Kind of cranky--broke my stupid ankle.

It was ridiculous, really. I was at church and slipped on some wet bricks outside, and I almost fell but I was able to roll it and stay on my feet. It just felt like a dull ache, until I put my weight on it and YOW!!!! But, thinking I'd only sprained it, I bought an ankle brace and limped around miserably for a couple of weeks.

I kept waiting for it to get better, as sprains usually do, but it just kept getting worse and worse. It felt like somebody was drilling through the bone with a white-hot icepick. My NP sent me for X-rays, which didn't show a break but did show some bone spurs. Then I went to urgent care because I couldn't stand it any longer, but of course nobody would give me pain meds because I happen to have Klonopin on my med list. (Check out my rant on bpnurse.com.) But I did get a nice walking cast and a referral to a podiatrist, and with the help of the boot and eating Aleve and Tylenol like Skittles, I managed to make it to my appointment without losing my mind.

Podiatrist is a nice guy, and the first thing he wanted to do was to get another set of X-rays. Sure enough, the break was obvious on this second round of imaging...even I could see it when the doc showed me. He was going to cast it but thought the walking boot would suffice if I kept it on 24/7 and didn't put my full weight on the ankle. He didn't give me narcotics either, of course, but the pain has gotten somewhat better (it's down to a dull roar most of the time) and I'm to keep the boot on at least for another five weeks if not longer.

My history of healing lower-extremity injuries isn't good because I have poor circulation, so I'm not optimistic about it fixing itself quickly. It's getting to be a real drag, and I am not patient when it comes to my own medical calamities. (I'm great with others who are hurting, though, which is why I was a good nurse.) But I'll do what I have to do, even if I'm out of sorts and hating life on the sofa. Thanks for passing me a little cheese with my whine.

I think I told you I sprained my ankle just getting out of bed. That was 5 weeks ago and it still hurts but at least I am not limping anymore.
They should have given you some pain meds!!!!!!
bizi

I keep plenty of cheese for my whine , but good grief woman !!!! You have every right to vent !!

I’m so sorry this happened to you. 5 weeks ? And even then .... slow healer is a big problem

I think it’s straight up bullshyt about pain meds and the almost impossibility to get some pain management is infuriating!!! Meanwhile your liver and kidney are going to be beat all to hell until you heal.

I’m so sorry this happened

I’d probably have to just start binge watching shows after shows to try and distract myself. Ugh this sucks for you

Have you tried Naposyn? It's the prescription naproxen and I was surprised how much it helped after I had surgery on my ankle. Since it wasn't controlled I was allowed massive amounts of it, way more than I ever could use.

I Hope it feels better soon. I've been through a lot with my ankle and I empathize with what you are going through. Ankles are annoying to injure, without a doubt.

Ouch! I'm sorry about your ankle, BipolaRNurse! It sucks that it took them so much time to finally confirm it was a break. I do hope it heals for you faster than slower.

I am sending you positive vibes and hugs to heal faster.

Your story of what it took to actually get an accurate diagnosis made me sad. The healthcare of patients who have a bona fide DSM 5 diagnosis in their charts, along with the meds, is appalling in our country. It is flagrant discrimination, in my opinion. Took me two years to convince the neuro gal that I, in fact, had a major lower leg neuropathy with all kinds of symptoms. She just thought I was crazy and attention-seeking and making it all up. In short, typical bipolar patient.

I am so sorry you have had to go through all this, I really am. Maybe you'll be lucky and the ankle will heal more quickly than you are imagining. Let's hope so. Sending you positive vibes and support. All the best!

Similar thing happened to me one I was shopping I had shopping bags as many bags as you can imagine someone can carry and I was on my phone to my mother and I tripped on bad street tar before sidewalk and damaged the phone but my ankle and foot was in so much pain I had to go to the hospital and they put on a one of those RoboCop suit things whatever they're called I ripped it off the next day..

professional football players sometimes take a year off to recover from a sprained ankle that's serious ****

Just saying

OUCH! I've never broken anything, except maybe my toe in judo years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpcyclist Your story of what it took to actually get an accurate diagnosis made me sad. The healthcare of patients who have a bona fide DSM 5 diagnosis in their charts, along with the meds, is appalling in our country. It is flagrant discrimination, in my opinion. Took me two years to convince the neuro gal that I, in fact, had a major lower leg neuropathy with all kinds of symptoms. She just thought I was crazy and attention-seeking and making it all up. In short, typical bipolar patient. I am so sorry you have had to go through all this, I really am. Maybe you'll be lucky and the ankle will heal more quickly than you are imagining. Let's hope so. Sending you positive vibes and support. All the best!

^^^ absolutely.

I'm so sorry, BN. What a miserable location to have a break. I'm with Chrtina on the pain meds issue. It's cruelk - and certainly not healthy for the body to be in pain with no relief except otc crap.

Thanks, y'all. The past couple of days have been a little better. I still can't stand up or walk for more than a few minutes without pain, and I'm certainly deconditioned because I can't do much physically. But I'm grateful to be in less discomfort than I was, so it's all good.

How’s your ankle ? Better I hope

Wow! That sounds terrible! I am so sorry you are having to endure that, especially before you had the boot with no pain meds! I wish you a very speedy recovery!

How are you doing?

I'm doing much better, thanks for asking. The ankle is healing but it's taking its own sweet time, so I'm still in the boot for at least another three weeks. I'm used to it now and it will feel really weird when I finally get back into a regular shoe, but I'm looking forward to that. It's all good.

I'm glad to hear that you're hanging in there. Still sucks, though. Sheesh.

I’m really sorry to hear about your broken ankle and the delay in properly diagnosing it all without pain meds. I’m glad you are on the mend. I hope the next three weeks and transition back to a regular shoe go smoothly for you.