Following my surgery I no longer required the services of a pain management specialist. I used the PCS pump for 2 days and then switched to oral pain relievers. When I left the hospital I was only taking Neurontin, Ultracet, and Skelaxin 3 times/day. After 3 weeks I was off all of them completely. Some of this depends on your pain threshold, intensity and duration of pain, and your comfort level. You want to be certain you aren't in extreme pain because that will interfere with your recovery.
While you are awaiting your surgery, prepare your body and your mind as much as possible. I continued with massage therapy and water therapy. This helped with my muscle tone, spasms, and overall mood. Best wishes for a positive surgical experience!
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