astrophel2
Member
Reged: 03/11/03
Posts: 119
Loc: Jo-Ja
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Hi all,
I'm 22, and my tonsils have been bothering me since I was a kid with frequent infections, tonsilitis, and whatnot. Just recently, I started developing ulcers at the back of my mouth. It hurt so badly to swallow that my doctor gave me oral lidocaine to dab on my tonsils "every hour" - not that the effects lasted that long.
So - I saw an ENT specialist YESTERDAY and am scheduled for surgery TOMORROW!
I have read that tonsillectomies are extremely painful, and even moreso for adults than children.
I've been taking Lortab 10 for the past few months for radial nerve pain caused by nerve damage in my shoulder from a hard fall. My index finger and thumb are generally numb, and it starts throbbing at times, and I get an aching, cramping pain (in my writing hand, at that). My PCP originally prescribed the Lortab and gave joint injections - and then after a while, switched me to ultracet (which wasn't nearly as effective)--so I resorted to OPs.
Now I'm worried that my tolerance to hydrocodone is higher than a "normal" person's, and that whatever they give me after my tonsillectomy tomorrow isn't going to do beans for pain. I'm afraid to tell them about getting meds over the internet, fearing that they'll send me home with tylenol.
Does anyone have any experience with this? If my tolerance for hydro is high, will it also be high for anything with oxycodone as well? My surgery is at 7:00am tomorrow- help!
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-Melissa
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 832
Loc: The State of Hockey
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BE HONEST with your anesthesiologist about what meds you are taking! Just say you are prescribed the hydro by another physician for the problem with your hand (I highly doubt they will ask who it is.)
If you fail to mention the hydro you are currently taking (and be honest about the dose you use) you are at risk for poor pain control post-op and possible complications with anesthesia.
Just be up front. The surgeon and the anesthesiologist won't likely be seeing you again after this procedure (minus the post-op follow-ups.)
Good luck with your surgery!
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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djshamrock
Journeyman
Reged: 03/19/04
Posts: 88
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Tonsilextomy isn't that painful, really it isn't I had mine out when i was 22. It's hella less painful than having sore throats and whatnot. there isn't much you can do but get some hydro's, the doctor might prescribe Tylox, which I got when I had my wisdom teeth pulled, now that's painful. I was sore for months but the Tylox really helped. ask for tylox, it's like oxycontin I guess. Good luck BTW. Don't sweat it to bad, trust me it's better than having strept throat the rest of your life bro.
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Bathil
Newbie
Reged: 11/03/03
Posts: 48
Loc: California
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I had mine out when I was 13 a few months before a mandibular advancement ( jaw surgery) at 14. I don't recall being in that much pain but what I will tell ya.. this was 20+ years ago and I had to swallow the old round anti-biotic . It got caught in the area where my tonsil had once been and could not get it out. I had to wait for it to dissolve. TO THIS DAY! I can remember that taste in my mouth. I was so young and had no idea I probably should have beeped the nurse or something..
I am sure that 20 years later the procedure is done much different. I concure with the others and be honest with how much pain medication you do take. It is very important for them to know. Hope your surgery goes well.
Bathil
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johng
Enthusiast
Reged: 02/13/03
Posts: 207
Loc: great lakes
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IF YOU EVER HAVE TO HAVE YOUR TONSILLES OUT
PLEASE STRONGLY CONSIDER HAVEING A SLEEP STUDY
the reason is if you have any trace of sleep apnea the surgical procedure is to remove part of the soft palet and the hangie down thing(yes that is the technical term) it is not much more added pain and it is better than haveing tonsillectomey then secral years later having platoplasty.
that is what I did. a friend made that mistake he had his tonsills out then 18 months later for his sleep apnea had the soft palet/ ahngie down thing removed
MY bug .04 cents
any ??? on my situation and sleep apnea procedure PM me.
johng
PS for thoses who play triva persut
yes your tonsills can grow back after being removed!!!!!!
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Ask and it will be given to you Matthew 7:7
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lovepink
Goddess
Reged: 01/01/02
Posts: 1464
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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epiglottis (sp.)
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djshamrock
Journeyman
Reged: 03/19/04
Posts: 88
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He said his surgery was today, so we might be too late.
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astrophel2
Member
Reged: 03/11/03
Posts: 119
Loc: Jo-Ja
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I had my tonsils. I told them that I took Lortab "as needed," and why, but wasn't really specific with the strength. Now my throat is killing me, and I was prescribed Lortab 10 for "every SIX hours." It doesn't so much bother me when I'm just sitting, but swallowing feels like I'm being stabbed in the throat.
I was told that I could return to school (UGA) on the 26th, but that's not really an option in college, I suppose. I plan to go back on Monday (the 19th), and am afraid I'm going to be in agony running from class to class (which isn't much of an exaggeration, as the campus is huge!)
My boyfriend just spoke with someone "on call" from my doctor's office, and asked if I could use some oral lidocaine that I had been prescribed to get me through the days before my surgery. He said to take that and tylenol, and if that cocktail didn't work, to call the dr. tomorrow.
Is tylox slow-release like oxycontin? I need something to get me through the day at school to finish the semester.
Also, if I switched to some form of oxycodone, would I have a tolerance for that as well? I've only been using hydro. Sorry if that's a dumb question, but I wasn't sure if a narcotic is a narcotic or what.
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-Melissa
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Sweetz
Diamond Mind
Reged: 05/11/02
Posts: 603
Loc: Texas!
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Just be sure to drink hon! My daughter had her tonsils out and it was quite painful for her throat was tighter than normal people's due to a surgery she had as a baby. She had to be hospitalized for not drinking the first day I went back to work and didn't make her drink! I came home and she was deleriously walking into walls and such. Behaving really strangely. She just needed some fluids and a break from the pain. But BE SURE TO DRINK!!!
OK, done my mommy preaching now!!
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"If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."
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buey
Board Addict
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 346
Loc: USA
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Oh man...I had mine out when I was 26 and I have to tell you, I was in AGONY. Total agony. You sound like you are hanging in there quite well as opposed to what I went through. I had a temp of 102, a splitting headache, a severe ear ache with both ears, the worse sore throat of my life and was vominiting blood. They gave me a childs dose of tylenol elixer with codeine, can you believe it? My mom even called the surgeon and begged for something else for the pain and he refused. I couldn't even drink ice water without crying. I certainly couldn't eat or drink anything for a week. When I went in two weeks later for my post op, I called the guy a butcher and told him he's lucky I don't sue him for malpractice and undertreatment of pain. He said he could not give me anything else because I couldn't swallow pills. I told him I was not that stupid, they make hydro in a syrup and I would have swallowed nails and had it hurt for a minute going down than to deal with the constant torture.
That was the worse pain I have ever felt in my life and I have had two abdominal surgeries and root canals and extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. I feel for you and hope you are feeling better soon.
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tray1
Enthusiast
Reged: 11/22/03
Posts: 221
Loc: US
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I had mine out at 17 and it was pretty bad, What you have to be careful about is hemmoraging, dont over do it......you also should be under someones supervision for at least the first week. take it easy and the one thing I found that I could tollerate was Jello Pudding Pops, I dont even know if they make these anymore but they actually went down easier then anything else.
Take good care of yourself and DONT overdue it, you can hemmorage quite easily after a procedure like that.....
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Tray
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astrophel2
Member
Reged: 03/11/03
Posts: 119
Loc: Jo-Ja
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I'm 4 days post-surgery, and OUCH! I think it's getting even worse, if that's possible. I could eat and drink with mild pain on the first 2 days, but haven't gotten much down since then.
I called my doc and told him that the lortab 10's weren't doing the job, and he gave me 28 mepergan fortis capsules. I took those once before a year ago for kidney stones, and remember them not even touching the pain. I took one @ 8pm... it's now 8:53, and i feel like someone has stuck two sharp pencils into each of my ears and pierced the eardrum, any movement of my tounge or swallowing is agonizing. Half of the time, I don't even swallow my own spit, but deposit it in a little cup.
Now, I've heard that passing kidney stones is the worst imaginable pain there is - I've been hospitalized and put on a morphine drip for them. I'm not sure I believe that anymore - the tonsilectomy pain is too enduring.
WOuld it be unwise to ask my doc for something stronger?
God, I'm hungry.
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-Melissa
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2muchpain
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 272
Loc: USA
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You poor thing! I would continue to see the doctor, describe your symptoms in great detail, make sure you don't have an infection and yes, ask for a different pain med. You shouldn't have to suffer this way.
Best of luck to you. 
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astrophel2
Member
Reged: 03/11/03
Posts: 119
Loc: Jo-Ja
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Well, my boyfriend called my ENT specialist on my behalf (because it hurts too much to talk.. epecially anything with "eee" sounds). He explained to them that I was in severe pain and that the mepergan was lasting for less than 2 hours.
The nurse told my boyfriend that I would overdose if I kept taking them every 2 hours, and that I should instead take ONE, wait 4 hours, and then take TYLENOL, wait 4 more hours, and then take another demerol.
Tylenol may be a good drug for a headache, but not for having organs burned out of your throat!!!
The nurse said that mepergan is the strongest thing they prescribe to their patients. I then called my PCP, and he said that sinc
I'm thinking of going into the walk-in clinic on campus with a complaint of a "sore throat"- it's free.
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-Melissa
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Sweetz
Diamond Mind
Reged: 05/11/02
Posts: 603
Loc: Texas!
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I get those sometimes from the urgent care doc. He gives me the 50 mg and tells me to take one. Well, when I get a shot, I get 100mg. Plus, you lose some in the whole digestion process. Duh! Anyway, sometimes, it's better than nothing.
What about Stadol NS? Have you ever take it? It's a funky medicine, but will knock my migraines out like nobody's business! I feel the effects a LOT more from Stadol than from Demerol tabs. Maybe you can ask your doc about that and tell him you had a migraine once and were alone and the doc (univ., Er, whatever) gave you stadol and it really helped with pain. It's not even a SchII like the Demerol is. but, when I've got it, it works SOOOOOOOOO much better than ONE Demerol pill.
I think if you go the school clinic, they are going to know you had surgery if they look at your throat. Not a professional medical opinion, I just would think they'd be able to tell something MAJOR was going on in your throat.
My daughter got so bad with hers, I gave her a tiny squirt of Stadol and it helped and put her to sleep. She didn't like the "spacey" feeling though (good, that'll keep her away from bad drugs!). This was a few days b4 she went to the ER.
Just my .02
Note: I know you're not supposed to share meds, but when you know the effects and strength of a med and your child is in horrible pain, you'll try just about anything to help them. It made me cry to see her in so much pain.
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"If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."
Edited by Sweetz (04/20/04 11:33 AM)
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321goat
Stranger
Reged: 03/08/04
Posts: 2
Loc: pasture
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Sweetz,
does the stadol get along with othermeds ok?? (norco)
got my 1st script and am looking for info from experence
chronic pain & migraines Thanks in advance!
321goat
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Sweetz
Diamond Mind
Reged: 05/11/02
Posts: 603
Loc: Texas!
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It's supposed to cause you to go into w/d from what I've read. It's an antagonist. I've never taken it with Norco, only fioinal or fioricet w/codeine and even then the most I was on that b4 the stadol was several days. I forgot about that or I wouldn't have mentioned. Well, maybe just to give you an option. it will knock your butt out.
At first, I had to get ready for it. Feed the kids, do everything I wanted to for the evening. Get a glass of water, some gum or mints (it runs down your throat and is nasty-tasting), and a cool washcloth. And go lay down in bed and then take it. After about 10-15 minutes, you get very very hot.
I don't know your hydro usage up till now, but maybe someone with more experience in both of the meds will post. It was just a suggestion.
ARE YOU DRINKING? You don't wanna get dehydrated and/or start hemmoraging! It's really crucial to drink at least water or a shakeor something. That day my daughter did that was one of the worst days of my life. I felt bad for being out so long, then felt bad for being gone at all when I got home. You can't win for losing, ya know?? Good luck, I hope someone more knowledgable than me can answer that question. Also, you can try to read for yourself on www.rxlist.com or www.eckerds.com or www.drkoop.com (scroll down and look left).
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"If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."
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DAdrian
Newbie
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 36
Loc: California
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The anatomic term for "the hangie-down thing" is the "uvula". 
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Devon :-)
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buey
Board Addict
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 346
Loc: USA
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Yup, sounds like what I went through Melissa. I was also spitting my own saliva in a little cup because I couldn't swallow that either. It's now been 6 days since your last post. How are you feeling now? Better I hope.
I agree. Tonsillectomy pain when you are an adult has to be the worse pain in the world. If anyone is told as an adult that you have to get one, think long and hard about it. I had no choice, my tonsils were unlcerated and packed with pus. Sorry, I know that's graphic. They yanked them and then cauterized them. I think the burning was what caused most of my pain. That sounds totally barbaric when I think of it. You know how bad a burn feels on skin. Can you imagine the pain of that on mucous membranes?
A year later one of my employees who was about 20, had the exact same thing. Her tonsils were ulcerated. I told her how much it hurt but also told her she HAS to get them out because she had a constant infection in her body from them. I called her at the hospital the day after she had the surgery and her only words to me were "I hate you." She suffered like I did with that surgery. she was also out of work for two weeks. At least her surgeon gave her Vicodin. I am the only person I know who was given tylenol with codeiene elixer. To this day I hope that surgeon suffers with some sort of painful condition. It's been almost 20 years since my operation and I still feel that way. I'd rather go through labor and delivery with a c-section after 3 days of pitocin induced labor. It hurt a lot less.
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D2003
Member
Reged: 12/12/03
Posts: 189
Loc: Texas
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Got mine out, for the second time, at the age of 37 (I'm almost 41 now). They grew back from childhood, bigger, meaner and taking up a whole lot more space in my itty, bitty throat. (To the point of affecting my breathing at night.) Talk about hurt! Ow, ow, ow!! At least my surgeon was good enough to order liquid Lortab for me. (No pills, thankfully. I'd have never gotten those down at all.)
Forget using the spoon, I just swallowed as much as I could gagged down in a small mouthful. (Not exactly the recommended method, but that bottle didn't leave my pocket for 14 straight days.) Still hurt like mad for 14 days after the surgery, but started improving after that. Lived in a near liquid diet for the first few days, and then gradually started adding very soft foods to my diet. (Very soft boiled eggs, seriously over-mashed potatoes with LOTS of milk and butter etc) Anything that would sort of slip down without making me screw up my face too much. Usually would hold off eating until the liquid Lortab kicked in. I did find the old fashioned ice cream cure to be wonderful. Ate tons of that. The cold tends to numb everything down, even the pain.
Ended up going through 3 bottle of the liquid Lortab before I was able to swallow lesser painkiller pills. Took about a month to heal completely....but I also had my uvula removed and some reshaping of my soft palate done at the same time due to sleep apnea. (And I'm a skinny little thing. The doctor didn't believe I even had sleep apnea until I showed him the sleep studies down in Australia....and my now ex-wife confirmed the stopping of my breathing frequently throughout the night.Frequently enough to frighten even her, and she doesn't scare easily!!)
Only side effect I get now from the reworking down on my throat is having to be careful about swallowing liquids quickly. With that reshaped soft palate, I sometimes end up with liquid either going up my nose (rare) or going down my windpipe (more common.)
Either way, this is one surgery that really is painful for adults. Hope you're feeling a little better and not grimacing quite so much every time you have to swallow anything.
D2003
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keystone
Veteran
Reged: 09/05/02
Posts: 542
Loc: Arizona, USA
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Quote:
Sweetz,
does the stadol get along with othermeds ok?? (norco)
got my 1st script and am looking for info from experence
chronic pain & migraines Thanks in advance!
321goat
ABSOLUTELY do not mix hydro w/ Stadol. It will throw you into w/d's and has a long half life...meaning...any opiates you take for around 24 hours (IMO) will not work. This means that the Stadol affects the opiods from binding to our opiate (mu) receptors.
Again IMO, Stadol is indicated for non-opiate depenant patients. If you do take it, wait at least 24 hours form your last dose of narcotic, but still be prepared to feel weird. This drug is like nothing you have taken before. And as the previous poster said, it IS more powerful than morphine and/or Demerol. The mechanism of action is just slightly different.
When Stadol was fist marketed, it was done so as "non-addictive" die to it's agonist/antagonist properties. We now know it is highly addictive.
This is just my experience from the past.
I am sure my facts are NOT 100% correct, so any vets. please clarify my mistakes.
KS
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The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince the world he never existed.
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lovepink
Goddess
Reged: 01/01/02
Posts: 1464
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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I've been scripted both Stadol NS & opiates (morphine with Percocet for breakthrough) simultaneously before. Oddly enough I had no negative side effects from mixing the three - the Stadol NS taken only for migraines though - other than feeling very sleepy. My first (and last - I'll NEVER take Stadol again after that experience) time using Stadol NS without having taken any form of opiates for approximately a week was an absolute nightmare...I suffered severe dysphoria & hallucinations - incredibly scary.
Stadol has an extremely small margin of error for safety in dosing. My specific instruction was one spray in each nostril to be repeated in 45 minutes if migraine-relief was not achieved. On the night of my "bad trip" I did have to re-dose & as I was getting frustrated with the continued pain, I took a third dose about 20 minutes after the second. That third dose was only ONE dose beyond the prescription instructions and while I understand that I was at fault, I find such a small safety margin scary.
Pharmaceutical companies normally leave room for patient dosing error with prescribing instructions in patient inserts - one is not to exceed (6) 200 mg. Advil tablets in a 24 hour period according to the insert but no immediate harm will befall someone who doubles or even triples the maximum dosage. The dose at which Stadol creates immediate harm is equivalent to taking 2 extra tablets of Advil & thats unacceptable, IMO.
I'm not quite sure what the specific reason for the many class-action lawsuits against Stadol's manufacturer is but I really wouldn't be surprised if it was a safety issue rather than the normal "but you never warned us it could be addictive" issue.
The bottom line is that Stadol is an extremely powerful drug and as Keystone warned, like NOTHING you've ever taken before. If there are any other viable options, please use Stadol only as a last resort.
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