Just checking in!

[Sarah11212]

Hello to all my MH family!  It's been quite a few months since I've been on the site and thought I would try to catch up with some of my MH friends that helped get me to where I am today. Will celebrate 2 yrs, next month!
And a warm welcome to those of you that are early in recovery. Don't ever lose faith that this disease cannot be beat! Your are worth it and life is so great on the other side!
Had some bumps in the road the past couple months and will be having knee surgery in November.  This is the first time I have never taken opiates for the kind of pain I've been in and will continue to be in until after surgery.  I have asked the surgeon not to prescribe and narcotics after the procedure and he says I'm absolutely nuts.  Nope, I got this!  I have many days right now that the pain is too much to even walk so I just can't imagine the post-op pain being much worse. How many of you have had to use narcotics for surgery or something other, after getting clean?

[Sarah11212]

Hi Sarah!  The pain during recovery cannot possibly be any more then what I am dealing with now so I think I can do it without.  His suggestion was for someone to take home a script for me of only 10 or 12 pills. His approach was that they would be available if the pain got to be too much and I could no longer handle it. NSAIDS wouldn't be an option for me anyways bcuz of my recent history of GI bleeds. I will come up with a backup plan if things get out of control.

[dominosarah]

Hi Sarah, nice to hear an update from you!!  Sorry to hear about your upcoming surgery.  Sonrissa gave you some good advice.  Having a good plan in place is  what is important.  Dont let yourself suffer as the healing process can slow up.  Keep us posted on how you are doing.

[Sonrissa]

Hi Sarah, welcome back.  Last year right around Thanksgiving, I fell and badly broke my leg. I had to have reconstructive surgery with plates, screws, and pins.  I had previously been clean about a year from abusing Roxicodone.  Obviously before and after surgery I needed pain meds. My doctor was fully aware of my addiction issues, so we came up with a plan for me to deal with this. First, I was prescribed a less stronger drug than my DOC of Roxicodone. I had my roommate hold my pills and give them to me only as prescribed and only if necessary for actual pain relief.  For surgery I was given a nerve block, so there was no need for Morphine when I was in the hospital. It was amazing to wake up after surgery and not be all drugged out and loopy. My leg was completely numb, but my head was clear. After surgery, I took my pain meds as directed, with my roommate still giving them to me. I took them for 2 months after surgery as I recovered and began walking again. The 3rd month I tapered down, dropping each week, and at the beginning of the 4th month I stopped cold turkey. I did experience some mild withdrawal symptoms for about a week or so, but it was nothing compared to what I had been through before. I've been pill free for nearly 6 months now, and I'm doing great. I do still have pain, some days worse than others, but 800mg Ibuprofen really helps. The whole process was not easy, in fact some days were especially tough. I did experience some mind games. But, the keys to my success were that I made a specific and detailed plan, and I stuck to it. Also, my doctor was aware and involved in every step.   So, you can Definately get through this. Take care. I wish you all the best!

[Ejm7263]

I'm only day 9. I can't imagine GOD Bless you. There is the new IV Tylenol that's supposed to be great. Also I was a nurse for 33 years & I know they won't let you have NSAIDs post op but I would try to convince my doc to prescribe low doses. Also ice, ice, ice.