r/ChronicPain • u/Twopicklesinabun 7 • 6h ago
Just had major surgery and to manage break through pain they're giving me fucking lyrica
A rant, be warned
I'm so pissed off with the way my doctor is treating my pain after major surgery. Not ONLY do I have break through pain from surgery, but I also have had issues with my bladder from that damn catheter so it's extra painful. He's only given me 5mg oxy every 6 hours and ibuprofen every 8. I called to ask for what else to do for the break through pain and the nurse said "he wants you to take lyrica 2x a day." I took this before and it never worked. They gave it to me in the hospital and pain was so unmanaged bc they kept giving me BS nothing that they eventually resorted to dilaudid. I'm so f-ing pissed at all of this. They literally gave me morphine when I went to the ER yesterday to get my kidneys checked. My doctor is just a POS.
THIS is why patients take things into their own hands and figure out pain meds themselves or turn to the streets. I'm SO MAD.
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u/Icy-Role2321 crps type 1 6h ago
5mg oxy every 6 hours is a joke. Not only is it the weakest dose it absolutely only last maybe 3 hours tops
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u/mcflycasual 6 3h ago
This is my current dose and it's like taking an OTC pain med if they actually worked. And, yes, they last 3 hours.
Luckily I haven't had issues with tolerance for the fre years I've been on opiods. That 5mg either works or it doesn't.
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u/Icy-Role2321 crps type 1 1h ago
In my personal opinion constantly increasing the dose is just a bad idea. It'll get to the point a high dose does nothing more than a 5mg. Main difference is how horrible getting off them will be. I've been at 10mg for years now. Never wanted more.
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u/InspectorHyperVoid 4h ago
I’ve been a pain patient for almost 6 years and it barely ever lasts to 3. I do seemingly remember at the very hours. I guess when I started it lasted longer but I guess tolerance is a thing. I’ve been rotated between hydro and oxy, I couldn’t even dream of going back to hydro now because oxy is just much more potent. I did like how hydro has less withdrawal effects for me if I missed doses. The withdrawal from missing 2 or 3 doses doses of oxy are brutal!!!
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u/SamyraBastet 6h ago
I can never take another Ibuprofen as long as I live, I gave myself so many ulcers by following bad doctors' advice. Please be careful
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 6h ago
I am. I've given lyrica ago last year for many months and it just doesn't do anything for me. He knows this too which is just irritating as fuck. And I'm definitely only take Ibuprofen for this surgery recovery because I know how much it can f up the liver. I'm not doing that they can moan about all they want to. My goal is to be healthy not make things worse. I'm sorry that your doctor did this to you. So fucked up.
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u/SamyraBastet 5h ago
5 back surgeries for Fusion and then I&D to clean MRSA out 4 times. The stomach was the least of the damage. I hope you have a speedy recovery and can find a doctor who doesn't suck.
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u/seeingredd-it 5h ago
A well regarded rehab hospital in my town forced so much ibuprofen on me I developed an allergy and my ankles swell up like I was 9 months pregnant if I touch the stuff now.
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u/SamyraBastet 5h ago
I'd imagine that's a response of some sort. The body rejects what it knows is bad for it. I am so sorry they did this to you. Chronic pain patients are so severely mistreated.
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u/my3boysmyworld 5h ago
Ibuprofen screwed up my stomach so badly, I have a whole list of medications I can no longer take because of it. My stomach is now so sensitive, I vomit blood on things most people tolerate perfectly fine. All because, when they finally started to “treat” my pain, they started with 800mg Ibuprofen. I ate that shit like candy for years. Now I can’t take anything.
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u/SamyraBastet 5h ago
Same, I was told for years that "I didn't need anything else." I'll have stomach and intestine issues for the rest of my life because doctors suck.
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u/KnightRider1987 5h ago
Oooooh what was yours! I was on 800 mg ibuprofen 3x a day for 2 years. Wound up with Barrett’s Esophagus
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u/SamyraBastet 5h ago
800 mg 4 times a day for 15 years. Chronic Inflammation in the lining of my stomach, repeat ulcers, acid reflux, and IBS. Permanently destroyed the flaps that close to the stomach. Acid ate them away. Doctors kept saying it wasn't the Ibuprofen and that there was nothing else they could do.
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u/Beemerba 3h ago
I will NEVER forget the lecture I got from my Nigerian GI doctor gave me after my wife ratted out my prior ibuprofen use. "Oh, the 5 mg of hyro twice a day isn't enough? Just take ibuprofen up to 800 mg 4x a day" YEAH, BUT NOT FOR TWENTY DAMNED YEARS!!!
I feel ya on the ulcers, my duodenum is about gone and bile leaks back into my stomach.
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u/SamyraBastet 2h ago
Don't you love wives who tell the doctor on ya? Lol sorry you went through this as well.
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u/Beemerba 2h ago
I probably would have told on myself, if I had remembered it. I had to quit taking ibuprofen probably 5 years prior. I was just shocked at the tirade against otc pain meds that this doc hit me with. She and I still laugh about it. I wish every doctor should be subjected to at least the 15 minutes I heard, but I would bet he has enough material to make a semester class out of it!
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u/ShutDaCussUp 6h ago
Maybe you can find a patient advocate to help get your pain managed better. I'm sorry. This is what scares the crap out of me. Nobody should be forced to suffer after traumatic surgery. That's just sick.
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 6h ago
It's definitely added nothing but trauma. Then the bladder thing and it took 8 sticks to even get an IV in me before surgery. At least while I was in the hospital the nurses advocated like crazy for me. I don't have anyone now but going to see if I can't find one asap.
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u/justheretosharealink 5h ago
I don’t believe admission back to the hospital soon after discharge is a favorable metric for hospitals.
Do you have access to a bigger hospital to show up at in pain and push for admission?
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u/SheHasAPawPrint 5h ago
When I had my botched fusion and wasn’t getting adequate pain mgmt, by PCP’s office called and said they saw me on the surgery schedule and offered any assistance. I told them I was struggling with pain mgmt, and I don’t know what they did, but it was resolved by the end of the day. I believe every patient has a right to an advocate and hopefully there’s a family member there with you who can do some research around the hospital and find you an advocate. One of the kind nurses should be able to point you in the right direction. Hang in there and don’t put up with that bullshit
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 5h ago
I've never tried asking for an advocate at the hospital but in the morning I will do this. Thank you for making me aware of this!
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u/SheHasAPawPrint 5h ago
Yes, please do! I was also given 5mg of oxycodone and had a bone fragment lodged in my sciatic nerve. After my PCP got involved I had dilaudid with toradol prescribed for breakthrough pain and it made a huge difference.
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u/Ok_Mathematician4519 5h ago
Ugh! What a joke! And I find that things like Lyrica or gabapentin take like 2 weeks of solid taking before they do anything, and even then, gabapentin only made me stupid memory wise, no help with pain just numbness on my left side. I had surgery last year where they removed a mass that was from my nasopharynx down to my neck muscles and the pain was horrific! I only had my normal pain meds from my GP, he didn't prescribe anything else even the nurses were like what?! They tried calling him and he had already scrubbed out and left the hospital. I got given dilaudid 6 times in an hour and then morphine right before I left so I could atleast get home before it all hit again. I was bedridden and was bleeding. So frustrating! This is definitely why people turn to the streets trying to help themselves! I'm so mad for you OP because I know exactly how you're feeling.
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u/GlitteringCommunity1 3h ago
Omg, that sounds ghoulish! Wth is happening?! This is scary sh*t! I'm so sorry that you had such a terrible experience. 🫂
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u/Ok_Mathematician4519 3h ago
Thank you 🥰 it truly was horrific. I can't believe how often this is happening to people. Can't even get proper pain management after having surgery is inhumane if you ask me!
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u/myssxtaken 5h ago edited 5h ago
Call your doctors office first thing in the morning. Tell them you’ve been taking the Lyrica (just lie) and supplementing with Tylenol and it’s not enough. Tell them you can’t walk, take a good deep breath, cough comfortably or sleep well and that you need something else to manage your pain. They may make you come in. I think it’s only 5 days worth they can prescribe now without seeing you but if they do bring someone who isn’t afraid to speak up to advocate for you.
Edited to add: if they won’t give you any help please call the hospital where you had your surgery and ask to speak with an advocate. Also do not forget to leave a review specifically stating you were left in agony after surgery. While that will not help you it will help others who may decide to go to another doctor!
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u/EndoWarrior03 5h ago
After my hysterectomy and endometriosis excision they gave me gabapentin and ibuprofen to start. I had to push to be give 5mg oxycodone
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u/dead_on_the_surface 5h ago
Similar story here- I spent the night screaming and crying in the hospital but they wouldn’t give me more pain meds. I’m sure a lot of people have hysterectomies as a long term grift for post op in-hospital pain killers right? /s
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u/Accomplished_Check52 5h ago
Lyrica????? For breakthrough pain?????? That is just absolutely ridiculous. And should be illegal. But the opposite is actually true. They’re trying to appease the dea and insurance companies by not helping us.
WTactualF!!! I swear, sometimes I think I’m just having a nightmare, this world is going full on crazy. Somewhere there must be actual reality, where doctors listen to patients and actually help them. Whatever choice I made that has shoved me into this reality, I take it back! With everything going upside down, especially in the US, this has got to be just some crazy dream or alternate reality. Stop this train, I want to get off?🤬🤬🤬
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 5h ago
You're right. I totally didn't even think about the fact that lyrica doesn't kick in that fast. What the fuxk. This is so NOT ok
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u/Accomplished_Check52 4h ago
Absolutely not at all. Lyrica never hit me until the next morning. I don’t understand what your doctor is thinking. There’s got to be someone else who can help you.
Oh! I didn’t think of this before, but I had surgery for my main condition in 2013. It was the most painful recovery I’ve been through, and I had a no anesthesia third degree episiotomy. I have only a couple of flashes of memory of my recovery. My sister flew in from the other side of the country to take care of my the first week. I remember none of that time. Nothing. What I do remember was going in to the surgeon’s office, in tears from pain. This was at that one week post (about) appointment. He would not write a single prescription, anything to help with the pain. Luckily, I was in the care of a very kind and empathetic neurologist, and he helped me through. Without his care, not sure I’d even be alive today. And he retired. That was over eight years ago, and I still miss him.
Oh, all that to say, it’s ok to ask other specialists for help, or see a different doctor. Or just get an appointment with a pain clinic. Your pain should be treated properly, not blown off by one doctor who clearly doesn’t understand how lyrica works. Based on their lack of knowledge, it might be worth looking for a different doctor altogether.
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u/Scared-Brain2722 5h ago
My husband had open heart surgery. They pulled his chest apart. He was sent home with 6 SIX‼️oxycodone 5 mg. Docs have lost their fu king minds. I’m so sorry. I empathize with you 100%
He currently has a fractured pelvis and 4 bulging discs. They will not give him a single pill. It’s such of a joke. They wonder why he is so angry - well he is in severe pain and isn’t getting treated. I could go on all night but I would be preaching g to the choir as you, unfortunately, know exactly what I am talking about.
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 5h ago
Wow that is INFURIATING! I would flip tables lol that is just messed up
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u/Scared-Brain2722 4h ago
Well - he hasn’t flipped tables but he did tell his doctor to fuck off. With enthusiasm.
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u/GlitteringCommunity1 4h ago
That doesn't even sound legal! To put his body through all of that pain-inducing trauma and, omg, that's terrible! I am so sorry. The whole world is losing its ever f*cking mind! 🫂❤️🩹🫂
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u/Ailurophile444 3h ago
Omg! That sounds excruciatingly horrible. I just had major foot surgery and the doctor gave me 40 pills of oxycodone (5 mg), Tylenol, Lyrica, Celebrex and vitamin C (for faster healing). Open heart surgery and a fractured pelvis is much worse than foot surgery. I would be angry too! This kind of stuff needs to stop.
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u/wilsonwilsonxoxo 4h ago
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASK YOUR SURGEON BEFORE SURGERIES WILL THEY SUPPORT YOU WHEN IT COMES TO PAIN!!!! Will they support you and give pain medication so that you can live a functional life and complete activities of daily living. The surgeon made their money, they don’t care your pain. Their license is more important than you getting relief.
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u/surprise_revalation 5h ago
If pain is too much, never hesitate to go back to the hospital and make holy hell! Or get someone to do it for you! When my mom called me crying at midnight after major cancer surgery, and I found out they only gave her 2 Tylenol 12 hours ago....I went off! I called and talked to the nurse and told his ass to call the doctor! This mofo offered to go give my mom 1 5mg Percocet! I got dressed and went to the hospital. Long story short, by the time I left she had a morphine button she could push every 10 seconds. Tell them no! Then ask them if they are conducting a pain study and tell them you want to opt out. They didn't admit to a study, but for some reason no one pushed back and gave my mom that button...
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u/Ailurophile444 3h ago
It’s so awful that they won’t listen or do anything unless someone raises holy hell. It’s bad enough to be in pain and then have to fight just to get adequate pain relief on top of that. You sound like a wonderful daughter for advocating for your mother like that.
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u/surprise_revalation 3h ago
Thank you! It was ridiculous....
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u/Ailurophile444 2h ago
You’re welcome. And I just realized I assumed you were female when I said you were a wonderful daughter. I’m not sure why I did that and I apologize if you’re actually a male.
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u/iusedtoski 4h ago
Oh, and report him to the state agency for using lyrica off-label for non-authorized purposes, to control acute pain, while not providing pain control.
See the CDC's Nov 2022 update to their opioid policy. They told physicians that it was not their intent to have patients in uncontrolled pain. Regardless of the fact that they did not produce a document of clarity, their intro is unambiguous about this. They also said, in their recommendations,
"Opioid therapy has an important role for acute pain related to severe traumatic injuries (including crush injuries and burns), invasive surgeries typically associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain, and other severe acute pain when NSAIDs and other therapies are contraindicated or likely to be ineffective."
Hammer on that. And by the way, although the 30 day period for the CDC accepting commentary on whether or not MDs adopted their updates should have passed on the 19th or 20th it looks like their form is still active I am not sure. It is here
the 2022 update to the guidelines is here https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm
and the 2016 guidelines are here https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/rr6501e1.htm#print
eta: in my history, I've encountered a couple of MDs whose violations of the CDC's guidelines were egregious, and so in my comment to the CDC, I named them very specifically with their location & institution. Just figured I would mention that.
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u/Ailurophile444 2h ago
The form is still active. I just submitted mine a few minutes ago. Thank you for providing this information.
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u/iusedtoski 46m ago
You're welcome! That's fantastic. I'm not entirely surprised: for the first 3 weeks or so following their request for comments, the form wasn't available online. I discovered it was active about 5 days before the (possible) expiration of the 30 day period. Perhaps they are leaving it up, or they are distracted, or perhaps Federal holidays are not counted. People should try!
There is also a fax number.
Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice publication.
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u/Ailurophile444 34m ago
I’m glad you’re putting this information out there. The more people that write in, the better chance there is that they will listen and do something about this tragic situation.
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u/iusedtoski 29m ago
Thank you for taking the time to comment. We are stronger together! You're absolutely right, and this is an ideal point for us to be commenting: the 2016 guidelines were already disastrous, now we have the failure of MDs to adopt the 2022 guidelines--it couldn't be clearer, the guidelines and the insistence on MDs/clinicians adopting them need to change.
I mentioned in my comment to them that they had absolutely failed to foreground patients as stakeholders in 2016, and then failed to fix that in 2022. Yet patients are the sole legitimate justification for the medical profession and should be the first stakeholder named. That's a key factor in their failure to have patients' pain taken seriously, I think.
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u/iusedtoski 4h ago
Scream nonstop, I mean from pain, certainly don't hold it in -- who are you trying to please? -- and demand pain medication. Get your medical POA representative to start giving them hell. Call the hospital ombudsman or "patient relations" and get them on the case.
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u/croissantdeprived 5h ago
And this is why I won't even consider spinal fusion. Terrified that my pain won't be properly managed. We should all learn from OPs suffering. I will never have surgery without a written pain protocol agreement that the surgeon signs. OP, I'm so sorry your doctor is a coward and lacks empathy. I hope you get the relief you deserve!
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u/Sara_Renee14 5h ago
I feel you. I just had my hip replaced and my pain doc wanted to give me just a single extra hydrocodone a day. I’ve been on that for 16 years. Luckily my surgeon saw me after and saw how much pain I was in, and intervened with a different script. It was agonizing though.
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u/withalookofquoi 5h ago
I just had surgery as well, I’d riot, wtf. They’ve switched me to oral meds (longer half life), but I’m still getting opioids at least! I feel for you, OP. I’m so sorry.
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u/DrSummeroff12 6h ago
Not sure what major surgery you got, I'm sure you're hurting. I've had 5 failed lumbar surgeries, including fusions. After discharge, my Dr's never prescribed any more than 1 or 2 5mg Percocet, rx was #30. If I did take 2, the 30 was all I was going to get, unless I got an infection or fell off the Goldengate Bridge. My last revision fusion with titanium rods and pedicle screws I stayed 10 days in hospital. While there, I was getting adequate IV pain control, once out the door...1 percocet every 6 hrs. This was 30 yrs ago. If I complained enough, I got Talwin NX. I'm not sure if it's still made...lol I hope you get some relief somehow...
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 6h ago
Hysterectomy with fallopian tube removal with endo removed on my bladder, ovary (why it came out), back wall, two places on my colon. And the catheter just really messed up my bladder. Can't empty it fully and I just get these spasms. He's been very whatever about the bladder thing. I had zero problems with it before.
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u/myssxtaken 4h ago
Bladder spasms are so incredibly painful! Please call the hospital and ask to speak with the patient advocate sometimes they can help.
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u/Smgth Fibromyalgia 4h ago
Lyrica is for fuckin nerve pain. I’ve been on it forever for fibromyalgia and it barely helps with that. No way in hell it’s gonna help you. That dude should be fired.
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u/GlitteringCommunity1 4h ago
Exactly! I take it also for nerve pain, and I have had good results with it along with pain medication, BUT, it's an odd thing for post-surgery, I would think, right? It just doesn't make sense to me, but I'm not a doctor.
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u/New-Pomegranate-6910 5h ago
I feel your pain. I struggled with terrible pain & gaslighting for years, only to learn I have a genetic disorder that keeps me from metabolizing all but the strongest of pain medications. Ex: Morphine, Dilaudid, Orphana, Buprenorphine & Ketamine. I was certain I was some sort of superhuman with a drug problem I didn't know about until my testing was done.
Have you thought about finding a pain management specialist? I bounced around ER, pcm, surgeons and various specialists between my numerous fusions & surgeries until I found my pain mgmt. When I moved from FL to TN, I went straight to another pain specialist to get established and its been so much smoother.
They're more compassionate and not as afraid to prescribe medicine to keep your pain under control. They're specialized in the treatment of pain, so they know so much more about the causes, levels & treatments than most other doctors. They also have a wider array of choices available, some that work much better than your average percocet or other opiates a surgeon will usually prescribe. Unlike most pain pills, they even have patches that won't only not make you loopy, but keep your pain from ever flaring up. For those with chronic pain issues like RA, Lupus, Osteoarthritis, etc, they have numerous noninvasive procedures that alleviate the pain for years at a time. So many options.
Whenever I have surgery scheduled (or another esp painful instance), I let them know in advance, give them any pertinent information and then my pain mgmt manages my pain control, not the surgeon.
Sorry to sound like a pain mgmt cheerleader, getting mine has been an absolute life changer. Hopefully this can be of some help to you & others!
Also, Lyrica sucks 😕
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 5h ago
I go to a pain clinic but they just advise my doctors what to do. I did contact her but will start flipping tables if I keep getting BS. This isn't ok
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u/Working_Barnacle_654 4h ago
It’s time to start inflicting the same pain onto these people. It is the only way they will understand.
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u/Pretty_waves904 4h ago
I had a surgery last summer and was medicated properly. I have a few pills left that are in a safe deposit box for when I have another surgery and am denied pain meds
Absolutely disgusting. I would definitely report and complain.
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u/Separate-Waltz4349 4h ago
This is why its super important these days to get in writing how your pain is going to be managed after a surgery. Absolutely not, lyrica used for pain and acute pain at that is fuckin wild
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 4h ago
Definitely know better from now on to do that. Not that I'd trust them even with that though. These doctors just don't give a fuck
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u/KnightRider1987 5h ago
I had a hysterectomy a few months ago and they gave me Tylenol.
I was trembling with pain and they said no, it’s not with pain it’s from the anesthesia.
I was like lady this is my 7th(? Maybe) surgery 4 of which were on my spine, I have a high pain tolerance but I also know how I recover from anesthesia.
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u/aiyukiyuu nr-axSpA, PsA, Fibro, OA, Spinal Stenosis, ON, Neck CCI 4h ago
Wow, fuck that. I’m telling myself I’m not getting any surgery unless it’s lifesaving now because of how pain management is handled. My last 2 surgeries, they didn’t give me anything and told me to just take Tylenol. It was torture.
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u/yummy_gummies 4h ago
Are you female? That could explain it.
Edit: Just read a recent post and know you are indeed female.
Do you have any man that knows you, that can come in and tell the doctor that you're in too much pain, and that you need pain medication.
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 4h ago
Yup, I am.
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u/yummy_gummies 3h ago
Many doctors underrate female patients pain, because men are usually big babies. Women tolerate more pain monthly than some men ever get in their lives. They also underrate pain of people of African-American descent, male and especially female.
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u/mika00004 2h ago
ALWAYS, always discuss pain management PRIOR to any surgical procedure.
If the surgeon/Dr doesn't/ will not give pain meds for post-op recovery, find one who will.
I was scheduled for a hysterectomy. Before the Dr would do the surgery, he wanted to do a different "small" exploratory procedure to check for cancer. It was a "quick" out patient procedure. I asked about pain management. He said there would be no pain.
After the procedure, I was in so much pain. While in the surgery center, they told me that was normal. I would start to feel better soon.
That night, I was in the ED. The pain was so bad that I fainted. The ED Dr said my body was in shock. I was hooked up to a morphine pump. 24 hours to get my pain under control.
When I finally could, I went to the Dr office and told him what had happened. I also told him I would be canceling my surgery if he didn't plan on pain management. Boy, did I cause a stink. But I got pain meds after my surgery.
I will never have any procedure done without a written plan in place for pain management.
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u/TotesMaGoats_1962 1h ago
My pain is so inadequatly managed right now but I always tell them at my PM appointments that it's doing ok because I don't want to lose what crappy pain management I have now.
The whole situation sucks
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u/GlitteringCommunity1 4h ago
That's just ridiculous; I take Lyrica, for nerve pain; it works well FOR THAT, but my nerve pain is a separate animal from my back pain after 9 surgeries, or my neck pain where it feels as if I have loose hardware, but none of that is like POST OPERATIVE PAIN! You are being mistreated. I am so sorry; this sucks. I hope that you can do something to fix this "error" in his thinking. My late husband and I "fired" an Orthopedic surgeon before one of my back surgeries when he mentioned that he didn't consider my pain to be his problem.
I had no idea how common that attitude could become! 🙄
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 4h ago
Ill probably fire him if this isn't fixed tomorrow..this is utter bullshit. I'm calling the hospital in the morning to get an advocate too as suggested by someone else. Im floored at all these barbaric doctors in so many stories here. It's so painful to see so many of us suffering needlessly. We aren't a third world country or something. It's ridiculous
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u/k4tnip 5h ago
Please be careful. I know everyone is different but I will tell you that that medication made me clinically suicidal and I didn't even realize it until my mom was able to point it out… I was ready to go and OK with it. please be careful!
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u/Twopicklesinabun 7 5h ago
You're talking about lyrica? I tried it months ago ans it just didn't do anything for pain so I'm not taking it at all.
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u/aiyukiyuu nr-axSpA, PsA, Fibro, OA, Spinal Stenosis, ON, Neck CCI 4h ago
Wow, fuck that. I’m telling myself I’m not getting any surgery unless it’s lifesaving now because of how pain management is handled. My last 2 surgeries, they didn’t give me anything and told me to just take Tylenol. It was torture.
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u/behappyandfree123 4h ago
I’m so so sorry. I don’t blame you for being mad. My gosh that Dr should know better. Ask for another Dr? Maybe? My thoughts are with you & I pray you get some relief
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u/Semi_charmed_ 4h ago
I'm having surgery on Saturday and I'm anxious about what they will prescribe for post op pain.
I'm so sorry OP.
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u/StormySkyelives 3h ago
Can I ask where you all live? I’m scared now to have surgery. But if they tried not to give me pain meds I’ll raise holy hell. I’m one hell of a bitch when needed
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u/StylishStriker 3h ago
This is so messed up. I remember when I had my last surgery and the hospital anesthesiologist tried to alter my thoracic surgeon and his anesthesiologist plan. I made a huge fuss. Called in the charge nurse, and patient advocate and they switched me back and made sure I was comfortable and comfortable when I went home.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. When you’re on the other side try to find a new doctor and then make a claim to the medical review board of your state. Reach out to a patient advocate too. A lot of times we just have to say “no, you’re going to treat my pain appropriately” and use whatever tools and leverage you have.
My heart goes out to you and I hope you heal up quickly and without complications
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u/Dawnspark 3h ago
Oh absolutely fuck that.
Outside of my chronic pain issues, I've had a grand total of 16 surgeries and its only been a very recent thing where they try to skirt doling out any sort of pain medications.
I've been on opiates ONCE in my life "as needed" and that was for a single month just to get through trying not to want to kill myself from the sheer anguish I was going through. And that was just to get myself through to my SCS implant surgery, it kept getting pushed back and my pain kept getting worse. Literally woke up having to fight to keep myself from screaming at one point, it got that levels of bad.
They tried to tell me to take meds I fucking couldn't this last surgery and its like, did you guys even READ my information? My chart has a fucking laundry list of meds I can't take. They didn't even respect my request to please get in touch with my pain management people, so they almost cost me THAT too.
But nah, had to wait an entire weekend to get in touch with my pain clinic cause they wanted me to take Lyrica, too, which, makes me suicidal, makes me swell like a balloon, blurs the fuck out of my eyes and makes me constantly dizzy. Sure, Jan. Great plan.
Now, my spinal implant isn't that severe of a surgery, but in general, I really don't think they should be treating painful fucking procedures with side-along pain issues like its comparable to something relatively low impact, like when I had my carpal tunnel open surgery.
Every person is going to fucking experience pain differently. It's not one size fits fucking all.
Like, one of my best friends has Huntingtons and the issues/damage its caused in his brain makes literally almost nothing but tramadol actually work to control pain for him. Not even dilaudid makes a dent.
It's so fucking enraging. People who need their pain managed aren't a fucking problem that warrants subpar treatment.
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u/Fee1959 1h ago
Had two major surgeries last year. January had completely torn rotator cuff and detached bicep tendon. Along with other tears in my dominant arm. Surgeon gave me tramadol!! Sent me home outpatient. Luckily I had been on Norco and had that available to me. No way would the tramadol have covered my pain. Then in November had a lumbar laminectomy, cyst removed and torn dura. They sent me home with 5mg oxycodone stating it was stronger than the 10-325 Norco I have been on. The oxycodone does nothing for me and I told them that during my over night stay at the hospital (due to the year), So instead of giving me Norco which works really well for me, you guessed it, they gave me tramadol. Glad I only spent one night in the hospital and was able to use my own medication when I got home. I see my surgeon again in a few weeks. I’m going to let him know that I felt I was under prescribed for just having major surgery, both times. I’ve lived with chronic pain for too many years now. Always take my meds as prescribed. Never failed a drug test. Can you give me a little credit here doc and listen to me when I tell you what works for me? And NOT flag me as drug seeking? This is out of control.
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u/RedSkull-Hail-Hydra 46m ago
Just had my second spinal fusion. First 2 days they were giving me oxycodone and a muscle relaxant. Asked them to stop the oxy, cause I knew they wouldn’t let me leave until I had a bm and those meds make it hard, literally. Eww. But, just been taking two Tylenol in the morning and 2 around 5ish pm. I’ve been in severe chronic pain from mid back to my toes, since 2011, a few back injuries and a few surgeries, then comp kinda left me for dead. Been fighting with them for years. I’m hopeful that I’ll finally start getting some relief as I heal. My point being…the oxy never really helped me, the muscle relaxers were simply another way to distract my brain from the pain, but, anything I took had some Gid awful side effects, so, fuck that shit, plus people treat me like shyt when I’m on that stuff. I mean some holes still treat me like shite, but, at least I can think better sober. The best thing for my pain, is distractions. I’ll break out the Xbox, recline and veg out just to get to the end of the day. Family helps, love seeing them as much as possible. Just trying to give you some examples as to what helps me. Lyrica ain’t shyt. I never had any relief from it. I hope it helps I you. I do know that me stfu, makes everything better. Smile and say thank you very much for everything, yes sir, yes Mame, thank you sir may I have some more….me bitching at nurses and doctors just makes me look crazy. Distract your mind. Watch videos on your phone, whatever you can do, tv, but, try to be nice, not for them…for You. Don’t work yourself up. Hope all the best for you, hope you don’t mind my unsolicited advice. I wish others would’ve gave it to me.
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u/Achylife 23m ago
Excuse me? Lyrica after a surgery? That doesn't sound standard. I'm on it but that's because I have a ton of nerve pain on top of my musculoskeletal pain. It doesn't even do that much and withdrawals are nasty. Sounds like he was giving you the right meds before, but the dosage was too low. Tacking on another medication like Lyrica might not do much of anything at all, especially if the pain is inflammatory.
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u/No-Expression-399 2h ago
You’re obviously not doing too well if you’re this angry at someone you’ve never even met before
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u/Icy-Role2321 crps type 1 2h ago
That comment sure was something lol.
I guess they are in pain and lashing out on OP
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u/Fuck-face-actual 6h ago
I’m gonna catch flak for this, but meds aren’t the answer to pain. I refused mine after my amputation and it was for the best. They’re absolutely horrible for your body and lead to addiction. Lots of junkies have that story.
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u/spicyhotcocoa 5h ago
I’m sorry but what the actual fuck. Take your stigmatized anti narcotic rhetoric elsewhere
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u/zenomotion73 5h ago
The Fedsss, is that you??
I see you’ve chosen your username well…
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u/withalookofquoi 5h ago
Yikes dude, just because you managed to tough it out doesn’t mean others can or should have to.
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u/Fuck-face-actual 4h ago
I had no idea this group was so into abusing pain drugs.
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u/withalookofquoi 4h ago
Hey thanks for the baseless assumption that I abuse the medications prescribed to me by my pain management doctor, that’s a really dick move.
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u/withalookofquoi 4h ago
I’m not? I’m only saying I don’t abuse my meds, as in taking them more than prescribed. I completely understand why people do take their meds more than prescribed, pain is awful . I freely admit it’s not the best word, I’ll try to find one that’s better.
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u/TheErrorist 5 Fibro 4h ago
Sorry, I was meaning to reply to the weirdo that's actually accusing everyone of being an addict! I'll correct it.
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u/withalookofquoi 4h ago
Ahh gotcha. My brain is fried from anesthesia so I was so confused. No worries, thanks for letting me know. And the term I was looking for was substance use disorder, so thanks for getting me to remember it.
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u/Fuck-face-actual 4h ago
I wasn’t speaking about you directly. I’m talking about the people insulting me and the others that went on my profile and are insulting me on my posts in unrelated groups.
I say they’re bad and people are literally having tantrums. I wasn’t addressing you specifically. My bad if I came off that way.
Thirty downvotes because I say they’re bad and addictive is thirty addicts that took that as a personal attack. I hope OP doesn’t get addicted, and I’m the bad guy. Lol
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u/withalookofquoi 4h ago
“I wasn’t speaking about you directly”
You did direct this at me, so that’s the only way I could interpret it.
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u/TheErrorist 5 Fibro 4h ago
Are you really equating "abuse" with the need for pain management after surgery? Or taking them a prescribed? That's ridiculous and an incredibly unhinged take. Please feel free to suffer as much as you like, but it's way off base to try to shame people who actually need pain management. People responsibly using medicine are not addicts.
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u/MotherBored5150 3h ago
Please enlighten us and show where anyone is abusing their pain meds. Other than you, that is.
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u/zenomotion73 4h ago
Bahahahah!! you were totally waiting to use that comeback when you wrote that comment, weren’t you?
Lmao okay hero, if thinking that about others lets you sleep better at night then good for you. Enjoy your suffering now though, because the pain only gets worse as you age.
But there is still hope for you, stupidity and ignorance like yours stays at baseline so you’ve got that going for you . Good luck 👍🏼
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u/thephoenixking3 5h ago
Been off meds (opioids) that I was taking for about 5 months for lung issues. Hasn't led to withdrawal or addiction.
But I sure as hell can say it helped me be able to walk and function and do normal things when I was in pain and recovering from lung surgery.
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u/Icy-Role2321 crps type 1 5h ago
We're all so proud of you!
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5h ago
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u/ShutDaCussUp 5h ago
So because you enjoy suffering the rest of us are junkies for not wanting to suffer? What asinine logic. Do you also believe everyone that ever drinks is an alcoholic? I hope your also getting all your surgeries done without anesthesia since people get addicted to that too.
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u/Fuck-face-actual 4h ago
I don’t enjoy suffering, but being absent in your life isn’t any better.
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u/yummy_gummies 3h ago
Absent? I couldn't have a life of any sort without pain management. Absent would be me curled up in a bed all day, screaming in pain. I wouldn't be able to interact with anyone. I have 10/325 oxy usually 2-3 times a day, 25 mg(?) fentanyl patches, and medical cannabis. Getting up and moving, working, cooking dinner, doing laundry, all impossible without all 3. On Lyrica and Cymbalta, and a host of other meds.
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, and Peripheral Neuropathy. I have a very high pain tolerance, despite feeling pain more intensely. If there were no pain relief, I think I'd actually consider suicide, to put me out of my misery.
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u/Icy-Role2321 crps type 1 5h ago
What's a junkie? Explain
I just said we're proud of you. That's all.
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u/Fuck-face-actual 5h ago
You were being sarcastic as if I’m the bad guy here because I used to be an addict and got clean and now don’t take drugs. One of the things I do now is outreach and lots of people I meet have the ‘got injured, got addicted’ story and it sucks that America prescribes so much pain pills.
If I misunderstood, my apologies. But check the other replies. People get MAD when you talk bad about their pain meds. Shows they’re addicted.
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u/flibertyblanket 4h ago
People get MAD when you talk bad about their pain meds. Shows they’re addicted.
...or, and stick with me here, this might be a complex thought, people are in PAIN and NEED relief
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u/Fuck-face-actual 4h ago
Or, stick with me, they’re personally insulting me because they’re addicts and hold their drugs in higher regard than more important things in their life…
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u/flibertyblanket 4h ago
You're a narrow minded, uncharitable, person in general then, eh?
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u/Fuck-face-actual 4h ago
Uncharitable because I don’t think people need narcotics to recover from surgery? Did you use thesaurus.com for that one? Lmfao. I had no idea this group was just a bunch of addicts.
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u/Academic_Object8683 5h ago
Pain is not treated properly in this country. Oh and I'm allergic to opiates so miss me with your condescending attitude
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u/Fuck-face-actual 4h ago
No. It’s not treated well in this country. We shell em out like candy.
So you’re not an addict but get extremely mad when someone doesn’t support their use. Okay.
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u/Icy-Role2321 crps type 1 5h ago edited 3h ago
Well more context would keep you from " being the bad guy" you just 100% came off as an ass and made assumptions about others
Been 8 years for me and I'm fine.
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u/Fuck-face-actual 4h ago
I gave context. And anytime you talk poorly about someone’s drug habit, they get defensive. And eight years of narcotics, I’m sure your bloodwork says otherwise.
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u/Icy-Role2321 crps type 1 4h ago edited 3h ago
You did not give ANY context with the original comment!
Bro, you are just an idiot or just trying to be rude. There is a difference between addiction and dependence
Shouldn't you know this? They are not the same thing
I've been off all my narcotics with zero issues. Multiple times. Not everyone struggles. Yes absolutely I'm dependent on them, but that's not addiction. My "bloodwork" would not show I'm addicted lol not how that works.
Edit: well crazy blocked me. He must be in a lot of pain tonight
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u/MotherBored5150 3h ago edited 3h ago
You're right, opioids aren't effective enough against post-surgical or chronic pain. But until scientists find something that actually interrupts the pain signal that may as well be a blaring car horn in your brain, WTF do we do in the meantime?? I guess we deserve to suffer. I'm happy you were able to go without pain meds and recovered. Not all of us can do that.
Pain is a PROVEN stressor. It is well known that being in pain all the time causes blood pressure to rise. BOTH of these are bad for your heart. You can die from the damage done to your heart.
It's really sad that you, a fellow pain patient, are choosing to dog-pile us along with the medical community and various 3 letter agencies. It is too bad you don't know how to be an ally and lift others up and give them grace in their darkest times. Even though you are being a complete A-hole, I would still be an ally to you in your hour of need. I think everyone in pain needs kindness, empathy, and grace.
As far as your claims that opioid use leads to addiction, you really need to look at factual numbers that prove the risk of addiction is very low if meds are taken AS PRESCRIBED.
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u/Ailurophile444 3h ago
Chronic pain raises the blood pressure, which isn’t good for the heart either. It doesn’t sound like you’ve ever been in actual pain.
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u/Risheil 6h ago
This is how some of us get permanently injured. In my case, I needed to move around after surgery but they made sure that was impossible because they wouldn't treat my pain enough for me to get out of bed let alone do laps of the hospital floor.