How to prevent soreness from setting in after a fall whilst traveling?
Asked by
Unbroken (
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February 26th, 2015
I just fell down a carpeted flight of stairs. I managed to grab the banister at the top but since I was wearing slippers I skimmed the carpet with great speed.
Results whiplash, a popping in the upper spine, carpet burn and the hand that didn’t grab the rail had a temporary 3 day max port in it and I am fairly certain I infilrated the vein. I am so scared about pulling it. I have no bandages, and I am pretty needle phobic. I’m OK if other people are doing things I just can’t look.
I never got instructions on what to do if I had problems with the port. I don’t have access to ice to help any swelling. (I am staying with friends and their ice maker is broken.) And am having trouble getting back to sleep. I have some pain meds hydrocodone from my last hospital stay but was warned against using it.
Tomorrow I have to wake up early to pack, fit my treatment in, go on one errand, eat before the airport (nothing there is allergy friendly and the treatment I take lowers blood pressure) and make my flight. So I’m worried a pain med I am not used to taking will either make me sleep later or give me a hang over. Also worried about my spine where it popped it is now hard to breath and the pain only receded enough for me to slightly catch my breath stretching or lifting my arms over my head, well I can’t put my arms over head right now.
This is my first time traveling alone for my treatment since I started this program. I’m kind of panicking a little.
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9 Answers
Oh goodness. I don’t really know what to tell you. I’m not sure what the treatment is you’re having either. @Unbroken, can you check their freezer for frozen peas or some other frozen veg. That will do as well as ice.
Other than that, I don’t know what you can do about the pain relief or in terms of the pain killers. I agree, it’s probably not a good idea to take anything and especially if they’ve advised against it. Can you have a shower? That might help too. Let the water run over your back.
I hope you’re okay.
A shower is a great idea I will try that. Thanks!
Do you have saline to make sure the port is clear? You mentioned you are needle phobic. I don’t blame you. Maybe you can just leave the port as is.
While you are under your covers in the warm bed try exercising a little bit. Move your legs and arms, rotate your pelvis. turn head side to side. Kegel. Try to move everything. Just get blood moving.
No saline. And if I start bleeding without a pressure bandage. Well I’m anemic my clotting factor is very low. I could possibly re use the one I’m wearing now. But I think you are right I’m going to leave it. It was turning purplish round the bottom. But the pain has recessed and the bruise and swelling stopped growing.
The shower loosened me up a little. I will try to keep from getting stiff by doing what you suggested.
Good news I probably over reacted. I don’t think I injured my spine as badly as I originally thought. Sorry for the over kill.
@Unbroken Good news. Hope you feel better. Be careful with the hydrocodone . It scares the crap out of me. I was given it after a surgery and just one sent my flying.
Good news. I’m late to this but hot baths, aspirin or ibuprophen and frozen peas in lieu of ice.
If the flight is a long one I would consider taking a pain med or sleeping pill if you are still in pain and getting some healing sleep0. But if you don’t need it, don’t take it.
Take the damn hydrocodone. You didn’t say how long your flight is but see your regular dr. when you get home. You’ll be fine.
Oh I didn’t even think as far as how uncomfortable the flight will be. Luckily it is a bunny hop under an hour depending on the size of the craft and the weather.
I might just give in and drug up for the trip regardless. All is not peaches and roses today.
Thank you for the advice.
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