We’ve spoken in the past about the struggles of coping with a serious injury in the family. It’s by no means an easy experience, and it can set you back as a unit in a multitude of ways. In fact, during those dark times, the only thing which can give hope is the idea of recovery. Hence why we turn to doctors. If we do that, surely our injured loved one can get back on track soon, right?
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Perhaps. But, following medical advice without question isn’t always your best option. We all have different experiences and needs, after all. An injured person’s communication with their medical practitioner should be ongoing. And, that means looking out for signs and symptoms that all is not smooth on the road to recovery. There are a few different bumps and potholes your loved one might hit along the way. What’s more, failure to notice these means your doctor can’t do anything about them. To make sure that doesn’t happen, look out for the following signs that all is not how it should be.
A little too much reliance on painkillers
An increasing reliance on painkillers can become a serious issue. This can be tough to spot. After all, if the injury is causing a lot of pain, it’s no surprise your loved one wants those painkillers so much. But, it’s essential you bear in mind that opioid addiction is a severe and crippling issue. You only have to look to the opioid epidemic currently unravelling in Arizona to see how serious this in. In that state alone, there have been 1,071 suspected opioid deaths in the last ten months. So, with your loved one on those same tablets, it’s crucial you track things. It may be worth taking control of the dosage. Speak to your loved one about this, and make sure they’re on board. If you explain your reasoning, they’ll more than likely agree.
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Failure to heal
In some instances, an injury simply doesn’t heal as fast as we would hope. It’s likely your loved one’s doctor gave an estimated recovery time. If you think healing is taking longer than that, head back. There can be many reasons for delayed healing. Some of them, such as infection, can be life-threatening. Make sure you’re all on the lookout for this and keeping that doctor up to date. Make sure, too, that you take immediate action if the injury worsens.
A drop in mood
Healing from a severe injury can also have a significant impact on mood. Many people who are dealing with situations like this slip into depression. This is especially the case if they’re unable to get up and move independently. Signs that this has happened to your loved include a sudden drop in mood, a loss of appetite, and a failure to sleep. If you notice any of these, talk to them about how they’re feeling. If things are bad, they may need therapy before they can get back on their feet.