When I wrote my first pain management blog I felt like it didn't fully convey the message God was giving me about pain management. Some information was missing so I dug a little deeper and came up with the following.
When I was discharged from the hospital I was given a lot of educational material. The material included information on what I needed to do if I developed an infection in the surgical site, how to practice deep breathing to avoid pneumonia, information on the type of cancer I had, and a listing of medications I was to take with instructions on how to take it. Included with the medication information was a little blurb on pain management. Last night I re-read the pain management section and found their list to be very helpful.
1. Use the medication as directed. If the pain worsens, you need to call the doctor.
2. Remember that the medication needs time to work. Most pain relievers taken by mouth need at least 20 - 30 minutes to take effect. Don't wait until the pain gets bad to take it.
3. Time the medication. Try to time your medication so that you take it before beginning an activity such as dressing or sitting at the table for dinner. Taking your medication at night may help you get a good night's rest.
4. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables as constipation is a common side effect with some pain medicines.
5. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking pain medication as it can cause dizziness, slow your respiratory system and even be fatal.
Ok so my spiritual mind kicked right in and began to examine those five steps. What I noticed in the natural that is also true in the spiritual is that most of us have been prescribed medication but don't take it. Many of us have grown up in the church. We heard of prayer. We heard of fasting. We heard of the beatitudes. We know about forgiveness, confession, and repentance but for some reason, we let our medicine sit on the shelf and not use it. The first things doctors tell you in order to manage the pain you have to USE AS DIRECTED.
Secondly in order to take medicine you have to be disciplined. You have to take it everyday at the appointed time. Doctors tell you to take your medicine the same time everyday. They know that if you miss a dose you open yourself to the possibility of being in more pain. They caution you that medicine needs time to work and so while it is working, use it consistenly. But what do we do? The moment we begin to feel better we stop taking our medicine. We don't need to pray everyday because we feel a little better. We don't need to search the scriptures anymore because that storm has passed; at least that's what we tell ourselves. You have to remember that your medicine needs time to work so if you are already using it, be consistent and continue to do so. The moment you stop is the moment you become more susceptible to additional hurt and pain. Pray without ceasing even when you don't feel like you are in a storm. Fast regularly. Do what you are supposed to do even when it seems like all is well. BE DISCIPLINED AND CONSISTENT.
Thirdly the doctor's encourage you to take your pain medicine before big activities. I know for me personally strecthing is difficult. It is hard for me to turn around or reach behind me. Bathing is difficult. Getting in and out of the bed is difficult. I basically cannot do too much activity that will require me to use my arms or chest muscles. When I have to put a shirt over my head (which I try not to do often) I make sure I have taken my pain medication. The doctors want me to be mindful that some activities will require more of me than others and to take my pain medication before engaging in those activities. Do you fast and pray before a big decision needs to be made? Do you pray before you enter hostile territories? When you know you are about to engage in an unpleasant or stressful activity, do you time your medicine? TIME YOUR MEDICINE SO YOU WILL BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING.
Fourthly, you have to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. The only thought that came to mind is the need to change our diet. Eating unhealthy foods will not aid us in the healing process. We have to eat our fruit and vegetables. Being meditative and reflective is meant to slow you down (if you catch my drift) so while you are slowing down, EAT FRUIT AND VEGETABLES TO KEEP YOU CLEAN AND MOVING.
Lastly, do not mix alcohol and your pain medicine. There is an old saying, "If you are going to worry, don't pray. If you are going to pray, don't worry." Trying to kill the pain and cope with other substances is counterproductive. It could kill you. LEAVE UNHEALTHY SUBSTANCES ALONE WHILE YOU ARE UNDER GOD'S WATCH AND CARE.
God is still speaking to me about pain management so look out for part three. In the meantime, please be honest with God about your pain and let God speak to you about healing and managing it.
Until next time,
Tasha
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