Reactions to pain meds

[Pegasus]

As my first post, I was about to mention a bit of bad luck I had with my tkr which was two weeks ago today. Then I read of your major complications, and mine seemed minor! I am so sorry you had all that trauma. I did fine in the hospital, but broke out in hives all over my back from vicodin the first day home. Ibuprofin caused giant hives in a different spot, and the same for Tylenol PM. I've been sans pain meds for ten days now. I can tolerate the exercises, (most of the time), but I can't sleep more than two hours at a time during the night. I am wondering if anyone has any method I can use to alleviate the pain. I am supposed to have the right knee replaced in a couple of years, and though I now know I can survive, I am leery! Thanks for listening. This is a great site. Pegasus

 

[Judles]

Re: A Few Complications

Hi and Welcoe Pegasus! Surely you should ring your OS and tell him of your allergic sensitivities to Vicodin! Certainly. There are OTHeR pain meds/options you can benefit from! You're STILL so early in your recovery! Good luck and keep us posted!! s

 

[Josephine]

This thread was split from A Few Complications which is what the OP is referring to. Sorry, Pegasus, but I moved your post for two reasons which were a) to give you a thread of your own so you get your own replies and b) to avoid derailing BigRed's thread. Hope you understand.

Anyway - welcome to BoneSmart. We are please to have you join our group.

As for you problem, I hope you reported it to your doctor - either your OS or your own doctor. If not, you should do so. If/when you have your other knee done, they will need to know this.

There are plenty of other meds you could be tried on. Tramadol and codeine to mention two. You need to discuss it with your own doctor.

As for dealing with the pain, are you icing and elevating? Icing is the tool for pain management in knees. You might also get a mild sleeping pill from your doctor although disturbance of sleep patterns is a common phenomenon after a knee replacement.

 

[Texas]

Hi Pegasus Welcome. Yes the sleep does stink. but I assure you it will get better. I hope you get some pain relief soon. Its a lil tough in the beginning but it really gets better. The first 2 weeks were the hardest for me. then it started easing of off a lil, gets better and better. Hang in there you will be happy in time. In the meanwhile thats what we are here for. We have all been thru it so we are here for you any questions and/or just to vent. I know there are other people out there worse off then you/me but that doesnt make your pain anyless..You did just have major surgery.....Post antime......Hope you feel better...

 

[tooyoungforthis]

Hi Pegasus, any problem that you have is very important dont put yours on the back sit there are great people here than will listen to anything and will try their best to help you. remenber to take catnaps any rest is better then no rest talk to you soon

 

[ship4]

I knew before my BTKR surgery last year I am allergic to percoset, vicoden, oxcodone, & Oxycontin. My OS gave me morphine via drip immediately post op, Delaudid & Visteril during recovery. It worked well for me.
The visteril exaggerates the sedating effect of the delaudid.
I took the visteril before I went to PT too. When I came home from the hospital I was also prescibed Celebrex.

I also have taken vitamins to fight insomnia. A common way to get some sleep is to take:
2 ~ Calcium + D (600mg)(1 tablet dose)
2 ~ Magnesium (250 mg)

I take this right before bed. It helps me go to sleep....... Try it!

 

[Oldie]

I too was having was having diffulty sleeping, tried the 2 calcium + D & magnesium at nite before bed and really found they helped a lot. Thanks Crystal, I had read about this on another of your posts.

 

[Pegasus]

Ship4, thanks for the sleep ideas. I took the visteril with pain meds in the hospital to get rid of nausea. When I got home, all pain meds caused hives. I will try the calcium and magnesium asap!

 

[Texas]

Yep Crystal is right, she told me and Ive been fine ever since.......Yea!!!!!!!!Good Luck to each of you ....

 

[Pegasus]

I appreciate the support! I'm 15 days out today. -3 degrees straightening, 115 degrees bend. I am walking 1/4 mile per day with cane when alone, without cane when walking with my husband. I feel like I am moving along well, but don't want to start slacking off because it hurts to push it. I have talked twice to OS. One thing causing me trouble is that the "new" leg is now 3/4 inch longer than the other. On that leg, I am back to my original 5' 8" . I am trying to come up with proper heel lifts so I can even out my gait.

 

[ship4]

Pegasus,
You sound like you are progressing very well! My suggestion is to see a podiatrist or a pedorthist (person who makes shoe inserts or orthodics) to see if they can help solve your problem. I wear (both before and after surgery) custom orthodics in my shoes. I know I am standing correctly.
I have to buy shoes with removable inserts so I can insert my own. 3/4's of an inch is rather a lot of difference, I wonder if a cobbler can add it to your shoes? Good luck resolving this situation.
Everyone else,
Glad the vitamins work for you!
Best,

 

[Jamie]

Pegasus, even though you had trouble with several pain meds, if you are experiencing pain still, I second Jo's recommendation to contact either your surgeon or your primary physician. There are MANY drugs to try and I'm betting you can find one that works. Even if you don't really need it now, it would be nice to know what that drug is now....BEFORE you need it for your next surgery.

 

[Linda2]

Good advice from Jamie!!! :agree: