I had my first rub scalenetomy done on December 1st above the collarbone. I had neurogenic vascular and arterial compression so I was struggling. After surgery I was in icu for a while and put on a dilaudid pump. That helped but only when I pushed it for medicine and I was tired after surgery so Sleeping was a mistake. So the icu nurse dude was a **** and made me stay awake every 10 min to press it. I told my surgeon and he changed me to a constant drip of .3mg and an extra .2 when I pressed. From then I was put on 2 7.5 norco every 4 hours with a .3 injection of dilaudid every 2 hours. Then they told me I would go home on this 7.5 norco and ibuprofen. This is a joke I am crying in pain and they said this is the strongest they could give me pill wise. And it doesn't touch me. I am only 20 And they say they dint wanna heavily medicate me but I am dying. What do I do? I plan on calling my surgeon Monday to see If he can change somethin but his nurses seemed pretty sure about the norco being enough. What else should I do? Please help I am really hurting and don't wanna go back to er. Anything please

I'm so sorry you're in such pain - I hope others that have been in that situation will see this and have suggestions.

All I can think of is calling the surgeon - I assume they have someone covering urgent calls for just this sort of situation.. but can't hurt to try it and let them know how high your pain level is.

Sometimes an anti depressant paired with the pain med will increase effectiveness of the pain med.

I remember that in some older posts - some members said they seemed to metabolize their meds faster than the norm, maybe that is happening for you?

but I can't recall specific meds mentioned from other post op members here.

Thanks for your response. I mean wen I left the hospital my surgeon was out of town and before he left he told us(family) that he would work out the pill medication. Then his nurse made it clear that he wouldn't change the medicine and she proceded to call me out " if he is in that much pain he wouldn't be up going to the cafeteria ". When they encourage movement in that cardiovascular wing of the hospital? And they put my on the strongest medication on a constant drip when I made it clear I didn't want it? Just unfair. Fortunately I havent ever needed a medication stronger than 10/325 hydrocodone. So if anyone knows what's best in the oxycondone level or how I ask my doctor without him thinking I'm drug seeking. I would hate that on top of everything thanks for gettin back to me!

what type of pain ?

Its so sore at the surgical site and Its like my rib is broken. My neck is sore and my chest and shoulders. But its a deep pain above my collarbone. I do know for a fact that my 7.5 nOrco doesn't work

In the past most have described TOS surgery post op pain as feeling "like being hit by a truck".

They do move a lot of the structures around to work in that small space, but the worst of the surgery pain should be able to be controlled with good meds.

But I'm not sure if they meant with med controlled pain and still hurting that bad, or if the meds worn off a bit early...and hurting that bad..


Is your breathing being affected - can't take full breaths?

some are given breathing exercises to do

A surgeon should have another surgeon covering for him while he is away.. not a nurse..I'd try to bypass and speak to another surgeon about the pain.
Or what about your regular Dr? surely they know you had surgery?
If the surgeon is still out of town?

Sometimes when the surgery is done the surgeon prefers to leave any issues to someone else... They specialize in cutting and that what they do.
Unfortunate but it seems to happen at times