Question:
How can I be sure my pain mgmt. will be met- post op and with what type of meds?

I have been taking oxycontin pain meds for approx. 3 years now as long term pain mgmt. I take 160 mg. twice a day and 6x 30mg. of oxycodone break throughs everyday as needed. My biggest fear is that because I take such a high dose of pain medicine everyday and I have built up a tolerance to it, what and how will my post op pain be treated?    — Debra U. (posted on May 13, 2005)

May 13, 2005
Debra, that is a very interesting question due to your predicament. I cannot offer any advice with the pain medication but honestly, the pain really isn't that bad and I had mine open. I did not even use pain mediation once I left the hospital. I would definitely talk to your surgeon and see what your options are. Good luck in your journey darlin! Hugs...Erika
   — Egyptianeyesdiva

May 13, 2005
I had my surgery on the 25th of April. I had been on percocet since Sept 2004. And pain management was hard to come by post op.The docs did the best they could, trying different things, but in the end, nothing worked great. I wish now I had stopped taking my percocet and dealt with my pain, so i could have gotten more relief postop
   — aunt-dotdot

May 13, 2005
Wow, you are taking some heavy duty pain medication. Obviously you are in some major pain before surgery, does this medication work for it? If it does, then there is a good chance that it will also take care of the surgery pain. pain meds don't just take care of one localized pain, they take care of all the pain... so you should be ok. Honestly, the pain of surgery isn't that bad. I know I have a higher pain threshold than others, but really my pain was minimal... it wasn't easy by no means, but there could be so much worse in the world. It is really rough when moving.. like getting out of bed, that is the worst. But, once it is over, it is over! You will be just fine, don't worry about it, just take it as it comes and then it is over! Good luck, amber
   — septembergirl73

May 14, 2005
My recommendation would be that you consult with a pain management specialist. You will need a LOT more pain meds than the average surgery patient. Anyone who is on long term pain management with develop a need for higher amounts of meds. This is not an addiction for those who are unfamiliar with long term severe pain management, it is just a fact of how these meds work. It is often confused with drug seeking behavior, but the fact is that those in chronic pain who are inadequately treated can feel pretty desparate for relief. You may need to do some education to your caregivers in the hospital as well. Most hospitals have training on pain management as it is a joint commision of hospital accreditation requiremen,t but not all employees, Drs. RNs will buy in to what they are taught as they all have preconceived ideas. Only YOU can determine your level of pain and it should be treated according to your needs not their preconceived ideas of what it should be. Good luck and let me know how you do!
   — **willow**

May 14, 2005
Hi, I haven't had surgery yet but as I am on a lot pain medication as well, I understand where you are coming from. I would definitely talk to both your surgeon and whoever perscribes your pain medication. Because you are on such high doses and are still taking break through pain meds, I would definitely say that you have some major tolerance going on. Being pro-active and discussing this with everyone would probably be a good idea. I have just started using a three day fentanyl pain patch. It works pretty well. There are also fentanyl "lollipops" that they use for break through pain. It sounds like people have some difficulty with pills after surgery... fentanyl has to be given either in an IV, through the skin with a patch, or through the mucus membrances with the "sucker." It might be an option for you. Good luck, Sid
   — mrsidknee