pain meds

I had the tah with uso (kept the right one!) on Nov 1 (it was supposed to be oct 31 but got rescheduled). I did OK with the morphine pump for the first 16 hours but then I was switched to percoset and was kind of unhappy with that -- usually takes me nearly 2 hours to feel it. So in the hospital they added toredol (an anti-inflammatory) in my IV which made everything great.
Now I'm home from the hospital and the dr sent me off with a non-refillable RX for 10 tablets of Percoset and nothing else. I'm a bit freaking out because today is day four after surgery and the meds won't last the day.
The doctor felt that my TAH was nothing compared to the hard work of removing my nightmarish web of adhesions which had bound together the uterus, bladder, colon, left ovary and abdominal wall. Couldn't that extra trauma make the pain even worse than a usual TAH?
How did everyone else do with pain meds? Does everyone's dr send them home with ten tabs? Anybody feel the need for more help than four days? How do I convince my non-communicating dr that I am not a crazed drug addict, rather that I am just a punctured princess looking for an extra couple days of help? Help!

Hi geniemiami,
I hope your dr is just wanting to see how you do. Some have funny opinions on what is needed for pain. You might want to start trying some otc meds intermittently to see if you can use less of the prescription stuff. If you at least try it, you can let your dr know you did and what the results were.
I agree with you, this seems like a very few pills. Don't hesitate to call and let it be known if you can't control your pain with other medications. I didn't have to take them round the clock after a few days, but needed them some for over 5 weeks. I do think that most drs expect to get a call asking for more medication when it is needed. I hope yours will be understanding about your need. Let us know what happens.
's, Rita

Hi,

My Dr. sent me home from the hospital with two prescriptions. One for Vicodan - nonrefillable 30 tablets. The directions were to take 2 every 4-6 hours for pain. I definately took 2 every four hours. Limit is 8 a day. The second Rx was for IBProfin 800. Take one every 6-8 hours.

I used up all that Vicodan. I called the Dr and asked for more. It was not a problem at all. This time though the Rx was for 20 tablets and the directions changed to 1 tablet every 6 hours. The Dr. said to call back if I needed more, not a problem. I haven't had to call back, YET.

I hope this helps. Perhaps you can call first thing on Monday if you still need them. I know I did.

Hi Geniemiami,
I left the hospital with a prescrip for Darvocet (2pills every 6 hours--actually took 1 every 6hours) then at 2 week checkup dr. gave me a prescrip for Motrin800 (only took about 2 a day for afew days--now usually don't take any). HOWEVER, I had a TAH/BSO no other problems. My guess is the more stuff you have done the more pain there might be. Tell your dr. you are in pain and to give you something for it if that's what you want. I don't know if percoset is a narcotic but drs. can tend to be very frugal with narcotic drugs since, I think, a record is kept on how many prescrips they write of those types of drugs. No matter. What DOES matter is your comfort!

Good luck and I really hope your pain subsides!

Hi geniemiami,
Happy hyst day, I had mine the same day.. Although I had a LSH, which is supossed to be an easier op. I was sent home the same day as my surgery with only 20 Roxicet, 2 every 4-6 hours. I took one every 4 hours and they took the edge off. I also had major adhesions from my endo, it was attached to everything!!! Although my LSH is supposed to be faster than an abdominal incision, Doc took almost 3 hours cauterizing my endo. I spook with Doc before surgery about being in pain and he told me to call anytime.....That he does not like his patients to be in pain. After all thats why we went through this, to no longer endure all that pain!!!! So if I were you I would call him right now (Drs do have emergency numbers for a reason), and tell him you are still in pain and you have no meds left. Maybe he can call it in to your pharmacy.. Even if he only gives you 10 more. Only take 1 every 4 hours to take your edge off... HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER!!!!!!!

Oh sorry I see you had yours on Nov. 1. mine was Oct. 31

the discharge MD, who wasn't my surgeon was very generous with the pain meds. I got a prescription for Vicodin 7.5/750 quantity 60, and Motrin 600 quantity 90. I was given instructions to take them without fail. Well of course I haven't, I mean that is pretty heavy stuff. I split the Vicodin in half and take about 3 halfs a day only as needed. I have been more diligent about the Motrin though because of the help with swelling. I want to know what I would feel like without pain meds but am not willing to suffer too much. I still am very sore.

I came home w/Percoset and take it arounde the clock, every 4 hours. I take Ibuprofen every 6. Ibuprofen is the one that actuallly takes all lthe pain away. In the hospitall, I had an antiinflammatory called Toradol. I was much better than whatever was in my epidural. I was given the Toradol thru my IV.

This week, the doc will wean me off of the percoset.

genie,
I had a bladder injury due to adhesions. I was on the morphine pump for 4 days and after that I got 50 ms contin 5 mg and morphine sulphate 5mg quick release to take every 4 hours along with the slow release. I would have been in agony without those pills. I took them for 3 weeks around the clock with no guilt.
My friend from work was sent home with no pain pills! She said her dr was a sadist!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by renarok the discharge MD, who wasn't my surgeon was very generous with the pain meds. I got a prescription for Vicodin 7.5/750 quantity 60, and Motrin 600 quantity 90. I was given instructions to take them without fail. Well of course I haven't, I mean that is pretty heavy stuff. I split the Vicodin in half and take about 3 halfs a day only as needed. I have been more diligent about the Motrin though because of the help with swelling. I want to know what I would feel like without pain meds but am not willing to suffer too much. I still am very sore.

I had my surgery on the same day as you. I, too was scared to stop the pain meds and my Dr said do not wait until you have pain to take them. But, truthfully, I haven't taken any pain meds for over a week and all is well. Don't misunderstand me, If you need the pain meds be sure and take them. I guess I have been lucky and have not been in very much pain and our surgeries may have been very different. Best Wishes!