Surviving Chronic Pain
Hey guys, so as some of you may be aware last year I broke my right foot and both ankles. The break in my right foot was pretty severe and known as a Lisfranc Fracture. I've had xrays and ct scans and everything was going smoothly, however my last set of xrays some months ago showed a small displacement in the joint, but not quite enough to warrant another surgery. My surgeon said to see how it goes but if it's unmanagable he'll fix my foot together so 4 bones become 1.
I'm trying as much as I can to keep my exercises going to help my foot but motivation really sucks sometimes.. but it's the pain which is starting to flare up again because of work. Which is pretty physical and requires me on my feet a lot. I'm only doing 3 shifts a week and was managing them when we finished on time, but now that we are having to work for another 2-3 hours it's starting to really burn. I don't know whether to say I cannot stay back when we run late, (which I'm scared I'll loose my job over) or to just put up with it and be in agony (it's starting to get to the point I can barely walk when I finish and the following morning!) Or do I just resign altogether? (but staying at work is helping my mental health)
I've gotten to the point with my foot I'm letting it decide what I can manage for a day, and most days I just want to keep off it to reduce the pain and keep it away...
What do you think?
Comments
But I did read an interesting article about it in the latest Women's Health magazine. the Aussie version. And I was wondering if you saw that article and if so, what you thought of it?
Also, have you gotten any further with your work decision? Sounds like you're in between a rock and hard place.
It has been a while since I've posted - sorry for not responding earlier. But I've decided to stick it out a while longer. I've got a couple job applications in which I'm really keen on and wanting to get one. I've been managing my work so that I can stay the rostered 3 hours, and my supervisor has been great with me leaving after that if I need to.
Hey @Bee I really feel for you.. My fibula is wrecked from an injury that occured approx five years ago and still ocassionally will cause me pain during winter months. I remember the chronic pain for the first 12 months, wasn't nice; and I needed to work to keep myself sane because as you know those 2-3 months in a cast are terribly boring.
Sounds really tough the concept of having to stay back when you just need to elevate your foot, and it sucks that you feel like you'll lose your job over it. There's a couple of places you could chat to about this however, that may give you some piece of mind! There's the National Australian Human Right's Commission (based in NSW), which is free and provides a lot of info about workers rights and various anxieties around your job being affected by external factors (such as as injury).
There's also your local Work Cover or Work Safe organisation, generally Government run. One phone call may be a tonne of help because they'll give you free confidential advice on how to protect yourself if you open up to your Boss about the pain you're going through.
A lot of info to take in, but do you think any of those services could help?
Let RO know how you go!
Hi @Bee
Chronic pain is incredibly difficult to live with, regardless of what form it takes. It can be unpredictable and you need to do what is right for you. As you say, work is good for your mental health. talk to whoever you feel comfortable with at work and explain what's going on, just as you have here. You can get your physio or GP to write a letter of support if need be. It's not as if you don't want to work- you do, just not in pain!
Try not to feel guilty for the days you let it run the day. Sometimes, it just does. The trick is not to let it become everyday. I had a period of time where I let my condition rule my life and it was awful. I was so consumed by it that I wasnt living. Eventually I thought enough was enough and talked to others with a similar problem who helped me cope. I got to that stage because I was exhausted and sleep deprived and I imagine you must feel both of those!
Have you spoken to the surgeon about how bad it is? Are there things besides keeping off it that ease the pain?
Are there parts of the day when it doesn't hurt so much? Could you sit instead of stand? There are cute scooters you can get that weigh as much as carry on luggage and fold up into a neat package as a another option- if not for work, it might help with day to day stuff!
Thanks for for this post. I also experience chronic pain and I don't feel so alone! 🙂
let us know how you go 🙂
Its not everyday but its hear and there. Sometimes it is everyday, like in a flare period but then it eventually eases up when I rest it. And I know it only becomes everyday if I don't practise my self care for my foot - stretching, movement, bydro, epsom salt baths or foot soaks.
Basically because the displacekent is only minor and I'm mostly coping with the pain - I'm still working I'm not in emergency all the time in pain or on strong pain killers we are leaving it be to let the soft tissues heal and kaybe they might bring it back to the correct position as they heal?
Its mainly work that it hurts. I sit as much as I can but its not enough. Sometimes its can be a change of weather that sets it off or how I pick my foot up when walking etc. It's not that I need to keep off it, its more finding that balance that works. And right now I'm just not finding that balance. I think if I could get a job in an office setting in admin or something it'd help a great deal but no one wants to hire me for that 😞
@Bree-RO I was in a boot on the right from sept to oct. Then double 1 cast and 1 boot the 17th oct to November ish. I came out of the left boot ealy and really only wore it for about 3 weeks but the break was only picked up 4-5 weeks post injury. Then I didn't come out of the cast until december. Then didn't come out of the boot until my second operation on jan 21. But should have been in the boot. I didn't weightbear for nearly 3 weeks... so kore like 4 months for me.
Thanks for the link I'll check them out tomorrow
We don't have anyone local to talk to. No union or anything for retail.
