I Was Able To Get Out

I was able to get out today. As many of you know my tendons and muscles were damaged 12 years ago. So bouncing around in a vehicle is extremely painful, thus rendering me pretty much homebound. Every time, and I do mean every time - I get into a vehicle I have first counted the cost. I ask myself:

1. How high is my pain before I leave? Will going somewhere increase my pain to where it’s unmanageable?

2. How far is it (translation, how long am I required to sit in moving vehicle before I get to the destination?) 

3. How long of recovery time will this trip require? And will I be able to rest for a couple of days to regain back the ground I lost before traveling?

I know this sounds like I’m talking about going for a long journey. It’s not, I’m talking about going the corner coffee shop. Or driving the 2 miles to my daughters house. Going to Costco. I’m talking short trips here.

Most times I decide it’s not a good idea to leave the house. It’s not worth the recovery time and pain I know will be required. Or my pain is just too high to begin with. This summer I logged 21 consecutive days without leaving the house.

I say this not to complain, but to try to educate. I am excepting my disability and making peace with it. Do your own research before taking whatever prescription the Dr. has prescribed. All prescriptions have side effects! I did read the precautions the Pharmacist handed me before taking Cipro. However, I was given the short, 1 page version. I didn’t know about the long 4 pages of full disclosure. If I had researched more I would have found that “muscle cramps” could mean LIFETIME muscle/tendon DAMAGE. Not the couple of days of stiff muscles I thought it meant. LIFETIME people! Quite a difference. I’m talking Lifetime changes kind of pain, with PERMANENT damage and no know cure.

You might get the impression I’m against medication. I am not! They do have their place. The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends Cipro for the plague and anthrax. If I had the plague or anthrax I would be grateful for Cipro. However, I did not have the plague, I had a UTI! There were other alternatives that should have been tried BEFORE they hauled out the big cannons. The motto “Never use a shotgun when a flyswatter will do”. Seems to apply here.

Please, please, please do your due diligence before taking ANY medication. Then make your decision with ALL the facts.

As always, till we talk again.

Art Therapy coloring books in my Etsy shop:
"Under the Sea" Zentangle http://etsy.me/2uyf2lH  

"Hearts"    http://etsy.me/1Kdwykm