Question:
When can I get off pain medication?

I'm 3 weeks post-op and feeling pretty good. Even though I feel good I'm still semi-dependent on my pain medication (hydrocordone elixer-liquid vicadin). When the medication wears off I feel a kind of tightness and discomfort. Not really pain but discomfort. How many weeks out will I have to be before I feel normal and won't need medication?    — George L. (posted on December 24, 2001)

December 24, 2001
I think everyone is different.. I had a LapRny so I was not in a lot of pain at all.. But I also think that if you are only feeling discomfort and not pain.. <br> You should try and ween yourself off the hard stuff and move to Tylenol.<br> Moving around helps too! I know its hard in the begining.. but the more you move the better you will feel. <br> Good luck.. Kathy
   — Kathryn C.

December 24, 2001
I had my open RNY Oct 16, 2001. I only used my pain medication for the first week. I didnt even think about asking my my Surgeon for a refill. Didnt need it. That \"tightness\" will go away with time. Moving around helps alot!! I am a little surprised that they are allowing you to use it for so long. Hope all goes well for you!!
   — skymaxjr

December 24, 2001
The faster you get OFF the pain medication the better off you will be. You don\'t want to get hooked on that stuff! Walk a LOT and it will help losen up & you\'ll even be able to lay on your stomach.
   — [Anonymous]

December 24, 2001
hi george!! i am 7 days post op open rny & was off pain meds the second day. made the nurse remove the iv & with it went the pump. from then on i have been on tylenol. the liquid & chewable made me have diareah so hubby crushes one extra strength tablet for me WHEN I REALLY NEED IT. other wise i live with the pain & move around alot. pain meds retard the healing process. i feel better every day. & i do rest alot per my drs orders, which were, get back to normal but when u feel tired...lay down & relax ur body. this is just the last of many surgeries for me over the years & i have always found...it may hurt but it gets better. just grit ur teeth. good luck.
   — sheryl titone

December 24, 2001
surg dec 6---open rny--- i took mine for about 2 weeks. mostly bec of my shoulder pain not the pain in abdomen. i will tell you after i started using the tredmill the pain got less and less everywhere. jacki
   — Jackiis

December 24, 2001
You should really be off the pain meds by now. Make sure to SLOWLY wean yourself off them over a period of days. If not, you will experience withdrawal symptoms and be miserable - trust me I tried to go cold turkey and felt very sick. When I called my doc, they told me I had to go slowly coming off the drugs. After about three days of slow withdrawal, I was fine.
   — Lisa B.

December 25, 2001
Everyone\'s pain tolerance varies, but I do think that 3 weeks is too long. I scaled down my dose to 1/2 by day 3 and took that maybe 2 days. Try to cut your dose down and see how you do with that. Give it a day on half doses, you will probably find that you don\'t need it as much as you think. Also, get moving. It helps you heal faster and feel so much better. Of course it wears you out and need to rest. Definitely rest when your body needs it so that it can heal. But really try to wean yourself off the pain med. Good luck.
   — Cheri M.

December 25, 2001
Yes... you should be OFF your pain meds by now. I was on Percocet for 3 days after I came home.. 1/2 dose for a couple days.. then maybe once a day for a couple days. You WILL feel discomfort. You\'ve had SURGERY and healing takes TIME!!! Unless you\'re in PAIN (enough to wake you from sleep is plenty) I\'d get off those pain meds NOW. If you ARE in that much pain, I\'d contact your surgeon.. something might be amiss...
   — Diane E.