Prescribed medications for pain can be a pain. I just got home from foot surgery on the 21st of December and although it went very well, there is still the healing that has to take place that means taking pain pills. I was prescribed 10 mg of Norco or Hydrocodone. It has helped me get through the discomfort and pain of the swelling of my foot but it also makes me feel quite strange. I am not a pill popper and I never have been. I don't even like taking Tylenol. I always have felt that listening to my bodies aches and pains was a way to give it what it needed.
For my recovery, I have had to keep my foot elevated, use ice 3 times a day, and only be up 4 out of 24 hours each day for 2 weeks. I have done this for 1 week now and I have to say, I feel really good. I feel so good that I don't think I need the pain pills anymore. They are making me fall asleep when I want to be awake, they are giving me acid reflux, I am now constipated daily for the first time in my life, and they are making me a little emotional at times. Not to mention that I have to be woken up 2 times to be given my pill. For me, this is no fun.
I emailed my doctor to ask him if I can cut back but I have a feeling that I am at the goal they intended for my pain medication. In other words, I am thinking that I don't need them because I don't feel pain, but perhaps I am not having pain because I am taking the pills as prescribed without fail thanks to my husband.
I am wondering how I will feel once I have to discontinue taking them altogether. Will I feel strange, will I crave them? I have never been addicted to anything so I am not sure what to expect.
I hope someone out there can give me a heads up of what's coming.
Anonymous
Mi Corazon Espinado, a branch of Finaltrypico™, endeavors to reach out to those people suffering with addiction, weather it be; drugs, obesity, pornography, smoking, drinking, you name it. Anything that is holding you back and keeping you from your day-to-day commitments and responsibilities is an "addiction". If you can admit that the addiction is more powerful than you, then you have a problem and you've made the first step.
Don't worry, if you haven't ever taken any (opiates) before this time, I doubt there will be much discomfort. The only thing that may happen is your body will crave, and your mind will convince you to take them. Once you've turned that switch and connection to mind/body off. You will be fine. There may be a little discomfort at first, just realize what is happening and you will be fine. But if your still in pain then as you say, just taper back.
ReplyDeleteGod speed
Thanks anonymous! That really helped. I decided to stop taking them even though my body said take one. But since my foot didn't hurt, I said no to my body. However, now my doc is saying I have to take them because it helps the healing of my incision since there is swelling. So, he's ordering me a lesser dosage. So, here I go again. I'm going to take a stool softener with each dose this time. Plus I will be icing the leg again so will see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Recovering