Post prostatectomy: What pain management did you require, if any?

Posted by freed58 @freed58, Sep 30 3:04pm

I have asked this group recently for input on post prostatectomy diet suggestions, and on that you have been very helpful. I thank those who have offered their input. I like to seek your input once again - this time on pain management.

At my pre-op meeting I was informed I would get a 3 day prescription for Tramadol, which I understand to be on the low end of the strength scale for pain control. After the 3 days Tylenol and Ibuprofen would take over.

I welcome your input on whether this sounds like sufficient pain control, recognizing we all have different pain tolerances. I haven’t needed pain meds before due to surgery of any kind and don’t really have a baseline to judge. My surgery is going to be by the da Vinci robotic by a surgeon who’s performed this about 4,000 times. I assume those facts play into skill and technique to minimize pain, but, it is an assumption. Thank you.

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tattodice | @tattodice | Sep 30 3:30pm

My surgery was in January. I required no pain medication at all. I don’t even recall taking an OTC like ibuprofen. No need, no discomfort or pain. Hope your experience is like mine

wheel1 | @wheel1 | Sep 30 3:33pm

I also needed none, but was prescribed Tylenol if needed.

freed58 | @freed58 | Sep 30 4:23pm

I like the sound of that from both of you gents. Thank you!

TurtBean | @turtbean | Sep 30 4:33pm

I was prescribed oxy, Gabapentin, and Tylenol, but told to take the oxy as a last resort, mainly due to the side effect of constipation. I didn’t take it at all, just the Tylenol and Gabapentin.

Was I sore? Yes. Was it crippling pain that had me crying for the sweet relief of the grave? Not at all.

Mostly, it just felt like the usual muscle strains I get it my lower back from time to time, but in my abdomen. As expected, the first day was the worst, and every day was a little better after that.

I inched around the hospital floor for my first walk-around the day after, but three days later, I was walking pretty easily, but carefully, around the house.

Jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | Sep 30 6:09pm

Like others, after the first two days, all I needed was Tylenol. Driving home the day after was the only painful time.

surftohealth88 | @surftohealth88 | Sep 30 6:18pm

My husband took only one Oxy when we needed to drive him home and drive for hour and a half (or more) in rush hour traffic. Once we came home he took Tylenol perhaps for a day or two (I forgot) and not even every 6 hours. His pain level was really low. He had no trouble sitting up, getting up, going to bed or out of the bed at all. I had hard time keeping him from doing too much too soon. Please keep hydrated - I can not stress this enough and if you do not have "no.2" by day 3 please use some mild laxative. If you wish to read day by day events of my husband's recovery let me know - I have small "blog" here about that.

Wishing you super fast recovery and complete obliteration of cancer 🍀👍 !!!

charlesprestridge | @charlesprestridge | Sep 30 7:16pm

My surgery was two weeks ago.

After leaving hospital, I did not take any oxy pills. I took tylenol the afternoon after coming home. Have not taken anything after that 1st afternoon.

For me, the worst pain was passing the gas (used during surgery) and having first few bowel movements.

The first 24 hours (or so) after surgery were not bad due to spinal block anesthesia. I was walking very fast in hospital with minimal pain. After this wore off, the pain was worse, especially the bloated feeling of the gas.

The pain from surgery has not been too severe. Sore, but nothing like prior back and shoulder surgeries.

Best wishes on your surgery.

wjt120 | @wjt120 | Sep 30 7:28pm

I am 2 weeks post op and similar to the others above, I really didn't have any acute pain. I was sore and achy which lessened each day. I took a few Tylenol on day 1 and 2 and that was all. I started walking when I got home and feeling better every day.

Good luck with your surgery and recovery.

TurtBean | @turtbean | Sep 30 7:45pm

I’ll add this as it relates to pain management: you may want to consider a raised toilet seat temporarily.

Being incontinent after surgery, all my peeing at first was either in my pants or when sitting on the toilet to change out pads.

That’s a lot of sitting at a fairly low height, and I found out right quick that the worst part of my day, as far as pain went, was sitting down and (especially) getting up from the toilet. The first couple of times, I had to call my wife for help.

The raised toilet seat, which I got in town at CVS for about $50, really helped with that.