How long should I use pain meds?

[rungout]

Ok I'm almost 3 weeks post op and I am still taking Darvocet. I quit taking the Celebrex because it was causing stomach problems. I tried to ease off the pain meds last weekend mainly cause I ran out but also cause the meds were making me so drugged out (hence the name rungout) I was taking oxycodon and switched to the darvocet on Mon. Since then I've been really good about taking the meds but now I'm thinking maybe I should taper off. How long have you all taken meds? And are you taking muscle relaxers? I was taking those but did not get a refill on them.
The good thing is I am feeling better now. I may have done a little too much yesterday but I feel better today.

 

[edk]

So what makes you think you should stop taking pain meds? If its the national
fear of narcotics get over it.

Seriously, you need to take pain meds until you don't need them any more. For
most of us that was at least 6 weeks with some occasionally use after that. A lot
depends on what your situation was before surgery. Many of us had interesting
gaits and shaped legs before surgery so suddenly when your limbs are straight again
it is unnatural and hurts. And, stretching muscles which haven't worked correctly
for years hurts. So if you stop taking pain meds because you think you don't need
them rather than because you really don't need them, you will make less progress
with rehab.

Most of us took lots of pain meds for a couple of weeks and paid the price (zombieness
and constipation). We moved to lesser pain meds then (like went from 50/325 oxycodinone
to 25/325 oxy) but still needed them. Much of the time it was for physiotherapy. Most
folks cut way back at about 4 weeks because it was a good thing to stop taking narcotics
during the day to be able to drive. On the flip side a lot of folks still took them at night
to be able to sleep.

 

[JudyS]

Rungout
Hi again. I had a hip replacement in June. I took percocet 5mg for a few months. I am very active and it helped with being able to walk without limping. I told my doc if I took pain meds, I could walk without limping. No meds and I had a little limp. I made it his decision. He preferred no limp so I stayed on them longer
Judy

 

[aussie]

So what makes you think you should stop taking pain meds? If its the national
fear of narcotics get over it.

Seriously, you need to take pain meds until you don't need them any more.

Couldn't have said it better edk.

I hate taking tablets of any kind, but I soon found out for a good recovery you need to do what you need to do.

Chris

 

[Gretchendz]

As others have said, take them while you need them....

I gradually tapered off by cutting the pills/dose and slowly increasing the time between doses. However, if I cut back too much, too far, I just went back to the previous dosage.

Eventually, I was forgetting to take them!

 

[Josephine]

Again - take them until you don't need them.

However, that would include reducing the frequency and/or changing to milder things like Tylenol and/or ibuprofen (you can take them together, you know - doens't have to be either/or). Just be careful that you don't deprive yourself because you think you 'ought' to. Pain doesn't always have to be the screaming type. Latter day pain can manifest as cramps, tightness, mild throbbing, aching or a low, persistant ache. Leave them unmedicated and you end up with sleep problems, poor appetite, lassitude and difficulties keeping up with the PT.

The length of time could be 6 weeks or 6 months - there's no strict rule.

 

[Jamie]

Sounds like you have gotten some great advice with the posts above! As for me with my RTKR, I took hydrocodone for 3 weeks then Darvoset for another 4 weeks before stopping prescription meds and switching to Aleve. I still took (and do take even at 1 year out) a pain pill now and then when I overdo it. We all have times that we push too hard and then get some pain and swelling for a few days.

 

[Nursepair]

I took Percocet for many weeks especially before physio. I did become dependent on them but I gradually weaned myself off them. I haven't needed anything for the pain in my RTKR for 7 months now. It is wonderful to be pain free, in that knee anyway!!

 

[Judles]

Rung!!!! Just what do you think the pain meds are FOR??? You just had MAJOR surgery! When you FEEL better, you will HEAL faster!

 

[rungout]

Ok yes I understand. I just didn't know. I mean the doc never said "Ok expect to take pain meds for x number of weeks;days etc" I go for my first in town PT today. I'm going to have my hubby drive me today but thinking I might be able to drive myself? That's the thing with the pain meds...probably shouldn't be driving huh?

 

[Jamie]

NO!!! No driving while on pain meds - even if you FEEL like you could do it. If you have an accident, it's the same as drunk driving....that's what they mean when they say "driving while impaired".....you are impaired not only by your less-than-perfect movement from your surgery, but also by a controlled substance.

 

[Judles]

And most states, its like a DUI!
Jamie,,,,we need photos from your cruise!

 

[lizzie]

After my tkr I was told to take pain relief every 4 hours. Not to try and last longer as the pain just builds up and the tablets I was taking would not have such good effect. As the pain had built up in the knee too much. I work in a hospital and Occupational Health plus my consultant said the same. Now at 17 weeks on I can slow down. Please Please keep taking pain relief while you need it. Its not a weakness, No time for bravery. Lizzie.

 

[Josephine]

Lizzie - where you doing Occie Health? I'm in that field also!

And have you not seen my pain control chart?

 

[lizzie]

Hi rung out please dont worry about having to take pain control. Its hard enough coping with the Knee and movement. You need to keep the pain at bay even if it makes you a bit sleepy. As you improve Like Josephine said you can gradually ease back. I am as I said back to work standing on my feet five hours a day. Not easy but even at 17 weeks I wont hesitate to take my pain relief while at work. When I get home I can now ease back a bit. Thats as it should be at my stage of recovery. Wonder if I stand much longer if other knee will go but at moment not to bad. Good luck. Hope your energy comes back soon. lizzie

 

[lizzie]

Hi Josephine you are so good to every one. I work in Endoscopy but go to Occy Health about my knee. They decided how many hours I went back to work and very helpful. Also as I said before the Doc was addament that I took my pain control every 4 hours. I will try and find your pain control chart. Just managing to find my way round at moment. Would appreciate some hints. I keep losing you all. Lizzie

 

[Josephine]

Here's the chart. It's not actually based on any studies - just my own interpretation of how things work.

Endoscopies - ugh! All that fussy cleaning of the scopes! Mind, you have automatic washers now, don't you? When those things first came out, we used to have to clean out the channels by hand and it was a real pain! Four foot long bottle brushes!

 

[lizzie]

Hi Josephine Your pain chart looks to me spot on. If every one could go by that it would help them cope with the pain so much better. You have made me laugh, yes I started when we used the old cydex to clean with. Now its as you say all safe and Automated machines. You Know a lot about it. I have worked there thirteen years. Seen a lot of changes. Trouble is the new machines keep breaking down under the huge turn over. Not sure which I prefer. I worked for the first time a later shift and my knee did play up a bit. I think as the day goes on it gets a bit tired. Still I am happy its holding out at the moment. Lizzie.

 

[Josephine]

I had a trip to the Keymed plant in Southend. They showed us some horrors including a scope that had had the case shut and locked on it and another that had been put through the autoclave! Interesting times!!

 

[Nursepair]

Autoclaves and cidex eh? Such fond memories for me from the 1970's. I met my hubby in the theatre (the OR). I was "initiated" in the TSSU sink, but instead of the usual cold water dunk, Kevin added some hot water!! True love or what? That was before he asked me ou!!