19 yr old and his pain management-Scott

[QueenVictoria]

Hi to Brian's mom and to Lyn, and to the other parents who have had children with valve replacements. Scott has his Medtronic put in 5/11. He still has pain, burning and terrible skin sensitivity. He takes one Percocet at night, still. I am concerned that he still feels so much discomfort that he needs this pill.It's said that the young feel more pain and for longer. I've had orthopedic surgery so I know what cut bones feel like, and I did take pain meds for a long long time after.His sternum is especially sore. Is this normal? He says he must have that pill at night to make him comfortable. I'm worried after 5 months and him taking his pill daily. I don't see him wanting to get off this drug. Certainly he is being monitored by his cardiologist and the dr. feels this is appropriate due to the amount of scar tissue. He had 2 procedures done one right after the other but it's that sternum that's causing him pain. Any suggestions, I just hope he isn't addicted mentally or physically. He says no, but he certainly wants to take that pill. He says he won't suffer and I haven't been thru what he's been through so... I can't understand. That's true. The doctor gave him 30 pills (5mg) so within a couple of weeks I'm going to have to deal with this. Worse, there is a family history of pain med abuse. I'm not saying he's following in their steps but naturally I'm very concerned. HELP- anyone?????

 

[Lynlw]

Hi Vicky, Sorry I can't offer much help, Justin hasn't had to take any meds for a while. His surgeries were 6/19 and then 6/29, most of his pain was from where they moved his muscle to wrap around his sternum for the surgery on the 29th since they had to take all the wires out. but even then he only took meds for about a month. but everyone is different. Has he tried taking tylenol at night? I think if Justin was still having that much pain this far out, I would call the surgeon to see if there was some kind of problem. Sorry I wasn't much help. I hope he feels better soon.Lyn

 

[Ross]

No it's not normal. Not this far out. I think I'd be getting a second opinion from another Doctor about it all.

 

[Karlynn]

I would agree with Ross. Either something is wrong where he's continuing to have pain, or he's become dependent on the drug - or both. Get a 2nd opinion.

 

[pamela]

Check with Scott's doc before you stop his dosage, but if the prescription says that beautiful CYA statement as req'd for pain then that's a signal to the patient to be honest about what he needs.

Is it pain or trouble sleeping? Ask him and then show him the webpage Percocet Information. This drug is a narcotic and using it means, at least in Canada, that

you are, legally, impaired and cannot drive while on it.​

If this doesn't move him to try something else, then maybe there is a genuine pain management difficulty. He also may need medical help weaning away from the drug. It is addictive and also the effectivity diminishes over extended use. Please get your doctor's advice, if you're not satisfied, then call his surgeon.

I live with pain constantly, but I have learned to cope. It's better to have a bit of discomfort than to lose your mental acuity to daily drug use, in my view. That's simply how I handle it, and we're all blessed with being different.

 

[geebee]

I am sorry that Scott is still having pain but this is really too far out for it to be surgical pain. If he is having pain, there is another cause and it should be explored.

I am also concerned about a doctor that is still prescribing Percocet 5 months out.

You definitely need to see another doctor.

 

[Jkm7]

I agree with the others. It is too far out for this to be surgical pain unless there is something wrong.

Most people don't even need a tylenol at this stage. I think you are right to be paying close attention.

I'm quite surprised his doctor has given him so many refills. If his surgery was May and he still has a few weeks worth left (you said from 30 pills), that is a lot of refills he has gotten. Most unusual for a narcotic.

Hope you are able to get some answers/help in having him off the percocet.

 

[WayneGM]

Soory to hear Scott is still having a rough time, but I echo the rest....at this point it shouldn't be surgical pain. My incision was sore for over a year, but not enough to continue to take pain killers, especially something as stong as percocet. Yes it was uncomfortable at first but I eventually got used to it and could cope. The intensity eventually subsided as my body adjusted to the soreness. Now my scar is still sensitive and itchy, and gets irritated by certain clothes or while wearing my car seatbelt, but I don't take anything for it. I think you need to get a second opinion. IMHO he's been taking percocet, a narcotic, way too long. He should at least be weaned down to an over-the-counter like extra strength Tylonol by now. I was on Oxycocet for 5 weeks (extended time because of a second surgical procedure at week 3) and I felt some withdrawal when I stopped. Good luck. I hope the situation improves soon.

 

[briansmom]

Hi Vicki,
I'm sorry that you are still dealing with stuff! While I agree mostly with what has been said, I will tell you that Brian took 2 Norco at bedtime for 9 months after his first surgery. He blamed it on the LVAD that was inside his abdomen. He told me that I didn't know what he was going through, etc. I couldn't argue with his logic and went along with it. On the other hand, after this last surgery we cut him off after about a month. He whined and complained and had trouble sleeping for a while, but he does not ask for them anymore. Like you, we have a lot of family history of drug abuse. Try telling Scott that the doctors will not renew the RX after this is gone. Tell him to cut them in half and maybe take it with a Tylenol. Also, reassure him that not sleeping well is very normal after this surgery, but is not a valid reason to take pain meds. I think that young people tend to think that they should be completely pain free like they were before surgery. The rest of us are used to the aches and pains of being over 30 and just live with it.
I hope that you all are doing well other than this!

 

[Susan BAV]

Hi Vicki -

This is a difficult situation, isn't it? I'm wondering if Scott might have some cartilage inflammation. Maybe something called costochondritis. It is something that can develop weeks, maybe even months, after the OHS. I had very bad pain from it, primarily to the right of the base of my sternum. Perhaps I should have taken meds for it but I didn't.

Or, do you think Scott is struggling with some depression?

Otherwise, I was afraid to post earlier about the pain meds because I personally and strongly lean toward, the less meds the better; but that is my opinion. I only needed pain meds for two weeks post-op this time. I still had some pain but I preferred to just not take anymore pills.

I'm glad you posted. Bump this up if it drops a bit on the forum. Please let us know what you find out. Take care. Hope all goes well for your son.

 

[Cooker]

I agree with the others. This is not normal pain and I believe the doctor prescribing these should be second guessed, period.

Addiction is three fold, emotional psychological and physical. Sometimes a person can convince themselves that they are in pain. This is by nature a touchy subject. I wish you well

 

[QueenVictoria]

pain meds

pain meds

Ok well I guess I'll have to take him to the cardiac surgeon- Dr. Colvin @ NYU and discuss this. Personally I am thinking... if it's just one at night he really can't have a "problem" BUT I know that if he is truly uncomfortable he needs to be evaluated further. I think he is hyper sensitive at the upper sternum level. I'm going to call both the surgeon and the cardiologist and take this problem to them. Let their knowledge guide me to help Scott. There is nothing worse than being in pain and having no one that understands his issues. He is depressed and feels isolated because he knows of no one whose been through this. It's time to take action. Thank you to all of you- you've been a guiding light for us through all of this.

 

[gijanet]

Queen Vic

Queen Vic

I can only reiterate what the others are saying. Katie has had five surgeries. Can we say "scar tissue"? Not to mention the chest being sawed open five times..........well, the fifth, they didn't saw, they just reopened the wires they had just put in the hour before................anyway, while Katie does have occasional twinges that reduce her to tears, they are just that - "occasional twinges" that we do believe are tearing of scar tissue. Other than that, she doesn't complain, not one bit, and was off pain meds before we left the hospital, even though this last time was an extended stay, and one time she did go home on methadone. For what it is worth, Katie is still sensitive in the chest area to pressure and can't stand even a remotely tight shirt, but, other than that, she is just fine.

I agree that you should be concerned at this point. Could there be a depression issue as well? He would certainly be entitled as no 19 year old.........or six year old, or any child for that matter, should be dealing with all this. Keep us posted and good luck in getting your answers.

Many hugs. J.

 

[Curtsmum]

Hope you have got some answers?. Really hope you can find some comfort for Scott and get to the bottom of what is causeing him so much pain, will be thinking of you, goodluck