Taking proactive measures helped me better manage my EDS pain
I implemented some of the strategies I've learned at a recent horse show
Written by |
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with over-the-counter pain medications. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy.
Recently, I attended my first horse show in several years. I wasn’t riding due to a bad fall last September, but shows are still physically demanding, long, and exhausting. The event often triggers an Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) pain flare that makes me question if attending was even worth it. A week of recovery really puts a damper on the fun! This time, I decided to implement a few tactics I’ve picked up since my last show to see if they would reduce my soreness and help my recovery go more smoothly.
Going to a horse show feels like packing up your entire life and moving it elsewhere for a few days before bringing it all back home. Buckets, shavings, hay, grain, blankets, medications, saddles, bridles — you have to bring anything the horses might need. It’s a massive amount of work, but shows are a lot of fun, too. We travel as a team, helping each other out and cheering each other on, so we usually have a great time.
More fun, less pain
I know horse shows will always result in soreness, but this time, instead of ignoring the pain, I took steps to combat it. I’m notoriously bad about pushing through pain, but in the months since my fall, I’ve had to be better about taking pain medicine.
I’m not talking about anything strong — just over-the-counter medicines like naproxen, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen — but these can help me a lot when taken appropriately. Sometimes I avoid taking pain relief meds because I’m stubborn and “don’t want to need it,” but that’s not helpful. Like it or not, sometimes I do need medication, and I’m trying to remember that not taking anything only hurts me; it doesn’t change the fact that I have EDS.
On the Saturday of the show, I preemptively took some acetaminophen. I knew I’d be sore and needing meds within a few hours, so I hoped that taking a few pills ahead of time would keep my pain at a lower level. Much to my surprise, it definitely helped! I went longer without hurting, and what I did experience was less intense. Rather than feeling like an EDS pain flare was beginning, I just felt sore, which was a welcome change. I took some ibuprofen after dinner to manage my inflammation and acetaminophen again the next morning, and that strategy worked well.
One of my friends also suggested renting a golf cart for the weekend, as many large horse-show venues offer them. This was a great idea for a few reasons. The first was obvious: I could take breaks from walking, especially on the steep hills. But the cart also allowed me to sit down whenever I needed to. It was basically a rolling bench! Rather than try to tough it out, I could sit and rest. This made a huge difference in how I felt and seemed to help me press “pause” on my EDS pain.
After several years without showing, I used what I’d learned to make the event more fun and less likely to trigger a flare. Being tired and sore is a normal part of showing, but a week of pain is not. It was a great reminder that there are ways to make life with EDS more manageable.
Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.
Leave a comment
Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published.