Pain meds

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I had my hip replaced 12 days ago. How long does it take for the pain to go away and to be off pain meds??

2

I was off pain meds in two days. I did take Tylenol occasionally for about 2 more weeks. 

3

Varies tremendously from person to person. I stopped taking anything on a regular basis after a week, but needed some sometimes as I got more active and the muscles protested. Just listen to your body, take what you need, be prepared for three steps forward and two back during your recovery. It is akin to a roller coaster

 

4

Thanks

5

I'm 8 weeks....and still take them...not every day but certainly 12 days after I was taking codeine and paracetamol....every day....my Surgeon told me take the pain meds...if your in pain take them...listen to your body ....gets you nowhere being brave....

 

6

I am 11 days post and am allergic to pain meds, never knew until now since this is my first need for pain meds in 58 yrs.  I am now just taking Tylenol and we’ll tge pain is creeping I still do my exercises 3 x a day and ice a lot.  I think as long as we are in PT we should take the pain meds as prescribed.  I can feel the difference with and without pain meds, I think my recover will be longer with no meds.

7

Thank you

8

I took the strong pain meds for 4 days, then I quit taking them.  They were way too strong for me and pretty much causing me to just pass out.  After about 5 more days I stopped taking Tramadol also.  Thereafter just Tylenol when needed.  

9

Thank you

10

It is so accurate to say there will be two steps forward and one back. There is not a smooth upward curve of getting better, some days will be better and others worse. That is just how it goes. Listen to your body, take the meds you need. It is actually preferable to take the meds, even if you would rather not, whenever you have pain - it just helps you recover when you don't also have the stress of being in pain on top of your muscles trying to heal themselves.

11

I came off all pain medication by about 10 or 11 days. This was mainly because I hated feeling drowsy. I also had a dislocation so to be honest when the hip was back in the pain felt very manageable as compared to that. My Doctor was very clear, however, you heal better when you are in less pain, as you keep more active and your whole body (and mind!) feels better, so I wouldn’t worry at all and would just take what you need. I would take pills now if I needed them. She also said that everyone is very different in this respect and it depends on many many factors. 

12

You’ll be fine.  I took them for a couple weeks.  I switched to just Tylenol after that.  Occasional Valium for sleep at night.  I’m 11 weeks.  Still have a rough day here and there, but I see it coming together.  Be patient in your recovery.  You had a major surgery.  Your body takes time to heal.  Good luck...stay positive!

13

Thank you

14

Hi, I took the strong meds for about a week but they caused terrible constipation and I was so zombied I just had to come off them. Managed for another week on ibuprofen and paracetamol and sometime tramadol but haven’t been taking any at all since about week 3 post op. I do still get some achiness mainly when i’ve been sat too long at work but generally pain free (had op end of Oct) which is amazing. Everyone is different tho so just listen to ur body xx

15

Maggi is so right, it varies tremendously from person to person, and operation to operation.  No two recoveries seem to be the same..

Use painkillers as long as you need them to keep comfortable.  This is a real roller coaster trip.

16

Thank you, I thought i was doing better today than after I did some exercise the pt wants me to do now I am in a lot of pain had to go back to using cane

17

This varies a lot depending on whether additional work is done etc or just how long it takes to replace that hip.  I think 2-4 weeks is around normal following this site but may differ for you.  Are you doing physio as that helps?

All the very best, there is nothing worse than pain.

 

18

If you’re in pain, keep take your meds. I took everything that the hospital prescribed for 2 weeks, and then because I wasn’t  having a lot of pain, I halved them. I stopped them completely after a month, not because I was being particularly brave, but because I wasn’t in any pain. (I had minimally invasive surgery.) Everyone heals differently, good luck with your recovery, Judith 

19

Thank you 

20

Yes I am doing Physio.  I thought I was doing better yesterday and after doing my pt i started hurting bad again. Kind of frustrated today.