Bedridden again
The emotional effects of the Levonorgestrel lasted through the end of July before I started evening out again.
Menses was due on Wednesday or Thursday but it didn’t arrive until Sunday, August 9, because of having taken the Levonorgestrel in July. The info on the medication box says that one’s next cycle could be early or late +/- 7 days. Mine was late by 3.5 days.
All of last week at work, I had hypoglycemic attacks. This happens every month right before my period, but usually 2-3 days before my period, not a full 7 days. Ugh.
I also had minor uterine cramping and low back pain on and off for a week before menses.
On Saturday, August 8, I had cramps bad enough that I took 600mg Ibuprofen. I didn’t want to take half a Tylenol 3 because I didn’t want to be loopy at a wedding I was to attend later that evening. The wedding was great, but I did continue to have cramps on and off all night.
On Sunday, August 9, I was feeling extremely tired. I had housework to get done but just couldn’t find the stamina to get off the couch. I had to babysit at 4pm that day, and at 2:57pm, guess what showed up? I downed 600mg Ibuprofen and rushed to the grocery store to get some freezer food, juice, cereal, and other stuff I thought I might want while bedridden. I rushed back home, scarfed down some food, and then went off to babysit.
I really wanted to cancel the babysitting gig, but it was an hour before the start of my shift when the pain hit, I had no idea how bad the pain would get, and it was this couple’s anniversary that they’d been looking forward to, since they rarely get out on a date night since their son was born 9 months ago. I barely know these people but really wanted them to enjoy their anniversary. So I went over.
Babysitting a 9-month-old means you don’t really get a break. I knew this going into it that I could be faced with calling the parents home early if my pain level got to be unbearable.
This particular baby does not get to sleep unless you vigorously bounce him while dancing around and singing to him. He hates to JUST be sat down and rocked to sleep (unless it’s momma, of course).
So there I was, in pelvic and low back pain, having to in effect do a cardio workout on and off for six hours. The baby himself was not that difficult as far as 9-month-olds go, and he got me to giggle several times with his emerging personality and sense of humour.
After I put him down to bed for the night, however, I finally popped half a Tylenol 3, sat down in front of the TV, and waited for his parents.
When I got home Sunday night, I knew that because of my long day combined with endometriosis pain that going in to work on Monday would not be likely. But I had not made any contingency plans for my absense – there was no accessible Internet access at the house I had been babysitting at, nor did I have my contact list for substitute teachers. By the time I got home, it was too late to begin calling subs. So I set my alarm, took another half Tylenol 3 and went to bed with my heating pad.
I woke twice before my alarm went off early Monday morning. The pain was too much to handle and would not allow for restful sleep. It was 6:45am when I began calling everyone on the list to see who might come in and substitute for me. I can’t even remember if I got anyone or not. I called the main office at the school and told them I would not be in and was trying to find a sub. Then I went back to bed. As usual, I didn’t hear back from the bulk of those whom I’d called, and the two who did get back to me said they could not work for me that day.
I spent all of Monday bedridden and cranky from the medication. I’m still on the Tylenol 3 / Ibuprofen cocktail until I see more specialists and surgeons again, who might be able to help me find something that won’t kill my liver, kidneys and GI tract. I’m to see a gynecological oncologist next Wednesday for surgery. The person they want to refer me to for medicinal treatment however is not covered by our insurance. So I’m still trying to figure that out.
It would also help perhaps if I could remember to stick to my Qigong exercises. Beyond that, I force myself out of bed throughout the day to slowly stretch out my torso and arch backwards to loosen the pelvic region. I do slow large hip circles as featured below:
And I do the reclining bound angle yoga pose:
Sometimes these help. I just sorta figured these exercises/postures out for myself. Sometimes it makes it feel like the pain is getting worse. Personally, I believe that the more often I work the muscles, the better it is towards preventing endometriosis adhesions from sealing into place. I really do not want my left ovary stuck to the back of my uterus again, or any organs stuck to my pelvic sidewall again if I can just keep everything moving instead of curling up fetal in a ball of pain and just sitting there.
Whatever works and whatever helps ease the mind as well as the body…
Last night by 7pm I had a feeling I would not be well enough to return to work on Tuesday, so I began a new round of calling teachers. I was able to find someone to work for me on Tuesday, but still I set my alarm and went to bed.
I got up when the alarm went off and instantly pain shot through my pelvic region and lower back. I took another Tylenol 3 and went back to bed. :(
I got up again to see my husband off to work, and I’ve been sitting in a Tylenol 3 haze ever since.
If I have to miss work again tomorrow, I will officially start fearing for my job security again.