How do you Deal with Pre-Op Pain?

As I've posted, I'm having an SAV on Feb. 15. In the meanwhile, the cramps are HORRIFIC. I have Ultram given to me by my primary care for an injured shoulder (last year) with a refill, but they barely touch the pain. I am afraid to ask my OB/GYN for anything stronger.

How do you lovely princesses cope with severe cramping? My former OB/GYN wrote me an Rx for Meclomen (sort of a high-grade Ibuprofen) but my insurance doesn't cover it and and it's very expensive. I also LOVE the Thermacare pads. Since my fibroid is so large (a cantaloupe), I use the ones for the back so I can wrap it all the way around my abdomen. I know once "Big Bertha" is out, I can begin to look forward surcease of my chronic pain, but in the meanwhile, any suggestions? Anything new agey out there? I am going to call the nurse of the doctor doing the surgery tomorrow and ask her, as a month seems a long time to wait. I hate the thought of being on pain pills for whole month. I also have my pre-op visit on Thursday. I've read on some posts that they give you prescriptions THEN. Is that true?

Hi, I think that calling your gyn about what is best to take for your pain is a very good idea. The meds that you got for other things may not be the best or correct dosage for the gyn related pain..

My DD loves the thermacare pads too, I wouldn't think that it would hurt to use them if they help I always like nice long warm baths - they soothe my whole body.

I didn't think to ask for my pain med prescription ahead of time. It would have been nice not having to stop and wait after my surgery.

best wishes.

s

Why are you afraid to ask your doc for stronger pain meds? If you have pain, it needs to be controlled. Would you "hate the thought" of being on insulin if you had diabetes? Pain control is a legitimate medical need. You don't need to feel guilt about it, especially since it is short term, just until your surgery.

Yes, addiction is a risk with narcotics, but the stress of uncontrolled pain is not good for your body or mind, either. As I tell anyone who doesn't understand intense chronic pain, if you take the meds because you hurt, you're not addicted, you're treating a medical condition. If you're taking the meds when you don't hurt, that's another issue altogether.

Nobody's going to give you any medals for bravery if you don't take the meds - they'll probably just think that your pain is not that bad if you only take Advil or whatever.

Joy,

Please call your Obgyn. Don't suffer!!! Your Dr. advised you to have a hysterectomy because there's a medical need for it. So don't be ashamed of asking for a pain medication to help you until the surgery.
As far as getting pain medications before the surgery. My gyno wouldn't give them to me because it all depends on how much pain you experience and what agrees with you and what doesn't. Narcotics these days are such a red flag for ins.companies that dr's are very cautious. Each Dr. is different.

Good luck!!!!

Tracy