Weekend Roll Call :)

Hello Everyone, Yep it is that time again. Though I know it is a very busy time of year for many of us, I thought it would be good to take a moment and check in. How are you all doing? Seems as if there are lots of surgeries coming up......many of you trying to get it in before the 1st of the year. I want to wish each and everyone of you the best of luck. This is a big decision but one that I personally have not regretted even for a moment. Don't let anyone tell you it is easy because its not but worth it??? ABSOLUTELY. To those of you waiting and waiting and waiting.......I feel your pain. To me that was the worst part of the whole process. The surgery was a cinch compared to the agony of waiting. But it will happen . To those of you in insurance hell, keep fighting and exploring other options. We are all praying for you. And to all of you folks and your families, I wish a happy and healthy holiday season. May this be a peaceful time and with all your hopes and dreams come true. Linda

Good Morning Linda: I'll second everything you said. There are many challenges after surgery but I am living a new chapter of my life that I wished I had started living many years ago. Maybe that only means that I can appreciate my life better now. I thank God every day for my new life. Have a great weekend. We will be gathering with my side of the family this weekend and exchanging gifts and feasting. One of many feasting events to come but I will get through them and enjoy myself. I am very anxious to wear several new outfits I have recently bought. Take care. Carolyn

Hi Everyone It does seem like all these surgeries are popping up. It's great to think about all of these people who will be starting new lives in the beginning of the year. Like Carolyn said, I wish I had written this chapter sooner as well. I am doing well. I didn't share this earlier, but I have been fighting an addiction to Vicodin these paste two weeks. My Dr had continually perscribed me Vicodin ES 7.5/750 tablets for three months. Whenever I called, he would just call them right in. I didn't realize it was a problem until I had no more pain from the surgery and stopped taking them. I was so sick. It was horrible. The Dr. was no help (I know have a new one..this is my PCP by the way) It has been the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. I was taking up to 14 a day and I'm happy to say that yesterday was my first day without a one. Had a couple of panic attacks here and there and didn't sleep a wink, but I did it. I didn't realize I was abusing them. I was just in so much pain prior to finding out what it was that they were the only way I could get through the day. Anywho....... I'm losing a couple of pounds here and there, but I knew I would slow early as I was on the low end for surgery to begin with. I'm very happy with the results weight wise and health wise. I'm looking forward to hopefully getting to the Y with Carmen soon. I love the holiday season, so I'm having fun decking the halls and being jolly. Mike's parents are coming tomorrow to celebrate Christmas early with us as they are headed to CA for the Rose Bowl parade and festivities. Hope they bring back some warm weather. Have a great weekend everyone. Hugs, Maggie

My doctor sent me home with a bottle of Vicodin also, I tossed them. In the hospital, I pushed the morphine drip button a total of 4 times during my entire stay. I can't stand those narcotic drugs because they lull you into a sense of euphoria while exacting a price. Opinion: I'd recommend staying away from any of the hydrocodones such as Vicodin, Anexsia, and Lorcet. While they do a good job of relieving pain, they tend to be highly addictive. Also, steer clear of all the oxycodone flavors such as Tylox, Percocet, and Oxycontin. They are commonly prescribed but equally as addictive. For the chronically ill patient, these drugs are very useful for pain management. For those of us just recovering from surgery, however, these drugs can represent a potential problem as it can be very difficult to stop taking them. I did take several extra-strength Tylenol for the first two weeks post-op, and that did the trick. Everyone tolerates pain differently, so not everyone should avoid pain killers, but each of us should be aware of the potential drawbacks to these therapies. --Steve

I've had two major surgeries, and never used my morphine pump once. I have never felt the need to be dependent on pain meds until now. Just goes to show you that you really have to do your own research. The Drs aren't going to stop you. Thanks for your inpust Steve.. Maggie

I have to say that going without something like percoset, etc after surgery and using tylenol, certainly would not have helped me! Tylenol barely touches a headache, nevermind any serious pain, for me. Anyhow, I appreciate you telling your story. It's important for us to know about. I tool liquid percoset after surgery, or -liquid heaven- as I liked to call it. When I ran out and asked for more, my surgeon actually laughed and said keep on dreaming. I was kind of mad about that. But, I got over it (and the pain). In retrospect, had he been the type to hand out perscriptions, I'm pretty sure I could have developed a problem, without intending to, very easily. It's so sad that you had to go thourgh this, it's certainly not something you needed to deal with in addition to healing, etc. But, as I said, your story is important, because people need to know that this CAN happen and to use caution. I commend you on your strength. Best, Lisa C

Yes, Maggie, I have fallen in love with the Roxicet my doc prescribed. I have finally stopped taking it, saving it for a severe headache or something. I too, agree that Tylenol does nothing for pain at all. Today I am taking the test to try and get a job at the Groton Public Library. I should do well and will hopefully get an interview. It really would be a great opportunity for me. Tomorrow the girls and I will be baking some goodies for Christmas. I will not be indulging, I really don't have sugar cravings at all. But we are having a lot of company, and the dh needs to bring goodies to work next week for a party. The scale has not budged more than three pounds since my doctor app. on 11/30 (my 2 week app.where I lost 20 lbs.). I am doing my best to get in daily exercise, drinking 64 oz. of water each day, trying to stick to only protein and veggies, while upping my protein to 50-60 grams. I have started to drink a protein drink daily to help get that in, but it is very frustrating. We will see what happens. At least you all here to whine to, other people just don't understand. Pam

14 Vicodin a day!!! Jumping jehosafat! You had a full blown habit going there...and you went through/ or are very LIKELY to go through withdrawal.....not fatal in the case of opiate addiction..but very uncomfortable. If you had to take that many pills to get relief.,.obviously they were not working...or else "working " entirely too well! Wopping tolerance there! I am a recovering alcoholic and a recovering food addict..and an ex smoker..so if you can get addicted to it..I'm your girl! Anyone with addiction issues..be it food, gambling, booze..whatever...has to be careful around substances as we already have the propensity. It is OK not to suffer...but not OK to almost euthanize.... You might find going to a Narcotic Anonymous meeting or an AA meeting helpful....or heck...even OA...it will likely take awhile to get over these cravings and you might need some counseling as well. Hopefully this was just a surgically induced freak episode. If active addicts had the name and number of that Doctor the line would wrap around the block...I hate to say it..but that was kind of outrageous. I am suprised it did not raise a red flag at the Pharmacy... You will feel body aches and lethargic and you might have the sniffles and a runny nose...expect to feel depressed... kind of like a case of the flu....this feeling might hang on for a while...you might even go through stomach upset..cramping etc....also I am wondering if you might not have gotten constipated as a result of this...you built up a heck of a tolerance....not to mention I think Vicodin also has acetominophen in it...and too much of that is hard on the liver... Did not mean to get up on a soap box, but I work in the addiction field and just got very concerned when I read this... Please don't hesitate to get outside help if you find this rougher than you thought! Truly Best Wishes, Sher'

Thanks Sher. I appreciate your concern. My PCP started perscribing them back in September when my back first started hurting. Like I said, I didn't realize I had a problem till Dr. Valin did some testing and discovered it was my gall bladder and took it out three months later. When I stopped taking them I got violently ill. It was the pits. It's taken me two weeks to taper down to none. I am happy to say that this has been day two with none. I just have a few panic attacks here and there, but no more throwing up or diarreah. (Not to mention runny nose, chills, cold sweats and shaking) That drug is evil I tell you. I did call a rehab facility as my husband and I weren't sure we could lick this thing ourselves. The intake nurse could not believe that I had been on them that long with only one source of getting them. I'm on the mend now and have control I'm happy to say. Thank you all for your input and support. I'm glad that I decided to share this. Hugs, Maggie

Hi Maggie! Hugs right back at ya!! I am glad you shared it too..and I am MORE glad that you are going to be OK!!! Thanks for all the support that you have given me as well! Sher'