Effing Tramadol

So, apparently sleeplessness is one of the withdrawal effects from Tramadol. I've been soooo close to asleep several times tonight,  and then a nerve would twitch, I'd have to pee, or I'd just snap awake. Even brought the dogs in tonight so the friendly neighborhood deer wouldn't have them barking. Killer headache isn't helping me out,  and Excedrin is barely taking the edge off of it tonight. Just took a melatonin,  so hopefully that will help. Every time I start feeling like I can't do this right now, I google "Tramadol withdrawal" and read other people's stories. Granted, most of them are detoxing after months or years of usage, but it helps me to know the mood swings, irritability,  restlessness,  sleeplessness, nausea and diarrhea are all a normal part of the process. I also tell myself I should be thankful that I haven't been on it longer than I have been.... but when I'm sitting here wide awake and crying for absolutely no reason,  well, it's frustrating.

In other news, the 2 dogs who sleep in my room are sprawled out on the floor sleeping so hard a parade of deer probably wouldn't wake them. They crash hard when they sleep inside. I'm more than a little jealous.

Nerves

Some of the nerves in my back are getting better.  I know this because it randomly feels like I'm being stabbed in the back,  with objects ranging from cactus thorns to stiletto heels. I suppose that's a good thing,  but oh man can it hurt. Fortunately, it only hurts for a second.

In other news, the other night I had a "freaking moron" moment, and decided to yank on my last staple.  It didn't hurt,  but I did have to have my husband get a pair of wire snips to finish removing it. Derp. Still no idea wtf I was thinking.

Also, I'm down to half a Tramadol a day, and planning to try zero a day starting Monday. Super happy about that. Been getting some nasty headaches,  but 2 (generic, thank you to infinity, WalMart) Excedrin take care of that. I can't think of any other time in my life that I've taken a serious pain killer for longer than 1 or 2 doses. Wisdom teeth out? Took Excedrin. Ditto for period cramps, headaches, joint pains, etc. I only vaguely remember when I had my tubes tied, but I don't remember any pain meds. I had that done the day after my son was born, so my memory there is super hazy.

Regardless,  I am liking how my healing is progressing. Getting back to "normal", one day at a time.

Another update!

So, my dr appt got moved from this Weds to next.  My right nipple is healing up pretty nicely, I think. It might look a little odd when it's done healing, but might not. Not that it'll matter to me either way! Today, I finally found the pill splitter we have, and took half a Tramadol... We'll see how that goes! I haven't been posting much lately because there hasn't been much to post about. My incision areas are a little tender, sore, itchy, and tight, but not any more than can be expected.

Missed staple

So, I used the front camera on my tablet to see it, and the staple I still have is totally fine... just needs removed. No skin over it, blah blah blah.  Have an appointment with my plastic surgeon Wednesday,  so no biggie.

Itchy!

My boobs are itching like crazy,  and not along the incisions like I'd expect,  but along the tops, where no cuts were made.  Been applying lotion, but that's not helping much. I wonder how normal that is?

Oh, and I found a staple my Dr missed. Oops? Lol. As many as I had,  I can't say I'm surprised.  I can feel it (with my fingernail), not see it, so no idea if some skin was over it or what.

Edit to add: Proof I have crappy skin... look at these new stretch marks!  Gee, that might be why my boobs itch... but why am I getting them? The swelling is going down and I've been wearing a bra!

Bra shopping

Went bra shopping yesterday. First off, it was way too damn hot in the store! lol Ok, so that may have mostly been just me. Anyways, I tried on several bras, and my dear husband kept trying to try on a D-cup, so I humored him... granted, it's very much dependent on cut, style, and brand, but let's just say he knows bras better than I do! 42D fit pretty dang perfect. I really thought I'd be a C, and some brands a C fits, but still... I'm thrilled to have a bra that actually fits correctly, though! And since the swelling is way down in my boobs, driving down the road was getting a bit painful, so I'm happy to have a good bra or 3. lol

Once I get all done healing up, THEN I'll go hunting for cute bras...

Quick thoughts

I'm feeling a LOT better.  I've even gotten back into playing my video games,  so YAY for that! Yeah, I'm a huge nerd/geek, and I'm totally ok with it. Lol. Today,  I am finally going bra shopping.  I'm excited.  I'm moving around a lot easier,  although my balance is so horrible I feel like a drunk epileptic octopus missing a few legs. Gee, who'da thunk it? 17 pounds removed from your chest is pretty huge. That's like a big Thanksgiving turkey. Or a small toddler. 

Instead of stopping the Tramadol cold turkey,  like I sorta did by accident last week, I've been using it very sparingly, but taking at least 1 within 24 hours. I'm almost at 24 hours now,  and am going to see how the day goes, see how far I can push it.  I do still have some discomfort,  but not enough that I feel comfortable with being on a pain killer for it.

My back is still a problem.  My lower back feels tight, numb, and like I've got constant pressure on it. However,  when I touch it, like scratching it or whatever,  I can't feel anything through my back. It's so, so, so much better than it was, though. When I first woke up, it felt like someone replaced my back muscles with concrete,  and poured liquid fire down it. It was awful. I plan to see a chiropractor soon, and go from there. I don't really know what can be done for it, other than seeing a chiropractor,  and possibly a physical therapist. I'm not going to stress it right now,  though.  I still need to finish healing up before I get too crazy.

One day at a time.