Pain Pills???

Posted , 12 users are following.

Im week 11 post op. How many are still taking pain meds still every 4 hours?

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • Posted

    I ve stopped taking my pain pills, one because they bind you and my pain is diminishing however I m having trouble with energy levels is anyone else experiencing low energy?
  • Posted

    I stopped mine after 5 weeks still a little sor but its manageable and i feel much better in myself i think to much drains you.
  • Posted

    Hey David. I'm almost to week 6. I go to pt 3 times a week and couldn't without the hydrocodone. Take 1 - 10-325 every 6 hrs.

  • Posted

    Hi I'm day 18 and most days only take meds when I go to bed I'll sleep for 4 hrs then wake for more meds. Occasionally in morning after exercise I take some.

  • Posted

    I stopped after 5 weeks bothered my stomach and bound me, so although the pain is diminishing I opted off the pills.
    • Posted

      Hi David,

      I'm 8 weeks post op. I'm down to 1 percocet and 1 tramadol a day. My doc wants me completely off by 3 months. I still have really bad days and have to take more percocet. It can't be helped. I'm trying.

      Good luck to you, remember everyone's healing is different.

    • Posted

      Sorry this was for youngknee😊

  • Posted

    Typically, people are off the opioids (hydrocodone / oxycodone) in about 60 to 90 days...some longer.  There is no set time and it's all very individual.  Rule of thumb: If you need 'em, take 'em.  Your body will tell you.  Try titrating down to a half pill every 4 hours...or alternate whole/half until you can handle the half pill.  The whole idea is to gradually lower the blood level of the chemical med.

    Then titrate completely off the opioids onto 800mg ibuprophin TID or Tramadol.  Again, no set timing.  Also try some topical Voltaren Gel (RX).  Great stuff.

    I was off everything around six months.

  • Posted

    My pain levels are have been minimal so I primarily took them at bedtime for the first 4 days....taking them as needed only at 8 weeks.
  • Posted

    I stopped after 5 weeks, pain still there but not excruciating so trying to get by without the meds , it's hard but they're beginning to bother my stomach! I hope you're not experiencing too much pain, I know we will have discomfort but everyone says it takes a long time to feel normal.

    • Posted

      The stomach pain could be caused by acetaminophen (Tylenol).  Hydrocodone is mixed with Tylenol and is called Vicodin, Norco and other names.  Oxycodone is mixed with Tylenol and called Percocet.  The pure form of oxycodone is called Oxycontin.  If you have stomach issues, then even 800 mg ibuprophin may not be a good choice.  Talk to your doc about your options...

      And, yes...it takes a long time to feel normal...

    • Posted

      NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)  All can cause stomach problems...short term for people who cannot tolerate them, long term in everyone else.  They include:

      - Aspirin compounds (Anacin, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotin, and Excedrin)

      - Ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin)

      - Naproxen sodium (Aleve)

      Acetaminophen (Paracetamol / APAP) is NOT an NSAID but can also cause the same stomach problems.  Non-NSAID analgesics are pretty much limited to Tramadol and the topicals Capsaiscin and Aspercreme w/Lidocane (OTC) and Voltaren Gel (RX)...plus the opioids.  Let's not delve into the dark side of Dilaudid, Morphine and Fentanyl...

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