I am now 2 weeks post op and seem to be getting on ok had a few problems with my sling hurting my back but got another one from physio dept , much better padded one ( you will see in my latest blog when it appears ) i have been able to do quite alot around the house mostly because i'm bored but last night i was pretty sore and aching all over my top half and my scar site was really nipping .I sometimes think the pain killers mask the pain too much and you feel like you can do more only to suffer later in the day , i'm on tramadol 100mg 3 times a day and have just been given 1 more supply which will last 10 days then the doc says i won't get any more , are they quite addictive ? i am going to try cutting down to twice a day with paracetamol and ibuprofen in between going to take things easy today it helps being the weekend , no school run, husband here to walk dog etc .
Any one else out there had open surgery that i can compare the rehabam i doing too much , have another 4 weeks in the sling before i see surgeon again and nearly 5 before i start physio seems a long time away
Son

Hey Son,
I didn't think that tramadol is a narcotic. I believe it is the brand name for ultram. I don't understand why he won't give you anymore when you are only 2 weeks out of surgery. That is strange. I will have to look online to see about this med. I know you are still hurting but try not to do too much too soon. It is hard when the pain meds mask the pain, sometimes you feel like I can do it all and then you hurt like crazy later for it. Take it easy.
Colleen

Hey Coleen
i believe Tramadol is an opiate based drug ie morphine based so can get addictive , but yes i believe i did do too much yesterday certainly suffering today , it's not that i'm using my arm as it's in the sling but i suppose there is a degree of movent if you are leaning forward and doing things , for me it's alot to do with my back and i need to sit down a while because of it the extra strain of carrying a dead arm round your neck and back.
son

Tramadol can be addictive, but some reasearchers argue that it cannot. It is NOT a narcotic, but is a mimic. It attaches to the mue receptors (same as narcotics)and provides pain relief. It is sooooooooooo much weaker than narcotics, even weaker than darvocet. I am surprised your doc is such a stubborn **s because at two weeks postop your pain may require more meds, other than NSAIDS. You may also need meds when you start PT with muscle strengthening, who will you turn to then? You should talk to your surgeon.

I agree, I was getting pain meds up until 3 months post op. I didn't take them everyday but when I had pain like after PT they really come in handy.

Thanks for the replies
I don't see my surgeon until 24th October so i will have to see how i am when the meds run out and make appointment to see gp..Will make sure i see another doc
Son