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Oxycodone after TKR

Posted , 23 users are following.

bpaschke47
bpaschke47

Just wondering where others are at with Perscription Meds after tkr. I'm three weeks out and I can't seem to take any less then six 5mg. Of Oxycodone per day. Trying to take as few pills as possible....this is new for me and with other surgerys I've had I've never needed to take six or seven pills a day. Stating to feel bad about calling in for a script. Am I just not coping well with the pain or am I still within the "standard" range...if there's such a thing. I understand everyone is different...just kinda struggling with this one.

0 likes, 52 replies

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  • Jeannenp
    Jeannenp bpaschke47

    Posted

    There is no reward for not taking your pain meds. There are, however, consequences. You need to be comfortable enough to do your PT and get the rest you need. You are on a low Percocet dose that you should continue to take while you need it. Focus on getting moving again! Don't focus on some stupid pills!!
    • bpaschke47
      bpaschke47 Jeannenp

      Posted

      Thanks Jeannenp! With all the good comments and support I agree with your statements. Today was my first day of reducing my Oxycodone intake and I have to say it's going well. I took two this morning and two before PT today. So far so good. What I'm realizing is that as I get better with my PT and my leg gets stronger the pain pills aren't as big of an issue as the first three weeks after tkr. Just starting my 4th week and today has been good. I don't feel bad about taking the pills and if everything goes to heck this week with pain I'll go back to taking the pills as the pain dictates. Agree to focus on getting moving and better again. Thanks for your reply!! Take care of yourself...

      Brent

  • susan33930
    susan33930 bpaschke47

    Posted

    Hi everyone. I'm curious to know what the long term effects of taking oxycodone are?  Chico said he thought they make people lazy.

    im in the uk and have been in Targinact for years as I am young and they put off doing a TKR because of my age, meaning I had a lot of pain for a long time.

     I had TKR a year ago and was on 20mg twice a day before it.  About 3 months after the op I weaned myself off them completely (with docs help) but ended up having to take them again because the other knee has deteriated so much I hadn't realised just how painful it is!

    I take 10mg twice a day now but it only takes the edge off the pain, it doesn't relieve it completely.

     

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX susan33930

      Posted

      Well...maybe "lazy" was a poor choice of words.  Opioids have a tendency to make people drowsy, fuzzy, etc...basically, not so alert, hence the warning about driving while taking those meds.  Long term?  My daughter fractured her back many moons ago and was on Vicodin for two years...started to rot her teeth.  These drugs are very, very addictive so docs don't usually prescribe refills.  I HATE THEM!!!  Very constipating to boot so I get off them as soon as possible.  Step down to Tramadol or 800mg ibuprophin TID...just get off the synthetic heroin!!!  IMO, having another TKR is way preferable to living on opioids...  
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Due to my ongoing knee problem (PVNS, which is a rare tumor that are up the synovial area and then located itself in an inoperable cluster of nerves) I have been on one form of opiate plus morphine sulfate for years. My surgeon has a full understanding of my pain level and what I go through on a daily basis. I've had 11 surgeries and 5 complete rehabs so safe to say I've covered the waterfront with paid meds. I now feel perfectly safe taking the meds and driving. Never have used them as sleeping aids or just to escape my situation. As I've discussed addiction and the concerns I've been warned that to try and deal with my pain levels using downgraded meds can lead to other issues far greater than the drugs themselves. Personally I hate the dumb rating system of 1 to 10 as I never used 10 not knowing how much more intense the pain could get and wanted to always have a little leeway if I needed it. Like I told one rather obnoxious nurse.......if i go outside what difference does It make if it's 95 or 100 °F, I'm miserable, I'm hot and I want to go in to my comfortable air conditioning. When I'm in pain who gives a damn if it's an 8 or 9 or 10.....I'm miserable and i want relief. With other families of drugs you have to worry about getting your stomach eaten raw and bleeding. For 99% of those on here addition is not a problem. The other 1% would probably be addicted to candy, cigarettes, cashews, porn, or something else. I think people need to take the pain meds they need to get them back on their feet. Once there , nature will guide them to doing better things with their lives than try to get high on pain killers.

      I went for my 1st year checkup after my 3rd prosthesis after 4 months of not having a knee and being immobilized due to staph. My Dr. Wanted to know if my med supply was o.k. He was being shadowed by a student (i go to a university med center and med school). He explained I was only one of 2 that had an open end on my meds because relief was as important as any other part of the process

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 susan33930

      Posted

      After my last 2 surgeries....the one where they removed my prosthesis due to staph and the one 4 months later where they put another one in......my surgeon ordered me 5 mg oxy and let me be the judge of one to 5 tablets depending on pain. I had that same order for 6 months and my doseage would just vary. When that was over I was given 10 mg and could do one or 2. A year later I have my choice of either oxy or hydrocodone and ms contain (extended release). Depending on the individual you may feel drowsy, somewhat listless or a little unsteady......OR ....like me, you just feel the millstone weight of the pain rising from your body so you can get on with life. I've Never used Pain meds as a crutch or sleeping pill, only to get rid of pain. I still use the ice pack to relive swelling which cuts down pain and need of meds. The weight of pain can cause you to go downhill rapidly in the rehab process. Use it as prescribed and you will be fine. Hydrate as opiates will dry you out. Keep colase and mirilax handy for constipation and stay away from alcohol as that has a tendency to act as an accelerant to opiate based pain meds.

      Again everyone is different so let your own body he your guide.

      Years ago I had an acquaintance that had problems with his nerves and took valium. I had taken valium as a muscle relaxant for a back problem and on would put me out. This guy would take multiple pills and wash them down with a martini and keep on keeping on. If I had used that formula it would have killed me.

      Again, take as prescribed and if you have concern as discuss them with your Dr.

    • Jeannenp
      Jeannenp Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      I thought I'd been thru the wringer after my pseudomonas infection, removal of the prosthesis and immobilized for three months before the new knee. Pain is one of the hardest thing I've ever dealt with. So glad you have someone dealing with your pain.

      Take care; I'm so very sorry for what you have been thru. Those of us who had to deal with the unexpected with this surgery get it.

    • suki51
      suki51 Jeannenp

      Posted

      OMW you are so brave I cannot imagine the pain you have gone through and the mental anguish! I am aware that some Drs are so wary of prescribing opiate pain meds that some of us don't get them when we need them , so I advocate demanding them.....the likelihood of addiction is small. My Norwegian friend had back surgery and they told her because she would need them for at least 6weeks she may have a weaninging off period to deal with later but pain meds were important for recovery

  • peggy15811
    peggy15811 bpaschke47

    Posted

    I am no expert, have my own issues, but I am exactly 2 weeks post-op for tkr. I had my surgeon follow-up yesterday and I had been taking only one, sometimes 2 oxy per day. The doctor told me I did need to take them so I could do PT and get around. He said it was totally normal to need the pain Meds for about 6 weeks. He said after that he would be concerned, but for now to take them. Problem is they make me very tired and constipated too. If I take stool softener I get Diarreah as I have IBS-D. I cannot find a balance so had been taking as few pain pills as possible. Now that I am starting PT I am going to need to figure out a balance and take them. 
  • BusterBeans
    BusterBeans bpaschke47

    Posted

    Brent, I think I was on pain melds for almost 6 weeks. I had a bilateral TKR and spent 8 days in a rehab facility after 4 days in the hospital.  OxyContin and Oxycodone worked well while I was in the hospital and rehab but totally stopped working when I got home. I had some complications with fracture blisters, phantom pain and IT bands and called my surgeon almost in tears. He then put me on fentanyl patches which worked wonderfully and I ended up asking him to wean me off 2 weeks early. We all are on different healing schedules and should be mindful of our need to manage pain, work our physical therapy and talk to our surgeons. Best of luck with your healing.
  • Rocco
    Rocco bpaschke47

    Posted

    I'm almost four weeks out and I've been taking one or two oxys at night because the pain keeps me from sleeping otherwise. I noticed the last couple of days though that the oxy leaves me in a terrible mood the next day.

    My doc and most docs say to take as much as you need (although I imagine six a day must be close to the limit)  but absolutely dont drive if you are using a narcotic, which oxy is.

    I am going to try to kick it totally tonight and just use Aleve.

    • bpaschke47
      bpaschke47 Rocco

      Posted

      Wow, it's been awhile since I've responded to this statement. I think most sediment on this post is take the pills as needed for PT, pain management and such. Everyone is different with the whole pain issue. However, if they are changing your mood the next day as you stated then maybe you could switch to a different med. I give you credit for noticing the affect the meds are having and willing to change your use of them. I'm now 6 months post Tkr and realized that it was the best decision I made to have it done. I'm going in on the 29 to have my other knee done. So I'll be starting all over again. I just want to note one thing..... I had anal Fissure surgery 2 months ago and that pain was like no other pain I've ever had. They don't give narcotic pain meds because of the constipation issue so one just has to get through it. So, I guess I'm saying I know now I can survive through pain without taking a pill everytime I'm in pain. However, it sure makes the recovery easier with less hardship. Good luck in your recovery and know it will get much, much better.

      Take care my friend.

  • judy17487
    judy17487 bpaschke47

    Posted

    Here's w what my pain docs tell me. I've been on Percocet for years due to back injuries etc. I started out on 7.50 of Percocet while in nursing home for three weeks. I went to my pain management specialist  and asked him to reduce it to five MG which I am comfortable with. You should take your pain pills before your pain gets bad.

    that's because while you're waiting for them to work your pain gets worse and then they don't work as effectively.  If you do this your body will let you know when you can get by with fewer doses.

    my two cents 

  • judy17487
    judy17487 bpaschke47

    Posted

    PS. Take probiotics.  They work great for opioids induced constipatio
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 judy17487

      Posted

      Everyone's different....probiotics never helped me but colas for in and night worked most of the time but you have to increase water consumption with any and all remedies. I also kept Miralax on hand when things really tighten up. Gentle and slow acting. Can be used daily if needed

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