HopingForZen

I have been diagnosed with a severe frozen shoulder. Pain has been bad enough to disrupt sleep many nights. Finally got diagnosis, script for PT, an anti-inflammatory, and Lortab. Doc says that I really need to take the pain med before PT because it will be really painful to "unfreeze" the shoulder, but if I can do it with PT then I can avoid surgery. I did not say anything (I just put that I don't drink on the forms and did not go further).

Husband says he thinks it is OK to take but only just as doc said (right before I go to PT to help work the shoulder harder during the session). I'm not so sure.

Thoughts? Dump in toilet, take Aleve, and deal with it? Pain meds are not my thing, never have been, but I don't want to take chances with this.....

EndGameNYC

Only you can make the call.

I usually follow my doctor's recommendations, but we've built a relationship based on mutual trust over time.

Soberwolf

I would listen to your Dr

Dee74

None of us can give you medication advice Looking.
If you would feel better trying the aleve first then I guess there's your answer?

You'll soon know if it cuts the mustard.

D

sugarbear1

I had to take pain meds for dental work.....I followed doctor's orders and don't consider any relapse.....I have some of the "leftovers" sitting in the cabinet, mostly waiting for more dental work soon....no one needs that pain and sometimes a body needs no pain so it can focus on the healing.

Maybe be honest with doctor and put in a call and discuss this situation? Honesty helps

HopingForZen

I guess what's really bothering me is I know that we are "supposed" to not take anything at all and some would consider it a relapse even to follow a doctor's advice. I have never had a problem with pain meds, and won't take unless I need it for the PT. But if I take it, I don't want to feel like I'm a failure and back at Day 0.

Thanks for the advice. Not looking for medical advice, and I know you can't give it.

JT0626

HFZ,

I say take the pain medicine. You shouldn't have to suffer in pain, your body can't heal without you taking care of yourself. Taking the pain meds is part of taking care of you. I don't consider it a relapse....now if you drank the pain away, that's another story.

((hugs))) Hopes the shoulder mends soon!

DontRemember

As long as you're not using them to get "high", I'd go with your doc's advice. Feel better!

Dee74

OK I get a better idea of the issue for you now

I'm assuming your Dr knows about your past. The only medical opinions that counts here is your Drs - and if someone wants to tell you otherwise AA has a pamphlette on that so you can read about it yourself.

http://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-11_...ersMedDrug.pdf
Linked with the permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

My personal experience?

I have prescribed pain relief which I use when other things like physio or over the counter pain relief won't touch it.

My Drs know about my past and we've discussed this to a standstill.

As it turns out I've never had anywhere near the max dose and never felt high - just pain relief

D

TiredEnough

Take it from an ex-pill fiend, using legitimately rx'd medicine as prescribed for the right reasons for a short time is not a relapse imho.

Anna

Why would you feel like a failure because you are taking medication as per a drs advice and to help you deal with a potentially serious joint problem? We don't have to suffer needlessly just because we are alcoholics. However, if you feel you can deal with the pt without the medication, then that's great.