Pain meds and Surgery

I would call your PM doc and tell him/her that you are having surgery next week, and ask what they would like to do post-operativley in terms of pain control/medication. Some docs will default to the surgeon, but many (including mine) like to manage their own patients post-operatively. If that is the case, not only will your PM doc need to write you the scripts, but I would have him/her fax a letter over to your surgeon's office saying that he/she will be managing your post-operative pain. Alternatively, you could ask the surgeon and your PM talk prior to surgery and decide together what they would like to do (though I would still also suggest talking to your PM yourself). Either way, your PM doc needs to be involved now, before surgery.

Skeye

PS - You will also want to have a plan in place for pain control if you end up inpatient after surgery. Again, your PM may default to the surgeon or hospital's anesthesia/pain management team, but he/she may also want you to receive specific medications during your hospital stay. It all depends on your medical condition(s) and your doctor. In any case, best to talk to your doctor, and have your PM and surgeon touch base.

Post Edited (skeye) : 12/1/2017 7:18:54 AM (GMT-7)

You may not have trouble filing a new script, but your pain doc may dismiss you and you won't be able to find another one.

I had surgery in another hospital where my pain doc didn't go, but he wrote the script and the surgeon saw to it that I got the meds. My pain doc did order more for a couple of weeks than I had been taking because surgical pain was going to be worse and I have been on pain meds for years. Surgeons seem to assume that everyone is opiate naive and that we don't need even what we were taking before surgery. I've had that happen too! Screaming in recovery!

Talk to the pain doc!

I will shoot her a message now and let her know what's going on. She is pretty good about meds and I have to go every three months and also get tested and have never had an issue. Probably because I do what I am supposed to . I get very irritated with all the rules and regulations due to people that can't handle taking medicine properly. Sorry. I really have no sympathy.

Hello and thanks for the advice! I received a message from my PM doctor's office and they said it is normal procedure for the surgeon to take care of post-op pain. So I am assuming I am okay since I told her about and nothing was said about my current prescription. Otherwise, they would've told me to use what I already have I assume. That's a load off my mind as I don't want to get in any trouble but I don't want to be too uncomfortable either. I know I am in for some level of pain but I don't want it to get to where I am out of meds and out of luck

Carolyn, will you be seeing the surgeon in his office prior to surgery? If not, here is what I suggest, call the surgeon's office Monday & speak to the nurse. Let her know what your PM dr says about post op pain meds. Be sure to get your script so it can be filled before your surgery. You are set with your PM dr so you will not have any issues there. Carolyn, ask any questions you would like, we have had lots of members to have surgery.

Take care.

Great, so far! The only question left is what the dose will be post-op. I would ask, and if it's not greater than what you are already on, ask your pain doc about it. Surgeons I have had don't give enough to patients who are pain-med tolerant from long use.

Good luck with your surgery. Just a little tip. Some Doctors automatically think just because you had the surgery that you are always cured of pain. My surgery ended up failing for God knows why. Keep a log of your pain before and after surgery. I am hoping the pain goes away. Although you did mention that you were on the pain medications for your back as well.

I was on 4 Percocet a day before surgery and post op they gave me 8 per day for 2 weeks. I was then weened off of them. Another disk had herniated and I was in tremendous pain. I am now months post op and in pain. I do take Oxycodone now 3 times a day which helps.

I understand you don't have sympathy for those who can't control their pain medications and that is totally your right. But it can happen to anyone. Don't be so quick to judge. Sorry just wanted to put that out there.

I wish you the very best of luck with your surgery.

Glad that things have been sorted out. Good luck with your surgery and let us know how you are doing.

Carolyn, good luck with your surgery & I hope you are doing ok.

Hi Carolyn, glad to hear that surgery went well. Did you have a fusion, how many levels were involved? Are you sleeping in a recliner? Most people found they slept much better in a recliner at first. Getting in & out of bed was very difficult. If you don't have a recliner, if you can borrow one, I suggest that you do so.

Keep us posted.

I had a disk replacement. I was told they don't do fusions much anymore because they don't last. Ice has been my friend these days as the pain between my shoulder blades is bad. Again, I was told this is the norm for a few weeks. They did give me percocet but as of Friday I was allowed to start taking Ibuprofen which is what I am doing right now. Between the percocet and the flexerill I was in a haze. I don't like that feeling at all. I go for my post-op visit on the 21st and hopefully they will clear me to drive and go back to work on January 2nd. I think I have done a little more physically than what I what I am supposed to do, but it's so hard to remember not to lift, bend, etc. I try though! I can't wait to get back to normal living. I really need to lose some weight but it's so hard. At 48 years old, everything sticks to the ribs, butt, legs and tummy..heehee.

Best wishes for an uneventful recovery and for reclaiming of your health. Be gentle on yourself during your recovery. Pamper yourself with plenty of naps and Netflix movies.
- Karen -