United States
Paula -- you say the nurse practitioner said that you "really shouldn't be feeling all this pain with those meds." So is she saying you're exaggerating or does she not know that some people are "wired" to not respond well to narcotics? Did you always need a high dose of narcotic to get relief, or did your years of pain necessitate narcotics therefore creating a tolerance? Either way, your pain is undertreated.
There are other strategies and, again, ortho offices are not set up well to address pain that isn't in the middle of the bell curve. That's where your regular doctor, or a pain clinic, would come in. Other members on the forum have mentioned some different strategies. Some are given oxycontin (12 hour effect) and then percocet for any pain not covered by the oxycontin. Some are prescribed other types of drugs such as cymbalta and neurontin, which are not pain drugs but can soften the pain experience from a neurological standpoint. I'm no expert but an expert might be just the ticket.
I know in early TKR recovery a day can be hard to get through and so we become very focused on managing that day rather than being proactive about the long haul, so that is why I am trying to open up your thinking a little bit. Maybe I'm just creating trouble, but redheads can't help that!!
In any case, we know you are becoming tougher by the day. I really admire your attitude and your determination. And of course we all sympathize with your struggle.
There are other strategies and, again, ortho offices are not set up well to address pain that isn't in the middle of the bell curve. That's where your regular doctor, or a pain clinic, would come in. Other members on the forum have mentioned some different strategies. Some are given oxycontin (12 hour effect) and then percocet for any pain not covered by the oxycontin. Some are prescribed other types of drugs such as cymbalta and neurontin, which are not pain drugs but can soften the pain experience from a neurological standpoint. I'm no expert but an expert might be just the ticket.
I know in early TKR recovery a day can be hard to get through and so we become very focused on managing that day rather than being proactive about the long haul, so that is why I am trying to open up your thinking a little bit. Maybe I'm just creating trouble, but redheads can't help that!!
In any case, we know you are becoming tougher by the day. I really admire your attitude and your determination. And of course we all sympathize with your struggle.
Paula
Paula
