Pain relievers other than opiods?

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ps0705
ps0705 Member Posts: 122

Hi There,

I had my BMX with TE's 12/21. Drains were removed 1/3/18. After my drains were removed my PS told me I could switch to NSAIDS for pain management. I still have valium for the chest muscle spasms but haven't taken any in a couple of days so I could drive carpool.

I've tried taking NSAIDS and it doesn't do anything. I still have burning in the muscles on the lower part of my chest muscles and along my sternum.

Should I call the PS or have I exhausted my options and just need to buck up?

Thanks,

Comments

  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited January 2018

    Hi there. I would talk to the doctor about tramadol. After I was in a car accident valium honestly did nothing for me but tramadol did the trick. Also if you're cleared to do the gentle stretches recommended after surgery do that; it helped a ton after my lumpectomy.

    All best wishes.

  • chronicpain
    chronicpain Member Posts: 385
    edited January 2018

    No one should have to “buck up” for pain control, and you most definitely have not exhausted your options.

    Call your surgeon. Tramadol may be a good option, but it is also an opioid, just milder and not famous in the media ( yet). It is a schedule IV drug for the DEA ( vicodin is schedule II, tighter control)


    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramadol

  • Meshell5324
    Meshell5324 Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2018

    Hi, I was on the nerve blocker Gabapentin after my umx with DTI. It's not an opioid and It really helped me. Maybe ask your PS about it? I used the Valium before bed to sleep. I hope you find an answer to control your pain. Please don’t try buck up. You deserve to be comfortable!

  • IntegraGirl
    IntegraGirl Member Posts: 147
    edited January 2018

    I used Tramadol after my surgeryand it made my life bearable.

  • ps0705
    ps0705 Member Posts: 122
    edited January 2018

    Thank you all. I have an appointment this Weds and will ask. I also began the stretching exercises and those are slowly helping - which surprised me. I though it would make is worse.

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited January 2018

    I treated it like muscle pain, which it was. I stuck those self heating arthritis type pads at the breast crease -my incisions were across the top. You might ask about those.

  • HollyDollyD
    HollyDollyD Member Posts: 77
    edited January 2018

    Ask about TENS machine for nocioceptive pain, too. Some insurances might even pay post-operative.


  • ps0705
    ps0705 Member Posts: 122
    edited January 2018

    Thank you Lucy and Holly - I am making a list. Sure that's a favorite for Dr's when patients come in with lists. LOL

  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited January 2018

    Ask away! You're paying them, right? And I'm so glad the exercises are helping. You will want to keep doing them twice daily for several weeks. Hang in there.

  • chronicpain
    chronicpain Member Posts: 385
    edited January 2018

    ps0705, most docs do not have a problem with patients who come with a list of organized questions to address about care plans, they just want to be sure you show them at the beginning so they can budget time for them and not have them popped on them at the end when time is up and the next patient is waiting to be seen, or she will get angry

  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited January 2018

    I was given a narcotic and a muscle relaxant. I took the narcotic fairly sparingly but used the muscle relaxant on a schedule. It seemed to help the most.


  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited January 2018

    for a non pharmaceutical intervention, are you using the gel ice packs?

    I had a whole bunch in the freezer and just kept rotating them. (traditionally the instructions say 20 min on/ 20 min off but fwiw, I just swapped them out after about 30-40 min. They don't stay that frozen for long so it probably ends up the same as 20on/off). I wore a slightly too large soft sport bra that I just kept stuffed with the packs (wrapped in flannel so they weren't directly against the skin).

    Combined with the otc meds it might be enough....

    hope you get relief soon!

  • ps0705
    ps0705 Member Posts: 122
    edited January 2018

    Thanks you for the suggestions. I was feeling a whole lot better until I got a 1 oz. fills in my TE's on Weds. I'm still so sore today, Friday.

    I will try the ice packs but am really worried that my PS wants to add 2 ounces to each side next week. I don't think I can take that.

  • PinkistheWord
    PinkistheWord Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2018

    I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, IDC, HER 2 positive on August 2nd 2016. I finished with my treatments. On January 15th 2018, I had reconstruction surgery. I'm home now & I have a horrible temperament and in excruciating pain. The Tylenol 4 isn't doing it's job. I have 3 drains. When I had my mastectomy in February 2017, I didn't feel this awful. I'm running a low grade fever. Never ever had this much horrific pain.

    I can't believe my temperament. I'm so angry & unhappy. Since being diagnosed, I've gained over 60 pounds! One of my pet peeves is yelling from one room to another. I find it to be rude. Plus its difficult on me. Before you know it, an argument has evolved. I honestly can't help myself when anyone yells at me. I yell back and the next thing out of my mother's mouth is witch, but with a b. I don't have any hormones, I've talked to doctors about everything, yet it is impossible to give me something for my mood swings. This is hard on all. I'm at my breaking point. Does anyone experienced nasty mood swings? What other pain medicine works? Thank you in advance!

  • ps0705
    ps0705 Member Posts: 122
    edited January 2018

    PinkistheWord - I'm sorry you are having such a rough time. Three drains would put me over the edge too. I had 2 drains and toward the end of week 2, one of them twisted and began stabbing my underarm then my chest muscle making it drain blood again. I am fortunate in that my family was so supportive and gave me leeway when I was in pain. If you feel your mood swings are beyond normal expectation ask your doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist so they can evaluate you to see if an anti-anxiety or anti-depressant could help you. It could make all the difference in the world to you. There is no shame in it. When my SIL was diagnosed with end stage melanoma, I needed anti-depressants just to deal with watching her go.

    This is your body and you are strong when you ask for help. If you do decide to pursue the medicine, it can be temporary just to get you through these next months.

    Hugs to you!!

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