Surgeon only gives Tylenol after surgery

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is higher dose Tylenol than you typically buy. My son and I have both had surgeries where they prescribe the Rx Tylenol as well as stronger stuff like Oxy etc. neither of us have ever used the Oxy etc. if my 9 year old son can do it after an invasive procedure that involved two parts of his body, I think most people can.

No, it's not higher dose Tylenol than you typically buy OTC.

There is an absolute daily max of 4 g per day of Tylenol that any human can take before risking serious liver damage. That's two 500 mg ("Extra Strength Tylenol" on your CVS shelf) every six hours around the clock. You cannot take more than this even for short periods (like after surgery).

You can alternate with ibuprofen, and you can get an Rx ibuprofen that is higher-dose than the version you typically buy OTC (which is 200 mg--you can take up to 800 mg three times a day, staggered with the Tylenol, as posters here are suggesting).

It is worth noting that even the "benign" alternative being referred to here is not a zero-risk drug regimen. Frankly, the margin between the therapeutic dose of Tylenol and the toxic dose is so small that it probably should not be an OTC drug.

Thank g too much ibuprofen can cause kidney issues. I had serious kidney issues from taking it daily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is higher dose Tylenol than you typically buy. My son and I have both had surgeries where they prescribe the Rx Tylenol as well as stronger stuff like Oxy etc. neither of us have ever used the Oxy etc. if my 9 year old son can do it after an invasive procedure that involved two parts of his body, I think most people can.

No, it's not higher dose Tylenol than you typically buy OTC.

There is an absolute daily max of 4 g per day of Tylenol that any human can take before risking serious liver damage. That's two 500 mg ("Extra Strength Tylenol" on your CVS shelf) every six hours around the clock. You cannot take more than this even for short periods (like after surgery).

You can alternate with ibuprofen, and you can get an Rx ibuprofen that is higher-dose than the version you typically buy OTC (which is 200 mg--you can take up to 800 mg three times a day, staggered with the Tylenol, as posters here are suggesting).

It is worth noting that even the "benign" alternative being referred to here is not a zero-risk drug regimen. Frankly, the margin between the therapeutic dose of Tylenol and the toxic dose is so small that it probably should not be an OTC drug.

Thank g too much ibuprofen can cause kidney issues. I had serious kidney issues from taking it daily.

Autocorrect. Don’t take too much

[Anonymous]

I’m OP. People sure had big feelings about this! The good news is that for non-emergency surgery, the people who only want Tylenol can go to doctors who only suggest Tylenol, and the people who don’t want to needlessly suffer can go to surgeons who routinely prescribe a few doses of stronger stuff. Which will make the Tylenol folks really mad, for some reason!

I have cancer and am having a mass and most of an organ removed, with a several inch incision. Life is hard enough right now without pain I don’t need to feel. The other surgeons I met with do not have a Tylenol only policy, thank goodness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a nurse, I've never worked with a surgeon or any physician for that matter, who only prescribes Tylenol for pain. What you need post-operatively depends on a lot of factors. This is a red flag in my opinion.

Yeah, like the actual level of pain, complications, etc. Asking for opiates at a consult is wild, and suggests drug-seeking behavior, regardless of the procedure in question. If the professional performing the procedure doesn't think it will be necessary, go with that. If they absolutely refuse if/when it is actually necessary, call your GP or another provider with whom you have a working relationship or go to an emergency room. A patient willing to bounce because they weren't guaranteed opiates before they were necessary is a massive red flag to the clinician.

No GP in the United States is going to Rx opioid painkillers in the immediate aftermath of a surgery performed by someone else—and rightly so.

It is reasonable to find out in advance whether you are having surgery performed by someone who will use the full range of pain mitigation that they are legally authorized to provide, or by someone who categorically rules some of the most powerful out in advance.

I can’t tell from OP’s post whether that is what they inquired about, therefore none of the rest of us know what scenario we are arguing about.

Good vibes to all undergoing surgery—and all in, or contemplating, recovery from substance use disorders.

I want a doctor to categorically rule out the most powerful narcotics in advance of procedures that don't require them. At most, I want them to say "if you encounter complications, call the 24-hour line and we'll take care of it." That's responsible. I don't want a pill-pusher (again), and I wish more people understood what they were risking taking these meds when they really don't have to. But some people can't even have that conversation without crashing out about meth for some reason.

Hey, it’s “some people,” according to Methenny.

You came in here rolling your eyes at OP and saying her surgery, self-described as urgent, wasn’t urgent, based on nothing. You were insulting instantly and you really do come across as the unstable addict you are ashamed to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m OP. People sure had big feelings about this! The good news is that for non-emergency surgery, the people who only want Tylenol can go to doctors who only suggest Tylenol, and the people who don’t want to needlessly suffer can go to surgeons who routinely prescribe a few doses of stronger stuff. Which will make the Tylenol folks really mad, for some reason!

I have cancer and am having a mass and most of an organ removed, with a several inch incision. Life is hard enough right now without pain I don’t need to feel. The other surgeons I met with do not have a Tylenol only policy, thank goodness.

Good luck OP.
I was an early poster to your thread (and wow it's now 17 pages) who said you are smart to shop around. Yes, the super duper Tylenol lovers can have their Tylenol and leave the rest of us alone. Wishing you comfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m OP. People sure had big feelings about this! The good news is that for non-emergency surgery, the people who only want Tylenol can go to doctors who only suggest Tylenol, and the people who don’t want to needlessly suffer can go to surgeons who routinely prescribe a few doses of stronger stuff. Which will make the Tylenol folks really mad, for some reason!

I have cancer and am having a mass and most of an organ removed, with a several inch incision. Life is hard enough right now without pain I don’t need to feel. The other surgeons I met with do not have a Tylenol only policy, thank goodness.

Queue the apocryphal stories about a roommate's cousin who had a double amputation while chewing on some aspirin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m OP. People sure had big feelings about this! The good news is that for non-emergency surgery, the people who only want Tylenol can go to doctors who only suggest Tylenol, and the people who don’t want to needlessly suffer can go to surgeons who routinely prescribe a few doses of stronger stuff. Which will make the Tylenol folks really mad, for some reason!

I have cancer and am having a mass and most of an organ removed, with a several inch incision. Life is hard enough right now without pain I don’t need to feel. The other surgeons I met with do not have a Tylenol only policy, thank goodness.

Kudos to you, OP. Sending best wishes.

[Anonymous]

Why would your oncologist not be involved in long term pain control for you, as well? That's odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a nurse, I've never worked with a surgeon or any physician for that matter, who only prescribes Tylenol for pain. What you need post-operatively depends on a lot of factors. This is a red flag in my opinion.

Yeah, like the actual level of pain, complications, etc. Asking for opiates at a consult is wild, and suggests drug-seeking behavior, regardless of the procedure in question. If the professional performing the procedure doesn't think it will be necessary, go with that. If they absolutely refuse if/when it is actually necessary, call your GP or another provider with whom you have a working relationship or go to an emergency room. A patient willing to bounce because they weren't guaranteed opiates before they were necessary is a massive red flag to the clinician.

No GP in the United States is going to Rx opioid painkillers in the immediate aftermath of a surgery performed by someone else—and rightly so.

It is reasonable to find out in advance whether you are having surgery performed by someone who will use the full range of pain mitigation that they are legally authorized to provide, or by someone who categorically rules some of the most powerful out in advance.

I can’t tell from OP’s post whether that is what they inquired about, therefore none of the rest of us know what scenario we are arguing about.

Good vibes to all undergoing surgery—and all in, or contemplating, recovery from substance use disorders.

I want a doctor to categorically rule out the most powerful narcotics in advance of procedures that don't require them. At most, I want them to say "if you encounter complications, call the 24-hour line and we'll take care of it." That's responsible. I don't want a pill-pusher (again), and I wish more people understood what they were risking taking these meds when they really don't have to. But some people can't even have that conversation without crashing out about meth for some reason.

Hey, it’s “some people,” according to Methenny.

You came in here rolling your eyes at OP and saying her surgery, self-described as urgent, wasn’t urgent, based on nothing. You were insulting instantly and you really do come across as the unstable addict you are ashamed to be.

-a clearly stable, sober, sane person, obviously

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m OP. People sure had big feelings about this! The good news is that for non-emergency surgery, the people who only want Tylenol can go to doctors who only suggest Tylenol, and the people who don’t want to needlessly suffer can go to surgeons who routinely prescribe a few doses of stronger stuff. Which will make the Tylenol folks really mad, for some reason!

I have cancer and am having a mass and most of an organ removed, with a several inch incision. Life is hard enough right now without pain I don’t need to feel. The other surgeons I met with do not have a Tylenol only policy, thank goodness.

Good luck with your surgery, and I hope you're able to avoid the complications of the drugs you deliberately sought out without need or basis. Try not taking them. You'll have them in-hand if/when you actually do, and your body will appreciate having fewer interventions to clear as you recovery. Being constipated post-surgery isn't gonna be great, friend.

I hope your procedure goes well and you heal quickly and completely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a nurse, I've never worked with a surgeon or any physician for that matter, who only prescribes Tylenol for pain. What you need post-operatively depends on a lot of factors. This is a red flag in my opinion.

Yeah, like the actual level of pain, complications, etc. Asking for opiates at a consult is wild, and suggests drug-seeking behavior, regardless of the procedure in question. If the professional performing the procedure doesn't think it will be necessary, go with that. If they absolutely refuse if/when it is actually necessary, call your GP or another provider with whom you have a working relationship or go to an emergency room. A patient willing to bounce because they weren't guaranteed opiates before they were necessary is a massive red flag to the clinician.

No GP in the United States is going to Rx opioid painkillers in the immediate aftermath of a surgery performed by someone else—and rightly so.

It is reasonable to find out in advance whether you are having surgery performed by someone who will use the full range of pain mitigation that they are legally authorized to provide, or by someone who categorically rules some of the most powerful out in advance.

I can’t tell from OP’s post whether that is what they inquired about, therefore none of the rest of us know what scenario we are arguing about.

Good vibes to all undergoing surgery—and all in, or contemplating, recovery from substance use disorders.

I want a doctor to categorically rule out the most powerful narcotics in advance of procedures that don't require them. At most, I want them to say "if you encounter complications, call the 24-hour line and we'll take care of it." That's responsible. I don't want a pill-pusher (again), and I wish more people understood what they were risking taking these meds when they really don't have to. But some people can't even have that conversation without crashing out about meth for some reason.

Hey, it’s “some people,” according to Methenny.

You came in here rolling your eyes at OP and saying her surgery, self-described as urgent, wasn’t urgent, based on nothing. You were insulting instantly and you really do come across as the unstable addict you are ashamed to be.

Do you... not understand that opiates and meth aren't the same kind of drugs? I'm sure you think "Methenny" makes you sound clever, but your continued references to meth on a thread about prescription opiate painkillers... doesn't make you sound smart.

[Anonymous]

Best wishes for your surgery, OP.

Please contact your oncology management team about pain control, as well. There may have been a disconnect with getting you the resources that you should have. There is generally a call line or contact person (usually a nurse) for patients with serious cancer requiring this sort of treatment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m OP. People sure had big feelings about this! The good news is that for non-emergency surgery, the people who only want Tylenol can go to doctors who only suggest Tylenol, and the people who don’t want to needlessly suffer can go to surgeons who routinely prescribe a few doses of stronger stuff. Which will make the Tylenol folks really mad, for some reason!

I have cancer and am having a mass and most of an organ removed, with a several inch incision. Life is hard enough right now without pain I don’t need to feel. The other surgeons I met with do not have a Tylenol only policy, thank goodness.

I hope your surgery goes well. I don’t understand all the Tylenol is just fine people. Everyone has different levels of pain tolerance and the worse thing is trying to recover from surgery and waiting for Tylenol/advil to kick in and then not getting relief so you can rest or sleep. Forget that. After surgery I want to be able to sleep without crying in pain or being tense that the pain isn’t going away.

I don’t see how prescribing 3-5 pain pills to have just in case is going to turn someone into an addict. Sometimes just the fact of knowing the pain pills are available is helpful.

Historically it seems like there is a bias that women should just shut up and accept pain like childbirth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m OP. People sure had big feelings about this! The good news is that for non-emergency surgery, the people who only want Tylenol can go to doctors who only suggest Tylenol, and the people who don’t want to needlessly suffer can go to surgeons who routinely prescribe a few doses of stronger stuff. Which will make the Tylenol folks really mad, for some reason!

I have cancer and am having a mass and most of an organ removed, with a several inch incision. Life is hard enough right now without pain I don’t need to feel. The other surgeons I met with do not have a Tylenol only policy, thank goodness.

I hope your surgery goes well. I don’t understand all the Tylenol is just fine people. Everyone has different levels of pain tolerance and the worse thing is trying to recover from surgery and waiting for Tylenol/advil to kick in and then not getting relief so you can rest or sleep. Forget that. After surgery I want to be able to sleep without crying in pain or being tense that the pain isn’t going away.

I don’t see how prescribing 3-5 pain pills to have just in case is going to turn someone into an addict. Sometimes just the fact of knowing the pain pills are available is helpful.

Historically it seems like there is a bias that women should just shut up and accept pain like childbirth.

They are addicts who could not believe OP indeed suffered from something serious. They are also idiots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m OP. People sure had big feelings about this! The good news is that for non-emergency surgery, the people who only want Tylenol can go to doctors who only suggest Tylenol, and the people who don’t want to needlessly suffer can go to surgeons who routinely prescribe a few doses of stronger stuff. Which will make the Tylenol folks really mad, for some reason!

I have cancer and am having a mass and most of an organ removed, with a several inch incision. Life is hard enough right now without pain I don’t need to feel. The other surgeons I met with do not have a Tylenol only policy, thank goodness.

I hope your surgery goes well. I don’t understand all the Tylenol is just fine people. Everyone has different levels of pain tolerance and the worse thing is trying to recover from surgery and waiting for Tylenol/advil to kick in and then not getting relief so you can rest or sleep. Forget that. After surgery I want to be able to sleep without crying in pain or being tense that the pain isn’t going away.

I don’t see how prescribing 3-5 pain pills to have just in case is going to turn someone into an addict. Sometimes just the fact of knowing the pain pills are available is helpful.

Historically it seems like there is a bias that women should just shut up and accept pain like childbirth.

They are addicts who could not believe OP indeed suffered from something serious. They are also idiots.

And some people who have never been addicted to anything in their lives, but who work in the field of medicine.

There's not just one type of person in agreement here.