Stupid question, but I'm trying to prepare myself, what do you think might be the best pain meds to get prescriped that doesn't make you constipated, have diarrehea or constipates you. I have a pretty weak stomach but a very low pain threshold, so I don't think I can get something to take away the pain and not have any side effects. Oh deary me. This not going to be fun.

You need to discuss this with your surgeon. You will definitely need something for pain, and be sure have a plan BEFORE your surgery. Ice also helps a LOT. Some people get ice machines to take home for cold therapy. I had to buy one after my cuff repair, and got one after my replacement to take home - so have 2 of them now.

I've always had oxycodone after surgery. For your own mental health, try not to obsess about the pain - maybe get familiar with relaxation techniques or such. The worst of it is the first couple days. PT can also be a challenge.

My pain management doc has given me Nucynta. I was skeptical at first, but it really does help. It is a Schedule II drug. However, it does not have the side effects of most narcotics - no constipation, no feeling of "euphoria" (still waiting for that). It does make me a tad more drowsy than the oxy family. It is relatively new on the market as it was approved by the FDA in 2009. A lot of medical professionals have never heard of it. It can also be pricey if your insurance company doesn't cover it. Mine does, so it is only $25 for a month.

Any time you need to talk, go right ahead. You are fortunate that you can get good support from this group - a lot of really exceptional, kind shoulder buddies. This forum has helped me get through all my surgeries, even if they were not slap tears!

I am not really sure what a slap tear is compared to a rotator cuff tear. Is a slap tear a bigger tear?

Difference between a slap tear and rotator cuff tear is that they are different structures, rotator cuff is tendon (leading to muscle further along the tendon) and slap tear is to the labrum, which is a ring of cartilage around the socket (glenoid) of the joint. slap stands for superior labrum anterior to posterior tear, which simply describes the location and direction of the tear.

In terms of painkillers, you will want to be sure to have something. I have been on all kinds of painkillers, unfortunately all or most have the side effect of constipation, but by increasing your fibre intake (lots of fruits and veggies) and water intake...it will curb that (not to mention the vitamins from it aids in healing). Nausea I can avoid by not taking painkillers on empty stomach. But this is a good question to ask your OS about. Write down any questions when you think of them to bring and ask your OS always helps.

thanks, been writing questions. when I go see him a week from tomorrow for paperwork, I have have about 4 pages of questions. Hope he booked a big time slot for me. LOL. Thnaks for the advice on fruits and veggies. Eat lots of fruit now, but really need to eat more veggies.

There is a lot of good information on reliable sites as well. eorthopod.com and aaos.org are good places to get basic information. No matter what the interpretation of the imaging studies may say, there is no way to know for sure what will be found until the OS gets in there. My xray, which is considered to be even more definitive than MRI or CT/arthrogram, did not reflect reality and stumped one of the top shoulder guys around. If you need to focus on anything, ask about pre- and post-surgical protocol, rehab plans, and pain control. The actual surgery is 10% of recovery - the remaining 90% is rehab. Once the OS does his slicing and dicing, they are pretty much done. Do you have a good therapist lined up? You will be seeing a lot more of that person than the OS.

I've been through this 5 times and have learned by experience....

Wish you the best! Ask about Nucynta for pain control too.