Dulcimer Diva
graduate
I am at the point in my recovery (4 wks post-op) where I feel ready to accelerate the weaning-off-opioids process. (Doesn't mean anyone else ought to). At 2 wks pre-op, my surgeon took me off the 2 Aleve BID I'd been taking and switched me to Celebrex (1 BID). On Day 1 post-op, I was put on a loading dose of 2 Celebrex, with one a day thereafter; and prescribed Norco 10/325 "one or two q.4-6 hrs PRN." I needed 2 of them every 4 hrs until the day after I returned home from rehab (Day 14 post-op). I began tapering down--first to 1.5 tabs every 4 hrs., then every 5 hrs.; then 1 tab every 4 hrs. (at that time introducing one OTC time-release 650mg. acetaminophen BID), then every 4.5 hrs/, then every 5 hrs. and today every 6 hrs., with two of the OTC time-release generic Tylenols this morning and one tonight at bedtime. My surgeon's office says I'm okay as long as my total daily acetaminophen doesn't exceed 4000mg. This combination dosing regimen gives me only 2600/day. Since my last Coumadin was on 7/19, I have been given permission by my surgeon's office to start NSAIDs tomorrow.
My questions are: is it unwise to continue a cox-2 inhibitor like Celebrex while taking an NSAID? (I plan on resuming 2 Aleve BID). If so, how many here who've been able to wean off opioids have found that an NSAID works better for them than a cox-2 inhibitor? (Though I have GERD, I do take an antacid and a PPI, so that shouldn't be an issue). I suspect that if I can begin to manage my pain with non-narcotic meds, I can more quickly wean off the Norco. I also have some topical NSAID (Flector, which is generic Voltaren) patches. Not that I MUST get off opioids, but I'd like to if I can.
My questions are: is it unwise to continue a cox-2 inhibitor like Celebrex while taking an NSAID? (I plan on resuming 2 Aleve BID). If so, how many here who've been able to wean off opioids have found that an NSAID works better for them than a cox-2 inhibitor? (Though I have GERD, I do take an antacid and a PPI, so that shouldn't be an issue). I suspect that if I can begin to manage my pain with non-narcotic meds, I can more quickly wean off the Norco. I also have some topical NSAID (Flector, which is generic Voltaren) patches. Not that I MUST get off opioids, but I'd like to if I can.