I’ve just had an L5-S1 Laminectomy (back surgery). When the disk fully herniated, there was immense pain. Post surgery, there is also a lot of pain at the spot of the procedure. For both, the prescription is Percocet. It does take the edge off the pain, but there is more to it.
What is Percocet?
I don’t like the pain killers. Yes, I like the pain relief, but, no, I don’t like the side effects.
According to wikipedia, Percocet is a combination of Oxycodone and Acetaminophen.
“Oxycodone oral medications are generally prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe pain.”
“Oxycodone is effective for managing moderate to moderately severe acute or chronic pain.”
Side Effects
So, that is what I’m getting it, and yes it takes the edge off. But this is what I don’t like.
The most commonly reported effects include disturbing nightmares, memory loss, constipation, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, headache, dry mouth, anxiety, itching, and heavy sweating. It has also been claimed to cause dimness in vision due to miosis (pupil constriction), circulatory collapse. Some patients have also experienced loss of appetite, nervousness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, urine retention, dyspnea, and hiccups, although these symptoms appear in less than 5% of patients taking oxycodone. Rarely, the drug can cause impotence, enlarged prostate gland, and decreased testosterone secretion.
In high doses, overdoses, or in patients not tolerant to opiates, oxycodone can cause shallow breathing, bradycardia, cold, clammy skin, apnea, hypotension, miosis, circulatory collapse, respiratory arrest, and death.
What is it doing to me?
- disturbing nightmares
- memory loss
- constipation
- fatigue
- headache
- dry mouth
- anxiety
- itching
- heavy sweating
- dimness in vision
Oh, and it does take the edge off the pain.
I will say that I am trying to be tough, but I learned my lesson. You do need to stay ahead of the pain. When I get behind, things get bad. I’ glad I’m progressing which means I have a future without the pain or the side effects.
It is a tough road, but with your background, you should do well. I think the hardest part of my recovery has been life with a desk job. I think little of my knee these days. Getting the body back in balance and not limping/favoring is important.
Good luck! And remember, most people go to the internet to complain.
I don’t know if you’ll get this but I’ve been reading your blog about the knee microfracture surgery. Thanks for giving me hope. I’m a cyclist too and a yoga teacher. I just had the surgery yesterday. It was not expected I’d have this extensive damage. I’m glad to know the cause of my pain but never expected the long recovery process. I’ve been reading so much negative and you’re the first one to give me hope. Thank you for that. I’ll have to surrender my classes for a time, very bummed about that but I have to heal properly. Best wishes to you.