates that anti inflammatories can interfere with bone healing. Though that might not be an issue pre-op? Probably worth a call to your doc, joenali.

Yes, it definitely hurt like a mofo for a while if I didn't have my foot elevated and iced. I think that started to get better around a week post-op. I looked in my chart and was also prescribed hydromorphone, which is a really potent narcotic. So if the percocet alone isn't doing the trick, you might ask about other options. 

Hang in there! I promise that within a few weeks your pain will be a million times better.

I have no idea how you went through this with two little kids. Props to you my friend! How long were you out from work?