New meds

Just a quickie (really) update about the meds. I saw a pain specialist yesterday. This young Russian doctor. I really liked him. He seemed very smart and competent (and even had a sense of humor). So, he said that he was a bit concerned that there might be something in the joint that is causing the pain; but that would be up to my orthopedist. (I have an appointment next Wednesday and am trying to get in earlier).

But he didn't seem particularly alarmed by my pain or the drugs I was taking. He switched me to higher doses of Oxycontin. Aside from being a hot street drug, Oxy is long-lasting. Other drugs give you a quick jolt of "feel good" then go away, while Oxy allegedly lasts hours. He also said that when it's turned into a street drug, they take out the stuff that makes it long lasting, so you get a huge jolt all at once. He also gave me some dilaudid to get me through any really rough times.

So, I came home on my new meds and had a kick-ass physical therapy session. This continues to be my bright spot. I feel really good about the progress I'm making, and I really like my PT (although we have only one session left before I do in-house.) I never could have tolerated what we were doing (imagine someone bending your leg full force.. OUCH. . OK, it wasn't full force, but it felt like that. And my nice physical therapist suddenly turned into a Monster . but then it was over and everything was OK. She even gave me some agility exercises. . .

OK, so back to the drugs. For those of you worried that I will become an addict like our good friend Rush Limbaugh, don't. . . My doc said an addict takes drugs when he or she does not need them. Yes of course, there is a always a risk that I won't get off of these and will turn to a life of crime. But for now, they are medically necessary. They allow me to heal and to live my life. So, that's all for now. Promised I'd keep it short. OK. So it's not so short. But who are you? My editor? Jeez.