[jbug]

I still have quite a bit of pain from my last surgery but my doctor has cut off my pain medication saying he doesn't want me to become addicted to it.

So what do I do during dressing changes to block out the pain when they are taking the tape off? Any deep breathing exercises anyone knows of?

Jan

[Champagne]

Hi Jbug,

Try this acupuncture pressure point. Place your thumb of left hand into the flesh join between the pointer and thumb of your right hand. Keep wiggling around until you find the pain spot. It should feel sharp pain when you press it firmly. Hold that point and breathe deeply in and out. When out blow the pain away and THINK I AM BLOWING THIS PAIN AWAY. When the pain in the pressure point is gone your other pain should be gone too. (Check out the internet on TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine and relief of pain with pressure points).

Best air is high oxygen for pain relief. Night time is greatest time because plants expire O2 at night.

For Healing of your wound. Expose it (if you can) to infrared light or lamp. Simple way is place a red celophane over a torch and shine it on your wound for 10 mins and day. If you get a lamp becareful of heat. Daylight 8-9am or 3pm onwards.

This seems to work for nausea too.

[Rhapsody]

Four Advil's always works for me..... its 800 mg and safe to use for a short period of time.

[Perna]

The hand acupuncture point worked pretty good for me for my shoulder pain; my physical therapist did it when we were working with a TENS unit to see where to place it; you might ask your doctor to get you a TENS to play with, especially during dressing changes. Does not sound fun.

[shezbut]

((jbug))

I agree with Perna about trying a TENS unit. They can be quite helpful to some people. Personally, simply looking away (right before the change) helps as I tense the muscles. Thankfully, I didn't have to go through too many dressing changes.

But, when I did, my personal attitude was to just get it done. My sharp pain quickly dulled to a throb, which was more bearable for me. I'm pretty against pain medications though. Just my personality.

Hope that you find some relief soon!

[Crew]

((((jbug)))))

Advil and stretching has helped me the most and after having several back surgeries chronic pain is what I'm left with. I use stretching, heat, ice at times and did I mention stretching ? No it really has worked for me and many folks I know with pain.

Hey good luck and be careful of reinjuring yourself....

Take care, Crew