Post op pain meds/how long and how much

I am 3 weeks post op davinci. I'm 47. I had lap surgery 8 weeks prior to hysterectomy and was in chronic pain for 3 years pre op due to adenomyosis, endo, cysts, and fibroids. I'm wondering how long others needed to continue on prescription pain meds post op. I'm taking Motrin every 6 hours and percocet I'm stretching to every 8 to 12 hours now. It's very difficult to stretch out the hours between percocet, but I am resting a lot, which is what I'm supposed to be doing, so I can somewhat live with the pain. I'm thinking I'll do less housework if in some pain than I would on pain meds. I only have enough pills from my surgeon to last through Saturday. I called today for a refill ( I was at least planning on taking one at bed time for the next few weeks even if I cut out the day ones) She said NO to the refill and I should only need motrin. Just wondering if I'm a big baby, or if others are still taking pain meds at 3 weeks.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by cathb911 I am 3 weeks post op davinci. I'm 47. I had lap surgery 8 weeks prior to hysterectomy and was in chronic pain for 3 years pre op due to adenomyosis, endo, cysts, and fibroids. I'm wondering how long others needed to continue on prescription pain meds post op. I'm taking Motrin every 6 hours and percocet I'm stretching to every 8 to 12 hours now. It's very difficult to stretch out the hours between percocet, but I am resting a lot, which is what I'm supposed to be doing, so I can somewhat live with the pain. I'm thinking I'll do less housework if in some pain than I would on pain meds. I only have enough pills from my surgeon to last through Saturday. I called today for a refill ( I was at least planning on taking one at bed time for the next few weeks even if I cut out the day ones) She said NO to the refill and I should only need motrin. Just wondering if I'm a big baby, or if others are still taking pain meds at 3 weeks.

You are not a baby! I used every last one of my Percocet! I'm almost 6 weeks post op and I still take ibuprofen. I had to go back to work at week three so I get really sore and cant let go of the meds yet.
Just take advantage of your post op rest period and go slow! I've already done too much and am paying for it! I just hope when I see my dr next week for my 6wk post op that everything is healing right..
Take care if yourself!
Debby

I feel for you ladies... the only thing i've taken since surgery is ibuprophen, i've been really lucky..i'm 12 days post op and haven't taken anything at all in over a week now.. but then i have no other medical problems and have always healed quickly....i felt so much better when i woke up in recovery than i have in years. i was amazed.. if i hadn't had the catheter in,i would have wanted to go walking... lol.... but if you need it you need it.... don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't need it.

I'm two weeks post op, had an abdominal laparoscopic hysterectomy and I am 35. I was given prescription meds for Ibuprofen 600mg, Norco, and Vicodin. I dislike taking pain pills and try the whole "mind over matter" thing and only take the pills when it's absolutely necessary. My only problem is that the source of the pain is coming from the incision sites only. My surgeon cut 4 1'inch incisions on my stomach and two of them have developed a pain lump. Not sure if it is a sign of infection or a hernia. I will have a post-op follow up visit next week to determine.

I do not think you are a baby at all. I do think you are doing too much. It's so frustrating to watch you house go to shambles because you are not doing housework. That, and there is only so much CSI:Miami one woman can watch. So, we get up and do too much. If you are truly needing narcotic pain meds at three weeks, I would definitely get checked out by your doctor. I still had pain at three weeks, but it was controlled by 600mg of ibuprofen and tylenol. It was not controlled if I overdid though. The three week mark is a tough milestone to get past. If you look, you will see that almost all of us had difficulties with pain at this time. We are pushing ourselves too hard. Ask your doctor if she is willing to switch you to vicodin or T3's or perhaps Ultram (it acts like a narc, but is not an opiate). In any case, I would ask to be seen to rule out any complications. It is too bad that a few drug seekers have spoiled the rights of people in true pain to relief. You might also want to involve your PCP in the process as this doctor knows you on a more long term basis. Good luck to you and keep us informed on how it goes. This is becoming a big problem for people with legitimate pain. I am so sorry that you have to be a "test case" for everyone in your shoes. I am sending you special narcotic laced hugs

I agree with what someone said if you are having significant pain you are probably doing too much and/or there is something wrong and you need to see the doctor for a followup. I'm 2 weeks post op still take motrin 600mg every 6 hrs during the day and 1 or 2 percocet at night/in the evening after my husband is home to take care of our younger children. I'm not in a lot of pain but it's more sore and tender and achy and the percocet helps me by comfortable and sleep. I would do okay with the motrin alone but I might need more time with my feet up or not sleep quite so well. Unless something changes I won't ask for anything more when this RX runs out and I will likely stop it after this weekend so I can drive again. I'm 45.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by cathb911 I am 3 weeks post op davinci. I'm 47. I had lap surgery 8 weeks prior to hysterectomy and was in chronic pain for 3 years pre op due to adenomyosis, endo, cysts, and fibroids. I'm wondering how long others needed to continue on prescription pain meds post op. I'm taking Motrin every 6 hours and percocet I'm stretching to every 8 to 12 hours now. It's very difficult to stretch out the hours between percocet, but I am resting a lot, which is what I'm supposed to be doing, so I can somewhat live with the pain. I'm thinking I'll do less housework if in some pain than I would on pain meds. I only have enough pills from my surgeon to last through Saturday. I called today for a refill ( I was at least planning on taking one at bed time for the next few weeks even if I cut out the day ones) She said NO to the refill and I should only need motrin. Just wondering if I'm a big baby, or if others are still taking pain meds at 3 weeks.

No Cathb, you are NOT A BIG BABY. You are a woman who, just three short weeks ago, underwent a HUGE surgery. Your body received anesthesia so that a surgeon could remove organs from your body that were causing you years of pain and problems. You were in a hospital. You were in an ER for uncontrolled pain. You have come so far since the first day home, but you are still in what I would consider the early days of recovery.
I REALLY don't understand why your surgeon said no to the pain meds. Call her back and tell her you tried using just Motrin and it didn't help. Be a pain in the neck until she helps you.
Stay strong. You can do it.... xxxLaura

Everyone's level of pain is going to be different based on age, type of surgery, what was done/removed in addition to the uterus. I think it also depends on how your body responds to surgery and healing. I am almost 10 weeks post TAH and am still in pretty bad pain. I was still taking about 1/2 a Vicodin in the evenings at week 6-7. I was told with TAH the initial recovery period is 6-8 weeks. You know your pain level. If you are thinking you need the narcotics because you are physically in pain then find a doctor who will help you. You are not a baby. Regardless of the method, you still had major surgery. You need to rest and not be in pain in order to heal properly.

Everyone is different! I was on Percocet before surgery for chronic pain, so I am still taking it. Narcotics like Percocet cannot be called into a pharmacy, you have to get a written prescription at your Dr's office. Vicodin or Ultram can be called in because they are schedule 2 narcotics & not schedule 3. If you are in pain, then you are in pain! Try not to compare yourself with others. I hope you get some relief.