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TKR Nanners adventure to the other side

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Gail,

I just caught up on your thread and I am so sorry for the horrible treatment you experienced! That was horrible! I see Dr. Maale next week along with the IS. If I am not throwing up it is flying out the other end. I am miserable in that respect also, so I feel for you! Hopefully, the antibotics will be cut back to a dose that I can work with or he will change to something else. God bless you and take it slow and easy!
 
Help!!

I am having lots of pain. Before the LTKR I was prescribed 1-2 Percoset (5/325) every 4 hours for pain, with 1-2 Dilaudid (2 mg tabs) every 4 hours for breakthru pain. Well they found that the Percoset WAS NOT strong enough for me, so had to put me on Dilaudid 4mg every 3 hours for pain, with the Percoset for breakthru pain. Since coming home from rehab I have been taking 4 mg Dilaudid every 3 hours for pain, with an occasional Percoset for breakthru. The past few days I have been trying to wean down a bit on the Dilaudid and lean more on the Percoset, but its just not working out. The pain just gets out of control again and hard to get back under control. P.S. I was taking Percoset for chronic pain before I even had my TKR. So I knew my pain would be harder to control.

I am resting, icing and elevating. Getting up every so often and walking to the bathroom or to the kitchen etc. I don't know what to do? Is there anyone else like me who was on this strong of med (Dilaudid) for this long? Its been 2 weeks and 2 days since my surgery. I know I am still in the early days, but I am concerned that I am still needing this strong of medication.

Anyone have any tips to help me? Do I just plan on calling the doc on Monday and just asking for a refill for the Dilaudid (getting low). Or should I be doing something else along with the pain meds to help ease my pain. I find if I sit still for too long that makes its own problems, so try to get up and move around some. I am also massaging the leg alot too and that helps some with the circulation.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. I feel like a wimp needing this strong of a pain med for so long. But its the only thing that helps. Please help me! Don't beat me up, having tender feelings right now. Hugs!
 
By the way I cannot use Aleve, Ibruprofen or Aspirin products as I have Crohns Disease and these meds can cause bleeding in my intestines. Tramadol makes me sick to my stomach too. Thanks!
 
Oh Nanners, sorry you are hurting, but I am sure everyone on here will tell you that you need to be on the stronger meds for now to be comfortable. Don't worry, the time will come when you don't need the strong stuff. I am still doing Vicodin at night and Tramadol during the day and I am over 4 weeks. (Hugs) Take it and feel better.
 
Gail, I'm not a medical person, but 2 weeks is still so very early. I didn't start to feel human until at least 6-8 weeks. And remember the fibro makes everything worse. I know others will be along, but I don't think you need to be worrying about your meds. Just let them do their job. You won't be on them forever, I promise. (Believe me, I didn't even think I'd ever be saying that!!).

You take care of yourself and try not to worry. Hugs from your fibro friend!
 
Thank you~ I think I am just freaking out cuz the meds are so strong. But its the only thing that works so far and if I take it on schedule I do okay. But deviate in any way and the pain is out of control again. It really hurts alot! Hugs!
 
Oh, I am so sorry you are hurting so much. I had been taking Norco for months before my surgery for the bone on bone pain. My Dr told me my pain would be harder to control also. He would not prescribe me anything but Percocet after surgery. He wouldn't prescribe Diluadid because he said the was no way for him to monitor me at home, and he did not want me to take too much. Sounded like bull to me!! I had to tough out the pain because of it. It will get better, I know. But it's a shame when we have to go through the pain when there are things that could stop it.
 
Nanners said:
By the way I cannot use Aleve, Ibruprofen or Aspirin products as I have Crohns Disease and these meds can cause bleeding in my intestines. Tramadol makes me sick to my stomach too. Thanks!
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I don't have Crohn's but can't take a lot of the same because of allergies. I just elevated both legs higher and that made them feel better. And of course, iced most all of the time. I also explained the situation to my OS and he found the right combination of pain meds for me.

Hope you feel better soon!
 
Just some input. Have had multiple major surgeries within the last few years and was on Dilaudid and morphine for all of them. I am nearly 7 weeks out for bilateral spacer exchanges and he just gave me another rx for 100 pills 2mg of dilaudid. I never felt that the morphine helped at all so took myself off of it as soon as I got out of rehab. I take 4mg every 4 hours. My surgeon believes in drugs. When I saw him yesterday I told him I was drugged..and his response..that is how I want you. I also cannot take NSAIDS so I understand . Don't be afraid of the drugs. I would be more afraid of the pain. And remember that dilaudid is short acting. My prescribed dose is up to 6mg every 4 hours though I have never taken more than 4 at a time.

Please remember that dilaudid cannot be called into the pharmacy. It MUST be presented as a hard copy. Please don't wait to get more.
 
Don't be afraid of the drugs you need and can take... Sorry to hear that week in rehab wasn't all it could have been. While I'm not the best one here to listen to regarding taking it easy, it is best. Rest, meds and easy exercises for now. Trust me, plenty of time ahead for pushing things (something I'm really good at).

I was in the hospital 3 days, then home with home health for PT a bit over two weeks. Three weeks post I started outpatient PT with a great guy I trusted enough to see again for my back recovery. Still, it wasn't as smooth a road I generally make it seem.

I hope things take a better turn soon for you. Everyone heals differently, so don't measure off anyone else but yourself.
 
Absolutely don't be afraid of them! I think I did tell your earlier that I was taking my full prescription of pain meds for three months and doubt whether you will be any different. Repeat after me:
"2 weeks is still in the early phase"
"3 weeks is still in the early phase"
"4 weeks is still in the early phase"
"5 weeks is still in the early phase" (note that they are different!)

And carry on taking them regardless. The loopy feeling is therapeutic as it keeps you sedated during this phase of acute pain! You need it and you need the pain meds - please just resign yourself to that.

One more thing - take them exactly as prescribed and don't mess around with the schedule. okay?
 
I believe there is a pain chart somewhere in the library that gives a graphic of the principle that it is important to stay on schedule w/ the meds b/c once the pain takes hold it is harder to get rid of.
 
Thank you everyone, I guess I was just feeling like a wimp for needing this strong of meds. I do hate the loopy feeling, but I hate the pain even more. I will be calling the docs office tomorrow for a refill. Hope all goes well. Thank you for supporting me, I would be lost without all of you, especially you Josephine!

Hugs!
 
Pain is pain. You can't heal if you can't manage the pain... Plain and simple truth.

I hate meds in general. I was seriously medicated after my back surgery last year. But I knew I needed them... I still have nerve issues and have been through a couple different meds. Lyrica seems to work for me without making me drowsy.
 
I will be calling the doc in the morning to get a refill. I hope he gives me enough that I don't have to keep calling every week. Its so hard to get there to pick up my meds. Ugh!

I have another question. Whenever I sleep, I always wake up in worse pain even if its not time for my next meds. Its like I have slept in the same position or something and it get really stiff and painful. Any tips to get thru this? I will have a nice rest but it will be hard to go back to sleep, becuz of the pain. Thanks for your thoughts! Hugs!
 
[Bonesmart.org] Nanners adventure to the other side
Unfortunately, this is pretty common and will pass with more time. Not the answer I'm sure you wanted, but some things just have to be gone through. I was always pretty comfortable all day long and had my most discomfort and pain in the middle of the night. I just usually got up and got in my recliner for the rest of the night.
[Bonesmart.org] Nanners adventure to the other side
 
Thanks for your quick response. At least I know its not something I am doing wrong, and is normal part of the recovery. Thanks again:)
 
I felt awful and out of it when I was just 2 weeks out. I also slept in the recliner for the first 3 weeks. Ice, elevate, and take your pain pills. That's pretty much all that I did. Hang in there my friend, it does get better...very, very slowly. Hugs!
 
Judy's right as are you
Its like I have slept in the same position or something and it get really stiff and painful.
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This is par for the course this early in your recovery. It should start to ease off in another 2-3 weeks. In the meantime, try taking your last pain med as late as you possibly can so you keep the gap between doses as short as possible.
 
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