I have not had my surgery for Chiari yet, but I have endured 22 other surgeries and dealt lots with pain meds and all the ridiculousness that comes with it when you're in agony! I am hoping I can help you a little bit. First...understand the difference between allergic reaction and "intolerance." You may find that you start to itch with the narcotics. Some are worse than others. Be aware if you have other symptoms that go with it (swelling of tongue, difficulty breathing, rash, etc.). Those are things that denote a true allergic response. Many narcotics can cause itching. If that happens to you, don't lose hope. If you can use Benadryl, try it. If not, ask doc for oral Vistaril. That also helps! ( I know you didn't mention this problem, but it could occur after prolonged pain meds).
Definitely trying a different med is an option. Anything you have, taken for any period of time can lose its effectiveness. Be direct with your doc in telling them that it isn't working anymore. Ask your doc about meds that might boost your pain med, even over-the-counter--something that will complement it. Don't overdo the Tylenol! Kills your liver! Anything you do to help relax yourself is key! I know you hurt, and I'm not trying to be insensitive, but sometimes if we let it all get away from us then it's that much more to handle. It may sound ridiculous, but in my own awful recovery period post surgery when I swear they forgot to medicate me before I woke up, I had to talk myself down out of the rafters. Being so tense, having every muscle in your body locked up from the pain, is not only keeping you in agony but it prevents the blood from moving efficiently because muscles are contracted, you're locked down, and meds you do take are delayed in their effect. So....if you can bring yourself to try, think of every muscle, one at a time....start at your feet and go up....start releasing them. Try to breathe and let your body circulate. Practice being in control. Sometimes we have to rely on what our own bodies can do. I know it doesn't fix it all, but hopefully it will help you "reel back" the worst of it so you can make it through. Talk out loud if you must!! I'll be thinking about you!
I wasn't on the hydro...I had Dilaudid. I was on that for approx. 4 months, then switched off as after a while, your body becomes tolerant and it's not as effective. I have Tramadol 50 mg. PRN (as needed) now and Flexeril 10 mg. Three times daily. I would suggest contacting your PCP, pain mgmt. doc., or surgeon and request that someone address your pain.
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
I am so sorry ur meds r not helping u. mayb instead of getting more hydrocodone u could have asked for something else....not all pain meds work the same for us....I had the hydrocodone after a surgery on my ankle and it worked fine, but when I went in a few months later for knee surgery I was allergic to it....then when I went for my PFD I had issues with morphine....
So, u may need to see ur PCP and see if he/she can help switch u to a diff med that may help for the time frame until u r able to have more....the other is not lasting till the next dose.
U may want to see if taking Ibuprofen is possible with the meds u r on and to help with that btwn issue.
I can not remember how much I got from the NS dose wise, but I know my PCP gave me more....and I did not use all I got....so, again we r all diff how we handle pain and how our bodies respond and recover from this surgery.