recovery and surgery/pain medication

[malibubarbie999]

If this really is a big concern, talk with your husband's dr before the surgery. There are a whole slew of non-addictive (ie: non-narcotic) pain relievers out there that are formulated to relieve moderate pain (just like Vicodin does). An example would be Ultracet (similar to the drug Ultram). Unfortunately, while he's in the hospital, the pain med situation will be pretty much out of your control... and he will most likely be on an IV morphine drip post-surgery. Non-addictive meds just don't seem to have the pain relieving power of a narcotic drug... and your husband will certainly be in a great deal of pain at 1st...

[jessy28]

I have been off opiates for over three years now and have a c section coming up to deliver our first son in two weeks. my husband is also a recovering herion/ any opiate addict. i have had my teeth majorly worked on and have taken vicadin. supprisingly i hated it and only took it for a day. i have actually had my teeth worked on like three times and all three times i found i had the same experience. now with this c section i am a little worried also because the meds will be stronger. hopefully your husband will find he does not have a taste for it anymore and i hope with my meds i find the same thing.

[AnnD]

Originally Posted by diva78

I certainly understand not wanting to disclose this information to anyone....certainly to not let the town gossips get ahold of it.....thats for sure. I doubt that your husband will be able to have over the counter pain relievers be sufficient enough after surgery...while he is in the hospital he will be pumped full of narcotics and they will send him home with plenty as well. He shouldn't have to suffer just because he was once an addict. As long as he knows that he isn't going back to that lifestyle....just to take it in stride and take the medication as directed.....its there so that he doesn't have to be in pain...and if he's in pain now....and the over the counters aren't working...why is he suffering....when he can get something that will make him comfortable?

It is fortunate that some of us are very aware that once an addict ALWAYS AN ADDICT. NO they will NOT pump him full of narcotics...we will not allow such a thing. He would rather suffer than go back to the hell of addiction and the absolute nightmare of getting off of drugs... at the time they just strapped him down and left him for dead. You NEVER forget and you NEVER allow anything to pass your lips that might get you right back to addiction. And I as his partner in life also need to be very aware of what is not good for him...seventeen years means nothing in the life of a recovering person if you are seduced by thinking you can 'just take it in stride'. We were thinking perhaps there were others on this site that were IN recovery for years that had to face this. APPARENTLY this is more of a site for those that have not yet gone through recovery.

[bewildered42]

Ann,

There are folks on this site who are where you are. I've read posts from them and I know they are here. Of course you are concerned about this and I think your medical staff will be, too. Make sure a care plan is established BEFOREHAND. You will have an anesthesia consult prior to surgery. Go over exactly how you want it to be and see if it's realistic to go without narcotics. You guys won't be the first they've seen in this situation, and true professional healthcare workers will do whatever they can to help you with this. Will you be there 24/7 as his advocate? I think you will be his best defense when he gets back into his room from recovery. You can make sure everyone follows your plan, and if you leave make sure someone else is there to do it for you. Sometimes in hospitals decisions are made beforehand and then staff changes happen or whatever and wishes aren't followed. I would be very sure he's not ever alone(I feel that way about ANYONE who goes into the hospital for surgery. We all need an advocate to watch what the staff is doing and ask questions on behalf of us while we sleep. When you get home, YOU hold onto the narcotics IF there are any. Give them out as needed and as directed and when it's over, pitch them. He can't backslide if you are holding them. You know him best and can assess his need in this area.

You are both SO committed. I think with such determination you will get what you want. You have to be outspoken and sometimes repeat yourself endlessly with these situations but that's OK. It will work.

Good luck to you and your husband!
BW

[flygirrll]

Ann,
I am an addict in recovery in NA with over 9 years clean. Now, I have never been in a situation such as your husband's. I know a few people in my fellowship who are. They don't really discuss their situation much, mainly for the same reasons your husband doesn't want to. They don't want the debate or drama that inevitably happens with disclosure. The people who I have heard share about pain meds in recovery have said, their doctors are informed that they are an addict in recovery and what that actually means. They inform their sponsor of what is happening, and their close recovery buddies and family members, etc. And last but definitely not least is they pray and meditate about it for guidance. That way everybody is aware and informed of whats going on. Some people ask their sponsor or recovery buddy to hold on to their pills and dole them out only as directed on the bottle. Others just have someone check frequently and do a pill count to help ensure the recovering addict to stay on track. Also the idea is to take the minimum amount needed for the shortest time possible. There is a pamphlet that NA has, its called In Times of Illness. It talks about this very thing. If you can't find one in your area, then check with your region or NA World Services online.
Good Luck