Question:
1 week postop and having problems with chills

I had lap rny on Dec 16, 1 week ago. I have feeling of being very cold where I can't get warm, but at the same time I can be sweaty and clammy. I feel better after I take my pain med. Is this something to be concerned about?    — Jackie R. (posted on December 23, 2000)

December 23, 2000
are you trying to stop taking the pain pills? it sounds like it could be withdrwal symptoms. i here at the hospital they have you on morphine for pain. then they give you pain pills for at home. these drugs are highly addictive and when you are coming down off them you feel sickly. cold, clammy and sweaty.
   — Patti K.

December 23, 2000
Hi, I can say from a professional stand point that unless you were on pain pills for a chronic pain problem and taking them EVERYDAY, you cannot possibly have grown "addicted" to them in this short period of time. Now, there is a thing as physical dependence, which is TOTALLy different than addiction. Physical dependence means that your body "needs" them to function everyday...This is NOT the same as addiction. Addiction is when you depend on these pain killers for a euphoric feeling, getting high. Your intention to take them is to feel "emotionally" better not physically better. Like I said before, unless you were on pain pill for a chronic pain condition before surgery and are now on a lower/less effective dose, you are not addicted or going through withdrawls. Sounds as if you may be coming down with the flu or something. I hope I don't offend anyone with this comment...No offense to the person who posted the addiction thing. I just had to clarify this b/c there is such a "stigma" attached to pain pills and addiction. Hope this helps...Hugs~
   — Marni

December 23, 2000
Jackie, I need to correct something I said in my previous post...If you were on pain pills before surgery and were put on a lower/less effective dose, you could be going through withdrawls. But you are NOT addicted as a "junkie" would be. Sorry for the confusion =o) Hugs~
   — Marni

December 23, 2000
Hi Jackie. I had a distal RNY back in October. I can identify. This happened the while I was in the hospital. When I took my first shower after surgery, I was sweaty just from this simple event. A few hours later, I could not get warm enough. The nursing assistant would come in and complain about how hot the room was. I thought she was crazy. I think the surgery throws off our internal thermostat. The anasthesia properbly has a lot to do with it also. I can't wait for summer, I'm still constantly cold.
   — Jan M.

April 5, 2001
I am feeling exactly the same way and I guessed that it was withdrawal as well. I just wanted to read what others had said. Because of the cold/hot/sweating I'm not resting very well but I'm sure it will pass.
   — Yvonne McCarthy

April 5, 2001
One of the reasons I think I am getting chilled is that I was prescribed a blood thinner when I left the hospital to prevent clots. With our blood being thinner I think we chill. Just a thought. Best of luck
   — marlene R.