Question:
I heard that staying ahead of the pain is good

I heard that staying ahead of the pain is good while in the hospital. For example using the morphine pump when it is not needed. Would this cause problems in the long run such as becoming addicted to it or more pain after that pump is gone?    — Jennifer L. (posted on June 14, 2001)

June 14, 2001
The morphine is a slow, mild steady dose, as opposed to a shot in the arm, which would give you a major rush, so I don't think this will promote addiction. After the morphine pump in the hospital, they will likely send you home with some painkillers like Vicodin. If you've never gotten addicted to pain killers before, you probably won't now. Yes, you do want to stay ahead of the pain, if only so you will be able to and want to walk and keep the possibility of blood clots at bay. At home, I took the Vicodin because sleeping on my back was so alien to me that I had backaches for 10 days, but the incisional pain was minimal.
   — Allie B.

June 14, 2001
I was told by my surgeon that getting "addicted" to morphine for the short time that you are using the pump is virtually impossible. It is best to keep ahead of the pain as it is easier to be keep the pain away than to be in pain and then try to make the pain go away. Besides with the timer, you can only give yourself doses every so often. The dose and timing is controlled. This is better than getting a big dose every so often in the form of a shot. With a shot, you may find that you need another before it is "time", but cannot have one. The doctor gave me a prescription for a liquid pain medicine for at home (not morphine, but don't remember what). I used some, but not really a lot because I found that I really didn't have a lot of pain.
   — Gina E.