Aa
Back to the Drawing Board
My world class surgeon turned me down - after a year of being on their waiting list and flying thousands of miles twice - because my hips deteriorated to the point where now the remedy is bilateral hip resurfacing. On the plus side, I won't be having a 2nd failed incorrect surgery on each hip and now know what kind of surgery I really need.
Financially and emotionally drained, I have learned two things:
1. No more waiting lists, because your hips can change and being immobile and on narcotics for years is not worth
it to me.
2. Work with a top surgeon who'll evaluate your films vs. flying cross country for a decision.
I'm devastated and back to the drawing board again calling every OS with over a thousand hip resurfacing surgeries under their belt. As soon as I have possession of my latest films and medical records from the above surgeon, I'll forward them to several hip resurfacing surgeons. If I'm very lucky, I will get the correct surgery and finally start healing.
While I'm searching for my "cure", I am no longer required to be pain medication free. I'm not screaming anymore with taking two 10mg Vicodin a day. The surgeons I've been calling and vetting all day since I flew home at 3:30 am this morning have no problem with this, but I hope to have the opportunity to withdraw a final time after finally getting the surgeries I need.
In the meantime, I turned over the Vicodin to my husband again and already having fun with the mini withdrawals between doses. This *****.
Financially and emotionally drained, I have learned two things:
1. No more waiting lists, because your hips can change and being immobile and on narcotics for years is not worth
it to me.
2. Work with a top surgeon who'll evaluate your films vs. flying cross country for a decision.
I'm devastated and back to the drawing board again calling every OS with over a thousand hip resurfacing surgeries under their belt. As soon as I have possession of my latest films and medical records from the above surgeon, I'll forward them to several hip resurfacing surgeons. If I'm very lucky, I will get the correct surgery and finally start healing.
While I'm searching for my "cure", I am no longer required to be pain medication free. I'm not screaming anymore with taking two 10mg Vicodin a day. The surgeons I've been calling and vetting all day since I flew home at 3:30 am this morning have no problem with this, but I hope to have the opportunity to withdraw a final time after finally getting the surgeries I need.
In the meantime, I turned over the Vicodin to my husband again and already having fun with the mini withdrawals between doses. This *****.
Thank you. One part that's really hard is seeing my husband struggle and work like a dog being my caretaker when he gets home from work . I pretty much hate being totally dependent, disabled, and putting him through this with me. I asked him to be the pharmacist because I feel my pain brain is overloaded, and I don't want one more thing on my plate because I'm so out of it with suffering. Being out of control over my pain has pretty much ruled my world for 2 years since my hips blew, and I don't know if I can ever accept it. I'm trying to save my fight for getting a medical solution instead of railing against what I can't do anything about. My grief and fear are constant attendants.
I don't like the "high" of narcotics; it's gross and I can't poop. The side effects are nasty too, so I'm reluctant to think of my body's symptoms as cravings, but maybe that's what they are. Titrating during the day is a good suggestion, and I'll try it tomorrow. My pain is the worst at night anyway, so breaking up the dose further during the day might work out better.
I keep a pain diary, take hot baths, rest, PT when I can, and am putting all my strength toward getting another surgeon yesterday.
I don't like the "high" of narcotics; it's gross and I can't poop. The side effects are nasty too, so I'm reluctant to think of my body's symptoms as cravings, but maybe that's what they are. Titrating during the day is a good suggestion, and I'll try it tomorrow. My pain is the worst at night anyway, so breaking up the dose further during the day might work out better.
I keep a pain diary, take hot baths, rest, PT when I can, and am putting all my strength toward getting another surgeon yesterday.
I'm so sorry to hear that pain is a daily struggle for you. Getting some answers that allow you to start making informed decisions is the extra sugar in your lemonaide :o) It must be difficult to relinquish control and let your hubby be the 'pharmacist'. 10 mg would tickle my addicted brain and leave me craving more. Maybe the 'WD' you talk about are really cravings?? Try rating your pain on a scale of one to ten and titrating your doses to a tolerable level. Tylenol ES twice a day and Ibuprofen would help to. Toradol is another great anti-inflamatory...if you have any history of stomache troubles then then you should talk to your doc before taking Ibu and Tor. Applying direct heat, pacing activities, and resting as needed are all important non-drug interventions. You likely know this stuff :o) Well wishes, peace and comfort to you! Keep us posted!
I was 2 weeks CT pre op because my now former surgeon required it. Before that, I tapered off Fentanyl and Dilaudid over 3 months - again because the surgeon required it as a precondition of doing my surgeries. My pain management and family doctor did not agree with the surgeon over being off my medications, but I felt I had little choice because this was the only surgeon who said they could help me. Now that I have a different diagnosis from this leading surgeon, that has opened doors to other specialists who can get me the correct surgery to match my new diagnosis.
Since my surgery was cancelled on Tuesday, I have taken as little Vicodin as I can to be semi comfortable - half the prescribed dose per day. I have read on this board that you always have "mini withdrawals" between your scheduled doses. For me that's about 5 hours after one 10mg Vicodin, and I experience a small headache, some light sweats, and of course the pain comes rumbling in. At my best pain control, I was on a 100mg Fentanyl Patch to keep my relief smooth and keep away the above symptoms and also 8mg Dilaudid 3 to 4 times a day. Am I using the wrong term in calling that "mini withdrawals"?
Since my surgery was cancelled on Tuesday, I have taken as little Vicodin as I can to be semi comfortable - half the prescribed dose per day. I have read on this board that you always have "mini withdrawals" between your scheduled doses. For me that's about 5 hours after one 10mg Vicodin, and I experience a small headache, some light sweats, and of course the pain comes rumbling in. At my best pain control, I was on a 100mg Fentanyl Patch to keep my relief smooth and keep away the above symptoms and also 8mg Dilaudid 3 to 4 times a day. Am I using the wrong term in calling that "mini withdrawals"?
I don't understand this either. It doesn't sound like you need to be going through any type of withdrawal...you shouldn't be! You should be comfortable...
I'm sorry you weren't a candidate this time. Waiting lists bring their own nightmares and added stress into your life! I do some work with a transplant group so I can appreciate all of this. It's rough.
Anyway, can you explain this again? Why the withdrawal?
I'm sorry you weren't a candidate this time. Waiting lists bring their own nightmares and added stress into your life! I do some work with a transplant group so I can appreciate all of this. It's rough.
Anyway, can you explain this again? Why the withdrawal?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
Please try some Tylenol and Ibuprofen at least twice a day. They are very safe to take together as they have different mechanisms of action. Tylenol dulls the way of central nervous system recieves pain messages from the brain. It doesn't attach to the same receptors as opiods so of course it's not addictive, but it shares the CNS component, making it a effective pain reliever. Ibuprofen blocks the inflammatory process. When joints, muscles and bones are irritated by damage, the surrounding areas become inflamed. This process creates heat, and fluid full of healing cells. Prosteglandin is a hormone that mediates this process and is the culprit for increased pain. It sensitizes the local nerves to pain by attaching 'urgent' and 'hyperstimulation' flag to the messages sent to the brain. While the inflammatory response is a protective a natural healing feature of the body, it can not do the work of of surgeon. So you need to shut it down with Ibuprofen or a medication like it.
Ah yes, opiods slow bowel and intestinal motility, causing constipation, nausea and vomiting. Taking a proactive approach is needed when taking daily pain meds. Colace (Docusate), Lactulose add water to the bowels and soften stool without cramping and increased motility. Take some in morning and at supper to maintain regular bowel pattern. If your maxed out on this stuff and still need something then try senakot tabs or biscodyl suppository for increased bowel motility. Cramping and diarrhea is a side effect but it's better than constipation right?
Maxeran or Motilium are a great medications to promote stomache emptying. Take a half hour before each meal to manage nausea, bloating, and vomiting. Prevention is the best medicine ;o) Hope this helps some.
I'm sending up prayers for your peace and comfort.