 |
RE: [RC] [RC] for men too! - Susan E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M.Since so many people have mentioned it, I disagree with the little/no pain meds plan of attack, at least depending on what the specific medication is. If the scrip is for something that only provides masking of the pain --- opioids and such like percodan, darvocet, morphine drips, etc, then fine. Titrate them as you wish. I agree that it's better not to overuse the meds that knock you for a loop and keep you from getting up and walking around, as that WILL slow recovery. Also, there is such a thing as 'wind-up' pain. Long story, but essentially means it takes less drugs to *prevent* pain than it does to *treat* pain. So don't wait until you're really hurting to get a little help. If you take a half dose before things get bad, you're less likely to need a full dose later on, and your overall drug requirement ends up being less, and thus recovery faster. However, don't skip the use of the anti-inflammatory drugs like Tylenol with or without codeine, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, etc. Yes, they are also analgesic and thus count as pain meds. But a more important function post-surgery is to reduce swelling, inflammation, AND MOST IMPORTANT, reduce development of abdominal adhesions. You do NOT want to tough it out and skip those drugs at the risk of forming adhesions. Those suckers hurt and can cause lasting problems. So get off the opioids as soon as you can, but do not skip those anti-inflammatories for at least several weeks post-surgery! Tough is good, but smart is better. Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, MS Also in the Best Thing I Ever Did Club P.S. I asked David what he suggested as a way for hubbies to help their ladies. Succinct as ever, he said, "If it weighs more than five pounds, carry it for her, take it away from her if necessary and don't wait to be asked." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|