My neighbor the retired pharmacist had knee surgery about seven years ago.
He felt his opioids were ineffective at relieving his pain.
Perhaps they were.
I took only ibuprofen after knee surgery but after shoulder surgery I needed opiates just to get through the aftermath and the first few weeks of PT. Either I got a lot more wimpy in the few years between the surgeries or one was a lot more painful.
This article authors apparently believe we have no knowledge that Rx strength Tylenol for major pain has indeed been a thing for quote some time (Tylenol 3 anyone?) and Rx strength Tylenol (acetaminophen) was and is normally pared with the opioids in those pills - it was discussed whether or not one may be relieving the pain more than the other. Opioids are only for short term use and breakthrough pain.
Try a middle ear infection or post hernia surgery on Tylenol. Thankfully in both incidents I was given Vicodin and I never became addicted.
“He felt his opioids were ineffective at relieving his pain”.
Same here. I ended up confused and suffering at the same time.
With kidney stones, Oxycodone sorta worked, but they had to be taken immediately when a kidney stone was “on the move”.
When I took one when (ultimately) NOT needed, I was transported to Nirvana!
This article is deceptive. I’m a physician who treats back pain and other muscle-skeletal injuries. There’s good data out, and it matches with what I see clinically, that Tylenol for mild to moderate acute injuries is equal or superior to opioids.
Every time I post this, I get angry posts and private replies from the many people on this forum who are on chronic opioids for their pain. I really do feel bad about the daily discomfort they have, but daily opioids cure nothing, in fact, chronic use sensitizes you to pain, whereby as the drug wears off, your pain returns with greater intensity, thus the need to increase the dose and frequency,
There are people trying to work with pain, who are taking up to 3 to 4 strong opioids per day.
But, don’t take my word for it. Next time you hurt your back and you’re in too much pain to exercise or engage in PT, try two adult Tylenol three to four times per day, (you won’t need much), and see what happens.
It’s a great painkiller. Better than aspirin? Probably not.
Anyway, that’s my thought.
They gave me a bottle of Oxycodone for kidney stones a few years ago. Those little things were amazing. However, I couldn’t imagine taking them when I wasn’t in massive pain.
On the other hand, I’m friends with a guy who was a pretty serious heroin junkie. He gave his life to Christ and got off the stuff.
He’s a builder and literally had a house fall on him once. He had some significant injuries and surgeries. He refused all pain medication. He’s worried that if he even takes an aspirin it will put him on a bad path.
Well, I have a different experience.
The common opioids oxycodone are a combination of oxycontin and guess what....... acetaminophen.
I have moderate to severe abdominal pain that apparently results from exertion or something. It is very infrequent but knocks me out of action. I have an opioid prescribed that quickly eliminates the pain.
Knowing that one of the pills ingredients is acetaminophen I have taken Tylenol only for relief. On occasion that has relieved the pain but mostly does not.
For the 2nd knee, I eventually did pain killers the old fashioned way: whiskey :). I tried a wee bit of dilaudid and was an absolute mess. Told hubby “I’m done. No Tylenol, no dilaudid….just occasional whiskey”. Worked much better. :).