View Full Version : Damn this hurts!
Just had surgery yesterday to repair a fully torn rotator cuff, been torn for 2 years. He also removed a piece of the acromion that's been floating in there all my life, a useless malformed bone. That's what chewed up the r/c.
FUCK this hurts! The oxycodone doesn't touch it, got a scrip for Dilaudid to pick up now. Gotta do something, haven't had ANY sleep at all.
Almost wish I hadn't had it fixed......
Sorry about your woes, Rondog. Keep an eye on the opioid use so the meds themselves don't become a problem.
Sorry about your woes, Rondog. Keep an eye on the opioid use so the meds themselves don't become a problem.
X2
Aloha_Shooter
07-12-2017, 09:14
Sorry to hear that. My RC repair went well and I actually went off the Percocet a few days early. Have you tried alternating ibuprofen (Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 2 hours (i.e., each one is taken every 4 hours per normal but you're taking a pill every 2 hours)? My dentist had me do that when I had a crown and it really helped keep the pain from ever building up. I believe you can do those in addition to the prescription meds but check with your doctor or pharmacists as I am neither.
I'd recommend checking out a supplement called Wobenzym N. there's an older version which is more expensive and that's the one I would recommend as it has ingredients which help promote blood flow. Overall it helps with inflammatory issues and bone / joint problems. I've got 4 fused vertebrae, take that wobenzm and some good MSM supplements, and I kept my pain pill / muscle relaxer consumption to about 3 pills for all of last year.
Like others have mentioned, keep an eye on that opiod use, I've seen it destroy better men than myself.
Delfuego
07-12-2017, 10:32
Sorry Ron. My brother had his done recently. I am picturing you with the chicken-wing sling pillow. My brother is happy now, but it was painful for a while. It will get better, hang in there!
Thanks guys, sorry, just had to whine a little. I hear ya on the opioids, I'm not fond of taking pills and I damn sure don't like being drugged up. If I'm not hurtin' real bad, I don't take anything. Can't take ibuprofen or NSAIDS because of my stomach surgery and risk of ulcers.
Actually got a bit of sleep finally.
Suck it up, buttercup.
Just kidding. Surgery sucks but recovery really sucks. Not sure if it helps but I recently had surgery to repair two inguinal hernias. I actually found a healthy dose of ibuprofen helped me more than any of the prescription narcotics they had given me. In fact, by the second or third day I quit taking that stuff all together and just took the ibuprofen.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Sorry. Ignore my post. I didn't see the part where you couldn't take ibuprofen.
Turned down the same surgery after my accident and I know what your going through man. Prayers sent for pain relief and quick healing!
Bailey Guns
07-12-2017, 13:30
Just wait'll the PT starts...
I had very little pain after my RC surgery. But I was so uncomfortable in that damn sling that I didn't sleep for a month or more. Not being able to get comfortable enough to sleep was far, far worse than the very minor pain I had.
That friggin' nerve block they gave me was one of the most unpleasant things I've ever experienced!
wctriumph
07-12-2017, 16:05
Prayers up, rondog. Hope you feel better soon.
Cryotherapy. Ice is your friend. It will reduce swelling and significantly reduce the pain.
Been through that twice, sucked both times. Try sleeping in a recliner, worked for me. I was off work 18 months, Thank God for WC...
Been through that twice, sucked both times. Try sleeping in a recliner, worked for me. I was off work 18 months, Thank God for WC...
18 months?!?! Holy shit!!! Thank God I have a desk job and should be able to go back soon.
Bailey Guns
07-12-2017, 22:12
I was off work (on WC) for 19 mos. Most of that is because the insurance carrier denied everything until I got a lawyer. Could've been back to work in 3 or 4 mos. Yeah...they dragged it out that long. They didn't approve the surgery for 6 mos. Then they'd only approve PT for a few sessions. Then scar tissue developed and they approved a few more PT sessions. Then I re-injured during PT. Took them another 6 mos to approve a second surgery to correct the damage. It was a freakin' nightmare.
Isn't the pain that's so bad...its the learning to wipe your ass with your weak hand that you'll remember the most. Worst 3mo of my life.
Isn't the pain that's so bad...its the learning to wipe your ass with your weak hand that you'll remember the most. Worst 3mo of my life.
Yeah, been thinking about that since the beginning when I found out I needed surgery. Wife says she doesn't love me THAT much.
My brother suggested squatting over a lawn sprinkler, kind of a redneck bidet. He's a lot of help.....
Cryotherapy. Ice is your friend. It will reduce swelling and significantly reduce the pain.
Just wait'll the PT starts...
I had very little pain after my RC surgery. But I was so uncomfortable in that damn sling that I didn't sleep for a month or more. Not being able to get comfortable enough to sleep was far, far worse than the very minor pain I had.
Thanks guys, sorry, just had to whine a little. I hear ya on the opioids, I'm not fond of taking pills and I damn sure don't like being drugged up. If I'm not hurtin' real bad, I don't take anything. Can't take ibuprofen or NSAIDS because of my stomach surgery and risk of ulcers.
Actually got a bit of sleep finally.
I had very little pain after my RC surgery. But I was so uncomfortable in that damn sling that I didn't sleep for a month or more. Not being able to get comfortable enough to sleep was far, far worse than the very minor pain I had.[/QUOTE]
It has been 5 weeks since I had a surgery, and I have hard time falling asleep even now.
Shrink wrap and ice bag helps a lot! In fact, i am typing this while I am on an thermi pad right now. I have 2 types of ice bags. 1 for day time, and one clay based for night time. Using regular ice and falling asleep is more amazing, but I did get a very minor freeze burn before. I recommend getting clay based cold pack for less cold and lasts longer.
Have you tried or did your MD recommend COX-2 yet?
I use this on daytime
https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/31069df6-eba4-4c40-a800-7d4aae6ee399_1.16d6f73359dafe31d1478916c6a48cb0.jp eg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF
Mainly for night
https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/122a6c6f-dd6a-455a-9fe5-dd11bd0091c3_1.025ac288d6678e022d79b1147c48745b.jp eg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF
FWIW - When I snapped my ACL in 2005, my p. therapist told me to get one of those blue ice bags, put in one bottle of rubbing alcohol, then two bottles of water (use the alcohol bottle). Burp the air out, close the cap tightly and freeze. It won't freeze hard, but it freezes into a hard slush that stays pliable and is cold as hell. MUCH better than ice, or ice and water!
My ice bag has had that mixture in it since 2005, just stays in the freezer ready to use, still pliable and easily shaped. A great idea!
Doc changed my meds to Dilaudid, and the pain control is far superior now. As long as I stick to the schedule and stay ahead of the pain I've been fine. Sleeping is much better too. But the stuff makes me itch, most opioids do.
buckshotbarlow
07-13-2017, 08:23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepEIce Ice baby...
hunterhawk
07-13-2017, 10:22
I know what you're going through, had the nerve block from the way too large needle in my neck. They gave me a pain pump which was in for i think a week or maybe only a couple days..been a while now. After the pain pump was gone the pain was bad for a bit..sleeping waa weird for months and then years...for at least a year after i was wondering why i had it done.. years later im thankful... stick with the PT. I did but still have scar tissue. Best wishes for speedy recovery.
Cryotherapy. Ice is your friend. It will reduce swelling and significantly reduce the pain.
If your insurance will pay for a chiller, do it! It makes a world of difference, and will cut your recovery time significantly.
OtterbatHellcat
07-13-2017, 18:09
Suck it up, buttercup.
Just kidding. Surgery sucks but recovery really sucks. Not sure if it helps but I recently had surgery to repair two inguinal hernias. I actually found a healthy dose of ibuprofen helped me more than any of the prescription narcotics they had given me. In fact, by the second or third day I quit taking that stuff all together and just took the ibuprofen.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
lol......
Ron I went through this about three years ago, it sucked a bit, but keep up with your PT. IT'S IMPORTANT. Take it slow and in my case I started lifting tires again about five months later and that shoulder feels just fine today. Then they did lesser work on my other shoulder.......you'll be alright man.
If your insurance will pay for a chiller, do it! It makes a world of difference, and will cut your recovery time significantly.
I actually bought a unit on Amazon. I think it was less than $200. I also picked up various pads to fit parts that often need cold therapy. The pocket for the shoulder actually works well on your head, FWIW.
The rental unit I took home from surgery allowed me to sleep in my recliner, and I took nothing but Aleve after 2 days.
Chiller.
I try to explain that thing multiple times at the hospital last month.
"The cooler which acts like radiator with ice in it."
I need to buy one of those. That would be very useful even when I can get back to playing some sports.
3beansalad
07-14-2017, 09:43
Hope things improve quickly. And you recover completely.
Isn't the pain that's so bad...its the learning to wipe your ass with your weak hand that you'll remember the most. Worst 3mo of my life.
I'm happy to report that using my normal hand was NOT a problem! A non-issue. I know some of you were concerned.....
Ossur Cold Rush, that's the one I have; https://www.amazon.com/Ossur-Cold-Therapy-System-B-232000010B-232000016/dp/B006VWSWSI/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1500074378&sr=1-4&keywords=cold+therapy+pad+shoulder
Keeps ice much longer than the $2000 rental unit I had. Then you just buy whichever pads you need for the area you're treating.
alan0269
07-14-2017, 21:00
Glad to see you are able to manage the pain better after a few days. Hopefully it will feel more worth it after it heals up and you get through PT.
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Hang in there! Here's hoping you heal quickly, painlessly, and itchlessly. :)
Hang in there! Here's hoping you heal quickly, painlessly, and itchlessly. :)
Thank you! Oh yeah, the damn opiate itching.....even my doctor nodded his head and said "yeah, they can do that".
Fentonite
07-15-2017, 03:14
rondog, glad you're doing better, and wiping all by yourself! My shoulder surgery resulted in several sleepless nights too. I've nothing to add to what's been recommended, ice and a recliner were the best for me. All in all, a worthwhile surgery, in hindsight. Hang in there, it'll be better every day.
The thing about being hurt. I sleep late and wale up really early.
Oh yeah, I also drink at least 2 cups of coffee to stay awake.
<update>
Well, I went to my first PT appt today. Therapist alluded that I'm some sort of freak.
Keep in mind this was called a "full thickness tear", as in ripped right fuckin' loose. Doc said there was a scary amount of damage in there, really made him work for it. Also removed a fingertip-sized piece of bone that was loose in there. Oh my, this is gonna hurt.....
Therapist checked me out, and kept expecting me to shriek in pain and piss myself. No dice. Turns out he estimates my range of motion at ~80%. I'm 9 days post-op, he said 95% of people at 9 days are still in a lot of pain and can barely move their arm. I can wash my hair, use the hair dryer, and brush it, no problem. Reach for things, pick up light things, wipe my ass, sleep on that side, pretty much normal - just real careful. Only use my sling if it gets tired or a little sore.
Don't really have much pain, it's more like "discomfort". Doc has me on 5mg Dilaudid, started at 2 every 3 hours, now I take one every 6 hours and I'm wondering if I need them at all. First couple days were rough, but been pretty smooth since, knock on wood. Gonna ask for a work release for May 1st (nighttime desk job - keyboards, papers, phones, coffee mug. Not physical at all).
Hell, I'm 61 - this is supposed to take awhile to heal up! Maybe I am some kind of mutant..... not gonna bitch though!
Yeah, deskwork is cake for the shoulder. Sounds like you're coming right around
I also did not have pain in PT, and had to be warned to take it easy. It's really easy to overdo it when the shoulder isn't complaining. I got to see the photos of the damage and the cleanup and internal sutures pulling the labrum back together. Those pictures helped to remind me of the extensive healing that needed to take place.
Good luck and continued progress to you!
Fentonite
07-20-2017, 22:11
Awesome news!!! Glad you're improving so quickly. Food for thought: at 9 days out, and especially if you don't even know if you need the pain pills, stop taking them. There's a condition called opioid-induced hyperalgesia, where continued use of pain meds actually re-wires your pain sensation, and things will start hurting way more than they are supposed to. Couple that with a tolerance to the meds, and things go south quickly, and for a long time (and make any future injury pure torture). OIH can occur more quickly than you'd expect. I'd encourage you to stop taking the pills.
Awesome news!!! Glad you're improving so quickly. Food for thought: at 9 days out, and especially if you don't even know if you need the pain pills, stop taking them. There's a condition called opioid-induced hyperalgesia, where continued use of pain meds actually re-wires your pain sensation, and things will start hurting way more than they are supposed to. Couple that with a tolerance to the meds, and things go south quickly, and for a long time (and make any future injury pure torture). OIH can occur more quickly than you'd expect. I'd encourage you to stop taking the pills.
Thanks! Thinking I just might.
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