Oxycontin Tolerance and Surgery

[Genon]

Hey Guys,

I have been thru several surgeries for a bad hip joint. The original diag. was AVN and I had the hip replaced. 2 years later it got infected (Jan. 2007). The surgeons performed an IND, found infectious tissue and told me that the joint had to be removed and replaced with a spacer that contains antibiotics for 3 months. After 3 months they would go back in and test the tissues for infection. If no infection is found, then my joint gets replaced and I am on my way to recovery. If not, another spacer goes in and its another 3 months with a spacer.

During this whole ordeal, I have been seeing a PM doctor who prescribed Oxy 80's, 2 pills BID and Roxy 30's for breakthrough pain. Worked great and got my pain under control. After a while I did not need the meds for pain but was physically addicted. The PM doctor knows this of course and has me maintaining on the meds until my next/last surgery. After I recover, we will taper me off of the meds.

My question is this, should I be concerned that my tolerance to pain meds is high, that is, I do not get buzzed when I take large doses of OC, when I have a major surgery is coming up? I fear that they will not be able to control post-op pain due to my addiction. Is this the case or am I worrying for nothing.

My surgery is next Tuesday and pre-op with the hospital is Monday. Is there anything other than the obvious that I need to ask or inform them of?


Thanks in advance.

Gen

[nick]

Hey Guys,

I have been thru several surgeries for a bad hip joint. The original diag. was AVN and I had the hip replaced. 2 years later it got infected (Jan. 2007). The surgeons performed an IND, found infectious tissue and told me that the joint had to be removed and replaced with a spacer that contains antibiotics for 3 months. After 3 months they would go back in and test the tissues for infection. If no infection is found, then my joint gets replaced and I am on my way to recovery. If not, another spacer goes in and its another 3 months with a spacer.

During this whole ordeal, I have been seeing a PM doctor who prescribed Oxy 80's, 2 pills BID and Roxy 30's for breakthrough pain. Worked great and got my pain under control. After a while I did not need the meds for pain but was physically addicted. The PM doctor knows this of course and has me maintaining on the meds until my next/last surgery. After I recover, we will taper me off of the meds.

My question is this, should I be concerned that my tolerance to pain meds is high, that is, I do not get buzzed when I take large doses of OC, when I have a major surgery is coming up? I fear that they will not be able to control post-op pain due to my addiction. Is this the case or am I worrying for nothing.

My surgery is next Tuesday and pre-op with the hospital is Monday. Is there anything other than the obvious that I need to ask or inform them of?


Thanks in advance.

Gen

They should know the meds you're on and rx accordingly and they can manage your post op pain.

If they don't scream the place down.

Much good luck.

[greasy_bear]

Make sure your surgeon knows what you're accustomed to.
Like nick said, there is absolutely no reason that your post-op pain not be competently managed.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[Mom]

Hi Gen,

Your surgeon will probably have you on a PCA for at least a few days after the operation. They have found that you do much better after surgery if your pain is kept under control. Much less post-op complications.

I would inform your surgeon that your PM doctor has had you on 160mgs. of Oxy BID so that when they switch you to oral meds, he will know what to order for you. If you say nothing to him about you past scripted meds, he could order you an inadequate dose of oral meds.

Best of luck to you and let us know how you are doing as soon as you can get on line.

Hugz,
Mom

[candy]

I am going to agree with all that has been said here today.

Get your pain management doc involved. I would ask him to be in contact with the surgeon to insure that you get proper and adequate pain control.

Most likely you will come out of surgery with a PCA(Patient Controlled Anesthesia) and as you get up to rehab they will be medicating you pre and possibly post rehab exercises.

It is a painful surgery and they do know that it can be rough on patients. They want you up and walking as quickly as possible so medicating you won't be a problem, especially if your pain management doc is involved and the surgeons know what meds you have been on so far and for how long.

The pre-op visit is important and maybe by phone or letter your PM doctor can let the surgeon know your tolerance and they can adjust accordingly.