Press play to listen to My Chronic Pain Management Reboot Recap For July 2021 – Fibromyalgia And Psoriatic Arthritis or continue reading.
July was full of surprises. Some good and one that sucked the life out of me.
What do you do when what you have been combatting for the past 6 months completely changes the game rules?
You pull up your britches and make changes to your pain management plan.
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My Chronic Pain Management Treatments for July 2021
Here is a list of treatments and products used this month, which symptoms they addressed, and my end of the month pain levels.
PEMF Therapy: About two weeks into this month, I experienced a significant decrease in inflammation surrounding my lower spine. This has allowed me to focus treatments on my abdomen and neck. With the exception of two days, I ran treatments daily for 6 – 9 hours. Lower back pain level was reduced to a 4 this month. Pain at the base of my neck was elevated during the first half of the month but is now equal to my lower back pain.
Red LED Light and Heat Therapy: Added to my pain management plan in June, I continued treating my shoulder with it once a week. This pain point ends the month at a 3 on the pain scale versus the 9 it has been for most of the year.
Solis 1100 Pain Management System: As of the publishing date, I did not need to use this device this month. It will get used, towards the end of the week when my husband and I go to Downtown Disney to celebrate our anniversary. This is my go-to numbing tool. It gets me through long outings without increasing my end of day pain level. By decreasing my “I am out” pain level first, my overall pain level is less than if my body could feel and react to the pain.
Arnica Salve: I kept an arnica salve stick next to my recliner and another by my bed. Quick, easy, relief for my neck muscles no matter where I was at.
Good Night Lotion: My every night must-have if I want to have a good night’s sleep!
Cannabis (Homemade edibles): My medibles help me sleep, relax muscles, reduce inflammation and anxiety. With a lower pain level, my dosage decreased as well.
Liver Love Tincture: So far so good. I have experienced a decrease of pain in the area of my liver. If I had to give it a numerical definition, I would say that area decreased by 10%.
Chronic Pain Management Improvements and Setbacks
In regards to chronic pain management, July was an excellent month. Okay, maybe not excellent, but you have to admit that any pain reduction feels freaking amazing after battling months or years of high levels! Considering how hot and humid it has been, I am thrilled that my overall pain level was decreased by 40%.
July would have been a great month, but even with less pain in so many areas of my body, I was void of energy to enjoy it. My fatigue level was off the charts. There were some days when the only reason I left bed was to eat or use the restroom.
My muscles felt and still feel heavy. Head on my shoulders? How about a 50lb bowling ball?! Every movement, from taking a step to lifting a toothbrush, is met with resistance. It is like living underwater while wearing a cement suit. And it is exhausting.
The only thing that helps me get through each battle is to give it what it wants. I slept when my body wanted to, no matter what the time of day. I worked my rear off to make the most of my limited good moments.
Chronic Pain Management Modifications for July
Adjustments were made to my work schedule after a couple of weeks of trying to keep up by working between periods of sleep. Realizing that I denied myself some much-needed self-care, I accepted that I will get less work done this month.
I love iced coffee. But I don’t like watering hot coffee down with ice and find a cold brew to be too acidic. After a little research, I ordered the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker. Best iced coffee ever! Sorry Starbucks, I know you will miss me.
One low pain and moment of mental clarity was used for some in-store retail therapy with my daughter. We spent too much and I slept the rest of the day, but it was totally worth it!
Robes signify the end of the day or sickness. As someone who is and will be sick for the rest of their life, I dislike robes. This month’s latest modification was the addition of more kimonos. Even when I am too fatigued to get dressed, I can easily swap my robe for a kimono. It is enough of a change to make me feel like I am dressed for success.
Game Plan For The Next 30 Days
So, last month I said that I would wait a few months before returning to Disneyland. Apparently, I can be bribed! There have only been a few changes since my last visit. We are still a long way from things being back to normal. However, dangle a southern California resident-only deal in front of my face, and I will give in.
I am thankful for the past month of going nowhere. But I am also looking forward to my next set of visits. I hope and pray that this fatigue flare from hell lets up enough to allow me to enjoy my time at The Happiest Place on Earth!
Can you imagine how marvelous August could be if my pain and fatigue levels were both at a lower level?
I am expanding my chronic illness toolkit with an inflatable hot tub!!! Come back next month to hear all about it!
If you are new to my blog or this chronic pain management series, you can read it from the beginning here.
