pain meds

[Guest guest]

> Laurie, are you really alllergic to all those meds or do you just

> have adverse reactions to them? A true allergy is either

anaphylaxis

> or hives.

Marta...that's nothing. I hate listing my allergies when I have to

go to a new doc or to urgent care for something. I can't even

remember them all! When I was young, I had NO allergies. Not one.

And then at 25 they diagnosed me with severe hyperthyroidism (Grave's

disease) and since then I have been a sicky and have found I have a

TON of drug allergies and intolerances. Of course, when you're not

sick, you don't know, right? Since my thyroid went wacko, I spent a

LOT of time sick. Weird stuff. Not normal. Here's what I remember

about my " allergies " :

Contrast dye--respiratory arrest

Vancomycin--drug fever

Darvocet--anaphylaxis

Vicodin--itching

Percocet--itching, hives

Morphine--nausea, itching?

Dilaudid--nausea, itching?

Codeine--itching, hives

Bactrim DS--itching

Relafin--not proven, but was taking with something else and ended up

having anaphylaxis and this was the last drug added.

Oh bother...I don't remember them all.

I'm a doctor's worst nightmare for prescribing drugs. I use to have

PCN and e-mycin listed but " tested the waters " and found out I'm fine

with them now. Go figure.

Are you sure you don't want to be my doc????

Hugs,

Laurie in WI

DS Revision 8/12/04

Dr. Ara Keshishian

196 days to go!!!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/29/2004 10:45:29 PM Central Standard Time,

mjs93311@... writes:

I

> can

> > also be abused by those with addictive personalities. Sigh.

>

> I'm sure you can.... were you looking for the word " It " instead

> of " I " ?

Lol Marta, Don't you just love him already......????

in Bama

VBG 1982 (lost from 433lbs to 270's)

VBG to RNY1996 revision(Lost from 343 to 299)

RNY to DS revision Dec 2002 -down 118 lbs so far (377.7 to 259.4 and still

going

Homepage address- http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Many thanks to Dr. K willing to take on a 3rd timer....LOL

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/29/2004 10:45:29 PM Central Standard Time,

mjs93311@... writes:

I

> can

> > also be abused by those with addictive personalities. Sigh.

>

> I'm sure you can.... were you looking for the word " It " instead

> of " I " ?

Lol Marta, Don't you just love him already......????

in Bama

VBG 1982 (lost from 433lbs to 270's)

VBG to RNY1996 revision(Lost from 343 to 299)

RNY to DS revision Dec 2002 -down 118 lbs so far (377.7 to 259.4 and still

going

Homepage address- http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Many thanks to Dr. K willing to take on a 3rd timer....LOL

[Guest guest]

> In a message dated 1/29/2004 10:45:29 PM Central Standard Time,

> mjs93311@y... writes:

> I

> > can

> > > also be abused by those with addictive personalities. Sigh.

> >

> > I'm sure you can.... were you looking for the word " It " instead

> > of " I " ?

> Lol Marta, Don't you just love him already......????

Mel, yes, I do love him already. Great minds, and all that!

Marta

[Guest guest]

Sounds like you had the same problem I did!! My period started

soon after surgery, and I thought I was going to die. Vioxx did

NOTHING to touch that pain! Dr. Dasher even had me to come back to

the hospital and took me back to surgery to be sure the pain wasn't

coming from a leak! I've always had painful periods, but before the

MGB, Ibuprofen always came to the rescue.

While I was in the hospital that 2nd time, I was given Oxycodone

for menstrual cramps, but was sent home with a prescription for

Hydrocodone. I got some relief from the cramps in the hospital, but

not sure if it was all from the Oxycodone or if I was being given

something in IV that might have affected that. When I got home I

started taking the Hydrocodone, and it made me VERY sleepy. That

helped, but it wasn't like really having relief from the cramps. I

asked my PCP if the Oxycodone and Hydrocodone were the same, and he

said they were similar, but some differences. He gave me a

prescription for the Oxycodone which I haven't had filled yet, cause

I haven't had another period. (I'm 53...hoping I won't!) He also

told me to take the Vioxx along with the Oxycodone, because it would

help the Oxycodone to work better. I hope you find something that

works. If you do, please let me know!

Anne

6/10/2004

Dr. Dasher

> Vioxx is doing nothing for my cramps.

>

> Bextra was recommended as an option by my gyn, amd in the same

class

> as vioxx and celebrex. Has anyone else tried it?

>

> Marley

> 6-24-04

[Guest guest]

Anne,

I too got my period 2 days after surgery.. but knew it.. expected

it.. and suffered. I just assumed the pain WAS menstrual and ate

vioxx and walked very slowly and took frequent naps.

This time the flow is heavier and *I* am more active in general - so

I know it's cramps. BAD cramps. They have ALWAYS been an issue for

me - outside of being on the pill. In this case, getting a timely

respnse makes a difference, which is why I called my gyn. His office

not only got back to me immediately, he and I spoke 20 min later -

when I filled him in on the surgery, the manual's statements about

aspirin, ibuprofen etc. He also concurred with the pharmacist that

Vioxx works so well for some and not at all for others. It looks like

for menstral cramps I fall into the latter group :: sigh ::. The

Bextra mighta helped a little... but I was not thrilled, and far from

comfortable. He said he thought narcodics become the next option but

wanted to see if we could work around that option, and to further

check with my surgeon, too. I can concur with that - but I will not

be able to spend the day in bed or rocking once I return to work FT

next month. Luckily, the cramps usually subsude after the 2nd or 3rd

day, so for this month - I'll make it through. Pre-MGB I often took a

cocktail of sorts and it usually involved naproxen and or one of our

other forbidden fruits, lol.

I think I will call or email Dr Dasher for an Rx for pain other than

the vioxx, seeing it wasn't a winner for me.

Thanks for sharing your input, experience and feedback!

Marley

6-24-04

PS - That time of the month cravings?? Haven't subsided at all...

just the ability to FULFILL them has changed!!! (Yes.. I'm YEARNING

for carb and fat laden something to sink my teeth in! LOL) ok... even

a hearty sandwich!!!!! [sometime... someday?]

- still tip-toeing at 5 weeks out

> > Vioxx is doing nothing for my cramps.

> >

> > Bextra was recommended as an option by my gyn, amd in the same

> class

> > as vioxx and celebrex. Has anyone else tried it?

> >

> > Marley

> > 6-24-04

[Guest guest]

second posting.....don't know where the first one went.......I am planning

on having a tummy tuck in a few weeks. I am just waiting on all the

paperwork for the insurance company. When I had my bladder slung up they

gave me darvocet. I told him that I could not take it, and he prescribed it

anyway. Good thing that I had no pain. I am sure that this will hurt, and as

I am a big baby about pain, I want to make sure that what I take will not

hurt me, and my liver. Anyone who has done any plastic surgery, please

advise me as to what you took...........Thanks. in Mo.

[Guest guest]

what is the most liver friendly pain meds,my teeth work is about to start and i need to know,crazy as it sounds they got my medical insurance to pay 80%,but i need to know what pain meds i need us4heavenbound@... wrote: Thanks I will try that..I got that darn neck headache again today. But am feeling a whole lot better..thanks geri Happy moments, praise God.Difficult moments, seek God.Quiet moments,

worship God.Painful moments, trust God.Every moment, thank God. Re: went to the ER Oh my sorry that you had to go to the ER, been there done that myself. Not a whole lot of fun. Yes sir rebob. Drink that water, anyway that you can. I use Fulfill when I get tired of plain water. Find it at Wal-mart in the drink dept, where the koolaid and other stuff is. 0 calories,O sodium just flavor. You pour it into your water bottle and shake. Love Janetus4heavenboundaol

wrote: Well after spending 6 hours in the ER..oh joy, we finally figured out I was dehydrated..of course the last thing he tried...lol..My heart rate would jump from about 95 to 120 just turning over in the bed..and palpatations too. I had to call at school to have him take me. I was a mess when I got there.. My chest hurt, I couldnt breathe, I was sweaty, it was just terrible feeling...He said my RBC count was a bit low 10.5 which is on the low side of normal. My gums and eyelids were pale tho. He gave me two times in two hours lowpressure IV..which didnt bring down my heart rate..I said how about some fluids...duhh. isnt that the first thing they do is give you an IV??? Anyway it went down

to the high 70s and low 80s and when I moved high 80s..so we were good to go..I feel SO much better now..wow I mean such a total differance.. but at least now I know what it is and I have to start drinking tons of water again..thanks for all the prayers...Geri ALL I CAN SAY IS DRINK YOUR WATER........ Take the ordinary things of life, and make them your own. Do the impossible with a smile Check

out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more. Tim Parsons knoxville,tn 37931 865-588-2465 x107 work www.knoxville1.com

Everyone is raving about the all-new .

[Guest guest]

YOU can take anything that you would NORMALLY be able to take,, tylenol, advil, Morphine, Vicodin etc,, but in moderate amounts,,, Hillbilly Tim <knoxweb1@...> wrote: what is the most liver friendly pain meds,my teeth work is about to start and i need to know,crazy as it sounds they got my medical insurance to pay 80%,but i need to know what pain meds i need us4heavenboundaol wrote: Thanks I will try that..I got that darn neck headache again today. But am feeling a whole lot better..thanks geri Happy moments, praise God.Difficult moments, seek God.Quiet moments, worship God.Painful moments, trust God.Every moment, thank God. Re: went to the ER Oh my sorry that you had to go to the ER, been there done that myself. Not a whole lot of fun. Yes sir rebob. Drink that water, anyway that you can. I use Fulfill when I get tired of plain water. Find it at

Wal-mart in the drink dept, where the koolaid and other stuff is. 0 calories,O sodium just flavor. You pour it into your water bottle and shake. Love Janetus4heavenboundaol wrote: Well after spending 6 hours in the ER..oh joy, we finally figured out I was dehydrated..of course the last thing he tried...lol..My heart rate would jump from about 95 to 120 just turning over in the bed..and palpatations too. I had to call at school to have him take me. I was a mess when I got there.. My chest hurt, I couldnt breathe, I was sweaty, it was just terrible feeling...He said my RBC

count was a bit low 10.5 which is on the low side of normal. My gums and eyelids were pale tho. He gave me two times in two hours lowpressure IV..which didnt bring down my heart rate..I said how about some fluids...duhh. isnt that the first thing they do is give you an IV??? Anyway it went down to the high 70s and low 80s and when I moved high 80s..so we were good to go..I feel SO much better now..wow I mean such a total differance.. but at least now I know what it is and I have to start drinking tons of water again..thanks for all the prayers...Geri ALL I CAN SAY IS DRINK YOUR WATER........ Take the ordinary things of life, and make them your own. Do the impossible with a smile Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more. Tim Parsons knoxville,tn 37931 865-588-2465 x107 work www.knoxville1.com Everyone is raving about the all-new . Jackie

[Guest guest]

Dilaudid is the most liver friendly tho,, sorry I forgot to add that,,, Morphine also clears more through the kidneys instead of the liver,,Hillbilly Tim <knoxweb1@...> wrote: what is the most liver friendly pain meds,my teeth work is about to start and i need to know,crazy as it sounds they got my medical insurance to pay 80%,but i need to know what pain meds i need us4heavenboundaol wrote: Thanks I will try that..I got that darn neck headache again today. But am feeling a whole lot better..thanks geri Happy moments, praise God.Difficult moments, seek God.Quiet moments, worship God.Painful moments, trust God.Every moment, thank God. Re: went to the ER Oh my sorry that you had to go to the ER, been there done that myself. Not a whole lot of fun. Yes sir rebob. Drink that water, anyway that you can. I use Fulfill when I get tired of plain

water. Find it at Wal-mart in the drink dept, where the koolaid and other stuff is. 0 calories,O sodium just flavor. You pour it into your water bottle and shake. Love Janetus4heavenboundaol wrote: Well after spending 6 hours in the ER..oh joy, we finally figured out I was dehydrated..of course the last thing he tried...lol..My heart rate would jump from about 95 to 120 just turning over in the bed..and palpatations too. I had to call at school to have him take me. I was a mess when I got there.. My chest hurt, I couldnt breathe, I was sweaty, it was just terrible

feeling...He said my RBC count was a bit low 10.5 which is on the low side of normal. My gums and eyelids were pale tho. He gave me two times in two hours lowpressure IV..which didnt bring down my heart rate..I said how about some fluids...duhh. isnt that the first thing they do is give you an IV??? Anyway it went down to the high 70s and low 80s and when I moved high 80s..so we were good to go..I feel SO much better now..wow I mean such a total differance.. but at least now I know what it is and I have to start drinking tons of water again..thanks for all the prayers...Geri ALL I CAN SAY IS DRINK YOUR WATER........ Take the ordinary things of life, and make them your own. Do the impossible with a smile Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more. Tim Parsons knoxville,tn 37931 865-588-2465 x107 work www.knoxville1.com Everyone is raving about the all-new . Jackie

[Guest guest]

When I have problems with me ear, I usually try to sleep in an inclined position. if things get bad enough I sleep in the reclining chair.

I was not allowed to take anything with Aspirin in it 2 weeks before surgery. So if I had a Pain reliever that had aspirin in it, I have always been switched. Codeine is not always strong enough to do the trick when my ear is bad, talk to your Dr about that. I have always been told to stay ahead of the pain, don't wait to take medicine until your ear is so painful you can't take it. It takes longer for the medicine to work. I don't stop taking the pain meds because of other problems, I take the meds when I need then and I usually need them most at night. When you allow yourself to be in constant pain it stresses out your system and nothing works right.

I eat prunes and drink juice and PLENTY of water. One thing I found out for myself was to stay away from foods that make you bloat, more discomfort. I thought I was doing wonderful eating apples and pears!! Then I researched foods and found out that both of them are high on the list to cause discomfort. I don’t have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) but when I am on Pain meds for a while I will get the symptoms. The reason I know is because when I stop the pain meds the other problem stops. If you search the Internet for IBS and look at the food list for a person that has IBS, that is kind of the foods that I eat and believe me that helps.

I have other medical problems, but I tell my Otologist every thing that is going on with my system, it's amazing how things can be connected and you would never dream of it. Again, everyone situation seems to be different. Again, I am not the norm, so please don't compare yourself to me. Just telling my story!!

Hope some of this info helps

Ingrid

Pain Meds

I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing, but I can't sleep properly because of the ear discomfort. Originally the dr prescribed Aspirin with codein, but with surgery coming up, the prescription was changed to tylenol plus codein. At this time I take one tylenol with codein and ambien cr. I've been sleeping pretty good with that combination. I try not to take any additional pain meds throughout the day. Most of the time I succeed. After I read this thing about what pain meds do to the colon I thought I'd ask if you think my meds are ok. Might add I also take prunes, fibres and anything else to keep me on a daily basis. Also try to walk a mile every day. I have a Dr appointment today so I'll check with her also. Thanks for mentioning the pain meds and how they affect the body. I would never have thought about that.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ingrid for the information on IBS. I hadn't heard of that

before and the sites I found on IBS have been quite informative.

About 3-4 years ago I had a colonoscopy done because of the symptoms

discribed on some of the sites (except I had other symptoms too).

Nothing was found and no other tests were preformed. The doc I was

seeing at the time didn't mention anything about IBS (or anything

else) and I never did pursue it again. Next time I go see the doc,

I'll have to ask about IBS and pursue the matter again ... after

surgery though. I don't want to see a doctor for as long as

possible before and after surgery - so I'll bring it up in one of my

post-op exams or something.

15 days and counting

Colleen

>

> When I have problems with me ear, I usually try to sleep in an

inclined position. if things get bad enough I sleep in the reclining

chair.

>

> I was not allowed to take anything with Aspirin in it 2 weeks

before surgery. So if I had a Pain reliever that had aspirin in it,

I have always been switched. Codeine is not always strong enough to

do the trick when my ear is bad, talk to your Dr about that. I have

always been told to stay ahead of the pain, don't wait to take

medicine until your ear is so painful you can't take it. It takes

longer for the medicine to work. I don't stop taking the pain meds

because of other problems, I take the meds when I need then and I

usually need them most at night. When you allow yourself to be in

constant pain it stresses out your system and nothing works right.

>

> I eat prunes and drink juice and PLENTY of water. One thing I

found out for myself was to stay away from foods that make you

bloat, more discomfort. I thought I was doing wonderful eating

apples and pears!! Then I researched foods and found out that both

of them are high on the list to cause discomfort. I don't have IBS

(Irritable Bowel Syndrome) but when I am on Pain meds for a while I

will get the symptoms. The reason I know is because when I stop the

pain meds the other problem stops. If you search the Internet for

IBS and look at the food list for a person that has IBS, that is

kind of the foods that I eat and believe me that helps.

>

> I have other medical problems, but I tell my Otologist every thing

that is going on with my system, it's amazing how things can be

connected and you would never dream of it. Again, everyone situation

seems to be different. Again, I am not the norm, so please don't

compare yourself to me. Just telling my story!!

>

> Hope some of this info helps

>

> Ingrid

>

[Guest guest]

Again for me, the symptoms stop a few weeks after I stop the pain meds. 15 and counting!

Ingrid

Re: Pain Meds

Thanks Ingrid for the information on IBS. I hadn't heard of that before and the sites I found on IBS have been quite informative. About 3-4 years ago I had a colonoscopy done because of the symptoms discribed on some of the sites (except I had other symptoms too). Nothing was found and no other tests were preformed. The doc I was seeing at the time didn't mention anything about IBS (or anything else) and I never did pursue it again. Next time I go see the doc, I'll have to ask about IBS and pursue the matter again ... after surgery though. I don't want to see a doctor for as long as possible before and after surgery - so I'll bring it up in one of my post-op exams or something.15 days and countingColleen>> When I have problems with me ear, I usually try to sleep in an inclined position. if things get bad enough I sleep in the reclining chair. > > I was not allowed to take anything with Aspirin in it 2 weeks before surgery. So if I had a Pain reliever that had aspirin in it, I have always been switched. Codeine is not always strong enough to do the trick when my ear is bad, talk to your Dr about that. I have always been told to stay ahead of the pain, don't wait to take medicine until your ear is so painful you can't take it. It takes longer for the medicine to work. I don't stop taking the pain meds because of other problems, I take the meds when I need then and I usually need them most at night. When you allow yourself to be in constant pain it stresses out your system and nothing works right. > > I eat prunes and drink juice and PLENTY of water. One thing I found out for myself was to stay away from foods that make you bloat, more discomfort. I thought I was doing wonderful eating apples and pears!! Then I researched foods and found out that both of them are high on the list to cause discomfort. I don't have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) but when I am on Pain meds for a while I will get the symptoms. The reason I know is because when I stop the pain meds the other problem stops. If you search the Internet for IBS and look at the food list for a person that has IBS, that is kind of the foods that I eat and believe me that helps. > > I have other medical problems, but I tell my Otologist every thing that is going on with my system, it's amazing how things can be connected and you would never dream of it. Again, everyone situation seems to be different. Again, I am not the norm, so please don't compare yourself to me. Just telling my story!! > > Hope some of this info helps> > Ingrid>

[Guest guest]

For the most part if it works on pain it is not liver freindly. But it also comes down to how it is used. I have ultram for most pain. I also have darvecet for more severe pain. Tylenol does not work for me unless I take the arthritis strength. And then I have to take 2 of them, NOT LIVER FRIENDLY!!! http://www.tylenol.com/print.jhtml?id=tylenol/arth/arthlpfaqprint.inc#1_a But you and your dr have to find what works best for you. d -----Original Message-----From: Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies [mailto:Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies ]On Behalf Of GoolsbySent: May 22, 2007 8:41 AMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: question HI I know I haven't been much of a support partner but for some reason reading the mails started getting me down the fact that I didnt clear at the time my Doc thought I should was a bit of a blowbut i went down from 5000+ to 341 lets see what the next weeks bring but what I need to know is what do you folks think the best pain

reliever isfor folks trying to protect their liver Thanks .

Sick sense of humor? Visit TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when.

[Guest guest]

In hospital I had oxycontin twice a day ,and

initially had endone and paracetamol for breakthroughs pain during the day.

I found both the oxycontin and the endone

made me quite nauseated.

I dropped the endone and plain paracetamol,

and replaced them with Panadiene forte (codeine and paracetamol).I continued

the Oxycontin twice a day.

I had ondansertron for nausea when needed.

This worked for me

I had the same regime on reducing doses for

the first 2 weeks I came home. The oxycontin then stopped, and I slowly weaned

the codeine/paracetamol.

Now I use paracetamol during the day, and

the combination at night only.

Only problem with these drugs is

constipation!! My advice is take meds for that too from day 1..dont wait!!

ne

No virus found in this outgoing message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

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[Guest guest]

Not sure w/ the sleeve. Someone will resond. With the band surgery they gave me Suprodol... under the tongue dissolving.

It was wonderful. I also walked around the corner from the hospital and got a couple of extra boxes to bring home w/ me.

They gave me 2 boxes to bring home, but I wanted extra just in case.

I didn't use both extra boxes, but I did use one.

Burson

Pampered Chef

Independent Consultant

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/carrieb

Pain meds

Just wondering what the prescriptive practices are for pain meds?

Oral meds during hospitalization?

What is the typical post surgery pain management schedule?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Same with the sleeve, they give you Supradol in the hospital and an

extra 2 boxes to take home. I didn't even use up the first box, I

only used them at night so I could sleep comfotably, and I stopped

using them within 3 days of being home.

Anita

>

> Not sure w/ the sleeve.  Someone will resond.  With the band

surgery they gave me Suprodol... under the tongue dissolving.

> It was wonderful.  I also walked around the corner from the

hospital and got a couple of extra boxes to bring home w/ me.

> They gave me 2 boxes to bring home, but I wanted extra just in

case. 

> I didn't use both extra boxes, but I did use one.

>

>  

> Burson

> Pampered Chef

> Independent Consultant

> http://www.pamperedchef.biz/carrieb

>  

>  

>

>

>

> Pain meds

>

>

> Just wondering what the prescriptive practices are for pain meds?

> Oral meds during hospitalization?

> What is the typical post surgery pain management schedule?

> Thanks,

>

[Guest guest]

I totally agree with you on pain meds. They are very important

and play a vital role in our treatment. On a very basic level, pain is

an indicator of something wrong. Being in pain does not allow us

appropriate times of rest which is what we need to restore our body.

To buck it up and deal with the pain is a bad idea for anyone,

precisely because you are not allowing your body the rest it needs to

try and heal itself or at least find some balance.

Now with us, and any chronic illness, it gets trickier obviously. But

on a base level we need to treat the pain, it's very important.

Houston, TX

[Guest guest]

Morphine is a short acting narcotic that works well for about 30-60 minutes.

Because it does not act for a long period of time, you have to keep giving it.

Since it is also injected, you cannot go home on it so it is better to find an

oral pill that works better. There are many other narcotics that act for longer

and can be used instead of Morphine to get pain under control and make it

tolerable for a patient.

Everyone has a level of pain " tolerance " and that is up to the patient, not the

OS. Pain medication type is up to the OS. If you take narcotics before the

surgery, your body is going to be used to having those narcotics to function and

that can require more to get your pain under control. The best advice I can

give is to take the medication REGULARLY, don't skip doses, don't try to " Tough

out pain " (pain wins everytime) and as your pain level goes lower or if the

drugs cause side effects, you can take meds that are less strong.

In answer to your question, you were fortunate that you found the right

medication that worked for you. That is always the goal!

Alisa Curry PT DPT

Site Moderator

> >

> > When patients cannot tolerate meds, you have to rely on things like moist

heat to the quad, massage and static stretching. The recovery is longer but you

really need to make yourself use the leg. Lie on your back on your bed or

couch, put your straight leg up on the wall and then let your leg slide down the

wall. When you get to your max point, massage that thigh! Do this for about 10

minutes at a time and then sit up and bend your knee and use the ROM that you

get.

> >

> > Patients are often worried about taking too many meds and becoming addicted.

I will tell you that taking meds of some type for 1-5 months after surgery is

common but people are able to taper down the strength and frequence over this

time. Start by taking what you tolerate regularly and as you progress with your

physical recovery, you can begin to taper.

> >

> > Alisa Curry PT DPT

> > Site Moderator

>

[Guest guest]

Now I have to find a Surgeon. I have no idea how to go about it. My new GP

gave me the name of some OS's who are in a huge hospital and I am not

comfortable with the big hospital.

Donna Rae, in your area I believe I've read in my research that the Mayo Clinic

is the place to go. Here is another web site (admittedly from DePuy, the J & J

company that makes one of the more common knees):

http://www.kneereplacement.com/DePuy/find/index.html

Big vs. small hospital is probably *not* the issue. More important, to me at

least, was specialized vs. non-specialized. I ended up at Hospital for Special

Surgery in NYC. It was excellent and does happen to be a small hospital focused

only on orthopaedics. The pre-testing, education, surgical, and pain protocols

were exceptional. To date (knock on wood and God-willing) I've had no major

complications. Again, I've heard that the Mayo Clinic, and its effortlessly

integrated manner of working, is good for joint replacement. The idea of

traveling to a very special place is not as outlandish as it might seem -- while

I live in NJ, so going into NYC for surgery was no big deal, many HSS patients

come from across the US and from other countries. Places like HSS and Mayo are

very used to that sort of thing and make it easy on the patient.

Whatever you decide, best of luck.

Sue

BiTKR 7.10.09

Dr. Pearle

HSS, NYC

[Guest guest]

Great information, thank you for the reply. I also find that hydrocodone, in

conjunction with cyclobenzaprine or tramadol seems to be perfect at controlling

daily pain/flares.

[Guest guest]

I think this is an argument that doesn't have an answer. If you feel you

shouldn't drive while taking pain meds, then don't drive. You cannot change

anyone's mind by telling some story about a woman who killed someone while on

prescription medication. Just as you said, there are things that are just as

bad. Cell phones and texting are probably the most distracting. If people who

have a lot of pain didn't drive while taking meds., most would be " home bound " .

Anyway, it is impossible to stop everything that distracts drivers. Sometimes

just traffic is distracting. I think the pain would make my reaction time worse

than a pain pill. BUT.....that is JUST my opinion and I am not trying to get

into a typing argument with anyone. SherryHH