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I broke my humerus arm wrestling

Posted , 6 users are following.

JLovely
JLovely

So 3 weeks I broke my humerus in 3 spots and had surgery to have a plate and screws installed after that I was sent home with a one week prescription to pain meds and I ran out last week so this past week has been hell, lots of pain. I see the surgeon in 2 days any chance he'll prescribe me more meds for the pain or do I gotta live like this for who knows how long? Thanks for any replys

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • david_p
    david_p JLovely

    Posted

    man up !!!!! lol seriously if its bad go and see your doctor.  ide have thought after a week it should be fairl pain free or at least to the point a couple of nurofen would see it off ,
  • bronwyn97278
    bronwyn97278 JLovely

    Posted

    Hi JLovely;  I can certainly understand why you would still be having pain, as you would have had a lot of "what you could say....a lot mucking around inside your arm, while having the pins/plates put into your arm".......when bones are broken, it is not just the break of bone, but also the muscles are enclined to Spasm too......it will settle down after a few weeks, sometimes longer, as you have had a Bad break......firstly I would Try Cold Packs to numb the pain (but only leave on for 10 mins at a time)........a Good Pain Relief for bone paiin is called "Capadex"......but this needs to be prescribed by a specialist........your chemist can give you Panadeine, which is panadol and codeine.....which should get you through to seeing the specialist..(but don't take for too long, as the codeine can cause problems with your bowel movements etc)......are you having physio yet? if so, I know the exercises can aggravate the pain, and would recommend taking pain relief before your sessions........it is best that you either talk to your GP/speak to your local chemist/pharmacist as they are the ones to provide you with the best pain relief for you at this stage..............also have they given you what is called "a Collar and Cuff Sling".....it willl support you a little, but also the pull from the weight of the elbow, keeps the humerus aligned???.........I wish you the best for I do understand how painful, and frustrating, this is for you...............Bron
  • xyxy
    xyxy JLovely

    Posted

    I am 5 weeks post ORIF surgery of left humerus with plate and screws. Like you, I had a 3 part displacement with the break.

    You are probably at the same stage  as I am now, timewise. The pain is pure hell even with the pain meds, and sleep has become a thing of the past. I hope that you have been given more pain meds and gotten some pain relief, if even for a few hours at a time. You need it to cope mentally! I am very grateful for a few hours sleep, but nights are very difficult with positioning.

    Much of what  I read re this lonely, painful, journey  says that this is a long slow recovery, but that it will  get better in time with good physio,patience, endurance and persistance. Good luck and stay in touch! We can support one another!smile

    • JLovely
      JLovely xyxy

      Posted

      Hey xy thx for the reply, I'm 4 weeks post op today and I never got more meds cuz I don't have insurance so it's been hell but now I'm used to just being in pain all day and night and like you said an hour here and there of sleep is all I get. Can move ur fingers or wrist yet? I can only move my fingers inward a little bit but that's it. I went back to work last week on light duty but I do roofing so it's kinda hard doing just light duty. My plate goes from my elbow to my shoulder so I can't fully extend my arm yet this whole thing sucks and it's depressing cuz I was in such good shape and I've never broke a bone before. Well hope ur feeling better and keep in touch.
    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 JLovely

      Posted

      Hi Jlovely;  I know that each country is different.....but I don't quite understand the piece re "insurance and relation to getting a script for pain relief".......you shouldn't be needing "heavy schedule 8 drugs", so how come the specialist wouldn't give you something like Capadex/Panadiene Forte.....these can easily be filled over the counter at any pharmacy (even a hospital pharmacy)??????? and are very good for bone pain....even if only to be taken at bed-time to assist sleep................Bron
    • JLovely
      JLovely bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Hey Bron thx for the reply and I live in the U.S. Florida to be exact and without insurance you have to pay out of pocket to see a physician and right now I don't have the money and the pharmacy doesn't give anything without a prescription. This country is messed up when it comes to health care but after going through this I will be getting insurance. I've gotten to the point now where I'm used to the pain sometimes it's it gets real bad when I'm stretching it out cuz I can't fully extend my arm but I'm most worried about my wrist it's dead I can't move it at all and my fingers to I can move them a little bit I just hope I get that back. Thx for the support it helps to talk about this with someone.
    • xyxy
      xyxy JLovely

      Posted

      Hi JLovely, I hope you are improving and the pain is somewhat better. I too had never broken a bone before and this catapulted me straight into a hell of pain and stress. I fractured the proximal head of the humerus with 4 part displacement on July 8th. I have a titanium plate and 10 screws in my arm.. You do need serious pain relief with this injury, but it does have to be well managed due to the side effects and poss of addiction. I cannot imagine how you can work a full day. I hope they understand. Not many people do understand  not . The lack of sleep is truly exhausting.

       Unfortunately,my physio was a  too aggressive and one of the tuberosities is displaced again, Big uptick in the pain again! My PT is now cancelled for 6 weeks. I just had a cat scan of my shoulder today and I meet with the surgeon next Monday to assess the bone healing and alignment. i can move my hand and wrist, but cannot elevate my arm nor do I have any external rotation. I hope you are improving and growing stronger mentally to cope with all the problems this injury and surgery bring into your life! 

  • tom09093
    tom09093 JLovely

    Posted

    Hi guys.. I broke the same bone in my arm.. I can't move my wrist much or my fingers upward. I see you had a similar problem jlovely. Did you eventually get movement back in your hand

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