frustrated with meds-- 1 week post op

SandyW · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 05:31 PM

My family doctor, not a pain management doc, advised me to quit being a martyr and take pain meds so I could get better.

I agree with everyone, you need another doctor for pain management. There's nothing wrong with you.

I do have to share the advice my 102 yr. old mother gave me - "You know if you prayed more you wouldn't have to take all those dangerous drugs." I chocked back my immediate response and said I did pray, but I'd try harder.

If you've never had non-stop pain, it's hard to understand. I have apologized to my husband over and over for my doubts concerning his pain before his ankle replacement. I actually thought it was an excuse for not wanting to do some of the things I wanted to do.

It is difficult to understand a doctor who still believes this way. Sandy

Roblin · #2 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 07:13 PM

Ditto everyone elses comments. I think your doctor is crazy not you. There is no way after 1 week you should be off all pain meds. That is nuts! Find a good pain management doctor fast!
Best wishes,
Roblin

SASSY178 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 09:06 PM

Thanks for making me feel better everyone!!! I thought I was crazy!! Thank God that my pain has tapered down a little and I have some oxycodone left to take when I really need it. I think that I will take everyone's wonderful advice and seek out a pain management doc. I know a great one here. I am actually surprised that they have me going off pain meds so soon too-- but the other thing that I neglected to tell everyone was that the doc himself did not tell me to cut out the meds-- the nurse did. Perhaps I should request a talk with the doc about this.

Sarah

runner · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 09:56 PM

Sarah,

This is ridiculous. There is no way you should be off pain meds at this point if you are still having moderate to severe pain.
Come on. A nurse told you that? (Is she a real nurse, i.e. a registered nurse or some medical assistant, who doesn't know about pain?) Yes, you need to talk to your doctor as soon as possible and see if he told her to say that.
I would check with him before using your left over oxycontin. If he concurs with what the nurse says, you have two options. And I didn't tell you this (because I am an RN) but 1) don't tell him about the oxycontin so you have something to take inbetween getting into an appt with a pain management doctor or 2) If you have uncontrollable pain, go to an ER and get some help. I am sure they will be understanding of a post-op patient and even go to the same hospital where you had the surgery.

runner

runner · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 10:01 PM

Oh yeah,

If he wants your pain under control and wants you using something more than tylenol, tell him what you have available, what works for you and how much pain you are having. 0 is no pain and 10 is the worse pain imaginable. What is your pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale and don't sugar-coat it. Tell him what it is at worse.

runner

SASSY178 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 11:13 PM

Thanks for the tips Runner! I appreciate your feedback with mt situation. I will give my doc a call tomorrow.

runner · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 05:59 AM

Sarah,

Anytime. I just get upset when a patient's pain is not taken seriously or they are under treated. I have been there and suffering through pain does not help healing. Good luck. Sarah, I just read your signature. Is Dr. Yue at Yale the pretty well known surgeon? If so, please check with him directly.

runner