I am having Surgery Broken arm

Question

I had an accident at work . I fell on wet  floor and as a result My arm is broken and I will be having surgery on it either Tues/Weds I will set it up today,  to have pins put in it. I have hurt my back also  Herniated disc I basically am a mess black Eye Busted lip!
I was admitted into Hospital overnight. Going to Ortho Dr Today to set up surgery and appt for Phy Therapy for my back.
Has anymore who has quit Taking Pain meds ever had to deal with what to do when you are hurt and in pain and dealing with addiction?
I was given IV pain meds at hospital along with anti-inflammatory meds.
Dr. said there is no way i could go through this and tolerate pain w/o meds.
Any advice on what i can take maybe i can suggest to my Dr. He is being very supportive on me quitting pills.he is going to work with on pain management plan to get me off ASAP. I was 20 days off percs when this happened.
I was given Percocet which is my Drug of choice I asked Dr if i could try Hydros(vicodin) Instead maybe it would be better for me since Perc are my (DOC) . He agreed but said if its not strong enough i will need to just take stronger meds and as long as i take as Prescribed I will be fine.

I am trying to stay positive through this and i know i need to take care of myself But any advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. i know i am not first person to have injury and had to take pain meds. i just want to get surgery over with and get better ASAP.

10356 · Accepted Answer

Hi Conhall.. I'm really sorry to read about how you broke your arm.. Ouch !! It sounds like you really got beat up in your fall.. I wish you a very speedy recovery. I had a shoulder replacement a year into my recovery as long as someone is holding them and doling out you will get thru this with your clean time intact.. You have not lost those 20 days. being honest with your Dr is very good. There are good Dr.'s out there that want you Healthy.. as addicts we are not invincible.. we will face accidents surgery's knee problems back You name it we will face it.. The key is being responsible..If we were to loose our clean time every-time we took a pain med as directed for a illness What would be the point of courting clean time ? we would be courting chance.. It is when we are active Fiending sneaking lying taking more then prescribed stealing.. This is when we fall and loose those days that we add up. I have followed your post and you have fought hard for those days !! I feel very Proud for you and I feel very Proud for you for being so Honest with your Dr. That is how you have a Responsible recovery when going thru the need for pain meds.. Know I will be sending a Prayer this evening for you..and as said I wish you a very speedy recovery.. lesa

conhall · Answer

thank you !and yes I will keep you all Updated! 
This Forum is my sanctuary.
When I Had accident I came on here and sent messages to Sonrissa, Kyle, Vicki they all reached out to me and Made me feel ok about it all .
I am truly Blessed for finding this place . I had such a hard time dealing with WD and going CT But everyone has always reached out to me and pulled me through. And this is just a bump in the road main thing is for me to Heal and get healthy. And My attitude will not let me do anything but that!
Thank you all for being so supportive and taking time to post on here and support so many

selfinduced · Answer

Hey Conhall, Just wishing you good luck on your upcoming surgery and mending process. You will be fine. I too had to go to ER for a migraine after I was many weeks clean and had to have a narcotic. They sent me home with fiorinal (sorry about spelling), and although it is addicting, It was not my DOC and I was never tempted to take more than a few pills. Soon after I learned about toradol and have taken that once...worked GREAT! You worked too hard and I have every bit of faith you won't fall back into the black hole. Keep us updated ok? xx

Sonrissa · Answer

Toradol is non narcotic. It is non addictive! It is an anti-inflammatory and works for swelling and pain as well! I've taken it after surgery, and it really helps! No worries! Stay positive honey, you will get through this!

vicki595 · Answer

Right. Toradol is not a narcotic or an opiate.

Good girl! Just take it easy. Be sure to eat well and take the Vits and minerals. It's really important for cell repair after an injury. Continue to keep your fluid intake up, especially because you're not as active.

conhall · Answer

thx pat <3

conhall · Answer

Toradol Isnt a Narcotic right Vicki? 
I agree I am just going to get healthy and not stress Its horrible to stress about what I cant control so I am finally coming down off the anxiety issues.

Pat1956100 · Answer

Hi Sweety,
So glad you posted and have received some really good advice.
You need to relax and get better.  You really don't have a choice here.
You can't be in excruciating pain.  This is what pain meds are for. 
Listen to your doctors and just worry about getting better.  You have a long life ahead of you and it's going to be a great one.
xoxo

vicki595 · Answer

Lilly-  What?  Toradol is not a narcotic...

Conhall-    Good  luck with all of this. It's a little unrealistic to think you'll have 
no need for pain meds in a day or so. You will need them after the surgery and you'll need them before PT. Try not to worry about this, as I've told you.
You're doing this the right way and the important thing is to heal and feel better.  We don't heal very quickly when we're stressed. Be sure to take plenty of Vit C along with multi Vits!      xoxo

conhall · Answer

thanks for friend request :)  and advice :)

ImDONENoMore · Answer

Oh my goodness I am so sorry about this!!  OK now listen - you don't need to be a hero during this.  You take the meds as you need them - because you will need them.  And once done, and you're on the road to recovery (sorry no pun intended! lol) - you stop and get back on track.

This was NOT a failure - it was an accident and they happen all the time.  You'll get through this - especially since you're so cognizant about what the pain meds can lead to so you're going to be just fine you'll see - good luck on the surgery and keep us posted on how you're doing okay?  :)

waterLilly7 · Answer

hey, sounds good, you will do great.
be careful about any meds, do your homework. I told the doc i am taking 50 mg of trazadone, he got it mixed up with torredol and said, "well that is a narcotic too!!" and i was like what!!!???? and he said, oh, trazadone, i thought you said torredol, so check that.

in any case, keep up the spirit and you will be so good in one month you will be very happy you decided to claim your life back, 
hugs, 
Lily

conhall · Answer

thank you for your Post It really made me think about it all Thanks U :)

conhall · Answer

Well I am back from Dr. My surgery  will be on Weds Morning be there at 6 am :0

It  is Outpatient surgery They will cut me and kick me out Yikes.
Thanks everyone for the advice It really means alot to me. 
also I start Phy therapy on my back tomorrow well they are going to take it easy on me at first. I have to take an education class about it.

I really like My Dr. there are 2 of them both are great! and really didnt rush through anything.

Sonrissa · Answer

The pins will help a lot! My nephew broke his elbow & had pins put in and he was just fine! Once the pins were put in,  he had a lot of relief! No, it's not unrealistic to believe you will not have to take narcotic pain pills for long term! I'm not sure about "a day or so", it may take a bit longer! Try not to stress or worry! Just take things as they come; don't panic! Your doctor has told you he will help! You have been honest with him! Right now, focus on getting well and healing! Stay positive! You will get through this!  Big hugs!

conhall · Answer

I will let you Know I am so anxious to get this ball rolling I was scarred about surgery but I Just want to get it over with. I was shocked they didnt just do it then, He said swelling needed to go down some . But Hoping to get it all set up He said probably Tues/Weds he would decided after appt today and examination

conhall · Answer

Thx joe i agree and am doing just that having meds given to me someone is giving them to me and holding them,  Thx for support :)

conhall · Answer

thx Sonrissa You have been so amazing and given me so much support! I am so blessed to have your friendship. I will talk to Dr about both those meds. Am I being unrealistic on thinking I can really be off narcotic meds in a day or so? will those meds you listed keep my pain under control. I can deal with some pain just not the kind i was having when i broke it. Was Insane i wanted to pass out!

Sonrissa · Answer

I have taken Toradol! It's an anti-inflammatory and it works really well! I have also taken Voltaren, and I'm currently taking it for pain! It works also! Talk to doctor about non addictive anti-inflammatorys. Just take things one day at a time! Follow your doctors orders, get healed and well! Take the pain meds as directed and only as needed for pain! It's good your BF will keep them for you! Keep your positive attitude, you will get through this bump in the road! Just ride over it with your Big Wheel!! Take care!

Bones216 · Answer

So sorry to hear about your news, OUCH!!!

I would also suggest someone to handle the meds. Be sure to only take a prescribed, remember we don't have the discipline to self prescribe. 
It is big that you involved your doctor. He will probably only prescribe what is needed.
The lower your dosage now, the easier detox will be.

You have been doing so great, and I have no doub you will do it again.

Joe

dominosarah · Answer

You have not failed by any means so try and get that out of your head.  Let us know what you and the doctor come up with.  Just keep being honest with him.  No more pity party!

conhall · Answer

I do have someone who can hold for me. Honestly hasnt really been issue me feeling like I want more . And I have actually felt nauseated when I Put a pill in my mouth.  I know I cant do anything about my situation but I do feel like I failed somehow. I am scarred It has been a hard 20 days mental mostly physical yes at first ,and just having pity party i guess. I dont want to go back to a life where alls i did was count pills anxiety of getting more ect. 
I did some online research and came up with Toradol also, Going to talk to Dr about this .

Free2agoodhome · Answer

Ouch..I thought about that happening to me too... I'm not sure what to suggest. My sponsor had kidney stones and he said he had to take as directed but he's fine. He also has 20 plus years of clean time under his belt.........

other will chime in that have been through it.

I personally cannot take any,,,,,,,would be a diaster........

get well soon

dominosarah · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your accident.  I wish you a speedy recovery.  

Do you have someone who could hold the pain meds for you?  If you dont some doctors who are supportive of their patients will prescribe just a few pills for a few days with no refills.  Some have been prescribe Toradol and it has worked.