Help please

[tg468]

I have had both hips replaced since december, 2007, and will have my right knee replaced next month.  I have read the forum and am scared to death about the pain medicine.  I have taken hydrocodone since November and with the physical therapy required for another couple of months. should I worry?  i REALLY  want input, so please respond.

Thank you so much.

TG

[GoingToMakeIt]

You will most likely need them until after surgery. I wouldn't worry about getting off until your pain is under control. Mention your concerns to the Dr.

[w_dawn]

You are in the midst of alot of surgery, recovery stuff and pain pills may be a necessary evil for a while. I'm not going to be one to tell you not to take them, I'm not in your shoes and that's not fair. But there will come a time when getting free of those and finding alternative pain management will become very important to your health.
I never imagined that I would go thru withdrawls from the small amount of pain pills I was taking, but my need for them was over and I knew it. So I made the decision. And it seems that even that small amount had a strangle-hold on my life...who knew? This forum was here for me, so I didn't feel alone seeing this thru. So when you are ready to find a way out...this is a Good place to be.
I hope this helps...a bit

dawn

[cathy5841]

there is a difference between addiction and physical dependency.  do you take as prescribed?   do you take to get high? those are the questions you need to ask yourself.  if you are takiing just for pain you probably will develope a physical dependency....your body grows use to the meds.  if you take for the high you may have a prob getting off

[PromisedLand]

Sounds to me as if you have valid reasons for using these meds for the purpose they were designed..relieving pain.  It's OK to be scared of the pain meds, can't blame you for that.  But if you take them as prescribed (and discuss your fears with your doctors) you should be OK.

Good luck to you..this has to be awful difficult for you.

Jim