How long were you on pain medication

[nickji]

Hi Everyone,

From the posts I've read, I think new people (and maybe some regulars) to the site would find it helpful to know how long people typically use pain medication.

With that in mind, I'd like to gather info on how long people use them:

a) daily
and
b) as needed

So if you have a spare minute and could post your experience with pain meds, I'd be very grateful.

Enjoy it all,

Nick

 

[Karen54]

Hi Nick, good thread! I used Darvocet once or twice a day for just the first week or so. I didn't require any narcotics while I was in the hospital.

 

[YoungM]

Nick -great topic! Here is my experience:

Week 1 -I took 2 tylenol every 4 hours and then at a night I would take 1 percocet.
Week 2 -I took 2 tylenol more like every 6 hours or so. If the pain was not too bad, I would skip the percocet at night.
Week 3 -I only took the tylenol as needed. The percocet was only used if I had pain at night and couldn't sleep (probably only took it about 2x in week 3)

I am now on Week 4. I find I am taking pain meds just before or after I do any long walking.

 

[Troweltalk]

Week 1: 1 perscription pain med every four hours.

Week 2: 1 perscription pain med every 6 - 8 hours.

Week 3: 2 Tylenol every 6 hours and 1 perscription med at night.

Week 4: 1 tylenol every 8 hours and 1 perscription med at night.

Week 5: 2 - 3 Tylenol during the day as needed.

Week 6 - 7: 1 - 2 tylenol per day.

Week 8 - 16: Nothing, nada, no more pain meds of any kind!

 

[Laurie]

First 5 days: Medications drip in hospital as needed, tylenol x, percoset as needed (gave me terrible headache)

Day 6-2 months: Tylenol x strength, as needed, mostly for night time. Had script for percoset but never filled--see above.

Nothing since! Not even for a headache (at almost 8 months.) This is from someone who was on constant ibuprophen and aleve every day for probably 2 years before surgery. Can't imagine what it was doing to my insides!!!

Laurie

 

[HopAlong]

The first 2-weeks I was taking 2 percs at a time 3-times a day, not that the pain was that bad, but PT was easier with it, and it was nice to be able to relax that way, while dealing with all of the restrictions.
After 2-weeks I just take one at a time, one or two times a day, because I can't drive on 2 percs.


Hop

 

[PRGal]

Week 1: 1 hydrocodone w/tylenol every 6 hours round the clock
Week 2: 1 hydrocodone w/tylenol in AM and 1 at bedtime
Week 3: occasional OTC Tylenol after more activity than usual
From then on, off regular meds.

 

[hurtingbuthopeful]

Week 1: 4mg Hydromorphone (aka Dilauded) every 4 hours round the clock
Week 2: 4mg Hydromorphone every 6 hours round the clock
Week 3 & 4: 4 mg Hydromorphone before bed and before PT (3 days a week)
Week 5 & 6: 4 mg Hydromorphone before bed
Tylenol and Advil always as needed during the day. Now I only take pain meds if I have been very active and in pain.

 

[Josephine]

Week 1-3 Tramadol 100-150mgs/1G paracetamol 4 hrly
Week 4 same or one or t'other 3-4 times a day

 

[mvo]

Hi all,

For the first six days in hospital, (after LTHR) whatever the standard issue was, with Panadol on top of that. My brain really was not all there and although I remember being carefully told about what I was being given, I don’t remember the details at all…

Upon release – nothing – which amazed me.

My sister was on pain meds for 10 weeks after her first hip replacement and for six weeks for the second.

Before surgery (and now because my right hip is getting worse), Nurofen Plus is the drug of choice when the pain gets too bad.

Monica

 

[TBONE]

Nick -- Another good post. I just completed my second week.
Week 1-1 Tramadol (50 mg) and 2 tylonel (1000 mg) every 6 hours, plus 325 mg Aspirin 2x per day to prevent blood clots.
Week 2-1 Tramadol (50 mg) and 2 tylonel (1000 mg) every 8 hours or so, plus 325 mg Aspirin 2x per day to prevent blood clots.

 

[prairienut]

Medications prescribed on discharge from hospital (3rd post-op day):

Week 1: Darvocet (propoxyphene 100mg + Tylenol 650mg) every 4 hours around the clock. Aspirin 325 mg twice a day for preventing blood clots.
Week 2: Darvocet every 6-8 hours. Aspirin 325 mg twice a day.

The Darvocet wasn't really strong enough the first week but the alternative was Percocet which made me feel ill. I can now go much longer between the Darvocets. I plan it so I take one an hour before my PT sessions. You have to be careful with Darvocet and not take any additional Tylenol with it. Maximum Tylenol dosage is 4000 mg for a 24-hour period.

Gail

 

[workbill]

I'm on week #2, and foolishly tried to be a hero and get off all the narcotics last night.

I've got a 12 hour, Extended Release Oxycodone that I want to quit.

4 Hour Percosets, that I skipped at bedtime and woke up in pretty bad pain by 2:30 AM.

From now on, I'm trying just the Percs (can take 2, but will try just 1 and see) every four hours for a week.

Plus, one aspirin per day for blood clots, plus some leftover (but still authorized) Naprosyn for inflammation.

 

[Jamie]

Bill.....my friend......this is NOT the time to be a hero with pain meds. If you still hurt, you need them. Don't cut yourself short this early in your recovery!!! It will make your comeback more difficult as you will be more swollen and in pain when you're supposed to be doing exercises. Stay on your pain med schedule a little longer.....okay?

 

[Josephine]

.... a LOT longer!

 

[mikesel]

Hi everyone,
My first post!
I had a Birmingham hip operation in January. Immediately after the operation I was given self-administered morphine (press the button when you need it). I pressed it three or four times on Day 2 and didn't feel any real benefit. Otherwise, I used Paracetamol for the first three days and then nothing once I went home.
I think I was trying to be a little too brave in the early days but, after the first week, I really didn't feel the need for anything.
I just felt that I wouldn't take any more than I had to, so that I could feel if I was overworking or misusing my new hip.

 

[Judles]

Welcome Mike! It takes a TOUGH guy to take all his meds!!!

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Mike! So glad you joined us. You are DEFINITELY NOT the norm. Most people need the pain meds after surgery. But I'm glad your program worked for you. Are you doing well now?

 

[Josephine]

Welcome to BoneSmart, Mike. You must have an unbelievably high pain threshold.

 

[YoungM]

Welcome to BoneSmart Mike! Wow, that's a unique story. Looking forward to your future posts.

Melissa
THR 3/17/09