Pain relief after operation
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Join Date: Dec 2012
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Pain relief after operation
So in a couple of months I have to have an op to remove a massive lump under my arm. It's not booked or anything yet but I am already worried about being put on pain relief and what my brain will do with it
My head says, oh yay, a legitimate reason...but I'm fearful because the old 1's too many and 1000's not enough is oh so true.
My head says, oh yay, a legitimate reason...but I'm fearful because the old 1's too many and 1000's not enough is oh so true.
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
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I don't think anyone should have to suffer in pain after surgery. So, it would seem reasonable to talk to your dr about this, and hopefully you would only need pain relief for a short time and you could move onto otc pain relief.
I think it's good that you're aware of the potential problem and seeking support.
I think it's good that you're aware of the potential problem and seeking support.
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,326
You might start looking into hypnosis for pain relief. Acupuncture is another option. I was shocked how well it worked for my shoulder pain. If your doctors are open to alternative medicine, maybe they can recommend someone?
Love from Lenina
Love from Lenina
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Originally Posted by Lenina 
You might start looking into hypnosis for pain relief. Acupuncture is another option. I was shocked how well it worked for my shoulder pain. If your doctors are open to alternative medicine, maybe they can recommend someone?
Love from Lenina
Love from Lenina
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE and then South some more
Posts: 2,648
I feel after being cut into, you need something a little stronger than Ibuprofen, I think letting your doctor know would be wise, and as well, I'm sure they are not going to over prescribed to you. I know after some time you won't necessarily need a strong narcotic, you know? Good luck with your surgery and I hope you heal quickly and well. 
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Join Date: Sep 2012
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I was lying on a guerney in the emergency room in excruciating pain when the doctor entered with a rig. "What's that?" I cried out. "Just some demerol for..."
And then he hit the floor as I rolled off the table and swung the IV pole at him, clipping him in the shoulder. I was 30 days clean and as far as my 30 day clean brain was concerned, it may as well have been an AK-47 - he was trying to kill me.
I get it. There are times for pain meds; this might be one of those times. Might not be. Reading your posts though, I get the sense you are serious. I think you'll make the right decision when the time comes.
And then he hit the floor as I rolled off the table and swung the IV pole at him, clipping him in the shoulder. I was 30 days clean and as far as my 30 day clean brain was concerned, it may as well have been an AK-47 - he was trying to kill me.
I get it. There are times for pain meds; this might be one of those times. Might not be. Reading your posts though, I get the sense you are serious. I think you'll make the right decision when the time comes.
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I started to type a response, but decided I am not qualified to respond. I am an alcoholic who never liked the way any other drugs made me feel. Even at the time of my worst drinking, I would get off any prescription pain meds the second I started to feel a buzz from them because I did not like it.
Obviously, it's much different if you DO (or, rather DID) like the way they made you feel. Talk to your doctor, be honest with him/her and listen to the good advice from the other addicts here on the forum who were fond of pain meds. You are alert to the danger, and a little prayer wouldn't hurt, either.
Obviously, it's much different if you DO (or, rather DID) like the way they made you feel. Talk to your doctor, be honest with him/her and listen to the good advice from the other addicts here on the forum who were fond of pain meds. You are alert to the danger, and a little prayer wouldn't hurt, either.
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Thanks vegibean. Yeah I am sure I will require something stronger. I'm not even worried about being over prescribed or having access or whatever. It's just that whole mind altering thing that I so crave, just fear it will open that door again and the obsession will get worse.
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Originally Posted by legna
I was lying on a guerney in the emergency room in excruciating pain when the doctor entered with a rig. "What's that?" I cried out. "Just some demerol for..."
And then he hit the floor as I rolled off the table and swung the IV pole at him, clipping him in the shoulder. I was 30 days clean and as far as my 30 day clean brain was concerned, it may as well have been an AK-47 - he was trying to kill me.
I get it. There are times for pain meds; this might be one of those times. Might not be. Reading your posts though, I get the sense you are serious. I think you'll make the right decision when the time comes.
And then he hit the floor as I rolled off the table and swung the IV pole at him, clipping him in the shoulder. I was 30 days clean and as far as my 30 day clean brain was concerned, it may as well have been an AK-47 - he was trying to kill me.
I get it. There are times for pain meds; this might be one of those times. Might not be. Reading your posts though, I get the sense you are serious. I think you'll make the right decision when the time comes.
It's nice that people get it.
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Originally Posted by LexieCat
I started to type a response, but decided I am not qualified to respond. I am an alcoholic who never liked the way any other drugs made me feel. Even at the time of my worst drinking, I would get off any prescription pain meds the second I started to feel a buzz from them because I did not like it.
Obviously, it's much different if you DO (or, rather DID) like the way they made you feel. Talk to your doctor, be honest with him/her and listen to the good advice from the other addicts here on the forum who were fond of pain meds. You are alert to the danger, and a little prayer wouldn't hurt, either.
Obviously, it's much different if you DO (or, rather DID) like the way they made you feel. Talk to your doctor, be honest with him/her and listen to the good advice from the other addicts here on the forum who were fond of pain meds. You are alert to the danger, and a little prayer wouldn't hurt, either.
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: USA
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Legna, this maybe terribly insensitive of me to say, and I don't mean it to be at all, but your reply made me want to giggle for two reasons:
1. I work in the ER and I was picturing that incident playing out with my coworkers
2. I would probably be that patient, too!
It's hard for people who haven't "been there" to get it, you know?
Midlifecrisis,
Since getting sober I have not even taken any type of headache medicine. I guess I am afraid to. I suggest talking with your doctor and seeing what they say. Ultimately, I don't think you need to suffer through physical pain, but I know the need for one's thoughts to all make sense in one's mind. (Not sure if I even made sense there!)
1. I work in the ER and I was picturing that incident playing out with my coworkers
2. I would probably be that patient, too!
It's hard for people who haven't "been there" to get it, you know?
Midlifecrisis,
Since getting sober I have not even taken any type of headache medicine. I guess I am afraid to. I suggest talking with your doctor and seeing what they say. Ultimately, I don't think you need to suffer through physical pain, but I know the need for one's thoughts to all make sense in one's mind. (Not sure if I even made sense there!)
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Join Date: Apr 2012
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in recovery, i have been though 6 surgeries to carve out cancer.the first one was axillary to remove all the lymph nodes under my left arm and wide are excision on my back to remove a bunch of cancer and surrounding tissue. the surgeon explained it was rather serious and i would need pain management. i had a concern about the pain meds and the surgeon assured me they werent gonna just throw me out of the hoslital on more than what was needed to control the pain. she also assured me they would be in contact with me to see how the pain management was going.
i talked to my sponsor( AA) before the surgery and explained my concerns. he said,"welp, you really dont know crap about this surgery and whats gonna be hapening after, so its time to let God and the doctors do what they do best." yup. he ws right.
after the surgery, the surgeon and her staff were in contact with me every day and quite often twice a day. i also stayed in contact with my sponsor nd others and let them know what was goin on in my melon.
heres something that went on in my melon:
3 days after gettin out of the hospital, i wanted to get off the meds, so i did so on my own. big mistake. the pain got excrusiating and was a bugger to get back under control.
i talked to my sponsor( AA) before the surgery and explained my concerns. he said,"welp, you really dont know crap about this surgery and whats gonna be hapening after, so its time to let God and the doctors do what they do best." yup. he ws right.
after the surgery, the surgeon and her staff were in contact with me every day and quite often twice a day. i also stayed in contact with my sponsor nd others and let them know what was goin on in my melon.
heres something that went on in my melon:
3 days after gettin out of the hospital, i wanted to get off the meds, so i did so on my own. big mistake. the pain got excrusiating and was a bugger to get back under control.
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,967
Talk with your doctor. If your body needs to heal properly with medication, than it needs to heal properly.
Time to get into serious meditation and increase the strength of your step work.
You'll get through this!
Time to get into serious meditation and increase the strength of your step work.
You'll get through this!
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 81
We just discussed this in an AA meeting I attended last week. Some of the suggestions given were to tell your Doc that you are an alcoholic or addict, and find a "safe person" to keep your medication and give it to your as needed. If the doctor is aware of your problem they should only prescribe you the minimum amount of medication needed after your procedure. Having a "safe person"to eliminates the possibility of trying to take too much of the medication. Even after you are done with the medication it was strongly suggested to stay in close contact with sober friends and a sponsor if you have one. Surgery and healing can be very scary, but don't forget you have us here at SR, and we do care.
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Originally Posted by Pixienottipsy
We just discussed this in an AA meeting I attended last week. Some of the suggestions given were to tell your Doc that you are an alcoholic or addict, and find a "safe person" to keep your medication and give it to your as needed. If the doctor is aware of your problem they should only prescribe you the minimum amount of medication needed after your procedure. Having a "safe person"to eliminates the possibility of trying to take too much of the medication. Even after you are done with the medication it was strongly suggested to stay in close contact with sober friends and a sponsor if you have one. Surgery and healing can be very scary, but don't forget you have us here at SR, and we do care.
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