Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Post-Op Med Survey

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Post-Op Med Survey

    I am so tired of people saying "Oh, you're STILL on pain meds?" Seriously????So, just to ease my own mind, I'm conducting an informal survey. For those willing to participate, would you respond with the meds you were taking, how long you were on them, and if there was a 'weaning' process, how did that work?

    I know it's too early to try to stop taking pain meds, but I'm beginning to get a little paranoid thinking maybe I'm wrong.

    Oh, the other annoying question is get is "Oh, you're not back at work yet?" Grrrrrrrrrrrrr! I keep reminding myself they don't know anything about this surgery and recovery so just let it go.

    Anything you would be willing to share would be great. Thanks!
    Becky, 46 years old
    Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
    Ignored until 448/07
    Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
    Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
    Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
    Fused T-10 to L-5
    14 titanium pedicle screws
    Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
    Email

  • #2
    I was off the dilaudid at 14 days post op. I started weaning myself off at about day 9 or so, just felt like I really didn't need it. I started spreading the dilaudid out over a larger and larger time frame between doses, then down to half doses, then nothing. I was still taking Tramadol/ultram every 6 hrs or so and I was taking Robaxin a few times a day, usually a half a dose at a time. I think I was completely off pain meds at about 3 months post op but used them as needed after that, not too often until the last month or so. I have found that as more time goes by I feel the hardware in my back more and nore and it is harder to sleep without meds. So now at almost 7 months post op I am back on the Tramadol and an occasional Robaxin. Wean yourself off when you know you are ready...not some arbitrary date that someone not involved has decided you should be off of them by. You'll know when the time is right. Stay strong!
    Alicia
    Geish
    47 years old, dx at 13
    +30* to the right, +60* to the left, +30* to the right
    Surgery 12-13-07 - fusion from T4 to sacrum.


    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=267 Pre surgery
    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=268 Post surgery
    http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC01091.jpg Xray from the side
    http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...1089-1-1-1.jpg Xray from the back

    Comment


    • #3
      Becky-- people will just not understand very well. Try not to worry about it. I found that when I changed what I said to "it may take me 1-2 years or so to recover" that it helped. Most people will just lump all back surgeries together-- so if someone had disc replacement surgery or something like that-- or 1 or 2 vertebrae fused, they will think it's the same as what you had. You can always explain how they "reconstructed" your spine-- and go into the gory details...

      As for pain meds-- I also felt guilty that I was taking them too long, based on what I'd read in both the Wolpert and Neuwirth books. I was afraid I was going to get addicted, etc. It didn't happen. My scoli nurse kept explaining to me that I had a whopping big surgery-- and not to worry about it. She said older people with really long fusions like mine need pain meds for longer. It worked out just fine. Right now I maybe take 1 darvocet maybe once a month. And rarely take any OTC for pain--

      I took Hydrocodone (Norco) 10/325 for about 2 months, decreasing (quickly--after 1 week) from 1-2 every 4-6 hours to just 1 every 4-6 hours.

      The rx changed to 7.5/325 for the third month, then down to 5/325 till I was completely off of it at about 5 months. The frequency also decreased during that time, from 3/day, then 2/day, then just 1@night (to help with sleep). When I was down to 1 or 2/day, I could take Darvocet (propoxyphene) if needed for the pain, in between the doses of Norco.

      I also took Valium (Diazepam) (5 mg) for the first 3 months, same sort of deal-- less with time...

      When I developed severe leg pains at about 3 weeks post-op I also started taking Neurontin/gabapentin-- and again, I started with a stronger dose (300 mg) 3/day for a month, then decreased to 100 mg (there isn't any in-between 300 and 100) 3/day for a month, then 2/day for a little over a week, then down to 1/day till I was done in another month.

      So, in a nutshell-- I was off pain meds and other "helps" at 5 months, having weaned down in both strength and time between doses. I can take Darvocet if needed for pain. I rarely do, unless it's for one of those bad headaches. I had no addiction or withdrawal problems.

      Give yourself time-- and figure that many people will just not understand. You (and your family) are the only ones who really matter with this. Take care!
      71 and plugging along... but having some problems
      2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
      5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
      Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

      Corrected to 15°
      CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
      10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

      Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Becky --

        I was on Oxycontin (every 12 hours) and Oxydocone (every 3-4 hours) for about 3 months. After getting a lot of s***t from my family doc about still being on meds, I tried switching to Vicodin at 3 months and basically stopped functioning. So I went back to the lowest-dose Oxycontin with Percocet every 4-5 hours. Again I tried weaning off everything at 5 months and once again stopped functioning. I found that I could get by with the 12-hour Oxy and Tylenol or Aleve....I finally weaned off the Oxycontin after almost 8 months.

        I also took half a Valium at night when I had severe muscle spasms from 3-5 months post-op. Looking back, I think Valium messed with my head, even the small amount I was taking. I had no trouble weaning off it and felt much better mentally without it.

        I became physically dependent on the Oxycontin but didn't have much trouble weaning off it. I felt weird and uncomfortable for about 3 days (hot/cold, queasy, restless legs), then I was fine.

        I worked with a pain-management specialist who prescribed meds a month at a time, and who understood that I was not going to abuse the drugs.

        Good luck!
        Chris
        A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
        Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
        Post-op curve: 12 degrees
        Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

        Comment


        • #5
          For the first month, I took my pain pills like clockwork, every four hours, sometimes I could make it to 5 hours. I was really paranoid about letting my pain get out of control. I was on Vicodine. Then, after a month, I started going as long as I could between pain pills, sometimes I would take one in 5 hours, sometimes I could go all day. Everyday was different. I eventually took myself off all pain medicine at a little after 2 months post op. I was back at work at 6 weeks post op and when I went back to work, I was down to 1 to 2 pills per day. Everyone is different though and everyones healing process is not the same so you shouldn't feel bad about how long it takes you to recover. You should listen to your body and you will know when you are ready to come off of your meds, you don't want to push yourself to hard.
          Jamie Age 29
          Mother to a 6 year old daughter & an 11 month old baby boy.

          2000 Curves - 28/40/32
          2008 Curves - 39/63/44
          Surgery Date - 3/25/08
          T4 - L1

          63 degrees corrected to 15 degrees !

          Comment


          • #6
            I just thought I'd interpose a little something more here for those who haven't gone through surgery yet... the pain meds don't alleviate your pain entirely, so please don't think they do. They just make it manageable. My understanding (and that's me talking, not a medical person) is that there's a medium ground the doctors want for you-- where you feel ok enough to do the things you need to do, like walking and being a little more active, etc. That balance is somewhere between the extremes of too much pain so you don't function well-- and being too loopy from the pain meds/too much meds so you also don't function well.

            Also-- I know it's confusing to me about all these different meds that people cite, as I've never had to take them before and don't know much about them. Google really helps for people like me-- so I know that oxycodone meds are stronger than what I took (hydrocodone)-- and that my "Norco" (hydrocodone with tylenol) is really the same thing as Jamie's "Vicodin"-- etc. One would wish they could all be listed by the same name, but there are all those different brand names and the generic one too.

            We are all different-- our levels of pain tolerance are different, our surgeries are different, our surgeons are too (with how they want to deal with the pain issue), our bodies recover differently (including time-frame), etc. So, all in all, we end up with very different pain med regimens tailored to our situation. Hopefully they work out well! And if they don't, you need to defend your right to have your pain controlled by pain meds. My thought, anyway.
            71 and plugging along... but having some problems
            2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
            5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
            Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

            Corrected to 15°
            CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
            10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

            Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Geish
              I was off the dilaudid at 14 days post op. I started weaning myself off at about day 9 or so, just felt like I really didn't need it. I started spreading the dilaudid out over a larger and larger time frame between doses, then down to half doses, then nothing. I was still taking Tramadol/ultram every 6 hrs or so and I was taking Robaxin a few times a day, usually a half a dose at a time. I think I was completely off pain meds at about 3 months post op but used them as needed after that, not too often until the last month or so. I have found that as more time goes by I feel the hardware in my back more and nore and it is harder to sleep without meds. So now at almost 7 months post op I am back on the Tramadol and an occasional Robaxin before bedtime. Wean yourself off when you know you are ready...not some arbitrary date that someone not involved has decided you should be off of them by. You'll know when the time is right. Stay strong!
              Alicia
              Dilaudid is a strong painkiller derived from morphine and is addictive. also known as Hydromorphone, it is a true narcotic and is a controlled substance in the US and many other countries.
              Tramadol is an atypical opioid for moderate to severe pain. Tends to be non addicting. It is not considered a controlled substance in the US.
              Robaxin is a muscle relaxer also known as Methocarbamol.

              Hope that helps to clear some of it up. Oh, and I specifically asked for Tramadol. I was going to be given Vicodin but had taken Tramadol since I blew out my back in 99 and knew how well it worked for me and how it made me feel while on it (no loopiness and fully functioning). I also knew Vicodin made me loopy and I didn't want that. My surgeon was happy to give me the Tramadol instead.
              Geish
              47 years old, dx at 13
              +30* to the right, +60* to the left, +30* to the right
              Surgery 12-13-07 - fusion from T4 to sacrum.


              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=267 Pre surgery
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=268 Post surgery
              http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC01091.jpg Xray from the side
              http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...1089-1-1-1.jpg Xray from the back

              Comment


              • #8
                Hi Becky,

                I completely understand your frustration. I'm in the same boat and I had surgery 2 weeks before you. My pain was not managed in the hospital, but on my last day (day 9) there I was finally given Percocet (10/325) and took 2 of those every 6 hours for about 2 weeks after I came home. Then I cut back to 1.5 of those pills. I called my surgeon for another prescription and he sent me one for 5/325 Percocet which forced me to cut back (though I did take 3 at a time for a few days). Then I started taking 2 at a time for about 2 weeks. I tried to cut back to one pill the other day but it wasn't cutting it, so I upped it to 1.5 pills. I called my surgeons office for another prescription and my surgeon called me back and thought I was going through the pills too quickly (I seriously only take them every 5-6 hours). He wanted me to try half of the Vicodin I had (10/660) so I did and it doesn't do anything. 1 Vicodin helps me a lot, but it makes me groggy/dizzy.

                I don't even know if I'm actually in pain. I can feel my hardware and my back feels very tight. This limits the amount I can do, so I guess it would lead to pain. I'm glad Chris mentioned a pain management specialist. I think I may contact one.

                That probably didn't help you much Becky, but I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in this.

                Shell
                Chemist, 30

                1998- 18 degrees
                2003- 33 degrees
                2005- 37 degrees
                2006- 44 degrees
                May 2007- 47 degrees
                December 2007 - 50 degrees X-ray

                Surgery May 27, 2008
                Fused T1 to L2
                Curve corrected to 15 degrees X-ray

                Comment


                • #9
                  It is certainly frustrating that people cannot understand what we go through - that is part of the blessing of this forum. To tell the truth, I don't remember exactly what I did with my meds, but I was on pain meds until at least 3 months post-op and then used them occasionally. I still take advil (only use after your surgeon okays it) and have had to take a morphine pill once in a while. My surgeon's nurses really did not understand anything about pain meds and were very frustrating. My PCP ended up taking over my pain control and it got much much better. If by any chance, your surgeon's nurses are not meeting your pain control needs, I strongly urge all to contact their PCP and see what else can be done.

                  Keep the faith. It gets better,
                  Anya
                  "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

                  Previously 55 degree thoracolumbar curve
                  Surgery June 5, 2007 - Dr. Clifford Tribus, University of Wisconsin Hospital
                  19 degrees post-op!

                  http://abhbarry.blogspot.com

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thank you, everyone, so much for your responses. The support I get from the forum is fantastic!

                    Susie Bee, you're right. There are so many different meds and so many with different names that are the same it is very confusing. Alicia, I really appreciate the specific information on the meds you listed. I had just been talking to a friend about Tramadol so I called her with that information and it was very helpful.

                    I think a big part of my problem is that I'm doing way too much everyday. I'm doing laundry, making the bed, doing dishes and sometime making breakfast and occasionally going for a walk in the evening. I think that may be a bit much for 5 1/2 weeks post-op. So maybe my solution is to do more and see if I can back off the meds a bit.

                    Again, thank you all so much. You are an amazing group of people!
                    Becky, 46 years old
                    Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
                    Ignored until 448/07
                    Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
                    Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
                    Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
                    Fused T-10 to L-5
                    14 titanium pedicle screws
                    Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
                    Email

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Susie*Bee
                      ... my "Norco" (hydrocodone with tylenol) is really the same thing as Jamie's "Vicodin"
                      Actually, this is only partially correct. Norco contains more hydrocodone and less Tylenol (and usually with cases where longer term usage is expected to avoid acetominophen toxicity ... damage to the liver from buildup caused by extended use of acetominophen).

                      Norco is usually 10/325 (10 mg of hydrocodone/325 of acetominophen).
                      (I believe it does come in 5/325- although I've never seen it prescribed ... and I spent about 4 years under the care of a pain mgmt doctor).
                      Vicodin is 5/500, and Vicodin ES (extra strength) is 7.5/750.

                      Also, to say oxycodone meds are stronger than hydrocodone is a bit misleading ... it all depends on the amount of narcotic in the med.

                      For example, I have an unusually high tolerance (always have) to both pain and pain *meds*, and while a dose of Percocet does nothing for me (due to the *amount* of oxycodone), a dose of Norco (containing hydrocodone - but a higher dose) works fine.

                      Also, an aside ... neither oxycodone nor hydrocodone affects everyone the same. It's a very individual thing and based on how the individual metabolizes a drug. Neither causes a doped up effect with me.

                      When I was in the hospital (immediately post-op), I was on Dilaudid PCA + 2 Percodan every 4 hours + 2 Norco every 4 hours.

                      This would knock most people 3 times my size on their a**, but it kept me (for the most part comfortable). The people on this list who talked to me via phone during my stay (some in the hours after my surgery) can vouch I was in no way "drugged up" or loopy.

                      The one person from here who SAW me without the PCA (when my IV's blew) and on oral meds ONLY (still enough to drop most people) can vouch they weren't *touching* my pain.

                      I came home on that same dose of oral meds, and was even released to drive at 3 weeks post-op, but again, I don't metabolize these drugs like most.

                      And, Becky, I've mentioned to you privately (but I'll say it here, too) ... if you need pain meds, by all mean *take* them. I've always been a bit amused by the competition to get off meds by _____ weeks/months post-op. Who cares? It's not a big deal.

                      If you need them to live your life comfortably, why avoid them? That's why they exist.

                      The risk of addiction (without a previous addictive history) is small as long as they aren't abused. Sure, you may suffer withdrawals if you just stop taking them all at once, but that's NOT the way to initiate cessation, and no doctor would advise you to go cold turkey.

                      Regards,
                      Pam
                      Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
                      AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


                      41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
                      Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
                      Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


                      VIEW MY X-RAYS
                      EMAIL ME

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by skoshi314
                        Alicia, I really appreciate the specific information on the meds you listed. I had just been talking to a friend about Tramadol so I called her with that information and it was very helpful.
                        You are very welcome. I like the Tramadol as a pain killer. I have never felt "medicated" on it and took it for 9 years. When I stopped a few months before my surgery I quit "cold turkey" and had no side effects other than the pain was now still there!

                        Originally posted by skoshi314
                        I think a big part of my problem is that I'm doing way too much everyday.
                        LOL you think?

                        Originally posted by skoshi314
                        I'm doing laundry, making the bed, doing dishes and sometime making breakfast and occasionally going for a walk in the evening. I think that may be a bit much for 5 1/2 weeks post-op. So maybe my solution is to do more and see if I can back off the meds a bit.
                        Why are you doing laundry, making the bed and doing dishes? I still have trouble with the washing machine (front loader) and my daughters take care of that for me. As for a dishwasher...too hard to get down there to load and unload it so they do that too. (besides I haven't been cleared for the dishwasher yet). Let hubby make the bed or just pull the covers up and it will be fine but you should not be making the bed. Enjoy the time that others are supposed to be doing all of this for you. You shouldn't be doing any of it at 5 1/2 weeks post op.

                        PS this is not a lecture....just remember you had a very major surgery and are entitled to take it easy. I'm trying to see if I can get my girls to do laundry and dishes forever!

                        Stay strong.
                        Alicia
                        Geish
                        47 years old, dx at 13
                        +30* to the right, +60* to the left, +30* to the right
                        Surgery 12-13-07 - fusion from T4 to sacrum.


                        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=267 Pre surgery
                        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=268 Post surgery
                        http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC01091.jpg Xray from the side
                        http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...1089-1-1-1.jpg Xray from the back

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          LMAO, Becky ... Geish makes a good argument. At 5-1/2 weeks, I doubt you're *making* the messes ... let the ones who DO clean them up.

                          If it bothers you that badly, take your meds ... and a nap - LOL!

                          Pam
                          Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
                          AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


                          41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
                          Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
                          Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


                          VIEW MY X-RAYS
                          EMAIL ME

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            You guys are so awsome! I made myself a promise this morning when I got up that I'd be much kinder to myself. And I think I have been. I really haven't done anything and guess what? The world didn't end and the house hasn't fallen in around me!!!!!! I could really get used to this!

                            Thank you for being my cheerleaders!
                            Becky, 46 years old
                            Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
                            Ignored until 448/07
                            Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
                            Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
                            Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
                            Fused T-10 to L-5
                            14 titanium pedicle screws
                            Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
                            Email

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I am currently seven weeks post-op. I was sent home from the hospital with Dilaudid (2 mg) and Ultram (500 mg), to be taken 6 times daily or every four hours. I was given Lyrica (50 mg) and Zanaflex (2 mg), to be taken 3 times daily.

                              By five weeks post-op, I was taking Dilaudid and Ultram 3 times daily which was half of the original amount. I had cut down my Lyrica (similar to Neurontin) to twice daily and took a half a Zanaflex at bedtime. Now, I'm down to two Dilaudid and hope to be off of it within a week.

                              I was told by Dr. Boachie's clinical coordinator that I need to stay on Lyrica (like Neurontin) the longest. I need to get a better idea of "the longest".

                              I'm quite grateful for the meds.
                              Ginger
                              Ginger Woolley

                              Oct 2018, L3 - S1, Anterior & Posterior, Dr Sigurd Berven, UCSF, San Francisco
                              ******
                              May 2008, T4 - L3, Dr. Ohenaba Boachie, Hospital for Special Surgery, NYC
                              ******
                              Sept 1967, T4 - T 11, without instrumentation, Dr Thomas Brown, Stanford

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X