Posted by Greg on August 29, 2000, at 7:43:40
In reply to HELP!! Need support before surgery, posted by Dona on August 28, 2000, at 15:50:48
Dona,
Some real good input here. While I agree that short term use of pain meds shouldn't be a problem, I believe that long term use certainly can be. I had double disk fusion about 2 years ago and was in horrible pain following surgery and the Vicodin wasn't doing the trick. I was given Norco and Soma and that helped as long as I was taking four of each every four hours. Eventually the pain returned and I was put on the Fentanyl patch. I wore the patch for about 16 months. As the time extended on the meds I started to become extremely depressed along with the physical damage they were doing to me. I eventually went thru detox to kick the meds and am happy to say that I've been off them for about 7 months now. I realize now that I could have stopped the meds long before they became a problem, but the addiction to them had a firm grip on me.
While I believe I've had depression and anxiety most of my life, I believe that the extended exposure to the pain meds brought my depression to the point where it could no longer be ignored. So, I guess what I'm very long-windedly trying to say is, as soon as you can tolerate the pain you should stop the meds. You being a nurse, I probably didn't need to tell you this. Ask some people what time it is and they tell you how to build a watch.... :^)
On the lighter side, I current play Volleyball with a person who had a knee replacement a little over a year ago and while he doesn't get around quite as well as he used to, you would be amazed at how well he does. So life does go on with, or in spite of us.
My thoughts and prayers are with you for your surgery and I'll say a few extras on Sept 1st! As soon as you are up to it, please let us know how everything went and how you are feeling.
Hugs,
Greg> I am having knee replacement surgery on 9/1 and my anxiety is getting out of control. I thought I was really ready for this, but now I am not sure. I have long history of depression and am currently on Prozac 40mg and feel better than I have felt for a long time. Will the surgery and the needed narcotics for pain throw me back into depression?? And I am a nurse and hate to be dependent on other people. I am just getting so nervous and any soothing words would help.
poster:Greg
thread:274
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20000813/msgs/295.html