Shela,
I'm sorry you are still in pain, just 7-8 weeks post-surgery.
I have not had an ankle fusion, but am wondering what your doctor said about the pain? You mentioned that you did tell him/her, and s/he said it may be from nerve damage? Was your doctor concerned that you "still" have pain? What did your doctor say about treatments for nerve damage?
The only pain I can relate to is pain from delivering a baby, and my doctors and nurses said I would be "sore" for a few weeks. WHAT?! "Sore" is not the word I would use to describe it, and it took at least 8 weeks of not feeling "pain" or "soreness", and a few more weeks after that to feel "like myself" again. I went back to the doctor at 4 weeks post-delivery, because I was so nervous that something was really wrong since I was "still in pain". Nope--everything was healing properly (just as your doctor is pleased with your progress...yeah!)
So, my point? My opinion, rather, is that everyone has different levels of pain, different healing and recovery periods. I am not a "wimp", and I am sure you are not, either, so if you have any guilt or bad feelings toward yourself that you are "still" in pain, then banish those immediately! :-)
Secondly, you are doing the right thing by asking for help with others who've had the same surgery. Chronic pain is debilitating, frustrating, and scary. Is your doctor able to help you continue managing the pain? It really doesn't matter if it is not "supposed" to be there (like the nurse said...that comment was incredibly UNhelpful!). You have pain, it is just a fact, and if your doctor has ruled out other reasons for the pain, besides YOUR normal recovery period (not what it says in the medical textbooks), then ask for their assistance in managing your pain. That is what they are there for!
I hope you hear from others, soon, who have gone through your exact experience.
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Shela,
I'm sorry you are still in pain, just 7-8 weeks post-surgery.
I have not had an ankle fusion, but am wondering what your doctor said about the pain? You mentioned that you did tell him/her, and s/he said it may be from nerve damage? Was your doctor concerned that you "still" have pain? What did your doctor say about treatments for nerve damage?
The only pain I can relate to is pain from delivering a baby, and my doctors and nurses said I would be "sore" for a few weeks. WHAT?! "Sore" is not the word I would use to describe it, and it took at least 8 weeks of not feeling "pain" or "soreness", and a few more weeks after that to feel "like myself" again. I went back to the doctor at 4 weeks post-delivery, because I was so nervous that something was really wrong since I was "still in pain". Nope--everything was healing properly (just as your doctor is pleased with your progress...yeah!)
So, my point? My opinion, rather, is that everyone has different levels of pain, different healing and recovery periods. I am not a "wimp", and I am sure you are not, either, so if you have any guilt or bad feelings toward yourself that you are "still" in pain, then banish those immediately! :-)
Secondly, you are doing the right thing by asking for help with others who've had the same surgery. Chronic pain is debilitating, frustrating, and scary. Is your doctor able to help you continue managing the pain? It really doesn't matter if it is not "supposed" to be there (like the nurse said...that comment was incredibly UNhelpful!). You have pain, it is just a fact, and if your doctor has ruled out other reasons for the pain, besides YOUR normal recovery period (not what it says in the medical textbooks), then ask for their assistance in managing your pain. That is what they are there for!
I hope you hear from others, soon, who have gone through your exact experience.
Hang in there!
August 19, 2008 - 2:44pmThis Comment
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