A,

I was a lortab user. I had to have a semi-emergent hysterctomy. I got completely clean one week before the surgery, and I don't regret a minute of it. Absolutely, and I cannot say that with enough feeling, your narcotic use will affect the pain medication's ability to help your pain after surgery. If I had not gotten clean for at least a week beforehand, I do not know what I would have done.

You need to speak to the surgeon/anesthegeologist before the surgery and let them know you take lortab for chronic pain before the surgery. They have to know that to compensate, because it will even affect their ability to put you under. I know because I was honest before mine, and the anesthegeologist was very grateful, and afterwards the surgeon upped my pain meds to help me.

Then, after the surgery, you can make the decision to taper off if you like. I don't mean to be too blunt or scary, but my husband is a physician, and he says this is very serious to be able to manage your pain from abdominal surgery.

I've never posted before, so I hope this was ok. I just felt like I really needed to when I saw your post.

Bella

When I say "binge" I mean I take the pills 4, 5, or 6 at a time for as long as they last. This may be for as little as two weeks or for as long as several months and yes, I take them every single day. When I run out and they don't give me anymore, I'm done. I go through withdrawal but it has only been really severe one time and that was when I had my hysterectomy. I was misdiagnosed with severe diverticulitis for 6 months and given Lortab 10 the whole time, which I abused not for the high but because I had NO pain relieve. Then it turns out that I had a tumor in my uterus and had an emergency hysterectomy. That time I had very serious withdrawals but I went cold turkey and didn't tell the doctors. My husband was aware of that. Ever since then I seem to have an "addiction" and I binge any time I get my hands on pain meds which is often due to my medical problems.

Like I said in my previous posts, I have severe and chronic back problems and I'm about to have my entire colon removed. I had 18 inches of it removed already in April of 07. Anyway, when I do run out of pills I suffer withdrawals for a few days to a week and then I'm completely and totally fine until the next time I get pain meds for something. I literally go for several months without them and without anything and I'm perfectly fine, I don't even think about pills. That's why I wondered after I realized that I'm a "binger" if I'm really an addict? Does it make a difference?

I do not smoke ever. I do not drink on a regular basis, however, I used to drink before I converted to lds. And since I'm being totally honest I still drink but maybe only twice a year and when I do, I binge on that too. Whatever it is I do, I seem to binge. I'm not overweight, but I binge on food as well. I have a history of bulimia. Not surprised are you? I don't know what it is about me that makes me do this....

Like I was saying in my previous post, thank you again to everyone for the advice. I want to tell my surgeon about my addiction and how much I've been taking so they can monitor my pain levels correctly. I really don't want my husband to know though. How can I tell the anesthesiologist without telling my husband? He will be in there with me when they are prepping me for surgery, I know he will because he always is. He will think it's strange if I ask him not to and he will respect it if I ask him to step out for a second but I know he will wonder what's up. And with the surgeon, he's been worried about this surgery and he's going to the appt. with me on thursday, how do I tell the dr. when he's there? I will NOT let him find out; I don't want to disappoint him. I refuse to, but I also HAVE to tell the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. I will find a way to do both. Any suggestions?? Please don't tell me to tell my husband, I already know that is the right thing to do and I know he will forgive me support me and all that, but I'm not ready to. So please help me find a way around it. That's all I ask...I will deal with any repercussions later. Thanks in advance!!!

A~