Hello all,

I just wanted to let you know about my recent development. I had Single Incision procedure on Aug 11 and was discharged from the hospital the same day. My prescription pain killer was hydrocodone and loritab liquid. After leaving the hospital and going back to the hotel room, I took a 3 T dose of the medication. I had never had surgery before, nor have I taken any pain medications, so I was more nervous about HAVING pain than actually having pain. As I was just out of the hospital I took it because it seemed like I would sleep the night through and why take a chance.

The next day I woke up and my legs, back, stomach, neck, and arms were sore. I thought this would be the after effects of surgery. It wasn't unbearable but I could still walk around and go out. Because of this weakness in my body, I continued to take the medication. I only became weaker and more tired. I was up all the second night going to the bathroom or just sitting there feeling horrible. I took more medication for my sore muscles instead of for my stomach!

Needless to say, I had a HORRIBLE night. I was up "moaning" in my sleep, I could barely walk, and it was so hard for me to even move. I woke up the next day feeling beyond terrible. I was drowsy, nauseated, and truly felt like I had made the wrong decision. I couldn't walk, my calves hurt so badly, and to move my arms caused much pain. It was like I had been running a marathon. Totally weak. I was sweating constantly, without a temperature. Sometimes I felt cold or warm, when there was no change in the room temperatre. I was totally uncomfortable and disoriented. I stopped taking the medication and called the doctor.

A side effect of the medication is extreme weakness, and sweating. I felt sick for the next 5 hours or so until I sweat out the rest of the medication. I was really upset and extremely irritable. I was miserable and really dizzy. The doctor said I could take tylenol if I had any discomfort and to discontinue the meds.

After about 5 hours (3 days out after surgery), I was beginning to feel like myself again. My muscles were back and I was no longer weak. I ended up going to the movies the same day, feeling 100x better, and even went out to dinner (thin thin Soup, of course!) and felt completely normal.

I just wanted this to serve as a warning to all those who have never really taken pain meds (or this strong) and haven't had surgery before. I was in little to no pain after surgery and I guess I thought it was because of the pain meds themselves. I would recommend NOT taking them until you absolutely have to because, in hindsight, I don't think I would have needed to take them at all. I was only scared of the possible pain and figured that I should take them because they were prescribed for me--to take. Hopefully none of you have that experience because it was scary and made me really rethink what I was doing here. I feel fine now, and wouldn't change a thing. Just one bad day that I never want to repeat again!

Everyone's body reacts to the different medication differently. Some people get really loopy off of it. It didn't have an effect on me. Your experience sounds like a crummy one, good thing you and your doctor figured out the problem!

I wouldn't go so far as you recommending for people to NOT take their pain medication. Not everyone needs it, but for those that do and you suggest they don't take it, that could lead to some issues. Their pain could get so bad that they aren't breathing deep enough which could lead to pneumonia and other problems. It could discourage them from walking which could lead to blood clots and, again, pneumonia. And some people might be just so scared that they will be sitting in pain instead of trying a medication that may help them.

I guess my point is that everybody is different, and they should follow their advice of their surgeon and if they feel like they need the medication, they shouldn't hesitate at all. You won't know how you wil react to a medication until you've taken it.

Thanks for sharing your story! Glad it had a happy ending.

Everyone's body reacts to the different medication differently. Some people get really loopy off of it. It didn't have an effect on me. Your experience sounds like a crummy one, good thing you and your doctor figured out the problem!

I wouldn't go so far as you recommending for people to NOT take their pain medication. Not everyone needs it, but for those that do and you suggest they don't take it, that could lead to some issues. Their pain could get so bad that they aren't breathing deep enough which could lead to pneumonia and other problems. It could discourage them from walking which could lead to blood clots and, again, pneumonia. And some people might be just so scared that they will be sitting in pain instead of trying a medication that may help them.

I guess my point is that everybody is different, and they should follow their advice of their surgeon and if they feel like they need the medication, they shouldn't hesitate at all. You won't know how you wil react to a medication until you've taken it.

Thanks for sharing your story! Glad it had a happy ending.

Yes. I completely agree with you. I hope I don't discourage anyone from taking their medications, that is far from the point that I wanted to make (!), I just wanted them to make sure that anyone was scared into taking them as was the case with me. I really didn't have any experience to rely on. And I didn't even know what I was really doing. Everyone is different and everyone will experience different pain.

I totally am with you on the pain med thing. I didn't take my pain meds because I knew how my body would react (previous c-section and other surgery). I get extremely nauseated and I vomit with any kind of pain meds. I have a twin brother who gets flu-like symptoms when he takes pain meds (sounds like what you were suffering with)

I definately think people should wait until they feel pain before taking their pain meds. JMHO