Spinal fusion without narcotics

My husband had a fusion and my daughter had nerve entrapment surgery. Both had narcotics after. The best advice we received from a nurse was to alternate non narcotics in between so you always have something helping. Both my husband and daughter were able to slowly taper off the stronger pain meds by doing this.
I hope those two examples help.

A fusion is a major invasive surgery. I was in the hospital for 3 days when I had mine and even morphine was barely enough for the pain. I was out of work for at least two months. It is a difficult recovery, and I took narcotic pain meds for 6 weeks or more. But there was a plan associated with my medication strategy. You start out high and take meds early to stay ahead of the pain, but then you begin to taper off as your recovery progresses. In today's opioid crisis environment, your access to pain meds will be limited to what you need. Narcotic pain meds can be habit forming, but unless you are dealing with a substance abuse problem already, they are not necessarily going to lead to an opioid addiction.

Thank you so much.

I have had 8 fusions and did better recovery using the minimal amount of narcotics when recovering; for a recovery you need some.

So how have you been doing with your fusions if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks

Thank you for your insight.

I was also concerned about narcotics. My Dr started me on gabapentin a few weeks before my surgery (not a narcotic). I used low dose narcotics for about a week week with Tylenol.

It was manageable and fortunately less pain than I was expecting.

Wishing you well!

Thank you.