pain meds pre-op?

[Shewolf38]

Hello everyone! My surgeon has told me to not take any pain meds except for OTC stuff for the 2 weeks before my RTKR. He said that the meds he gives me will not work as well after the surgery if my body builds up a tolerance before the surgery. I have stopped all pain relievers except for Tylenol Arthritis (this is what he recommended to me). Has anyone else been advised to do this? I am barely sleeping because of the pain.

 

[Jockette]

Most people are told to stop certain medications before this surgery, though the timeframe varies according to the surgeon’s opinion.

I was only taking ibuprofen, and my surgeon didn’t believe in stopping that, so I only had to not take it the day of surgery. I was very thankful for his opinion on this issue.

 

[InkedMarie]

While I didn’t take much for pain meds, Tylenol was what I was allowed to take right up to surgery.

 

[Shewolf38]

Thank you. I was called today to get scheduled for blood work and an EKG. The surgical nurse told me to only take Tylenol and no Advil or Tylenol arthritis. She also told me that I have to have my gel nails removed. I certainly didn’t think about that!

 

[Jaycey]

@Shewolf38 Unfortunately many surgeons restrict their patients' medication just pre-op. It's not a fun time! Limit your activity and ice if it helps. Do you have a TENs unit? If so, use that. It might take the edge off.

Yes, nothing covering your nails. Since you can't communicate with the team during your procedure, staff use other signs to monitor how you are doing. If your oxygen levels drop you nails will turn blue. You may also have a probe on your finger monitor your blood pressure. Gel nails interfere with this monitor.

 

[luvcats]

This is quite important. I have been on prescription pain meds for a long time and this was not properly accounted for during my first replacement. My post op pain management was not adequate and that was all fairly horrible. For my next replacement my specialist is going to take charge of the pain management so it goes better.

Soon it will all be a thing of the past!

 

[Carole4815]

I wasn't on pain meds (although I had been on them previously, but wasn't at that time). What I did, though, was to buy an ice machine a few weeks before surgery and it was wonderful even then. Yes, I got another one from the hospital that was paid by insurance, so now I have two. I put one by my recliner, and one by the bed.

Despite having two now, I am still glad I bought the first one because for me it really helped with the pain and swelling before surgery.