Bunny's 2 week OS checkup (long rant)

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abunnybabe

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Hi guys. I waited a few days to post this, had my first post op visit on Monday, at 2 weeks and 3 days.
OS took my staples out. He first sprayed my incision with ethyl chloride to numb it up a little bit,, then removed the staples. All I felt was a pinch here and there.

Here is the weird news. He said that I am free to do whatever I like, I have no restrictions. He said I could drive now,(will not do this on pain meds), he said I could take a bath, even though he had no suggestions on how to get me OUT od the tub! LOL

I asked to get my pain perscriptions refilles, as the rehab place only gave me a few days worth. I am on oxycontin 20 mg, twice a day and percocet 7.5/325, 2 tabs every 4-6 hours. We almost had a little tiff over the perscription renewals. He said he wants me off narcotics and that this would be the last time that he would write 'scripts for them. HELLO? This was the first time he wrote them! LOL. I told him that I couldn't do PT adequately without pain meds and he said this was non-negotable.

So, here I am at 2 weeks, 3 days post RTKR and I am already worried about rationing my pain pills. Did I mention that I am a big baby when it comes to pain? I don't like having pain, but then I guess, who does, LOL. My right leg is still so swollen, all the way up in the thigh, and tender to the touch. I guess that this must be from the tourniquet (thigh). The knee itself, is very stiff. With exercises and the belt (thanks beachbum), I can loosen it up and get 90 degree or a bit more flexion. But as soon as I quit exercising, next thing I know it is stiff and not moving so well again. I have been icing and elevating as much as I can. I have a big foam wedge that I put under my knee and a huge icebag on top, until it melts, several times a day.

OH well, PT starts in ernest tomorrow, so I'll see what they do to me, and what they think. Please fells free to make comments here. I love hearing what you guys all think. You really are the experts that I totally trust. :wub:
 
Well If you wont refill which is crazy at your date i would go to my reg Dr mine has helped me a few times on a weekend etc.....thats just wrong sometimes i wish they went thru it and see how they would feel...........Tell PT that maybe they will work with you........sorry thats really not fair........keep icing and use anti inflammatories that will help ...but thats what i would do call my reg Dr see if he is willing to help.I believe Jo or Jamie gave me that suggestion when my other Dr wouldnt call back (the first Dr nut) i wish you luck tomorrow on PT just be straight with them ...........) feel better..oh that makes me so sad when they do that to people.......driving wither i have always heard 4-6- weeks.....hummm, Terru you know rant and rave anytime you need to we are all here for ya
 
Sorry bunny. I am trying to think of what I had when I was back then. I was going off of oxycontin. And if you read my thread about 6 weeks and sad, about 4 weeks going off of percoset after my Dr. visit.
 
Too late to add to my post, so depends on how many the doc filled. So yes, I can see why you would have to ration because I had to do the same thing! And I think my doc was generous. Looking back now I'm thinking what?

Of course I also had the run in with Director of PT because I was taking Percosets at 4 weeks and I seemed drugged and walked funny, and that's with bilats. Well duh.

Now I am not an advocate of buying pills off the street or internet, but I remember back then of thinking about it! Luckily I seemed to have gotten through it, but I told them at PT if I didn't have better pain relief that I could only give so much.

So hopefully, you will get a good jump start with what you have!! Hopefully he will drop you down to something like hydrocodone at the least next phone call.

Sorry bunny., Good luck at PT>
 
OMG Terri, he sounds like one tough cookie. I am still taking meds 6 weeks on. Although I have to be honest and say I beg, steal or borrow them from family and friends.
You sound like you are doing really well, keep it up. XXXX
 
That makes me so angry!!! As my Mom always says, "In this day and age, there is no reason for someone to be in pain like that." I agree with Cotton....he should at the very least give you something not quite so strong. I personally think you should have the oxycontin at least for another week or two, but if that's not gonna happen, you need something other than just OTC meds. I would have gone insane if I hadn't had something strong at 2 weeks!! I had Percoset and Oxycodone. My surgeon isn't in the "business of writing prescriptions....." but my family doctor was more than happy to help me out. Along with several refills. I hope you have a family doctor who will do that for you.

And is he crazy????? Drive at 2 weeks out??? I've never heard of that!!! That would be just asking for trouble.

I just really feel for you....I hope that you can get some help. It's really PITIFUL that we have to beg, borrow or steal from our friends and family to get the relief that the doctor should make sure we are getting!!!!!!!! (Dawnie, I know what you mean. My daughter has two herniated disks in her back and can't get pain meds--I have given her some of mine many times)

Arrrggghhhh!!:hissy::hissy:
 
Sorry if I didn't make myself clear. he DID give me perscriptions for ocycontin-1 month supply and percocets, 180 tabs, but said he wanted me to get off the narcs. I just asked my husband, as he was there, and he thinks that the doc just ment the oxycontin that he wanted me off of.
I have no intention of driving for at least another 2 weeks, and then only when I am not on the painkillers.
 
Oh for heavens sake, Terri! What's worng with these doctors? One "good" thing......my brilliant dentist gives me an endless supply of Vicodin!!!I have lots stockpiled (mostly for Jay who has neuropathy!).....Maybe YOUR dentist can help out! But it is such a shame that you even have to BEG to get yur needed relief!!!!! :(
 
Hi Terri, What Is this guy CRAZY!! I Sincerely hope your PCP can help. There
is absolutely NO GOOD REASON for denying you pain meds at 2 WEEKS 3 DAYS!!!
nobody should have to suffer after major surgery like that! I hope this all works
out, and you get the relief you deserve!!! All My Best,
 
Okay bunnybabe. Your Doc beats my Doc. I could only get, at the most, 40 pills out of my Doc at a time, which was 5 days worth if all taken. Then had to call, beg and pick up RX. Ugh.

I'm glad for you. I personally think you will be okay. I really don't think you will need 180 in one month.

But I understand, why make you worry about such a thing? I guess at least he warned you he was not going to re-prescribe next time. So stock up while you can, and don't share! Or plan to see your PCP like Tom said.

:wink:
 
I think everyone is differen and heals at their own pace what one might need someone else might now.only you know.........i stopped the oxy as well.but stillon the hydro.......if you need a refilled like i said try your reg dr.......do not sit in pain its to soon.......
 
I had my PT today, it wasn't bad at all. George was very gentle with me. He had me doing some stretching exercises, the standard leg lifts and bends, a very gentle patella massage, and he worked on my painful IT band a bit. It all ended with 10 min of ice and stim. Flexion on my own is only 80 degrees, but he can get me further.
Now I'm laying on the couch, leg elevated and iced, and I'm about to nod off.
 
Bunny....you are wise NOT to drive at 2 weeks. What the heck is that doctor thinking??? And don't get me started on these surgeons that don't have a clue about adequate pain relief following surgery. It makes me wonder what they teach in med school!!

But...don't worry. You have options. A month is a generous supply of meds. A couple of weeks from now if you are still needing a healthy dose of pain relief, make an appointment with your primary care doctor. If you cannot get pain meds from him (or her), immediately go to a pain management clinic and they will help you manage your pain.

Don't try to ration pills. That just leaves you worried and hurting, neither of which is good for you. Lots of people face this with their surgeons and almost 100% of them were fine once they found a doctor who understood pain.
 
Probably when you're out of the current drugs and call the OS back, he'll give you an Rx for Tramadol like mine did.
 
Terri,
This OS must be a wacko!!! You had your right knee done it is still swollen and he thinks you can use it to drive???? I can believe you did not laugh in his face and say are you crazy???? What did Chris say to all of this craziness????
 
Hi All,

I agree that it is too soon to drive, primarily due to the narcotics. Also I don't think Terri would be very comfortable in a driving position.

I was paying attention during the Dr visit. He definatly said that this was the last time he would write the Oxycontin. That is the one he seemed to be most concerned with. Luckily my little dumpling was given a months supply of that, which will take her to the six week mark. He did not seem to be opposed to prescribing the Percocet nor did he say that he would not provide more of those. That remains to be seen.

Bchbound
 
We do not want our "Bunny Dumpling" In any pain.
And we do not want here behind a stearing wheel!! No, No, No!! Unless of course if she wants to pratice in the Doctor's parking lot around the time he get out I could understand that!!!!!!
 
Well, my goodness. I believe you have plenty of meds to get you through. If not, do not stress, you should not need your oxycodone after 6 weeks.
I only had a partial, but I am going 12-18 hrs without narcotics at 4.5 weeks.

Each person is different, and you have a great deal of PT to deal with, so do not even concern yourself with rationing your meds. Take them as much as you need, and if you get to the end of the bottles, you will find some more if needed.

My OS's nurse says that they don't question any refills for the first 6 weeks, when taken according to schedule, then if you still need them after that, you will need to be evaluated. So, basically, I have the same pain management schedule you have, only yours was explained more rudely!!

I have a confession to make. Although I am only taking a very few tablets per day, I am refilling them throughout my 6 week grace period like I am taking them around the clock so that I have a little stock pile. :wink:

I hope you are having a nice nap, and that you are in a very little amount of pain.

Good Luck! Kimberly
 
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