Three weeks after my total hip replacement I called for pain med refill. My Dr said I should try to wean myself off of them (hydrocodone 5-325) and take less than prescribed (1-2 every 6 hours). It was very painful trying to wait longer and the pain never actually went away just eased up. This week (4th post op) he changed to Tylenol 3. I'm having hard time getting around and continuously hurt.I still cannot get around without a cane and can't lay on my left side.I called dr and he acted like I shouldn't need pain meds and suggested using ice packs, which I have also been doing. I don't want to seem like a drug addict but it is really putting a hinder on me wanting to get up and move around which is what I'm supposed to be doing.what should I do??
Hi
Id be inclined to change my Dr! How on earth can he make a ststement like that on an over the phone consultation.
I would insist on a face to face appointment.
My Dr was not amussed when I asked for a repeat of oxycodone but he could see I needed it - it caused all sorts of problems in the pharmacy as its a controled drug but I got it only took what was needed when it was needed as its teriably adictive.
As your only a few weeks from your opp I think your expecting to do too much too soon - should be on your back for at least 6 weeks not on your side.
Pete (gloucestershire UK)
Hi sorry you are in pain. Are ypu excercising several times a day? That helps. At 1.5- 2 weeks i was finished with the meds. I do admit it was hard to give them up at night. At four weeks you should be feeling better. I had two hips replaced within a six mo time period. It is to soon to get on without a cane! It is also to soon to lay on your side. You will get there but it takes time. Stick with the tylenol..ice and excercise. Get up and walk around more too. I know its hard. You will have good days and bad. We all heal differently. If you continue to be in pain i would make an appointment to see the doc. You are still early in recovery. At about three months you will see a big difference. Good luck! Ps when u do lay on side put pillows betwern legs
Oh Paula! I am so sorry for you. Change doctors! Or become more demanding. You live inside your body, not him, and I'll bet that he is sleeping fine at night while you suffer! Report him to some higher up group or person also. This is not a matter of dependency upon narcotics, this is about being able to heal and movement and rest brings healing after major surgery! At this rate by not allowing you a strong narcotic, he is interfering with your healing process!
Throw a fit in every way you can until you get what you need! It makes me angry that you are suffering because of some pompous demi-God! Please write, call and whatever else you need to do. It is common place here in the US with our strict narcotic laws, to have narcotics available for 3 months after major surgery.
I am with you in spirit,
Dawn
Thanks to you all for your valuable input. Think I will make appt with Dr.
Hi Paula,
Sorry to hear you are having such pain. I am 7 wks post mini THR and have been off all meds since week two. Including otc, except Tylenol PM to help me sleep for a few nights. I just could not stand the effects of the narcotics and wanted to drive again. Coincidently, when I stopped taking the meds, the terrible cramps and muscle spasms I was having in my operated leg at night stopped immediately. So did my bad disposition! The only pain I have is when I first get up to walk and the more I walk the less pain. I used a crutch through week 4 when I went out somewhere, just to make sure I didn't fall. Finally it just got to be a nuisance. The point I am trying to make is that sometimes the pain meds actually make things worse. Make sure you do your excercises and use the ice pack, they help a lot. It really does not seem normal to have so much pain. I can't remember hurting while at rest even right after sugery. I would try getting off the meds for a few days to see if you are having adverse affects from the drugs, I know it's scary, but you may be pleasantly surprised. Then if your pain does not get better, get serious with your doctor. I think he is right though, trying to make sure you don't become addicted. Also take it easy, and give yourself time to heal. The only problem I am having now is sitting on the regular toilet seat without discomfort. I'm hoping that resolves itself soon. I haven't really heard anyone else complain about that.
Take care and good luck.
Kathee
Hi Paula
You say tylenol so I take it thats the US?
I'm in the UK and we stay on meds {with me it was tramadol} for 6 weeks then see the consultant and he usually takes you off that....well he did me.
I was put onto paracetamol which I think is similar to your tylenol and an antiflammatory but no way would he let me stay on the tramadol.
Once i was off it I realised how spaced out I had been and how much better I felt
Love
Eileen UK
O mon Dieu I am still on tramadol one year after. Painkillers are part of life and a necessity after THR. hope a member of his family has need some time soon. Or go see a vet. Would he tell a diabetic to get off the insulin. Duuh...
Hi eileen, your doctors took you off tramadol??
I have been taking it for at least four years.
Hi Ginger,
Yes, this was my first THR 4 years ago.
When I went for my 6 week check up he took me off them
I was on paracetamol and then after a little while onto Naproxen
Love
Eileen UK
Sorry you are experiencing so much pain, however 4 weeks is still very early days. I was still taking painkillers on a regular basis until 8 weeks and even now have to take a dose every now and again. I'm now nearly 11 weeks post revision of right THR and am still using a walking stick. I can do a few steps unaided but that's all. Everyone is different but don't beat yourself up because you are still needing painkillers and walking aids. Your hip has had major surgery and needs a lot of time to heal. Your dr sounds like a pratt (English for idiot!) - he should experience the same op and see how he feels at 4 weeks (I'm assuming he's a he!). As everyone on here says, you should keep on top of the pain and not play catch up, do your exercises and rest as much as you need to as well. You should be sleeping on your back for 6 weeks before even trying to lie on your operated side and then you have to have a pillow between your knees to stop your legs from crossing over in your sleep.
Keep calm and take it steady and you will get there in the end.
Thinking of you.
Stella x
Actually your doctor is correct.
You should start to ease off your meds.
When I was 4 weeks post op, i eased off my meds and just popped 2 per day rather than 4 per day. I know its painful, but we need to have some of the pain as an indication not to overdo the exercises. When we use meds is to block the pain, so we no longer feel the pain but yet, we don't realize the damage we're doing to our operated leg with the pain mechanism alerting us we're in pain. So that will let you know its resting time. You should be sitting on a high chair with arms on each side. Before you sit you must extend your operated leg outward don't bend.
You cannot bend over use a reacher to lift objects off the floor.
You cannot sit more than 45 minutes, lay down and relax.
Your entire recovery consist of more rest, exercise everyday, less pain and less meds.
Don't be afraid to do the exercise as your physio suggest, follow his or her instructions to the letter, you will get better everyday you exercise.
In fact, at 4 weeks you should be resting your operated leg no matter what.
If you don't then your recovery period will be longer than expected and may not recover properly. Following doctors orders is what i do, today four months post op i am feeling great with my new hip.
wow naproxin nearly killed me.
Literally, nearly killed me.
Made my stomach bleed and didn't know about it.
Luckily caught it on time otherwise, i wouldn't be here talking about it.
Howdy The battle of the toilet seat is strong.
No problem if you have a riser on it though.
When I went on vacation I had a hack of time getting off it.b/c it was only 12 to 14 inches off the floor.
I was six months post op. Also people like mgr who had anterior approach do have this trouble.lol.
I would off replaced the entire toilet.
I replaced my toilet with a rise of 17 inches off the floor, i also had grab bars next to my toilet, three grab bars in the shower. each having 24 inches in length. enough space to grab onto.
thats a very low toilet...
Hi
Were you taking a stomach protector at the same time as the Naproxen?
I've been taking omneprozol or lansoprozol as a precaution against exactly what you are talking about.
Love
Eileen UK
After the fact primary doctor gave me some medicine to help coat and suppress the bleeding.
Hi
GP's should always prescribe them at the same time {unless its a very short term thing} Mine didnt unitl I asked. I found out on another forum arthritis care........He was a useless GP lol Not there now. I asked him about them and he said OK if you want them....thats not an attitude for a GP to take is it?
Love
Eileen UK