Pain meds

I'm 4 weeks into recovery and take two Tylenol in the morning if I need them and two at bedtime. On the days I have physio which has been three days a week I take two beforehand and it helps with the muscle pain afterwards.  There is little pain from the operation wound just this nerve itching which sets up as soon as I get into bed and drives me nuts. There is still a little pain from the insert into the thigh bone although I still do not sleep on it all night long but prefer to sleep on the other side for a while longer.  Still at this stage I do not sleep the whole night through. I guess it has something to do with turning over in bed and trying to avoid doing anything wrong.   I was given Hydrocodone and another pill which doesn't contain codeine but I still prefer the Tylenol.  If you are on blood thinners then you need to ensure you take the right pain meds.....no asprin based products.  Hope this helps. 

Hi Jane,

 I think it is very different for everyone.  Here in the U.S. it is customary to allow the availablity of pain meds up to three months post op.  My first THR went so easily that I did not need pain meds after about 6 or 8 weeks.

I am against the thought out there of worrying about addiction.  In my opinion if one is not an addict prior to needing pain meds, then they are not going to easily turn into one.  I do what I have to do at the time I need to do it and quit taking the pain medsas soon as I personally can.  

It has been said that we can heal faster if we are not fighting the pain.

Dawn U.S.

Hi Jane

We are all different but if you need pain killers you keep on top of the pain.......dont try to play catch up .....thats what I was told by thr medical staff on leaving the hospital

Love

Eileen  UK

Hi Jane

I'm still taking Naproxen, twice a day, at 19 weeks!  I have tried stopping, at various times, but had to go back on them.  My doctor is quite happy to prescribe them for 6 months at least.  I don't feel at all restricted whilst taking them and they are not addictive so I will take them as long as necessary. Everyone is different but I am not one who finds it easy to sit and relax - prefer to be doing something physical!! I know I haven't been a very good patient but I've been very pleased with my progress. Don't suffer unnecessarily!!

Hi Jane,

 I had my THR Sept 30. I took the oxy and percocette for maybe two weeks if that long. My pain was never really too bad after that and the meds were causing terrible cramps and muscle spasms in my op hip. In the US you are not allowed to drive while on narcotics either and I wanted to get my independence back. I did take ibuprophen occasionly and I was alreay taking aspirin for 30 days for a blood thinner. The longer a person takes narcotics the harder it is for them to get off so let your pain be your guide. Switch to over the counter as soon as you can.

Kathee

 

Hi Jane

I stopped taking painkillers after two weeks but continue with aspirin for bloodthinning until six weeks after op. I think you need to do what suits you as we all appear to react in different ways as noted on the various replies on the forum

Good luck

(Yes, and no Ibuprophen if on blood thinners.) You will probably be on blood thinners for a month. My Dr. had me on pain meds for the 4 weeks, gradually reducing the strength each week. I also found that a non-narcotic muscle relaxer called Flexoril was beneficial before exercise and to help me sleep. The whole idea of the pain meds is to make it possible for us to keep moving, exercising and getting better without being miserable. Also, sleep is totally necessary for recovery. So glad my Dr. was on board with all that this time around. First time was not so good b/c the Dr. was afraid to prescribe much medicine....afraid to get someone addicted I guess. I am on week 6 now, no pain meds necessary. I still use the muscle relaxer and an occasional Tylenol or Ibuprophen. 

Hi Jane I was on pain medication for about aweek after my thr,did not have any pain after that just a bit of discomfort,but everybody varies as you probably knowx

Hi Jane

I dont know if you are in the USA or UK but if you get side effects from your meds....straight back to the GP and get them to put you on something else for the pain. 

As for the driving someone mentioned {like I say I dont know where you are} but in the UK its not legal to drive before the 6 weeks is up and you have seent the consultant and get the OK from him........I've not actually heard of it being illegal to drive if on narcotics but if the consultant gives you the OK....fair enough.

Before that if anything happend while you were driving you wouldnt be insured.

Love

Eileen UK

Hello Jane,

I'm 7 weeks post op on my second thr. I quit taking Percocet and went to Tylenol 3 weeks ago, twice a day. But as we all say. It depends on the individual.

And of course you should be taking the baby aspirin every day for blood thinner.

I'm doing pretty good with recovery. Unfortunately the VA doesn't feel you need physical therapy after thr. So I just do several different exercises and stretching a couple times a day. Along with walking several times a day also. I have a ways to go yet, for complete recovery. I don't have a lot of upper leg strength. But I'm gaining on it quickly.

I wish you a great healthy recovery Jane. Stay strong and keep a positive attitude.

roadglide1959

I think my Dr had the perfect protocol. Percocet for the first 2 weeks, then down to Oxycodon, then a lower dose of pain med in form of Hydrocodon. I am sure it all depends on how much messing around they do in there. I had to have scar tissue burnt (somehow), had a very deformed hip with practically no joint left. I would think less medication would be prescribed for someone with a less involved surgery. 5 weeks out now all I need is an occasional over the counter Tylenol or Ibuprophen.