Pain diary and 'bear trap' days
 

While talking to another patient at the medical centre about living with pain, we both agreed that some times we were so sore that we preferred not to move rather than get up and take medication. Sounds odd but it happens. We also agreed that it is difficult to remember just what was taken and when, and so a diary should be kept and all meds written up , to avoid over-dosing.
Some days when nothing seems to work I will wait an hour or so and then take something else, and so on until I get relief. I now record it all in a small diary that I keep handy.
I also make a brief note of the days activities and my overall pain level.
Really bad head days ($#@!!&*) I refer to as "bear trap" days, as it feels like one of them is biting into me.
Now I seem to be getting the pain lower down, at the base of the neck and into the shoulders.
Was suffering through it last night, and I remembered that when I was doing weight lifting, many moons ago, the squat exercise required a laden barbell to be placed over the shoulders and hard against the neck. That felt quite uncomfortable on the neck, and was very much like it feels now. So I will call these bad days BB, for bar bell.
Does anyone else do this sort of thing while lying awake waiting for the meds to work???

Wow...I'm so sorry your having such a hard time...

Yes, Peter I lay in bed sometimes for hours waiting for the pills to work or for time to pass so I can take more.

I do keep a journal in my Word program on my computer...I call it..."The Ouch Files"...this is where I keep track of my pain. I don't write everyday because it would become very repitious. I do write when the pain keeps me from doing the fun stuff or important stuff...which is almost everyday. I have a hard time doing the things I have to do...like shower...cook or clean.

If you are having a hard time remembering when you have taken pills or how many than yes you should write it down. I have a hard time remembering at night, thats why I lay awake waiting for time to go by so I can feel safe in taking more.....