Need Help Managing Major Back And Postoperative Pain

[Newbie girl 9]

Hi. After 44 years of trying everything under the sun, I'm 4 days postoperative and finally home. I started this journey almost 3 yrs ago. I changed from my childhood family physician to a dr closer to home. At my first physical, he told me I should have gastric bypass surgery. I was ready to bawl right there, but managed to ask a few questions. I personally knew 2 people who had the surgery about 12-15 years ago and had major complications. I also had not yet thought of myself as being "big enough" to need such drastic measures. He quickly set me straight when I asked about the biggest regret coming from patients of his that had the surgery. His answer was that they regretted not doing it sooner. I went to the car and cried for 20 minutes. A few months later I decided to consult a surgeon. My plan was to have the band, but shortly after the consult, I really messed up my back and discovered I have lumbar spinal stenosis and several bulging disks. I had 3 spinal injections, physical therapy, massage therapy and now 2 years later I am still on Vicodin and Valium (both only at night) for the pain and muscles spasms. I was also on Celebrex, flexeril and tramadol during the day. No longer a candidate for the band, my dr started selling Medifast and suggested I try it. So like everything else, I did, lost about 15lbs and then gained it back. I did some research and went back for another consult. After at least a year (or more) of jumping through insurance hoops and going for tests, I finally had the surgery this past Monday. Now along with dealing with the postoperative pain, multiple pills and trying to keep the shakes down, my back is so messed up. They gave me Percoset, but to be honest, it's somewhat helping the stomach pain but not doing anything for the major back pain. Hope no one thinks I'm being a baby, just exhausted from the constant pain!

[mokee 588]

I don't think you are a baby. I also have and have had seveere back and neck pain. Sometimes no pain meds help at all. It seems so bad when you have no way to get out of it. Hang in there and rest and sometimes it gets tolerable.

Good luck and I will say a prayer for you.

[CdnExpat 49]

NewbieGirl, you've got a lot of things going on. I think you're going to have trouble with that cocktail of pain meds and managing post op recovery.

My suggestion is that you look for professional help. Under the circumstances, you may be able to get the treatment covered. A psychologist with experience in chronic pain management working with a Neurofeedback therapist can work miracles in helping you take back control of your life. It would be very empowering to get control of your body AND lose the weight. Taking advantage of every available option for help is one way to boost the chances of successfully changing your whole life.

Been there, and done that.

[CdnExpat 49]

You've got a lot on your plate, Newbie girl. I think you'll have a hard time with that cocktail of pain meds and post op recovery. For help you might want to get some support from a health psychologist who specializes in chronic pain management, and/or a Neurofeedback therapist with a specialization in pain. Under the circumstances, you may be able to get the treatment covered.

Taking advantage of all the help that's available is one way of leveraging the effort to change your life into the maximum chance for success. It's totally empowering to take back control of your body AND lose the weight. You can do it.

Been there and done that.

[KyPeach 10]

How is it taking your pain pills? My surgery is in a few weeks and my main concern is taking pills. When my back needs a muscle relaxer I need to be able to take pronto. I think as I get this weight off the need for the pills will be much less, but in the meantime...

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

Kypeach- I crushed my pills until about 4 weeks out.

[Pre-OpLoser619 36]

Well, I'll start by saying congrats on finally getting your surgery done! One thing done and on it's way... As far as the back pain goes, it's a slippery slope. I had a bulging disk and had surgery to correct it, I was "cured" so to say. On the other hand... My husband had the same thing and ended up reinjuring his back about 4 years later, another surgery, reinjured 6 years later, spinal fusion, he know has a failed back surgery and is awaiting a 4th much more intense surgery and he says he will not have it until he has no other choice. Can't say I blame him! So... To my point... He is now on pain Patches, which have been a God send and allow him to continue functioning without pain. But, he didn't get them without seeing a pain management doc who specializes in dealing with different types of pain. They might help you with your back pain and allow you to take one less pill.

[petite-size-me! 70]

There are new pain meds that replace the traditional opiates and do not adhere to the stomach.

I wonder if you can see a pain specialist of some sort? Just for a medication review. I was taking 2 traditional opiates just after surgery and I was so sick and they seemed not as effective.

I was given targin (in Australia, may have a different name in the USA) no more nauseau!

Another thing is that some long acting pills no longer work as well as before.

Who would you see for a full medication review that would know enough about your pain and the sleeve to be effective?

[Newbie girl 9]

Thank you to everyone for such quick replies! I guess I should have clarified that I stopped taking all of the pain med prescribed to me post-op. the only thing I take now is my high blood pressure med (norvask), reglan ( for nasea and peristalsis), protonix (to help with the acid) and just started the percocet ( for pain post op). I was regularly seeing a pain mgmt specialist prior to surgery and she deferred to the surgeon post op. I am very careful to never combine pain meds (even with cold medicine). I have two young girls and a husband I adore, so I am terrified of an adverse reaction or overdose. I was more convinced than ever to get this surgery so that I could hopefully get off of all the medication. Honestly it is hard enough to get down the regimen of pills I was given. Tried crushing them, but found it worse. But as kypeach mentioned, when my back needs a muscle relaxer, it's bad and the longer I wait the worse it gets. When i was in the hospital, i got a lot of "helpful" replies from nurses who had never had surgery or back pain, like - you need to walk it off. I know that moving around is important for this sirgery, but try doing it with your back so tight you can't even move! I tried the old heating pad last night, but no relief. I will definitely call my dr today. Any suggestions on meds to discuss are greatly appreciated. I hadn't even thought about the fact that long acting medication may not work as well.

[bigsleeve56 266]

I would make sure you stay consistant with the percocet take every 4 to 6 hours weather you think you need them or not this will even out the pain and ice is way better than heat for back pain( I have had 4 back surgeries) you should also look at getting an anti inflamatory to help with the pain.