Pain Meds?

I'm trying to prepare myself for post-op.
Do you really need alot of pain meds after surgery? I am allergic to narcotics, so.......anyone suggestions that will help ease the pain?

I'm not allergic to narcotics, but don't like to take them because for me, they don't do anything to address the pain - all they do is make me tired, plus they are constipating.

I've found that asking for strong anti-inflammatories instead works well for me. It takes the edge off the pain so I can sleep - doesn't get rid of it, but dulls it just enough, and I can still focus well enough to watch TV or take a phone call.

Toradol is my pain med of choice now. It comes in both injectable form (for in the hospital) and pills (for when you're home). It can't be taken for a long period of time, but I've found that after a week to ten days I can usually transition either to Celebrex or directly to Motrin depending on the pain level.

Good luck with your surgery!

s,
-Linda

Talk to your doctor about what pain meds you'll be given since you have problems with narcotics...

I was on oxycodone in hospital, but it made me nauseated every time I got up to go to the bathroom, so they switched me to vicadin & I was fine. I took vicadin every 4-6 hours for the first 2 days, and then started cutting the dose in half. (And yes, you need a stool softener cuz you'll be constipated!) By day 5 I was primarily just using Tylenol every 4-6 hours. I found that a heating pad on my belly felt really good & also decreased the amount of pain meds I needed. However, I will say that it is MUCH easier to MANAGE your pain (& don't let your pain meds wear off) than it is to try to bring your pain back under control if you let the pain meds completely wear off. Your body will heal better & faster if you allow yourself to RELAX & use your pain meds!!

I have had oral toradol before and it worked OK. I'm one who uses Motrin alot---so hopefully that will work for me.

I have never tried Demerol or morphine---so I don't know if I can tolerate those or not. But they don't send you home on those!