Last Tuesday I entered Mayo Clinic to have a brand new Titanium Reverse Ball and Socket installed in my shoulder. Wednesday afternoon my wife drove me home as I drifted from one opioid-induced dream to another. By Saturday I began weaning myself off the pain medication and grudgingly acknowledged to myself that some pain is good. Today one day after watching the greatest Minnesota Viking win in all of history, I am feeling OK. My shoulder hurts and I can’t really use my arm yet, but tomorrow begins the start of physical therapy and it will begin to get better.
For me, opioids provided a way to manage the pain involved with a transplant. It was administered by a team of specialists who were well aware of the addictive qualities of the prescribed pain relief.
Unfortunately, not everyone is as well counseled. Millions of patients are exploited by an industry that cares more about profits than an oath to “Do no harm”.
Not sure the industry is completely to blame. I asked for pain meds after surgery and the dr sent me home with a month supply. All I needed was a day or two, week at the most. I stopped taking them after two days when Tylenol helped without the mind numbing qualities. There is a time to use pain meds and a time to NOT.
Glad your surgery went well, heal quick.
These days the drug pushers
wear Armani suits, and meet at
the Country Club to do business.