What a Pill
By Amber
@AmbiePam (120726)
United States
December 13, 2010 7:21am CST
Are you good at obeying the doctor's orders and taking the medicine prescribed to you? I'm pretty much talking about prescription medications, but I guess it doesn't have to be only about prescriptions. My dad is doing okay after having his prostate removed (due to cancer of course). He has tons of visitors, and every time they leave he just slumps in the recliner (it's less painful for him to sit or recline than lie down), and is pretty much exhausted. I asked him next time if someone called to see if they could visit, would he please just tell them not now, maybe later. Of course he said no. He's bored, and having people come by breaks up the boredom for him, or so he says.
He also hardly takes any pain pills. I know some of you are anti pills, but we're talking about major surgery here. This isn't about spraining an ankle. He'll take only one a day, even though he is still in pain. He says it isn't as bad as the first two days, so he doesn't want to take any unless he absolutely needs it. He isn't worried about getting addicted to it, he just hates taking pills. And I can't make him take them.
How good are you in taking the medicine you are prescribed? And in general, I mean medicine you know you need, not something the doctor gives you on a whim.
6 people like this
18 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
13 Dec 10
I hate taking pills, especially the ones I call, "horse pills" the really big ones. But if a doctor prescribes something, I take my meds only because I feel if I don't, then I'll need more meds or even worse, a shot to make me better. 
If your dad isn't taking his pain meds, I don't think it will effect his health, but I may be wrong, I don't know. But if it is something to help heal him, then I would be concerned.
If your dad isn't taking his pain meds, I don't think it will effect his health, but I may be wrong, I don't know. But if it is something to help heal him, then I would be concerned.2 people like this
@AmbiePam (120726)
• United States
13 Dec 10
A friend of the family who happens to be a nurse was among the many people who stopped by this past week. She tried to tell him that taking the pain pills wasn't just to make his pain more tolerable, but also to help him heal. If his stomach muscles are relaxed (because the incisions were in his stomach), he will heal much faster. And that is basically what his surgeon told him. He's just so stubborn.
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
13 Dec 10
Oh, so pain meds are more for pain? Thanks for that info, hopefully someone can talk him into taking his meds then..
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
13 Dec 10
Your Dad should really take the pills for pain until the healing has begun. If he needs it then he should use it. Is it really addictive medicine he is on?
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
13 Dec 10
When I had my foot surgery, the doctor said : "You will take the pain pills as scheduled for the first week, then as needed. In a way that was good. On the other hand, I took them a lot, after that and had some issues, not with addiction, but with some imbalances in the rest of my body. Looking back, I am wishing I did not take them as much. I know how he feels. If you notice him acting "in pain" you might suggest that he take one. He seems like he is trying to build his strength.
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 Dec 10
Your dad sounds like my hubby didnt want to gt hooked on the pain pills isnt good to notttake one when in pian as it helps to relax.
what pain pill did they put him on.
My last surgery 3 weeks ago tomorrow the gave me pecaset I threw it up so they had to give me hydros back
adn I only take when it gets really bad and I cant realy sleep for the pain .
I got bruised so much its the bruie that hurt and some muscle in my leg.
and tell him it will take all of 6 weeks nd maybe more to get over this s long a they got it all he will be fine
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
13 Dec 10
I hope your dad's pain diminishes quickly as he heals! I do sympathize with him, I'm not one to take pills either. The problem, especially with pain medications, is that so many of the prescription ones make you tired, or like you've just had a 6-pack to drink. I'm more apt to take them at bedtime for that reason. I prefer something over-the-counter that reduces the pain without all of the side effects, even if it doesn't make it go away.
I've always felt that there was a purpose for pain. It forces you to take it easy while you're healing. If the pain vanishes, it's easier to overdo activities and injure the healing tissues. That's my way of thinking anyway, and have had arguments with Dr's because of that viewpoint.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120726)
• United States
14 Dec 10
He's got so many incisiions. And being in pain makes him so uncomfortable that he cannot find a good position to sit in or lie down. If he would take his pain pills he could at least relax long enough for his stomach muscles to heal without constantly being stretched and pulled due to his inability to get in a good position.
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
14 Dec 10
If his doctor prescribed a codeine-based pain killer, he might dislike the grogginess more than the pain relief. Have you asked your dad why he doesn't take what the doctor prescribed? If he talks to his doctor, maybe there is something he can take that will reduce the pain without unwanted side effects. Motrin comes to mind, which is the equivalent of 4 Advils. Maybe he can try that?
@saphrina (31551)
• South Africa
13 Dec 10
Hi sweetie.
I understand that your dad won't take the pain pills.
They tend to break down your immune system.
I am sure he will take them if he really cannot handle it anymore.
I am horrible at taking pills.
They normally get stuck in my throat.
I really have to force them down.
Good luck on your dad's recovery, though.
TATA.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
18 Dec 10
Well Ambie I have to be honest with Pain Pills I am the same, unless it get really bad I will not take them, also I always try to get out of taking my Steroids when I have these bad Infections, I have to force myself to take them, my Inhalers I really do not want to take and never used to now I do because if I don't my Breathing gets really bad, specially the Steroid one
After having a severe telling of a year ago for trying to be stubborn and not taking my Meds as prescribed, I do now as I have noticed if I miss them I get bad with my breathing and my Chest starts to feel very heavy
But when it comes Pain Killers I am just as stubborn, unless I really have to I will not take them
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
13 Dec 10
I take mine faithfully....every day at the same time that I am supposed to. I understand what he's going through though as my mom was the same way...she had cancer and the pain...well I don't know how she got through it. But she was afraid to get addicted to Morphine.....I don't know why...she just was.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
13 Dec 10
hi AmbiePam I am really a very good girl he he when it comes to taking my medications I had 13 this morning as two were lasix and potassium
and one huge capsule was an antibiotic,then there were three high blood pressure pills, two pills for diabetes and one for arthritis pain. so I also need these to maintain a painfree day .
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
18 Dec 10
Hope your dad’s pain will subside soon! I am pretty good when it comes to taking medicines. I don’t like going to the doctor or taking medication but when the need is severe enough I will go for a check-up and take whatever I am prescribed because I may not like seeing the doctor but I like being sick or in pain even less!
1 person likes this
@JudgeIronFist (2470)
• Singapore
14 Dec 10
I'll take note of what the doctor tells me and eat the medicine on time. Until when I'm sure my illness has gone away, I'll stop all medications except for antibiotics. Antibiotics are important and if you are prescribed with it, you have to finish the course, or else the illness or pain may just come back again.
1 person likes this
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
13 Dec 10
I'm awful about taking my medication. I may take it once a month, which makes it totally useless. Now, for my dog, he gets his everyday. (And my bottle of medication sits right by his, now go figure.) As for your Dad's pain meds, if he took them as prescribed...he really would feel a lot better. But who am I to try and convince him? When do you think you will hear the results?
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
13 Dec 10
I certainly understand your father not wanting to take medication unless if it absolutely necessary. Sometimes pain medication for instance makes me feel so slum and low that I rather deal with the pain.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
13 Dec 10
Good morning Ambie, glad your dad is doing as well as he is. Sounds like he's having too much company but i couldn't turn them away either. I wish he would take his meds . I believe if he hurts bad enough he will take more. I take soooo many meds every day. I don't like to but if that's what keeps me going i will. I don't feel like the dr. would give them to me if i didn't need them. I take pain meds every day & have for quite awhile now. I'd rather not but i don't like to hurt even tho i still do even w/the meds. Tell him i said to man-up & take his meds right, lol.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
4 May 11
Mostly, I don't really like to take pain pills. They bother my stomach and simply are not good for you. I am more of a fan of natural, nonaddictive medicine. Besides, the doctor never will prescribe me anything good. They always want to give me naproxen, so I just tell them nevermind. If you don't know what that is, it's Aleve. A lot of good that can really do.
So yeah, screw doctors orders. I'll do what I want with my body. I know my body better than anyone. I don't care how long they went to school. If I were in the same kind of situation your dad is in, I might take some, but probably not that much.
I wish your dad luck and hope that he gets well soon.
@sender621 (14889)
• United States
13 Dec 10
I have always been faithtful to a doctor's prescribed orders. this includes taking medication. I feel that my doctor would not prescribe something that was not recommended for me. the least i can do is follow the advice I am given.1 person likes this
@marapplestiffy (2182)
• Philippines
13 Dec 10
I'm so much like your father...my mother makes me drink my medicine though , I had a serious UTI because the rat's pee was in my system, I'm really not sure how this happened and I didn't get a chance to talk to the doctor and ask the why's and how's of my infection, I had to take the medicine mama gives me since she gets teary eyed if I didn't...1 person likes this
