Thanks

jphilpo
jphilpo Member Posts: 177
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I just wanted to say thanks to all those who posted about dealing with pain. I have been trying so hard to not take the pain pills the surgeon gave me to deal with reconstruction surgery. I had diep flap surgery in June and then additional surgery in November. I thought I could manage , but I just couldn't.
My. oncologist really wants me off the hydrocodeine,. I only take 1 pill at night, sometimes I take just half, so that I can sleep. I have a lot of bone and joint pain due to femara. I am now trying tamoxifen. I have been feeling guilty about taking a pill. Nothing over the counter workds for me. I now know that I am not ready to be off of them. I kept thinking that I should be stronger and just "deal with it:, but reading the posts from others let me know that I am not alone in this struggle. I must listen to my body. I am the best judge of my pain right now. I also have a wonderful nurse at my plastics office who told me never to feel guilty for not being able to handle the pain without a prescription. It will get better.

So,... thanks for the encouragement!

Jean

Comments

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #2
    nice you have
    an encouraging nurse! Pain is pain...do what is best for you
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #3
    Hi Jean,
    Dont feel bad about
    Hi Jean,
    Dont feel bad about needing to be on pain meds. I was on vicodin after my surgery, and after my 1st round of chemo had to be put on percocet, a little stronger, and I was on them all through chemo. I had extremely bad back/shoulder pain from the chemo. I thought I'd never feel better, but a week after my last chemo I had my last refill of the pain meds & haven't needed them since. It will get better :)
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
    Heatherbelle said:

    Hi Jean,
    Dont feel bad about
    Hi Jean,
    Dont feel bad about needing to be on pain meds. I was on vicodin after my surgery, and after my 1st round of chemo had to be put on percocet, a little stronger, and I was on them all through chemo. I had extremely bad back/shoulder pain from the chemo. I thought I'd never feel better, but a week after my last chemo I had my last refill of the pain meds & haven't needed them since. It will get better :)
    *hugs*
    Heather

    Heather
    Happy to hear you didn't need more pain meds...but when need we should take and be comfortable
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #5
    disneyfan2008 said:

    Heather
    Happy to hear you didn't need more pain meds...but when need we should take and be comfortable

    Jean, I am here to judge you .. just offering you comfort
    and support. You do what is BEST for you! No judgement.

    Take care of yourself, and get stronger.

    Strength and Courage

    Vicki Sam
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #6
    disneyfan2008 said:

    Heather
    Happy to hear you didn't need more pain meds...but when need we should take and be comfortable

    I didn't say anything about
    I didn't say anything about her not taking the meds - i agree they should be taken when needed, and nobody should feel bad or be made to feel bad about needing to take them. I was telling her not to feel bad about taking them, that I had to take them also for several months, and telling that in my experience, even though i was in so much pain, it did eventually end & i no longer needed the meds. To give hope that the pain can lessen & won't always be that bad. I hope my posting didn't come across as me being judgemental for someone taking pain meds, because that wasn't my intention at all.
  • aysemari
    aysemari Member Posts: 1,596 Member
    #7
    Don't add to your stress
    I resisted taking sleeping pills for the longest time, I had a really hard time
    falling asleep and then staying asleep. So I was a wreck. My mind was cloudy
    and I could barely function and then I gave in. And did it ever make a difference!!

    Then the much needed rest got me through what I needed to deal with.

    So yes, listen to your body. Our minds are too busy buzzing with fear and worry.

    Hugs,
    Ayse
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #8
    aysemari said:

    Don't add to your stress
    I resisted taking sleeping pills for the longest time, I had a really hard time
    falling asleep and then staying asleep. So I was a wreck. My mind was cloudy
    and I could barely function and then I gave in. And did it ever make a difference!!

    Then the much needed rest got me through what I needed to deal with.

    So yes, listen to your body. Our minds are too busy buzzing with fear and worry.

    Hugs,
    Ayse

    Ayse what did they give you?
    Ayse what did they give you? I have the same problem.

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