how long are you suppoesd to keep taking percocet?

I had my lap done on tuesday (march 22nd).  I've been taking percocet every 4 hours and the 600 mg ibuprofen every 6 hours.  I'm still having pain but I am feeling better as time goes on.  So my question is...what should i do as far as the pain meds go?  I don't want to be taking more than whats necessary, but I don't think that I'm ready to stop all together.  Is it best to ease out of the percs?  

[ticked]

I wouldn't take anymore perks I would use Advil or Aleve. you are going to be in pain for at least a week because of the gas from the surgery. Use maybe some heating pads, warm baths.  The first two days were hard for me, I remember asking them for more drugs because the morphine wasnt working.  I was kept overnight because I couldnt urinate on my own so that sucked because you cant get comfortable in hospital beds.  

In a couple of days things will get alot better.

Kepp me updated.

[domandcamismom]

I was given vicodin and told I could alternate that with Advil.  I took the vicodin only before bed and did ok with just the advil during the day.  I would say just try the advil, it that doesn't cut it for you then the next time that you can take some meds take the percocet.  By the third day I barely needed the advil anymore.  I hope it starts to feel better for you soon!  Take care and keep us posted.  =)

[purple441122]

Thanks for the advice! I think I'm going to try just taking the ibuprofen they gave me and maybe before bed i'll take a perk.  I'm on the third day since my surgery and its getting much better which is encouraging so hopefully i can lessen the medicine more and get a little bit more active.

Also, did anyone have any eating problems?  I still find it very hard to eat.  I am just starting to eat small meals now, and I can only eat about two a day, with maybe a couple crackers here and there.  Is that normal?  When should my eating feel more normal?

[tinkerbell1124]

Well if your feeling a bit better stop taking them SO much. Maybe stop the percs and just take the other stuff. Or only take it every 6-8 hours

[purple441122]

o mannn i tried not taking the percocet and i'm not a very happy camper right now!  I don't think I'm ready to be off of them yet, I'm still having a lot of pain :(

[dnikki0928]

Try taking a percocet then 2-3 hrs later take the motrin an d getting longer intervals in between percocet doses. So instead of taking percocet every 4hrs, try every 6 hrs then every 8. Just start weaning yourself off them instead of cold turkey. I had excision surgery (where they literally cut out the endo and surrounding areas and suspected areas) and also a appendectomy and supracervical hysterectomy 2wks ago tomorrow. I've been off all percocet for about 5 days now. I just take advil or tylenol as needed. Remember as long as you are taking the percocet, you CANNOT take tylenol. If weaning yourself off works, you should be percocet free in about 2 days.
As for the appetite, that's normal...it takes awhile for it to come back. Make sure what you are eating is healthy and that you are drinking plenty of fluids. Also, if you haven't had a BM yet, you might want to go ahead and take a stool softener like Ducolax so you don't get too constipated. If you're having shoulder pain from the gas they use, my doc told me I could take Gas X to help along with a heating pad to the shoulder....I hope this has helped some!! Take it easy :-)