how long after surgery did you take pain meds?

[mghnew2you]

I can't believe I'm posting here yet again, but having never been through this before, everything is so upsetting...you ladies have been such a help!

I'm 2 1/2 weeks post laparoscopy to remove right ovary and twisted cyst. I have been taking pain meds all this time, (for the last week mostly just paracetomol and ibuprofen, but nevertheless, at least 5-6 pills a day).

Yesterday I thought, this is getting ridiculous, surely I shouldn't still be needing to take so much mediicine? So I took nothing yesterday except for one paracetomol and felt quite fine, actually.

Today, I am in borderline agony! It is burning and stabbing terribly where they removed the ovary on my right side, I'm in great discomfort and soooo upset about it.  I keep thinking I must be nearly there, nearly ready to go on with my life and put this behind me, but I keep getting proved wrong!

How long did you take meds? Is this excessive for me to still be needing meds, it seems, 2 weeks afterwards?

[TrudieC]

It could be that you are overdoing it and that is why you get a bad day.  Keep on resting and taking it easy so your body can heal.

[Mimi81]

hey i know the recovery process is slow and frustrating, like it has been for me, but i hope you are feeling better by now. i had laparoscopy on march 9th and i am still at home recovering, i was frustrated from the incision pain for a long time but now things are finally getting better. some days i was in so much pain from the incisions, but they are slowly subsiding now. rest is always key. i tried to overdo it after 4 weeks by pushing myself to do things thinking i will heal better, but it put me back so i had to rest for an additional 3 weeks. rest is always key! as much as it is hard to imagine, things do get better. i used tylenol extra strength and aleve for a while, so if you're in a lot of pain take the pain meds they help. hope you are feeling better!

[fungirl1011]

I have had 4 different laprascopic surgeries and each one was different.  For one, I didn't have to take pain meds but one day.  On another one, I took pain meds for about 2.5-3 weeks.  It all just depends on your body.  Do you have any other issues like diabetes?  If so, it may take your body a little longer to heal.  Please don't feel stupid.  If you need the pain meds, take them.  If you let the pain get too far out of control, it is really hard to get it back under control.  That is why they gave you as many as they did.  If they didn't intend for you to take them all, they would have just give you enough to get through a day or two (not saying you have to take them all ;-)  Just listen to what your body is telling you.  If it tells you that you need some pain pills, take them.  Maybe you could try just taking Advil or Tylenol Extra Strength.  Maybe you stop the narcotics and use those instead.  Please make sure that you are resting too.  That is the key to recovery!!

[mghnew2you]

fungirl how long did you take meds? :)  I feel so stupid right now!

[fungirl1011]

Everyone is different, but 2 weeks is ok.  Keep in mind that your body went through some major trauma.  It is bad enough when it is just to have a cyst taken out, but when they remove the ovary (twisted none the less) it is a little more traumatic to your body.  Have you been doing too much lately?  I'm glad you felt so good yesterday, but I would guess that you did too much because you were feeling so good.  Please make sure that you give your body PLENTY of rest.  You will get back to normal, it just takes some time.  Just because you feel good and look healed on the outside, doesn't mean that the inside has healed as quickly.  If the pain keeps up, give your doctor a call.  Good luck and I hope you get feeling better soon!!