what would you prefer...

[joko]

short term agonising pain...then be pain free...say 2 months worth

or

long term minor irritating pain....for many years...?

[ummmm]

Neither...but..


Short term...I was in pain for quite a few years and it really gets you down.

[society]

Does this question has something to do with your ankle? What are you intending to do about your ankle?

[China Doll]

I think pain free. I have an impingment (sp) on my hip that I'm having keyhole surgery to correct in Feb. To look at and to all extents and purposes, I'm absolutely fine, I rarely limp and only occasionally walk oddly (like when trying not to go arse over tit on non-gritted pavement) but the pain I do get several times a day is irritating (as well as sore) and it wears you down. I'm constantly aware of it, sometimes it starts playing up if I've been sat in the same postion too long and I can't do any exercise particularly as that'll make it worse. Also, the cold weather isn't doing me any favours lately for some reason. So yeah, I'm hopeful that after feb, this will all be sorted and I can go back to taking things like walking without randomly doubling over for granted :c)

[David H]

Like the Chinese water torture anything bad without relief will drive you made eventually, so short term for me if I had no choice. Relief is always good when it ends and no relief if chronic.

[ummmm]

My pain was also in my hip CD. After being hit by a car. Some days it wasn't too bad...as long as I didn't lift anything. Having 3 kids and a house to run, that was near on impossible.

One day...it just stopped. Really strange. It was like I was walking round for a few years with a bone out of place...then it just popped back in.

(I probably fell over and corrected it)

[Answerprancer]

Niether, but "chronic" is marginally worse IMO - so I'll take acute please.

Here's another one:

What would you rather have - 'a full bottle in front of me' or 'a full frontal lobotomy' ? :-)

[NazNomad]

Short term, no contest.

Long term pain is depressing in addition to the pain.

[ummmm]

Very depressing....

[society]

Definitely short term, then no more pain...

[Jan1957]

I'm still trying to decide joko. I have now had 5 operations on my ankle after breaking it in August 2006. I went back to work in January 2007 but had increasing swelling and pain from March and when I was eventually x-rayed in June 2007 found the ankle was broken again. I have not worked since then and can only walk a maximum of 25 yards because of the pain and take prescription painkillers and ibuprofen daily.

Because of the constant pain I am in I saw my third Consultant in August this year who said he had never seen anything like my ankle and was not sure what to do so he took my x-rays to a conference in Germany to consult with colleagues. He has now suggested another op, which should take place in January, but I am really not sure if I want to go through all the hassle again and am terrified of losing my foot. I am therefore having to make the choice, do I live with the constant pain which some days means I cannot walk at all, or do I try another op, which may or may not help? It's not an easy decision.

[ummmm]

Bless you Jan...I'm presuming this is not a 'minor irritating pain' though?

[jaydah]

neither, fortunately am not suffering at present as have learned to avoid pain inducing activities without medication.

[Jan1957]

No ummmm. it's not minor irritating pain. At times it is excruciating and I spend a lot of time in tears out of frustration of the things I can no longer do. Out of the last four and a half years I have spent 22 months in plaster, the last time being 8 months, and just don't know if I can cope with it again. My GP has said to me I would be better off losing the foot and that has just scared me so much that not sure if I want to risk it. I really just don't know what to do?

[ummmm]

OMG Jan :-(

I don't know what to say..would I prefer to live in pain or would I prefer to lose my foot. What a horrible option..xxx I think I'd stick with the former...but I'm not in your pain.

[jaydah]

Jan if your consultant has had the extra advice on how to make your ankle comfortable and improve your quality of life you need to have the op he advises. Am sure you will ask what his plans are for you. I do hope it goes well for you.

[Jan1957]

Sorry joko for taking over your thread but you haven't come back so can't ask you for more more.

Thanks ummmm for answering my query as it's so difficult and I don't feel I can ask too many of my friends. As you may know hubby is recovering from cancer and now has dvt so don't want to worry him but just not sure what to do. May just ask Consultant to postpone for now and get a bit more info about it all.

Ta ummmm. x

[Jan1957]

Thanks jaydah but it was all down to the original consultant taking the metal work out too early, after three months. My new one does really seem to know what he is talking about but it's just all too scary at the moment. I think I will wait till after Christmas to make a decision and get more advice.

Hope joko gets some helpful advice too.

[ummmm]

Awww Jan.....I don't know what to say. Feeling a bit emotional here!! Hubby - cancer- has to come first....

But does he? What about you Jan?

[ummmm]

Who's going to look after him???

You need to take care of yourself to take on such a challenging job...

My Dad having cancer nearly destroyed me....I was 34....!!!!!

[Jan1957]

Oh ummmm, I'm getting upset as well as I've had no one to talk to about it because he HAS to come first at the moment. I will definitely postpone it for a while and wait till he is better. My GP has been absolutely brilliant and lets me go in to see her for a cry because I won't cry in front of hubby and haven't done since he was diagnosed. Thank you for this chat, I really appreciate it. Will concentrate on having a good Christmas for now and think about it all in the new year. xxxx

Sorry again joko.