Ouch! Pain control without narcotics?

Hi,

I'm 2+ weeks post-op. Had pelvic repair & TAH. Even though I take a psyllium fiber laxative and mineral oil 2x daily (dr's orders), I have been suffering from mild, but *very* uncomfortable constipation. The pain pills my dr prescribed are oxycodone, a narcotic. I stopped taking them yesterday because I knew they were causing the constipation.

But now I am in *bad* pain!!!! I had no idea how much the narcotics were helping me until I stopped taking them. Took Alieve (2 tabs) 1 hour ago, & don't notice any difference. Had some relief from constipation this a.m. (drank prune juice last nite in hopes it would help), so at least that's getting a bit better. But, oh, how I hurt!! It feels like every pelvic organ is inflamed & sore.

Suggestions for pain relief??

Thank you.

Nancy
Total Pelvic Mesh Repair; TAH

My advice would be to not stop taking them yet. If you are in pain and not able to walk, or sleep comfortably then you still need to be taking the pain meds. I'm not sure what to do about the constipation though. If the prune juice helps stay with that. It seems like you are taking alot of stuff to keep that in control. Are you drinking plenty of water? Maybe you should try a little more--with the fiber you need plenty. Maybe every other day or something try not to take so many pain pills. I tried that and it seemed to help. My dr had told me to do a fleet enema if I ended up being constipated, well I wanted to make sure I never got there, because I did not every want to do that again. If it continues I'd call my dr and ask what to do. But I believe you should stay with pain pills as necessary.
Tricia

Hi-
Boy, you are a little early in the recovery process to stop the pain meds, especially if you are having a lot of pain. I know that the pain meds are constipating, but you need them in oreder to heal. I was on the same thing, but my constipation was pretty bad. I read a lot of posts here and found a recipe that I adapted. It worked really well for me, and I had been eating a lot of prunes!

Here's what I mixed together: 2 TBS flaxseed meal (available at a health food store or your grocery store), 2 TBS prune juice, 1/2 C or a little more of applesauce. Mix together and enjoy. I would put a little squirt of whipped cream on top and it became a nice dessert.

I was also taking stool softeners, drinking water, and walking aroun the house and yard.

Good luck to you
Ooops, I forgot to tell you that I also took 600-800 mg of Ibuprofen with the pain meds- it works as a muscle relaxer.

Ask your doctor if you can take a stool softener. I had horrible constipation all my life no matter what I took and I was so very worried about needing to push after my surgery. I bought stool softeners before going to the castle and had them the whole time I was in the castle. When I got home I took one every morning and one every night for 2 1/2 weeks. Asked my doctor at 3 week checkup if they were habit forming and he told me he takes them every day. And he asked me what's better to take them or not be able to go. So he said I could continue. Well now I take them twice a week and they have helped tremendously. I'd hate to pop some internal stiches just from trying to use the bathroom.

Hi Nancy,

Just and idea but maybe you could ask the Dr. for a pain reliever that isn't quite as strong as the Oxycodone. Maybe something on the order of a Davorcet? I was released with Mefergan. A combination of Demoral and phenergan. It was wonderful at night but I don't like taking it during the day cause it completely puts me out. I go tomorrow and I am going to ask for something that isn't quite as strong. I am actually pain pill free and have been for awile. I'm also at two weeks but I am finding that now that the anesthesia has worn off and so have the pain pills. I could use a little something for pain just every now and then. I haven't taken the Mefergan for a week now and only took it at night before.

I hope you start feeling better soon!
Blessings,
Sassy

I was dying until my G.P wrote a script for miralax a powder- half a capful and 1tbl of metamucil in juice. I still need it 24 wks. later at times. Ocassionaly, I had to use an enema, but not to early post-like 4 weeks.

By the way don't take prune juice- it will end up painful! I had read that here and was I sorry I tried.

Hey! Prune juice always gave me horrendous gas! LOL!

Yuk!

I went for the high fiber, lots of water type of treatment--and ate cracklin oat bran (yes it looks like dog food) and was sure to eat my apple a day (Golden Delicious is my fav). My dh drinks that meta-mu-cil in a glass every day--I have vowed I will NOT!! stoop to that!

Hang in there! You'll get past this!

Mary W

I am allergic to many many narcotics and I was sent home with Motrin 800 mg for pain. They did work nicely for me. Motrin 800s are only available by rx. I have tried 800 mg of OTC motrin ib by taking 4-200mg tabs.. and the results were NOT the same.. not sure why, but they werent.

I'd call the dr tomorrow about it. Until then, take the pain meds. Everyone has a different pain tolerance and some of us need meds longer than others.. some even up until 4+wks post op.

I also had constipation, but only until day 3 post op. Milk of Magnesia worked for me. I took colace stool softener 2 of them 3x per day and got nothing. Even a bag of dried prunes and another of dried apricots along with all the hot drinks I could stand did nothing for me until the M.O.M.

Hope you feel better soon

Yep, Milk of Magnesia - wild cherry flavor. Only way to go! (pun intended, of course!)

Nancy