Threshold of Pain

Last week, I had to get a root canal.

I had been putting off the inevitable visit to the dentist ... somehow thinking that my intense pain on one of my teeth was something I could live with for the rest of my life. Turns out that even with a perfectly in-tact crown, sometimes, past fillings and just the passing of time causes a tooth and its inner workings to get to a point of needing a root canal.

The few times that I've been given such prescriptions, I have filled them. But I never take them.

What's that about?

I don't know ... even with acute pain, I look at pain killers and think to myself "You can tolerate this pain. Save these pills for when you REALLY are suffering." And I do. I save them until actually they expire and then I throw them away.

I think it's kind of related to my thoughts about cushioning my deadlines and working ahead of schedule so that even if something bad happens, I can always use the extra cushion to meet deadlines. Does that make sense?

I don't like being dependent on pain killers. And I don't like to whine about pain. I prefer to deal with it quietly and tolerate it ... knowing that eventually, it will pass.

Same thing with antibiotics. I'm proud to say that the number of times that each of my kids have been on antibiotics can be counted on one hand. When doctors have prescribed antibiotics for them in the past, I've almost always thrown them away without filling them, figuring that with time, with grit, with the ability to tolerate, the illness will pass. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes we need antibiotics. But my thought is that the more we can manage our illness without taking antibiotics, the day when we REALLY need to take it ... it will definitely be effective.

I'd rather tolerate a lot and build strength instead of popping pills for every little ailment, thereby getting weaker and more dependent with each dose. 

Comments

[Ellen]

I prescribe to the same attitude. I have a cabinet of pain pills. They keep giving them to me and I don't take them. Sometimes I don't even get the prescription filled(military loves to give'em out).
I don't like being a zombie...
But I will take when absolutely necessary! I had metal drilled in my jaw and didn't need them, but did for a root canal?!
I think it is all according to what nerves are affected, the where is key!
Hope you are feeling better! Listen to your body, it will tell you, when, according to the where~