I have a question about pain meds. pre RNY.

I have been scheduled (so quickly!!) for lap RNY surgery (and removal of gallbladder btw) on August 11th.

I currently take Kadian 50 mgs. twox a day
and oxycodone as needed 10/325 3-5 X day.

Okay so Center says I need to lower doses because people don't do as well if on pain meds., and risk of ulcers ..

So my pain D. yesterday pescribed fentanyl patches..25micrograms. I have never used these. His purpose was to get me ready to see how I would tolerate it and he said he'd rather go low on dosage and I could always put another patch on if needed.  He said put one on in place of the Kadian and see how that goes --if I need it take one of the Kadian-- and maybe in another day another patch as well.

Do I have time to work this out? Any suggestions? So are you able to take pills? I got very scared whe I was told about not being able to take the meds. because noting solid can be taken and they could get "stuck" or I could develop ulcers. I NEVER EVER want to feel that pain again.

I did a dearch on the internet and I couldn't find any answers about how kadian compares (dosage wise ) to the patch. Also, do you have any suggestions given my pain issues and upcoming surgery with your experience?  Oh my goodness almost forgot...how do you deal with constipation? Any time in the past that I was on calorie restriction I'd get it. With coffee I "go" but I'm told no caffeine (so that's the other big isssue/question). Obviously I also take colace but I really think the coffee is what does it.

I would be so grateful for any advice.. Thank you so much!

Can't help with the pain meds but you may be able to take Miralax for the constipation.  I take it everyday otherwise I need a stick of dynamite!

I had surgery Sept/06. I have severe arthritis and fibro. BEFORE surgery I was on arthritis med's and vicoden. After surgery I cannot take the NSAIDS but I still take vicoden. I was swallowing pills in the hospital before I left. In the beginning it was a littl tricky but now I take my pills and there big vit's and med's maybe 8 big ones and all is well. The NSAIDS usually they do not give you after surgery because of them being hard on your stomach.I am not familiar with Kadian. I have been told that the "patches" even though they are patches can still be hard on your stomach?????I did not understand that but.....
Just a comment made with love, that seems like a lot of oxocodone,
Good Luck and let us know how you are doing..
Pam 

Thank you so much for your responses.

I will start the patch today.  I had a day planned by the pool yesterday and it says you shouldn't "sunbathe" with the patch so I wanted to wait.

I still would appreciate any more thoughts from those who know these drugs.

 I had surgery on the 14 and had to stop the Celebrex, but I've been fine with just liquid pain med my surgeon gave me (vicoden). We will see what happens when I go back to work...
For the patch, keep it covered, the heat while sunbathing can release the medication faster and cause some major problems like overdose.   This is true with all patches , so wear it someplace that the sunlight won't reach. 
Hope this helps. 

my  surgeon says I can use celebrex only, had to stop my motrin, which has worked better for me  than any anti-inflammatory on the market. I can take any pills they said as long and not bigger than an M&M candy. I have no trouble swallowing my soma or other pills, and I break my vicodin in half and take that way with no problem. I have heard others say they have trouble with pills getting stuck. Unless using alot of vicodin, don't usually have problems with constipation, usually just the opposite, as I have irritable bowel syndrome.  JoAnn