Facing surgery

[Stagebear]

Hi, everyone:
I ordinarily post in Substance Abuse, but am facing an issue that perhaps y'all can help me with.

I had cancer surgery in August, radical nephrectomy: major surgery to remove a cancerous kidney. Found out yesterday that the incision is herniating and they will need to go back in.

I am only 63 days into opiate recovery, have a home group, sponsor and still attend IOP. I have been in the rooms of AA for 25 some years, so the road is not new to me, but facing the probability of narcotic meds is brand new and much sooner than expected.

I am going to talk with my sponsor today but, meanwhile, does anyone have experience to share? I do have someone trustworthy that can hold the meds if necessary.

I know it appears I am projecting, but my IOP counselor stresses that I have a plan in place just in case.

TIA,

[yeahgr8]

Just wanted to say best wishes for the op, hope someone can give you some help on the meds thing!

[DesertEyes]

Hi there FrmlyStgbr, and pleased to "meet" you

I've had heart and brain surgery, have a terminal condition called "Autonomic Neuropathy" and will be on pain meds for the rest of my life. I am also quite scared about the pain meds, and have shared at my meets about it. I've done everything you mentioned.

Because I cannot stop the pain meds my docs "rotate" me from one to the next every year. Last year it was Lortab, this year it's Tramadol. I keep a journal where I record every med I take; date, time, reason, and keep it on the kitchen counter for my friends and sponsor to see any time they want... and to show the doc how I'm doing.

I've found a few other people in the rooms who are also dealing with chronic pain, and we've made our own "Special Purpose" group over cofee at the local eatery.

Basically, I just got even deeper into the fellowship and into recovery and I've had no problems at all with the meds.

Welcome again, and congratulations on still being alive and kicking. You beat Cancer and that's a big deal.

Mike

[Latte]

I've had some medical issues since I got clean. I am not supposed to take NSAIDS so often I am left with Narcotics as the only option. I get a small amount and have someone keep them for me. We keep a gun safe in the house and any controlled substances are in there.

Good luck with your surgery.

[Freedom1990]

Glad you posted here, hon. I had hernia surgery in January which was supposed to be laparoscopic, and I did not discuss pain management prior which was a mistake. It ended up being an open repair with mesh because it was so large. I came home (same day) very groggy and with 6" worth of staples.

I ended up on percocets, and what a nightmare. No, I did not abuse them, but the psychological withdrawals were horrible for about a month. I was calling my sponsor a lot. I also made sure someone was picking me up for meeetings on a regular basis as I didn't trust my mental state. I informed my primary care physician and the surgeon to put that medication on the 'do not give' list, and will make sure to discuss any pain management in the future before surgery.

It was a lesson hard learned for sure.

[Stagebear]

Thanks, everyone. I talked with my sponsor and my partner. We'll get a locked box and do a countdown sheet so he knows that they're all accounted for. (W'eve both worked in healthcare...we know the routine for controlled meds).
Maybe extreme, but this is too soon for me to fluck around.
Again, my thanks!