Upcoming Surgery & Pain Meds

I have a surgery coming up next month. It's one that I want so it's a good thing. I most happy that both of my doctors think I can handle the pain meds for the 3 or 4 days I'll need them. I have 3 1/2 years sobriety and I'm never going back. My question is, I was taking 45 10/325 Vicodin a day for 8 years. I have a tolerance built up that hasn't gone away as I found out after a root canal 3 months ago. The surgeon said he will give me percocet instead since I wasn't on it while addicted. Will it help with the pain or will my tolerance issue creep in with this other drug?

[worried878]

What type of surgery is it?  You know it is risky and you will have to use caution...and your tolerence to any narcotic will be high...they all work on the same or similar receptors...if it is a surgery that warrants pain meds and there is no way around it...just be careful

[triedeverymed]

That's exactly why I told my docs. It's a cosmetic procedure on my eyes. Not too painful so pain meds will probably only be needed for 3 or 4 days. The doc knows so he won't refill and I don't have a supplier anymore. They were all shut down by the DEA when I got sober. I haven't bothered to seek anything out because I'm so proud of my 3 1/2 years and went through hell and back to get sober. I asked for Toradol which is non-narcotic but it causes too much bleeding and the doc says he won't use it. My psychiatrist who helped me get sober says I'll do great. I'm trying to stay very positive because it's not a terribly painful surgery just uncomfortable. I'm goona try not to use the meds if I can after day 2, that's my goal. My sponsor seems to think setting a goal is helpful too and she will be there checking up on me-believe me!!
Thanks so much,
Erin

[worried878]

blephorplasty?

[triedeverymed]

Yes that's the one.

[triedeverymed]

I've spoken to 4 people who have had it done and they say it really isn't too painful after the first couple of days, you get used to being uncomfortable & bandaged but not so much pain. Thank God, I'm afraid of lots of pain.

[Mikeinthesouth]

Be very careful. I heard you can ask them to detox you before discharge.

[triedeverymed]

It's outpatient sugery, only 1 1/2 hours then you go home. As long as the doc knows and won't refill, I have no supplier and I worked so hard to get off the Vicodin I never want to see it again. Thats' why they want to use Pecocet (percocet) since I never used that before. I thank God I have no access to pain meds, no friends in that arena and no desire to live that life, it's over. I am grateful for sobriety every day. We get into big arguments in AA about meds all the time. But when it's needed the big book says follow doctors orders. That's my plan, no more and maybe less.
I'm going to be back to post after surgery to let you guys know I didn't use the full 3 days worth of meds the surgeon is giving me. Plus I still see my psychiatrist who detoxed me w/ Suboxone and he said if we ran into trouble we would just use the Sub to get back to normal.
I'm in a good place right now and feel I can do it, even if I decide not to use pain meds.

[avisg]

I had my gall bladder removed about a month ago .I used the oxys for 3 or 4 days after (oxys were not my DOC either) .I had hubby hold them ,then when I could deal with Motrin and a heating pad I flushed the rest ... I will say when I first came to in recovery they gave me a shot of Demerol it was not enough they had to switch over to morphine I think that was because of my past usage .

[worried878]

I had it done...you look awful for about a week...l had the top and bottom done at 2 different times..the bottom had more bruising and swelling invloved by far compared to the top..like someone beat you up and gave u a black eye...that was before my abuse days but i did not have to take narcotics for pain..I think he gave me 10- 5mg lortabs I am not even sure i filled it..I did the procedure awake with local anesthesia...i did take valium and lortab before the procedure....it was tough but i saved 1500 bucks that way...the swelling and bruising is bad for about a week but the pain is minimal...my girlfriend just had it done and did not need the narcotics either...she is not an addict but hates any meds period..even antibiotics...she used ice and ibuprophen..i picked her up and she looked like someone beat the you know what out of her!...but believe it or not, the pain is minimal

[sadinmichigan]

hi my friend..You will do it the way your supposed to..i know it. You have worked so so hard to get where your at now..I know my tolerance level is high too and worry about that if something was to happen beyond my control and i needed meds..I will pray that you just need them for a short time and they do the job..Thankyou again for talking to me last night..your a sweetheart!
Lisa

[kittykat58]

percocet is just a stronger version of vicodin; slightly different molecular configuration (vicodin = hydrocodone and percocet = oxycodone) -- the active part (-codone) is the same opiate chemical.

it sounds like you're doing all the right things. just be careful, as everyone else has said. some ppl get addicted to cosmetic surgery just for the pain meds -- !

[triedeverymed]

Thanks to all who answered. I met with the doc, he gave me 5 percocet and won't refill so I'll be fine. My husband will hold my pills too so there is no issue there. Oh funny the doc gave me the RX last week but I never filled. I think I'm going to be fine.
Thank you all so much!!
Erin

[sadinmichigan]

hey girl..i just tried to call...i think you will be ok w/5 percs..you have overcome alot and i don't think your going to throw that away..no way no how...xo Lisa

[triedeverymed]

I didn't hear my phone, it must have still been in my purse. I'm sory I missed you. I'm thinking I'll be OK too. I'm worried about your back though. Are you going to get another MRI? I think it would be a good idea to find aout why this keeps happening.
Just like with your back, sometimes we can't avaiod pain meds. I asked for an alternative but there is nothing that doesn't make you bleed. Now you could take Toradol (sp) it's in the NSAID family and very good for pain. You need an RX but I believe it's much safer than narcotics. I can take it but not until 2 weeks after surgery which by then I won't need any medication.
Thanks for believeing in me, it means so much!!
Erin

[CadillacJack]

Sounds like you're approaching this surgery in an intelligent, informed fashion. I have no doubt you'll be just fine.

[Mikeinthesouth]

Erin, I hope and pray all goes well with the surgery. I am not aware of the type of procedure you are going in to have but hope it is not a serious one. I'll pray for you through this and am here as I am positive all else are as well to listen and support you through this. Mike

[s10sittnondubs]

I really should have arthoscopic surgery on my knee to repair my slightly torn miniscus, and mcl.  I have been going to the chiropractor once a week for the past year and 4 months now.  I still have soreness and its very tender each not, but I found if I don't work it out it just gets stiff and useless and very uncomfortable.  I am afraid of the surgery because any kind of invasive surgery involves pain management of some kind, and I don't want to go start the process all over.  I am going to keep doing what I am doing now, and I am hoping that maybe a part of the pain is just in my head and its telling me I need the pills to make the pain go away.  I dont know anything of what kind of surgery you are to have but I hope you can do it without using after having YEARS of sobriety.  I salute you my friend for those clean years now that is an accomplishment.

[kittykat58]

(where do these user names come from??? I would love to know the stories!)  :)

we deal with pts needing arthroscopic surgeries every day and there is very little post-op pain -- you are back on your feet the next day and should only need narcs for a day or maybe 2 or 3....then can easily manage w/ ibuprofen/tylenol.

I wouldn't avoid the surgery, esp if you are taking narcs regularly to manage the pain. you would take far less narcs and for a shorter period of time if you have the surgery, just MHO.

kittykat58

[triedeverymed]

Well I have an update. I had the surgery Monday the 22nd and am PAIN FREE!! I had pain the first day and needed the pain meds but that was it. The doctor told me not to flush them yet because he wants me to take ONE on Tuesday when I have my stitches removed.
I'm so happy I was able to do it on 5 percocet.I have discomfort but not pain and when I had pain the medication it didn't make me feel high. I guess when you take it as directed you don't run into those issues. I didn't want to be an addict ever again. I prayed a lot and asked for strength to get through without medication. After the first day, I was never temped to even open that bottle. My sobriety was so hard to get, it's the most precious thing to me, I won't ever give it up!!
Erin

[cathy5841]

good for you erin.  thats a sure sign of strength.  good luck on tuesday.
much love
cathy

[confused456]

That is Great Erin!!!

[triedeverymed]

Thanks for the kind words and same to you "confused456". You guys are awesome and I know are always here for support!
I'm glad it's almost over. Much Love,
Erin