Is this too much?

[Liz50]

After two major surgeries in 11 months, I still have some level of chronic pain. (Tummy tuck, back surgery) My back doc said to go to my GP for pain management, but he is a young guy and quite squeamish about pain meds. I was taking as Percocet (ick) immediately post surgery, but quickly changed out to Lortab 7.5, 2 every 4 hrs for several weeks. Now, 7 months later, I still find that I need some Lortab along with Ibuprofen to make the day livable. I can get by easily on 4, 5mg Lortab a day. Occasionally, I will take an extra, or cut one in half to make a 7.5 dose, but I am being treated like a street junkie by the clinic. I saw a pain management dr (took my mom and just asked him this question) was I  a candidiate for his services.. and he said "That's hardly anything". I'm being 100% upfront with my GP, but I have to go in every 2 weeks to get refills, a $45 copay for a $7 scrip. Yes, I can live without the Lortab, but with it, I can move, exercise, do all the stuff I need to do. without it, I can barely get going in the morning, the back is still so sore. Am I so addicted I can't see the truth? VERY frustrating, and WOW do I miss my old GP who really believed that chronic pain ruins people's lives. I feel sick when I have to go practically beg this dr for 30 5 mg Lortab which he wants me to make last 30-40 days. It makes me have to pick what days I will be functional. Help! Am I hopelessly addicted or is this amt of Lortab not a problem? I get mixed messages and I am so confused!!

[Liz50]

Thanks--I realized I first posted in the substance abuse forum and whoa..felt like I was being beaten with words...instead of getting support like you just did.
I am not going "up" in dosage or strength of pills. Actually, compared to 2 months ago, I'm taking less. I THINK really hard before I take a pill...do I NEED this or do I WANT it. If I am home alone and can monitor my actions and movement, I am much less likely to take a pill before, say, a hot bath or just lying down for an hour. If I am coming off a 6 hour babysitting stint where I have carried a 30 lb baby for hours on end....I will probably choose to medicate, because if the pain gets too bad, I just feel rotten and nobody wants that!

I know that there's something going on, don't have to see the surgeon until I am ready for the 2nd surgery (he could only do 2 of 4 places at once)...but my hubby is starting a 6 month round of chemo in Feb and I cannot have the surgery this year.

Thanks for your comments. I would not step up to anything stronger than the Lortab, and I am really trying to work more stretching and strengthening movements in my daily exercise. My GP is pretty good to listen to me, but he's also terrified of being a Dr. Feel Good, so I empathize with him. 20 years ago, I had no pain and I thought people who were in constant pain were wussies. Well, I got my comeuppance! Thanks again!

[marycarmel]

I commented on your other post but forgot to mention a couple of things.  One is to just be very careful with the pills.  They have a way on sneaking up on people.  Lots start out with using them for legitimate pain and somewhere along the line they go from dependent to addicted.  You also will most likely develop a tolerance and atnsome point will go up in dose or be switched to something stronger.  Just make sure you pay close attention and do your research on anything they want to put you on.

I was put on Fentanyl and it wreaked havoc with my body.  Luckily I got some guidance here when they wanted to put me on methadone for the pain.  Try to keep your dose as low as you can.  That way you don't have to worry if you need another surgery how they'll manage your pain.

Using other things along with pain meds will help.  Ask about Lidoderm patches and Voltaren gel. They help take the edge off.  I really think at this point you need to talk to your surgeon and see if there's something else going on or if the recovery really takes this long.

Good luck.  Keep us posted.