Wear Sunscreen
On my way to the dentist this morning I had a thought and it's been bugging me ever since...
...why do I have a reputation for having a low pain tolerance?
Yes, I can be a klutz. I cannot deny I am accident prone. And I am definitely over sensitive to hot, spicy foods. But I am not a LPT.
In today's blog I shall explain why:
I had undiagnosed migraines for YEARS and I just sucked it up and went about my day. Occasionally one would take me down for the count but I carried on my life for at least 10 years before being diagnosed. Now I know the signs before a migraine so I can usually avoid a full blown attack but that definitely wasn't always the case.
I carried twin boys to term. That was nearly 13 pounds of baby. And I never once complained about any of it (except maybe the heat).
I've had endometriosis and multiple cysts - most of the cysts burst on their own (monthly and it quite literally takes my breath away each time) but 2 had to be surgically removed. Has any of this stopped me? No, I just work through the pain.
I have broken my hand - twice - and wrapped it up and kept going for days before doing anything about it. I'm not bragging, but I walked all around London for a WEEK with a broken hand and I just slapped an ace bandage on it and kept going.
I had a thyroid biopsy done without any local anesthesia. In case you didn't know, that involves a very long, very thick needle being stabbed into your neck approximately 30 times (really, not hyperbole). I did have tears with that one though.
I've had multiple - maybe a dozen - suspicious spots biopsied and/or removed without a local anesthesia. Usually with nothing more than a bag of ice to "numb" the spot. Spoiler alert: that doesn't work. For the record that's not only slicing skin but it is also cauterizing the wound. Yeah. It hurts.
I've had fillings and TWO root canals plus a crown without a local anesthesia. Read that again.
And those are just the examples off the top of my head!
So yeah, I think it is pretty safe to say I have a high pain tolerance because I don't know anyone that would sign up for dental work without at least Novocain.
All I'm saying is, if I tell you I am hurting then maybe take notice. Because something might really be wrong. (also worth noting: none of this came from Rob, but a lot of people have accused me of being a wuss about pain in the past)
And in case you are wondering *why* I can't be numbed, it's because I have an allergy to something in lidocaine or Novocain. Apparently it is extremely rare to be allergic to lidocaine or Novocain so I must be allergic to one of the preservatives in them. All I know is I break out in hives and swell up all over.
In other semi related news, I found a new dentist. I liked him a lot. I explained before even coming in that I have a lot of anxiety going to the dentist (see #7 above). And even though I can (and do) appear outwardly calm, my blood pressure sky rockets when I go to the dentist. So even just going in for a routine cleaning, like today, my BP shot up dangerously high. I'm going in for a regular check up again next week but I'm pretty sure it will be fine. I lean a little to the higher end of normal - and I definitely should think about doing something about that - but I can almost guarantee it will not be as high as it was today.
I also found a new dermatologist I really liked yesterday. For starters, they had a lidocaine alternative. Which means no more ice packs for me! But she was also very nice.
She did find 6 concerning spots though. And she can only do 4 at a time so I have to go back for 2 more next week. But at least it didn't hurt.
And I can't say this enough: WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!!!!!!
#stilllucky #infinitelybetter #wearsunscreen