How long does this pain last? Wow, I didn't expect this much....we'll I didn't know wat to expect.....but how long until I feel some relief?🙏🙏
Hi Tammy the pain will be there for about a week, so keep up the painkilers, the Liquid morphine with the other tablets works fine, and you can have that every 2 to 4 hours, I took Tramadols 2X50mgs worked fine for me, and the big Naproxins are good but make you sweat, but will help you go to the toilet, 2X500g is a wack and kills the pain for 4 hours, stay on top of the pain meds for the first week.
Keep in touch Best of luck and keep up with the foot pumps and crutches in the ward every 2 hours force yourself to walk up and down the ward on the crutches.
Stay in touch Ian +++
As ian said keep in front of the pain . At times I tried to brave it out and not take the painkillers for fear of getting addicted but I'd suffer in the long run . So take everything you are allowed. And take sleeps during the day. It will get better.
Hi Tammy,
Unfortunately it is painful in the first few days but I found that if I could find myself a reasonably comfy position in between the times I had to get up to go to the loo, then after a while I could be reasonably pain free for a while, if I tried not to shuffle myself around. Take all the pain relief they offer you, it's not a sign of weakness and you shouldn't worry about getting addicted as you will only really need the super dooper powerful ones for a week or so after which time you should be able to stop taking them without any withdrawal symptoms. After 2 or 3 weeks hopefully you should be down to just paracetamol and ibuprofen with the occasional big hitter thrown in if you need them.
It's hard my lovely but it gets better and you will be amazed just how quickly it does.
Some hospitals for whatever reason, seem to hold back from giving pain meds but you shouldn't be in a lot of pain. They have the means at their fingertips to prevent that so if you are in a lot of pain then you need to press them for more. Don't worry about being a pest or anything, just insist you are in pain and you NEED something. If they don't come up trumps ask to see the doctor on the ward. That should prompt them into action.
Take care.
Ali xx
Hi Tammy
It will get better! Take all the pain relief you're offered & if necessary ask for some more! I was told always try to stay one step ahead of the pain as it's easier to control that way.
Hi Tammy,
it gets better by the day, I can assure you. But if you need painkillers, ask for them and take them without fear...I was on morphine for the first three days...
All the best
Ella
You should be offered plenty of pain relief, if you need to ask, they can tweak things and alter your prescription if required.
We we are all different I was off all painkillers after 10 days
Dear tammy .....
Me too, sweetheart ...this hospital is kind of careful with pain medication.. but I ask for it .... These first days are no fun but you'll feel the difference in a couple of days ...
I hope you get something that will take the pain away so you can have
hours of uninterrupted sleep....
((Some unrest here on the ward ....Police men walking in the hallway)
Goodnight. ..Big warm hug
Renee
Hi renee are you able to manage your pain right now...not too sore I hope...and not too dry in the mouth...how interesting to have us in the Hospital...We have all been there...Hope you can stay there just a few days more as you will be alone at home....
Big Hugg as always Ian +++
Thanks Ian. I have been getting sick from the pain meds. They have changed it twice and cut back on it...hopefully they can get it straight 😔
Well your subject line is better than my very first comment on this forum. Mine was, "Jesus Christ when does this pain get better!"
In my experience it gets better after 2 weeks. After 2 weeks I still had mild pain but nothing like initially.
Be aware that all pain medication, codeine especially, is constipating so take a stool softner & drink a big glass of prune juice every day. I did and I was fine.
I am very sorry for your ain.
I was not off pain meds until the end of week 4 and even then occasionally I still took them.
I taoered back only after the 3rd week. And my final tapering down was taking a 25mg of Codeine and cutting it in half. My GP gave me that idea, to cut it in half. But I really needed them full strength through the first 3 weeks.
You were very fortunate to eliminate them after 10 days, you must have had a highly skilled surgeon and a good body.
I suggest going first then taking the painkillers, they last for 4 hrs and you really can set your watch by them,....Ian.
I think the surgeon was very good. Both my husband and I work at the hospital, my husband in theatres as an ODO, and all the staff there told him they would choose this particular surgeon. Good enough for them, good enough for me.
i did not deliberately stop taking pain killers, just that without the prompting of pain I forgot about them
I am curious to know if you had any swelling after your surgery.
how long was your surgery?
oh and what is an ODO, thx
I'm finally home!!!😊😊I do have pain pills every four hours as needed. Still quite q bit of pain but....better each day ❤️
Welcome home tammy.
take it easy today. ..just enjoy being back. .and
be oh so gentle with your self. ..
Big warm hug
Renee
Thanks so much Renee. It's great to be home but difficult. After much maneuvering and pain I got into my bed only to have to get up at 1:30 to use the bathroom now I'm wide awake so I'm sitting in my recliner 😔
ODO operating theatre orderly, takes the patients from the ward to theatre and back, and a host of other tasks, sometimes goes into theatre to help move patients etc. the staff made sure he took me back to the ward after the op.
I went into the anaesthetic room at 08.45, came to in recovery at 11.30, I had a general, was back on the ward in time for lunch.
yes there was swelling, pretty gross for around 5 days, then gradually got less. That ankle has always swollen slightly ever since I had a tendon repair 45 years ago but seems to be no worse than before