A Pain Diary
This is a set of notes to see if I can find the best strategy for controlling the pain.
Tuesday, 31st August
10:00 – The pain in my jaw, face and arm is bad. I’ll give it 7/10.
11:00 – The doctor gives me some 15 mg. codiene tablets and says to take one or two, three times a day. He says it won’t hurt if I mix them with paracetamol.
12:00 – I take two codiene and one paracetamol tablets.
13:00 – Lunch is one of Waitrose tiffins, which I feel helps my mouth.
14:00 – Pain is down to about 5/10 and I sleep for perhaps an hour.
17:00 – I’ve done quite a bit of typing this afternoon, so the left hand isn’t too bad. Pain still 5/10.
19:00 – Pain now about 6/10, so I’ve taken another two codiene.
20:00 – Supper was a tuna steak, peas and sauce followed by raspberries and yoghurt. It was surprisingly easy to eat and the fruit and yoghurt was very soothing. I should say that I still eat peas with my right hand, using the fork as a spoon. Pain is now about 4/10.
Wednesday 1st Setember
06:00 – I have just got up after a good night’s sleep or at least a very reasonable one. I didn’t take one of the sleeping pills either. Pain is about 3/10.
07:00 – Just taken one codiene and one paracetamol.
12:00 – On the way to Lingfield, I took two codiene and one paracetamol to keep the pain level to about 4/10.
17:00 – Supper was pasta in Carlucciuo’s with a still lemonade. Pain still about 4/10.
19:00 – On the train home to Whittlesford, I actually slept for twenty minutes or so, so the pain level was probably a bit less. I didn’t end up in Cambridge either!
21:00 – Just cook one codiene and one paracetamol before bed. I’m trying to keep the number I take each day to below the maximum, as that gives me a margin for if the pain gets worth. Pain is probably at a 3/10 level.
Thursday 2nd September
07:00 Woke up after a good night’s sleep. Pain in the face after a cup of tea. Perhaps 4/10.
08:00 – Took one codiene and one paracetamol.
11:00 – I went to see a physiotherapist, who used some electrical therapy on my arm and also said that some of problems there were because I don’t sit straight up.
15:00 – I’ve peeled a few potatoes for a fish pie and the cold water and the movement seems to hsve eased the pain in my wrist. The pain level is about 3/10.
22:00 – As with yesterday, I have a codiene and a paracetamol before going to bed. The pain level is about 3/10.
Friday 3rd September
07:00 – Slept well with no problems.
09:00 – Took one codiene and a paracetamol. Pain level about 4/10.
18:00 – Took one codiene and a paracetamol. Pain level about 4/10. Pain mainly in a tooth. Did find that a slice of Marian’s chocolate cake had a beneficial effect.
Saturday 4th September
07:00 My arm wasn’t good in the morning and I had a bit of trouble putting a shirt on as I couldn’t find the left arm-hole.
22:00 – I didn’t have too much pain all day and had perhaps one paracetamol, when I got up and one in the evening. Pain level about 4/10.
Sunday 5th September
07:00 – I woke up much better this morning after a lot of sleep. I took a paracetamol. The pain level was 3/10.
21:00 – Not much pain at 3/10 and I’ll probably take a paracetamol before I retire.
Monday 6th September
07:00 – I slept well with little pain. Perhaps about 5/10.
The Anonymous Widower 
You could quite safely take 2 paracetamol, assuming you dont have liver disease, the two drugs work together and boost the action of the other – I take them in the same capsule, but there is more codeine in mine I think.
It is worth recording what you eat – certain foods make my face pain worse, usually things which need a lot of chewing. It doesnt stop me eating things, it just makes aware of the possible effect and means there are days I might choose not to eat it.
Are this face arm and hand pains on the same side as each other? Did they appear comparatively suddenly? If so, you need to get checked for a trapped nerve in your neck sooner rather than later.
Strange things like weather and air pressure can affect pain as well.
If after a few days it isnt getting any less than 5/10, speak to your GP about increasing the codeine.
Incidentally, it will make you sleepy a bit a first, but that wears off quickly enough. You do need to eat lots of veggies and fruit though.
Comment by Liz P | August 31, 2010 |
Thanks, Liz. We’re doing all of those things. I suspect it’s not a trapped nerve, but one wound round the arm I broke years ago.
Comment by AnonW | August 31, 2010 |
Your comment about something, i suggest too be it more long as possible.
Comment by Jamest Lasie | March 9, 2011 |
How is this pain coming along James, is it improving?
Comment by liz | March 9, 2011 |
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