Posted 8/22/2014 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Newsgirl:
Don't get so down on yourself about missing an appointment because you didn't get the date and time right. It has happened to me twice. I am hard of hearing and really am terrible on the phone. One appointment I messed up was with an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. I arrived late but didn't know. The Doctor did fit me in begrudgingly. I think Doctors should allow you to book appointments online.
Being in pain is very frustrating. The body rids of inflammation very slowly. Sometimes you cannot recognize that anti-inflammatories are working. The pain, of course, may not be from inflammation alone. If your body is swollen you could use ice.
There is nothing wrong with using a tens machine if it helps you. I, too, found ultrasound helped some on my neck Osteoarthritis. I think Physiotherapists can only do so much ultrasound. You have to be careful with pain meds. You need to follow dose instructions and if they are not helping discuss it with your Doctor.
It is kind of silly to say that you don't want to be better before a Doctor's Appointment because you really would like to be feeling better. It sounds like your Doctors are trying to help and your PT too. Many times being totally diagnosed is a slow process.
When your Doctors sort everything out the one thing that might help is water therapy in a heated pool if you have such thing nearby. Ask your PT if it might be useful.
Do take care and hope you stay on course and feel better soon.
Loring
Osteoarthritis in multiple joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...