After living in horrible chronic pain for 18 years, I used to have an *incredibly* high pain tolerance.
Well, now that the pain is so greatly decreased, I've noticed a big change in that --
I give myself IM Bicillin shots 2x/week, and for the first few months, the pain from the injections was slight enough that it didn't even really register on my "pain radar"
Now that I am living in a state of greatly reduced daily pain, I'm noticing that smaller things -- like the shots-- actually HURT. The last two shots, I've been thinking "OW! I Don't want to poke this needle into my muscle!"
I find it encouraging to know that the body can actually begin to re-wire itself when the pain gets better.
-------------------- "Looks like freedom but it feels like death.. It's something in between, I guess"
Leonard Cohen, from the song "Closing Time" Posts: 822 | From California | Registered: Jan 2006
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Kinda like when you are feeling REALLY ruff and you stumble out of bed to go to the little Lyme persons room... and you scoot along and then jam your toe into the bed post!
OUCH!
For a few seconds you forget you are feeling sick with Lyme... as you lift your foot in the air, say lots of nasty words, and you are sure there must be blood squirting out from all directions from your whole foot because it hurts so bad!
I have been doing methyl shots for about 6 months now and I everyday when I get ready I look at that one inch needle and it looks right back at me with a big smile as if it's saying "ha ha....this is gonna sting"! lol
I'm sure you know but just try not to tense up when you give yourself the shot and it may help with the discomfort. Also, for me, 99% of the sting is just when it hits the skin and it's only an instant.
Anyway, I am really glad that after so many years your level of pain has decreased. Pain is probably one of the most difficult symptoms to live with.
~David
-------------------- Same nightmare, different day! Posts: 401 | From East Coast | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
I posted this mostly because I think it is curious -- the shots don't really bother me, even now -- it's just that things that hurt "normal" people are starting to hurt me, now!
I see it as a positive sign, actually -- it means my body isn't pumped full of pain-endorphins all the time.
For a long time, I could cut or burn myself accidentally and not even realize I'd done it -- "small" pains didn't even register in my brain. Now they are starting to register.
-------------------- "Looks like freedom but it feels like death.. It's something in between, I guess"
Leonard Cohen, from the song "Closing Time" Posts: 822 | From California | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
To add to that, sometimes when I stub my toe or hit the corner of a counter, the pain actually feels *wonderful* after the initial surge, because for those few glorious moments all my Lyme pain goes away.
But I agree, I think that feeling pain in a "normal" way is a great sign of healing. What is this normal you speak of?
A.
--------------------
The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. --- Edward R. Murrow Posts: 923 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
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northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
I had the same absence of pain last year. I went to take something out of the oven, and noticed smoke coming of it, which I could not figure the source.
When I withdrew my hand, there was a 2" brand on the top. Still did not feel pain, yet somehow I identified it as a burn, and knew I was supposed to put it in cold water, but did not know why. It was a nasty burn, and took several weeks to heal.
I was really out of it. Dangerous way to be.
I seem to have come back to earth now, and always wondered if it was my brain signals not registering, rather than pain propioceptors in the hand.
I am glad you are back to earth, too!
Northstar
Posts: 1331 | From hither and yonder | Registered: Sep 2005
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I'm really glad you've brought this up, because I had the same thing occur and couldn't seem to understand it.
Except this: several months ago, my car was broadsided on the driver's side at 55 mph by a hit and run drive. The car was totalled, the entire driver's side smashed in.
All the bystanders were grabbing cell phones to call the police and an ambulance. I kept saying "I'm fine. Really."
The truth is, I was pretty bruised on my leg and across my chest but just couldn't tell. Nothing hurt; nothing ever hurt. I guess I just figured everything that isn't Lyme really doesn't measure up in the pain department.
The other day, though, I stubbed my toe and yelled bloody murder.
Like others, I'm glad this is changing!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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Carol B
Unregistered
posted
According to the pain barometer, I may not be so sick after all-and speaking of big toes I can understand why Tincup is always stubbing her big toe, you should see this picture I have of her feet,makes me think we should all chip in to get her a pedicure !
I didn't stub my toe today- but I did pull the door open over it-and bent the nail back-it was the scream heard round the block.
Then I turned around and kicked the dog I was so mad. JUST KIDDING, I wouldn't kick my little itty bitty rat terrior, she's the only one who loves me, and she looks so cute when she dances around on her hind feet.
Anyway I didn't get any sympathy from anybody. AWWWW Carol
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northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
Carole B: "but I did pull the door open over it-and bent the nail back....."
EEEWWWWIE OUCHIE EWWWIEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Pass out and faint, too!)
That sounded excruciating!
Yes, much sympathy to you...! (I hear gym guys like to put their foot in the loo for immediate sprain tx, but somehow , lavendar oil in ice water sounds nicer..!)
Keep Cool! N.
Posts: 1331 | From hither and yonder | Registered: Sep 2005
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
ow, ow, ow, ow, oww, Carol...that hurt just to read!!!!
So my tolerance must really be going down
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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