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Medication after surgery when returning to work?

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Posted 9/18/2015 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

After surgery pain management has been difficult for me. Unfortunately I have insensitivity and allergies to so many medications such as vicodin, morphine, percocet, davocet, tylenol 3 & 4. I know this leaves me with not many options.

In the hospital they tried a few different pain medications for me the only one I remember was norco which didn't work at all. They finally settled on dilaudid and sent me home with a script for that. Dilaudid for the most part works well although makes me very loopy and drowsy.

I'm now to the point I'm returning to work and have not been on the dilaudid for some time. Since returning to work my pain has intensified to a point that is not manageable with tylenol. I called the office and they told me to take 600 Mg of motrin. Ok Motrin wrecks my stomach but I'm in so much pain fine I'll try it. Took it and it took the edge off pain but now my stomach is in pain. It's like I can't win here.

After this very long rambling explanation I wanted opinions on what I can or should be trying or asking for pain. I'd like something in the middle that I can still take for work but will take the edge off enough I can make it through a day without having to leave because I'm in so much pain.

Thanks to everyone for reading and for anyone willing to help.
Posted 9/19/2015 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
How long ago did you have your surgery?

I am just under 3 months post-op and also still dealing with awful pain that's at it's worst when I get up in the morning.

Where is your pain located? I also didn't get good pain management with the narcotics prescribed and have switched to otc Tylenol which actually works better at this point.

What does your doctor say?
Posted 9/19/2015 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
You really shouldn't be pushing your body and using pain killers to mask the pain. Listen to your body and rest if u can.

Are you on PPIs still? It might be worth going back on them for a while if not for the stomach pain, you can ween yourself off them again once you stop taking motrin. You should really resolve the stomach pain because it can turn into an ulcer if you're not careful.

For the pain, have you tried codeine or cocodamol? They are way better than Tylenol and motrin but not super strong like Vicodin. When you say you are insensitive does that mean you have a reaction or that they just don't work?

Another alternative is marijuana... I've heard some people with chronic pain that even morphine didnt help actually got great relief from MJ, though your Dr might not want to prescribe it.
Posted 9/19/2015 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for the responses.

Hi Linda - my surgery was 4 weeks ago. My pain is under 2 of my incision spots. I had 6 incisions and both of the ones with horrible pain are on my sides. One of them on my right side I've had pain since surgery. The one on the left side just started hurting again since I returned to work. The surgeons office has not been very helpful. When I called Friday they said this pain is normal and I should try motrin and keep on working it will get better eventually. This felt kind of like a slap in the face. I've been trying so hard to get more active and it's so frustrating that 15 minutes of activity can really hurt so badly. I'm so sorry to read you are still dealing with pain 3 months out. Hoping tylenol is at least taking the edge off.

Hi Andy - I've been weaning off PPI's but I could try adding more to see if it helps. Even when I was on full dose PPI's before my surgery I've always had problems with Motrin. It's also frustrating because motrin works for so many of my aches and pains but if I take it I'm guaranteed at least 3 days to a week of awful gnawing stomach pain. I've tried tylenol 3 and 4 with codiene and they only make me loopy they don't help with pain at all. Is there straight codeine or some other form that might be helpful?

ahhhh marijuana what a great idea!!!! I'm in Michigan where it's a grey area but you can get it somewhat legally for medicinal purposes. Doesn't help me for going back to work but might keep that open as an option if the pain doesn't subside any other way. I miss my younger days as a hippy when I didn't have a job and kids to worry about. I think it probably would be a great pain reliever.

thank you both for chatting with me about this and for the suggestions!!!
Posted 9/20/2015 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
michiganmom,
4 weeks is still early in your recovery and I hope your job is NOT labor intensive as mine is. I may have damaged my wrap but I don't know much yet. Dr. sent me to ER for x-rays (?) and blood work with normal results (this past Thursday). (I'm off work again until we find out what's going on).

Now I'm waiting for a call to have a barium swallow and not sure what that will show. I feel worse than I did before the surgery! It is starting to feel like reflux, too. I have been TOTALLY OFF acid controllers as my doctor told me I would not need them after surgery, so I abruptly stopped them the day of surgery. The only thing I've taken is DGL before dinner (no help), and Gaviscon, also no help. Acid controllers never gave me the relief some get from using them.

I am very disappointed and discouraged as I really need to get back to work but I'm just too sick. I burp excessively even before I've had anything to eat or drink, terrible flatulance, stomach upset, very little appetite and now very depressed. I'm just trying to get through each day. The best I feel is when I go out in my yard and do some gardening, weeding, pruning. I've always found this very therapeutic for pain relief as I can get my mind totally off my pain for awhile.

The narcotic pain relievers no longer work and I'm using Tylenol and Xanax.

Michniganmom, take it real easy with activity and diet for another couple of weeks and you will probably have improvement. You are not alone. Perhaps I'm one of those cases where it is going to take longer but I'm running out of hope.
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