Just got home from back surgery.

[shooter]

Still hurting a bit. Trying to take as little pain meds as possible. Just resting up and trying to get better. It will be a long road, but hopefully things will be better than before I went in.

[Pitchy]

Well heck shooter that`s a drag, prayers out for ya pard.

[Blaine]

Do the meds....helps you relax, and the muscles heal better when relaxed

[gamekeeper]

Take it steady and heal well.

[earlmck]

Trying to take as little pain meds as possible.

You've got that right. What none of the medical people warned me about was that those nice pain pills also relax the gut so well you end up totally constipated. My back operation 3 years ago was a great success, but I came near to expiring of terminal constipation before I finally got the dam broke loose.

Take care and heal quick, shooter!

[piller]

Take the pain meds for a day or two, and then you will be healing enough to start determining how much pain you can tolerate. Get some Colace or PeriColace. They are both stool softeners which make the Politicians Promise much softer, and the PeriColace has a stimulant in it to make the intestinal tract work better. Hope you heal fast.

By the way, I don't recommend taking Soma, or Carisoprodol, with hydrocodone products as the mixture makes something about as addictive as heroin. Hydrocodone products are bad enough, but the Carisoprodol just multiplies the problem. Skelaxin or Flexeril are better relaxants for most people, and are practically non-addictive.

[madman4570]

Heal well------let your body pain guide you.
If you are hurting bad------take em.(if not----------leave em)
Body is it's own best indicator!
Prayers up for ya!

[kevin in nh]

I had spine surgery last year....a fragment migrated behind my spine and cut off all nerves...they had to cut a window in my spine to get it out....used a walker the first 3 weeks....then a cane......walked a little further each time (out for 2 months) but kept at it....managed to hunt (6 point) but it was a chore....therapy for a year and the meds help with the recovery....don't get two comfortable with them especially if they are oxycontin.....this year I am going to hunt my butt off.....my injury keeps me from my compound.....but not a crossbow!
kevin

[shooter]

Thanks for the good wishes.

The doc has me on hydrocodone and flexeril. I'm taking it extremely easy because i was warned by a friend who had the same surgery of the constipation issue. He ended up with more pain from straining too hard. Plus I don't like drugs, especially the addictive kind. I have a MulE Deer hunt scheduled right toward the end of my rehab. Sure hope I'm well enough to go, even if I can't hunt too hard.

[jdad]

Do the meds. I had shoulder surgery back in April. I was off of them in 5 days, but the first 72 hours sucked. I'm still in recovery, but no longer in physical therapy. Do exactly what you are told, no matter how painful.

[Blaine]

Thanks for the good wishes.

The doc has me on hydrocodone and flexeril. I'm taking it extremely easy because i was warned by a friend who had the same surgery of the constipation issue. He ended up with more pain from straining too hard. Plus I don't like drugs, especially the addictive kind. I have a MulE Deer hunt scheduled right toward the end of my rehab. Sure hope I'm well enough to go, even if I can't hunt too hard.

Shooter, I have a Pain Contract with VA.....Now, I absolutely acknowledge that self control is necessary, nay, mandatory, but I've been off and on hydrocodone for almost 10 years, NOT addicted. When you take it sensibly for pain, it tends not to make you dependent on it. (If you are not dumb about it)

[olyinaz]

Hang in there!

Oly

[2ndovc]

Best wishes!

jason

[AJMD429]

Take the pain meds for a day or two, and then you will be healing enough to start determining how much pain you can tolerate. Get some Colace or PeriColace. They are both stool softeners which make the Politicians Promise much softer, and the PeriColace has a stimulant in it to make the intestinal tract work better. Hope you heal fast.

By the way, I don't recommend taking Soma, or Carisoprodol, with hydrocodone products as the mixture makes something about as addictive as heroin. Hydrocodone products are bad enough, but the Carisoprodol just multiplies the problem. Skelaxin or Flexeril are better relaxants for most people, and are practically non-addictive.

Now you guys know why I respect pharmacists so much; I'll bet most of the doctors you guys have seen haven't taken the thirty seconds necessary to inform you of those things, which are VERY useful and important to know. Too many people think all pharmacists do is count pills. (And too few appreciate all the arguing with insurances they have to do just so you get your meds, or all the conflicting 'incentives' they have to deal with.)

[pwl44m]

Let Me first say ,Heal Well and I too hope You are able to do Your Hunt.
About the Pain meds,I have taken Vicodin/Hydrocordone- 10s, 750s & 500s. I can't for the life of Me see how they can be addictive. I haven't taken more than 5 in the past year and that was when My back acted up a couple months ago.
In 2001 I fell off a ladder and cracked a Rib, it was the most excrutiating pain I have ever felt. The Hospital prescribed Vicodin 5/500s which helped a little. When I went to see the Comp Doc I told Him the meds weren't helping much. He told Me to take 2 instead of 1. Then He said No, I don't want U to take that much Tylenol so He prescribed V-10/500s. Those helped more. So when I went back and told Him I needed more meds I could see the scorn in His Eyes and as He started to write the script He stopped and scribbled that out and said "No more Vicodin",so He prescribed something else which I can't remember what it was now but it gave Me the first Good nights sleep I had since the accident.
Now Percocet and Percodan= I can see how those could be addictive, so I guess I am just odd ( I think U knew that) I take something when I need it for pain and if I aint hurtin I don't take anything.
I will quit rambling now. It is good to see that You can get some internet action while You are laid up. Keep Us posted on Your progress and Prayers are always Up.
Perry

[earlmck]

Get some Colace or PeriColace. They are both stool softeners which make the Politicians Promise much softer, and the PeriColace has a stimulant in it to make the intestinal tract work better.

Lordy, Lordy, I wish somebody would have told me that little tidbit back there at "back operation" time. I'm noting this down, piller, I case there is a "next time". Thanks!

Near as I can tell my surgeon had very skillful hands but didn't know or care anything about pain management, constipation, post-op care, or rehabilitation. I'm having trouble thinking he earned his $200/minute. Anyway, you don't want to depend on finding out the info you need to know from one of these "specialists". They may be "specially" skillful but "generally" dumbshits.

[Griff]

Prayers up for speedy, complete recovery. I can't tell you anything about good, pharmecutetical grade drugs, and what I know about the recreational kind is to avoid the bargain-basement stuff.

The other thing I learned is that if you're under the influence of even prescribed drugs, are ordered into combat and are injured with otherwise qualifying wounds, you WILL not get a Purple Heart. So avoid combat. Long story, don't ask.

[Ji in Hawaii]

Listen to the docs, take it easy, don't lift anything for awhile. I've had 4 back surgeries in the last ten years, and need another one but insurance company being jerks so in limbo presently until insurance and my lawyer can come to an agreement. My fusion never takes for some reason just held together with hardware.

[.45colt]

Prayers Up,back pain is an enemey of Mine.

[SteveR]

Thanks for the good wishes.

The doc has me on hydrocodone and flexeril. I'm taking it extremely easy because i was warned by a friend who had the same surgery of the constipation issue. He ended up with more pain from straining too hard. Plus I don't like drugs, especially the addictive kind. I have a MulE Deer hunt scheduled right toward the end of my rehab. Sure hope I'm well enough to go, even if I can't hunt too hard.

Prayers up for a speedy and full recovery!! Take the meds as prescribed. If they don't work on the pain, tell the Dr asap. Different metabolisms will make hydrocodone work in one, others percocet will work better. Flexeril is pretty strong for me, but it is great for healing, if when you are feeling better want something less strong, but very effective, ask for skelaxin.

Steve

[hfcable]

Take the pain meds for a day or two, and then you will be healing enough to start determining how much pain you can tolerate. Get some Colace or PeriColace. They are both stool softeners which make the Politicians Promise much softer, and the PeriColace has a stimulant in it to make the intestinal tract work better. Hope you heal fast.

By the way, I don't recommend taking Soma, or Carisoprodol, with hydrocodone products as the mixture makes something about as addictive as heroin. Hydrocodone products are bad enough, but the Carisoprodol just multiplies the problem. Skelaxin or Flexeril are better relaxants for most people, and are practically non-addictive.

Very, very good advice all the way around!

[Ysabel Kid]

Prayers up for you! I've been there (back surgery), and it is no fun. Still, I'm infinitely better-off than I was pre-surgery!

[rjohns94]

Heal well. Prayers up for a speedy recovery

[Dave B]

Prayer sent you heal well and quickly, and in time for your hunt.

Dave B

[86er]

Best of luck! Heal quick!