three weeks post op - when does the pain stop

Question - three weeks post op and I still have to take Tylenol every 4 hours for pain.  Question from veterans - When does the pain start to subside so pain maeds not required.  Just trying to get a general feel?

 

Thank you,

Kelly 

While everyone's pain tolerance is different, in my opinion, i don't think you should still need tylenol that often for pain. have you followed up with your centre? I stopped pain meds about a week after surgery.

what sort of pain are you having? in your incision sites?

Pain or discomfort?  

Pain is not normal. Discomfort is different.  You can take as long as 6-8 weeks.  

But you should generally be okay by now. 

I'm 13 days post op. I haven't taken pain meds since sat. Even then it was only as needed. I noticed when I took pain meds regularly I needed them more. Once I cut back I wasn't as sore and could tolerate the pain more. I'm still tender and sore but I'm living through it.

I agree, everyone is different.  I am about 3.5 wks post op and I have zero pain.  I only took Tylenol once after leaving the hospital.  I am no hero, don't get me wrong, just giving my spin on this.  I would think that if you need it every 4 hrs you may have something else going on?  I hope it gets better, that cannot be fun.

Good luck!

Hi Kelly

I stopped taking pain meds aprox 2wks post opp. I might suggest making an apt with your center and ask them their opinion. Even better ask for an appointment. Better to be safe then sorry. Please keep us informed, were you ever diagnosed with a hernia, as that can cause a great deal of discomfort.  

Thank you for your feedback.  I am going to try pushing out the Tylenol from 6hr intervals little by little.  The pain I have is right near the largest incision and is internal not the incision.  It is worse after sitting and then getting up, then it subsides.

I have contacted the RN I had my post op with to inquire, and await her call.  

I think it may be because I was fairly active before the surgery and did crunches 5 days a week, so hoping it is the muscle being in pain where they went through.

I'll keep everyone posted and thanks again for the feedback it really helps.

Kelly

I was pain free untill 1 week out then the pain started in my sides around my ribs it was very sore. I was fine and then it felt like i wa**** by a truck.  Im 16 days post op and it has gotten much better.  They apparently cut through some muscles and that is what I hsd been experiencing.   Hope you feel better soon.    :-)     Val

Update:  I contacted my centre and the RN indicated that as long as the pain is not worse, I can continue to take Tylenol.  She did indicate that is in a few weeks things do not improve that is another story.  Yay, very relieved. 

Thanks again for the comments they helped me and I feel much better about things.

 

Regards,

Kelly

Glad to hear that your clinic is not worried about the pain. I had my surgery 2 1/2 years ago and remember that I had significant pain that started actually a few days after surgery and didn't subside until a month post op. I was okay when I was moving or being still but getting in and out of bed or standing up or sitting down was very difficult. I really had to stop and think about what I was doing. Are you taking regular Tylenol or extra strength? If you are only taking regular try the extra strength (probably 2 tabs) and extend it to every 6 hours. The key thing is not to exceed 4 grams in 24 hours. Extra strengths are 500mg each so you can take up to 8 in 24 hours. I found that taking the extra strength worked better than the regular.