Damn this hurts!

[MrPrena]

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


Mainly for night

[rondog]

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]

Ice Ice baby...

[hunterhawk]

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.

[TFOGGER]

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]

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.

[Gman]

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.

[MrPrena]

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]

Hope things improve quickly. And you recover completely.

[rondog]

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.....