Sunday, July 16, 2006
Pain Control For Wimps
My radical proctectomy operation is the first time that I've had major surgery so I didn't know what to expect with pain control. Prior to the operation when the anaesthetist went through the options (see the 29th April 'What does a patient want to know?' posting for more on that!) he stressed that the best way to control pain was to take something to ward it off before it happened rather than wait until feeling the pain.
This is the opposite to what I'm used to. Normally, I never take medication, for example for a headache, unless it is really bad....and for me that's a rare occurrence.
The anaesthetist explained that after surgery its far better to control pain using a preventative approach. So, I got used to this new approach and it certainly worked well. I felt very little pain most of the time during my seven days in hospital and for the first week or so at home was given various levels of pain relief pills to take.
Then I had a follow up appointment with my specialist, Mr P. He started by whipping out the catheter (Youchhhhhh!) and then sat me down before going through a few other things. Fortunately my wife Gwen was there to take in what he was saying because I was still getting over the shock of where he had just put a needle.
He finished by asking if we had any other questions. "Just one", I said and proceeded to ask for his advice on further pain control, particularly as I only had a week's supply of the main prescription pain relief pills. "Will I still be needing them after that", I asked. "Or should I be down to the occasional Panadol or Panedeine Forte by then?"
"Jurek, if you still feel you need the prescription pain relief in a week's time, just phone me up....and I'll tell you you're a wimp!"
The psychology of this is probably to make sure that patients don't get addicted to prescription drugs. It worked!
This is the opposite to what I'm used to. Normally, I never take medication, for example for a headache, unless it is really bad....and for me that's a rare occurrence.
The anaesthetist explained that after surgery its far better to control pain using a preventative approach. So, I got used to this new approach and it certainly worked well. I felt very little pain most of the time during my seven days in hospital and for the first week or so at home was given various levels of pain relief pills to take.
Then I had a follow up appointment with my specialist, Mr P. He started by whipping out the catheter (Youchhhhhh!) and then sat me down before going through a few other things. Fortunately my wife Gwen was there to take in what he was saying because I was still getting over the shock of where he had just put a needle.
He finished by asking if we had any other questions. "Just one", I said and proceeded to ask for his advice on further pain control, particularly as I only had a week's supply of the main prescription pain relief pills. "Will I still be needing them after that", I asked. "Or should I be down to the occasional Panadol or Panedeine Forte by then?"
"Jurek, if you still feel you need the prescription pain relief in a week's time, just phone me up....and I'll tell you you're a wimp!"
The psychology of this is probably to make sure that patients don't get addicted to prescription drugs. It worked!
# posted by Jurek Leon @ 11:55 am 
Comments:
<< Home
Jurek, I don't know how I missed your e-mail to me in July but I did, so my apologies.
I only just came across it now, while I was doing some major deleting.
Your blog is fascinating and, yes, I hate water features for the same reason you do (I wish I'd listened all those years ago when they were banging on about pelvic floor exercises in the maternity ward).
All the best for the future,
Michele.
Post a Comment
I only just came across it now, while I was doing some major deleting.
Your blog is fascinating and, yes, I hate water features for the same reason you do (I wish I'd listened all those years ago when they were banging on about pelvic floor exercises in the maternity ward).
All the best for the future,
Michele.
# posted by 
: 9:19 am
: 9:19 am << Home
