Pain meds???

[hess]

Hi guys,

I've been on the other side for 9 days now. My PT says I am doing very well with all of my exercises. I am at 105 degrees. We took a walk yesterday. True, I had my crutches, and we only went a little way, but it felt really good to do it! I was really sore afterwards, which is where the pain medicine question comes in. I am trying to make the switch to Ibuprofen instead of pain meds. The pain meds make me feel much better, and some people say you should keep up the pain medicine because I am still only 9 days out of surgery. According to them, the doctor will not prescribe more than I should have, and my body needs the pain meds in order to get the most out of my exercises.

Others think that I should ween myself off of the pain meds, and go to Ibuprofen.

I have good times, and then there are some really bad times. If I take the pain meds at these times, I am fine, but I feel guilty. What do you think?

Thanks,
Hess

 

[Weezy]

DON'T FEEL GUILTY AND DON'T BE A STOIC AND SUFFER! I tried to get off pain meds several times and all I did was hurt. I ended up talking to my G.P. about pain management instead of my O.S. I'm at 7 weeks now and have been up and down on the pain meds issue the whole time until about a week ago. Now I take them when I need to (within the appropriate timeframes) and don't worry about it. I'll quit taking them when the pain levels go down.

Not hurting beyond tolerance is important to recover and do exercises and I wish I had listened to the experienced voices here and not kept trying to cut down.

There is NO guilt necessary about taking pain pills when you need them! If your OS won't talk about it or prescribe them, please think about seeing your general practitioner. I now really really really believe that we need good pain management and realistic support through this process. The past week has been MUCH better for me since I quit trying to be tough and stoic and have taken what I needed...and already I'm finding that I simply forget to take a pill when I can just because I'm not hurting--what a great way to cut down!

Weezy

 

[JenniferG]

9 Days is nothing in the pain departmemt. I imagine 3-4 of those were in the hospital , so those kinda don't count. That means you are 6 days top self manging your pain. I was on ibuprophen and pain pills at the same time, both Dr prescribed. Weezy is right, her tolerance of pain is higher beacuse she is further along and can it work a lliitle more at cutting back. You are a in the throws of PT and need maximum pain relief so you don't (pardon the word) slack. if it hurts, you wont push as hard. Allow yourself the benefit of healing the most you can and that means pain relief.

 

[Pattipoo]

I'm still taking a small amount at 5 months (mostly for non-op knee)...don't sweat it...talk with your Dr.

9 days isn't a blip on the meter! TRUST ME!!

 

[Jamie]

I'll echo what the others have said. Way, way too soon to worry about getting off pain meds. Your body will tell you when it's time. Listen to it!!! And no guilt, okay?

 

[bumleg]

9 days after knee replacement and others think you should be weaning yourself on to Ibuprophen. Are they crazy? Have they had their knee(s) replaced? Please stay on stronger meds until your body is ready to drop it down a notch. This is your time to be healing and doing whats best for you. Congrats on your new joint. If your doc is still prescribing enough pain med for your pain, don't cut back. I've read where some people have needed them and the doc won't prescribe. Better to have and not need than to need and not have. Take care of yourself and hopefully soon you'll be on your pain free way.

 

[Josephine]

Who are these 'others'? Obviously people who have never walked in your shoes - if you'll pardon the metaphor! Everyone is different so there are no 'shoulds' and 'oughts'. Bah!

 

[Weezl]

Hess, I was terrified at the prospect of becomming addicted to pain meds but I listened to everyone and took them otherwise you sabatoge your progress with exercise and walking because of pain. I was very lucky and did not develop an addiction. But getting used to them and weaning off is not an addiction. If you have arthritis you'll need pain meds for many reasons in the future. Take them when you need them and don't go crazy and you'll be fine. Just use a doc who understands that pain inhibits your function and who is not afraid to write the prescription. Good luck! Peace out. Ms Weezl

 

[Teach4]

Dear Hess:I agree with Weezy. I am 5 weeks post-op and take one Percocet still twice a day when I do my exercises. I don't like the way they make me feel, "fuzzy", but I find I push myself more during my exercises. I also tried to wean myself off to Tylenol, but found it didn't help. Good luck!