pain meds

Posted , 12 users are following.

Im 2 weeks post thr and trying to quit taking the pain meds, I have muscle pain shooting down my leg mostly at night and have trouble sleeping, Im so tired and a bit depresed, when trying not to take the strong meds I get shakey and cold sweats,  im so frustrated wonder if it will get feeling better, let me know if this normal

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  • Posted

    Hi Shelby , glad your op is over , now the hard work begins but you will get through it .

    I am 9 weeks post op today and still have trouble sleeping and have pains in thigh muscles . Saw physio today who said it is normal and beep cause the muscles in thigh are week so gave to keep exercising .

    I felt incredibly tired for about 6 weeks . 

    Make sure you nap when you can in the day and do your exercises .

    we have been through major surgery and it will take time but you will get there .

    if you can face it you can watch an op on you tube this will help you realise what you have been through !

    you will feel down at times but try and be pleased about how much you achieve each week and don't worry about each day so much . 

    This time next week you will feel stronger . 

    Remember not to do too much too soon.

    best wishes 

    Mary

    South Wales

    • Posted

      Thanks Mary for support, I did not sleep very good last night and I didnt get out physio today , I feel frustrated and upset 
    • Posted

      Thanks Mary,   I did watch a thr on you tube , no wonder we have so much pain!  
    • Posted

      Shelby you are braver than I am! I could never watch the videos because I would faint!
  • Posted

    Shel by two weeks post op, I think stopping mess is to early,you need all help I.e pain relief cause it is a long slog getting fit don't be scared mess will really help long term I am 20 weeks and I have had few probs pain wise and have got to start takin pain killers again as excersise for me at moment is a big struggle do take your mess and get plenty of rest
  • Posted

    Hi Shelby,

    Everyone is different of course, but two weeks out is still very fresh out from a very major brutal surgery. It might be safer to taper the pain meds, not jump off of them.

    My guess about the shooting pain down your legs at night, is that it is natural nerve pain for which narcotics will not help.

    I am 4 weeks out and I use Gabapentin for the nerve pain and Flexeril for the muscle spasms. I still keep Oxicodone for set backs.

    Hope this helps a bit. Wishing you the best!

    💛 Dawn, USA

    • Posted

      Hi Dawn, thanks for your response, You are right the the pain meds don;'t help wi h the muscle spasms. I have decided to taper off the pain meds and not get myself in a emotional  mess.  
  • Posted

    Hi Shelby i think getting of medicines after 4 weeks is reasonable by then you would be walking around a bit more which aids your recovery too. Keep building your muscle strength with physio and hydrotherapy sessions which will aud you coming off the pain killers.
  • Posted

    What you are experiencing is 'cold turkey'. Your body has become addicted to the medication and isn't liking it's withdrawal. After spending a year on morphine prior to my first operation I stopped taking morphing as I didn't need it anymore and my goodness did I feel ill. It was flu like symptoms an hour before u til 2 hours after the times I usually took the morphine. i phoned the doctor and she put me straight back on morphine but in lower doses. I am now 2 weeks post op tomorrow for thr. In hospital I was on morphine and tramadol, when I came home I was on 2 tramadol every 4 hours. I reduced it to 1 every 4 hours for a few days, then 1 every 8 hours, then 1 just at night. Now I just take codeine at night to help me sleep. It's not a bad thing to NEED pain relief. If you need it, take it, if you don't ween yourself off of it slowly. I too have the muscle pain at night. I have been rolling up a pair of trousers and putting them under my knee which has been helping ease the discomfort. 

    It is hard. It's very hard. It's emotionally exhausting. I cry almost daily. BUT, the people on this forum are making it easier as they understand what you're going through and the journey you are taking. My daughter told me something today, from little seeds do oak trees grow. She's 8 and was relating it to my progress! Little know it all!

    • Posted

      Thanks for your reply, I cry too, when its time for bed i get a bit worked up cause i just want to sleep. I tried to quit the meds cold turkey, so I will do the same as you, I don't have much pain just the spasms wich keep me awake.    This forum has been so hepfull and glad I found it.  Thank to all for your kind sopport and sharing your storys.  
    • Posted

      Emma & Dawn are great folks to listen on this matter. I totally agree with tapering the pain meds & not pushing yourself too hard--recovery isn't a race! Respect the trauma that a THR causes your body and remember, prolonged severe pain slows healing so if needed take your meds!

       I'm 8+ wks post op now and finally feel human again, starting to taper pain meds myself since I no longer have that pain.

      Take care of yourself & best of luck.

    • Posted

      thanks for your support, it helps knowing other people have been there and how to cope with this kind of surgery
  • Posted

    good morning Shelby, I,m 1 week post Left  THR. its 3.30 am. another rough painful night, I,m sitting in the Lounge with a cup  of tea, hot water bottlte under my thigh, thinking, well this is a pain in the bum, ( which it is) yes I,m fed up with the pain and sleepless nights, but it will improve day by day, I think I,ll have another cupps !. I take Naproxen morning and night. Cheer up mate, you,ll be better before  you know it.

    God bless

    Brian UK

    • Posted

      Hi Brian and Shelby,

      Am just over 3 weeks. TLHR, so true about the initial painfull nights but as you say will get there slowly. I've also had and continue plenty of NAAFI strength brews in the early hours which helps  lot.  If am up again at 3am i'll raíse my brew in honour to you for a speedy and successful recovery. Best wishes and great weekend to all hippies out there.  smile

    • Posted

      NAAFI strength brew? You're not an ex serviceman by any chance are you? I would,d think by calling it a brew not navy or marines as it would be 'a wet' but I believe the Army call it a brew? 

      Oh those 3am cuppa's! My choice if drink at that time is warm milk with a cow biscuit. It's funny the things we find comforting at 3 am. I've started refusing to have naps during the day for the last 3 days, like a toddler point blank refusal, I have to admit the last 3 nights I've gone off to sleep much much better as a result, plus I'm going for a little walk after dinner which wipes me out. I it not be lasting all night asleep but I'm certainly drifting off quicker so getting some quality sleep. X

    • Posted

      Hi Emma, Army and RAF both in as well as now a civie but working with them.  As for the brew, couple of times...or bit more....a drop of rum or whisky. Hmmm yum tum. Certainly raised morale and aided relaxation...just a drop mind you. Great your starting to get some quality kip and recharging your batteries bit by bit.  How far down recovery are you if you don't mind me asking ?  Cheers and best wishes.
    • Posted

      Can spot a serviceman a mile off. I'm ex RN. I'm 2 weeks today post op.
    • Posted

      Hi Emma RN smile

      How are you getting on 2 weeks post op. Any questions I can help you with as am 3 weeks post hammer and chisel. 

      Very best wishes to you and a successful and speedy recovery

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