Adequate control of your post-surgical pain is very important. It expedites your recovery and reduces the chances of some complications, for example pneumonia and blood clots. When your pain is well controlled you can mobilize better and you are able to walk and complete chest physiotherapy exercises. Successful control of your pain after surgery is a team work including yourself, your surgeon, the nurses and –occasionally –the pain team. Some discomfort after surgery is to be expected but your doctor will make every effort to safely reduce it. Some pain medication will be required for the first few days after surgery and you will go home with a prescription for pain medication to be taken by mouth–usually this will be for a week to 10 days from your surgery.
There are many different classes of pain medication that are available to be taken orally. Some may not be appropriate for you and your doctor will recommend those that are more suitable for you and the type of surgery you had. Make sure you highlight to your doctor any pain medication you are allergic to as well as any pain medication that you are taking on a regular basis.
There are different groups of pain medication available to take at home for pain management:
1. Opioids – very effective for moderate to severe pain. They do have side effects most importantly nausea, drowsiness and constipation. You should not drive or operate any machinery when on opioids.
2. Non – opioid medication -such as paracetamol are effective for mild to severe pain. They can be used to reduce the dose of stronger medication which in turn may reduce the side effects.
3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. They help with pain and also reduce the swelling and the inflammation in the area of your surgery. They can relieve moderate pain. Some are available over the counter without a prescription.
The prescription you will take with you may or may not be the same pain medications you took in the hospital. Talk with your doctor about which pain medications will be prescribed at discharge.