pain and pain meds after surgery

[coryp]

Hello All,

I am 2 weeks post op (Ascneding Aneurysm graft, root remodel, hemi-arch & AVR)and I think I am coming along nicely but I would like to find out how you other pros have used the pain meds and for how long after surgery?

I am not taking anything during the (no tylenol) but as I try to reduce the vicadin or rid myself of it at night, it seems I cannot sleep well without it.
Last night I tried taking 1 pill at 11pm (before bed) instead of the normal 2 and I was only able to sleep until 2am (normally I take 2 and they let me sleep until 4am, then I get up for a few and decide to take a couple tylenol or will it out with nothing trying to get back to sleep. Usually I lay around for 1-2 hours and finall y get a nap in at 5-6am until aro 7am.

Last night taking only the 1 pill I was wide awake at 2am and couldn't really drift off until 4:40 am and yes I took 1 more vicadin. I tend to really cramp up at night so it is more painful to move around when I awake.

Your comments are welcome.

 

[Barry]

I've found that opiates, such as Vicodin, are the only effective pain killers I can take without messing up my INR. I take Vicodin.

The problems with Vicodin are related to it being an opiate: It's constipating, and it's addicting.

With regard to the latter, that doesn't mean you're going to be sticking up liquor stores to get your next prescription. It does mean that if you take it regularly you are likely to find yourself developing tolerance to it, and the same dose not being as effective as relieving pain as it was. And may find yourself going into withdrawal if you go cold turkey when you stop taking it (which will basicly feel like a bad case of the flu). You can avoid withdrawal by tapering down over time.

It's an excellent drug. Just try to take the minimum amount needed, and if you find yourself addicted and at risk of withdrawal if you quit taking it, just taper down your dose over time.

A lot of people get high when they take Vicodin. I don't. If it does get you high, congratulations on at least having a pleasant side-effect: The only side-effect I get from Vicodin is that it makes me constipated, which isn't exactly pleasant. As a general rule, though, folks in pain seldom get high when they take opiates.

With regard to the constipation, a psychiatrist I worked with long ago recommended that patients taking constipating drugs eat at least a cup or two of popcorn a day. Good advice.

 

[901]

I've found that opiates, such as Vicodin, are the only effective pain killers I can take without messing up my INR. I take Vicodin.

The problems with Vicodin are related to it being an opiate: It's constipating, and it's addicting.

With regard to the latter, that doesn't mean you're going to be sticking up liquor stores to get your next prescription. It does mean that if you take it regularly you are likely to find yourself developing tolerance to it, and the same dose not being as effective as relieving pain as it was. And may find yourself going into withdrawal if you go cold turkey when you stop taking it (which will basicly feel like a bad case of the flu). You can avoid withdrawal by tapering down over time.

It's an excellent drug. Just try to take the minimum amount needed, and if you find yourself addicted and at risk of withdrawal if you quit taking it, just taper down your dose over time.

A lot of people get high when they take Vicodin. I don't. If it does get you high, congratulations on at least having a pleasant side-effect: The only side-effect I get from Vicodin is that it makes me constipated, which isn't exactly pleasant. As a general rule, though, folks in pain seldom get high when they take opiates.

With regard to the constipation, a psychiatrist I worked with long ago recommended that patients taking constipating drugs eat at least a cup or two of popcorn a day. Good advice.

Are Tylenol #4s a step down from Vicodin as far as pain relief? I know the codene (sp?) has the same binding effect. I don't know if I could stop at "a cup" of popcorn!

 

[karlaosh]

Hi Cory.

They sent me home from the hospital with 30 Oxycodone. At first I thought, Oh no, how am I going to make this last... So I took it only at night for a few days but it just made me feel dried out...it helped some with the pain but I still wasn't sleeping too well.

So I stopped taking it at about 2 weeks out. Yesterday it was 3 weeks since my surgery and I'm sleeping OK with nothing, esp. if I don't sleep during the day.

I've had Vicodin in the past for other things and much preferred it. Wanna trade?

Karla

 

[Mary]

Cory,
The book I came home with from the hospital stated, "If you are having trouble sleeping after beginning exercise (read walking) then you are doing too much.
I lowered the amount of time I was walking to what they recommended, and I've slept really well every night. Before that, I was awake every few hours.

I'm not taking anything for pain other than a Tylenol extra strength every few days. I have figured out how to sleep on my right side, and the change in position has also contributed to my ability to sleep more.

Why don't you try cutting your amount of activity, and see if that helps? I know I was very surprised at the results.
Mary

 

[coryp]

Cory,
The book I came home with from the hospital stated, "If you are having trouble sleeping after beginning exercise (read walking) then you are doing too much.
I lowered the amount of time I was walking to what they recommended, and I've slept really well every night. Before that, I was awake every few hours.

I'm not taking anything for pain other than a Tylenol extra strength every few days. I have figured out how to sleep on my right side, and the change in position has also contributed to my ability to sleep more.

Why don't you try cutting your amount of activity, and see if that helps? I know I was very surprised at the results.
Mary

thx,

I will try I guess but what else will I do to keep the day going? BORING!!

 

[Big-Chuck]

pain

pain

they tried giving me morphine in the hosp. and then vicodin but my body would not tolerate it( couldnt sleep or eat) so they started me on an IV of something called tortal, i think and life improved immediately, was getting out of bed and starting to eat the following day. since being home i have been taking acetaminophin 325 mg, 2 every 4 hrs to help with the pain with a larger amount of success. everyday pain gets a little less as long as I dont sneeze or cough.

 

[Mary]

thx,

I will try I guess but what else will I do to keep the day going? BORING!!

You're going to have to chose--boring days or boring nights!
Mary