{"id":302,"date":"2022-04-06T13:57:25","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T12:57:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/home\/pain-management\/"},"modified":"2022-04-26T12:15:14","modified_gmt":"2022-04-26T11:15:14","slug":"pain-management","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/royal-infirmary-of-edinburgh\/pain-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Pain management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n#mywrapper {\n  margin-top: -20px;\n}\n.greentextbox {\n  background-color: #ddf3d9;\n  border: 0.3rem solid #017101;\n  border-radius: 1rem;\n  padding: 2rem;\n}\n.transparentcontainer {\n  display: flex;\n  flex-wrap: wrap;\n}\n.mycol {\n  flex-direction: column;\n}\n.mygrid {\n  display: flex;\n  flex-wrap: wrap;\n  justify-content: space-evenly;\n}\n.mygrid-item {\n  justify-content: center;\n  display: flex;\n  padding: 2rem 0;\n  align-self: center;\n}\n.mygrid-item center {\n  align-items: 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h4{text-align: center !important;}\n\n\n      .riskaxis{display:flex;}\n      .riskgrad1\n{background: rgb(45,35,72);\nbackground: linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(45,35,72,1) 0%, rgba(106,144,189,1) 100%);}\n\n.riskgrad2\n\n{background: rgb(106,144,189);\nbackground: linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(106,144,189,1) 0%, rgba(101,176,205,1) 100%);display:flex;align-items:stretch;}\n\n.riskgrad3\n\n{background: rgb(101,176,205);\nbackground: linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(101,176,205,1) 0%, rgba(112,150,186,1) 100%);display:flex;align-items:stretch;}\n\n\n.riskgrad4\n\n{background: rgb(112,150,186);\nbackground: linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(112,150,186,1) 0%, rgba(153,94,150,1) 100%);display:flex;align-items:stretch;}\n\n\n.riskgrad5\n\n{background: rgb(153,94,150);\nbackground: linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(153,94,150,1) 0%, rgba(197,100,131,1) 100%);display:flex;align-items:stretch;}\n      \n      .riskwrapper{display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-basis:20%}       \n      \n            .riskinner1{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:1rem;}\n      .riskinner2{display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;text-align:center;padding:1rem 1rem 0 1rem;}\n      .riskinner3{display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;padding:1rem;text-align:center;}\n\n\n.riskinner2 p{font-weight: bold;\n  color: #fff;}\n\n\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 768px) {\n.mycirclecut{display:none;}\n.myarrowinnercontainerblue{border-left:0.5rem solid #33b5ff;border-radius:1rem;}\n.myarrowinnercontainerpurple{border-left:0.5rem solid #ad477e;border-radius:1rem;}\n.myarrowinnercontainergreen{border-left:0.5rem solid #348d34;border-radius:1rem;}\n.myarrowinnercontaineryellow{border-left:0.5rem solid #ffa933;border-radius:1rem;}\n.myarrowinnercontainerteal{border-left:0.5rem solid #017b76;border-radius:1rem;}\n\n.myspecdec{order:2;}\n.myspecpic{order:1;}\n\n    .twogrid,\n  .threegrid,\n  .fourgrid {\n    flex: 100%;\n  }\n  .twogrid15 {\n    flex: 25%;\n  }\n  .twogrid45 {\n    flex: 75%;\n  }\n  .threegrid {\n    flex: 100%;\n  }\n  .fourgrid {\n    flex: 100%;\n  }\n  \n  #myscales,\n  .mylargeformattext {\n    display: none !important;\n  }\n  .mymobiletext {\n    display: inline;\n  }\n  .mytl {\n    flex: auto;\n  }\n  .mytlredtop {\n    margin-bottom: 1rem;\n  }\n  .mytlgreentop {\n    margin-bottom: 1rem;\n  }\n  .mytlorangetop {\n    margin-bottom: 1rem;\n  }\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n      \n      .riskaxis{flex-direction:column;}\n.riskwrapper{flex-direction:row;}  \n\n.riskgrad1\n{background: rgb(45,35,72);\nbackground: linear-gradient(rgba(45,35,72,1) 0%, rgba(106,144,189,1) 100%);}\n\n.riskgrad2\n\n{background: rgb(106,144,189);\nbackground: linear-gradient(rgba(106,144,189,1) 0%, rgba(101,176,205,1) 100%);display:flex;align-items:stretch;}\n\n.riskgrad3\n\n{background: rgb(101,176,205);\nbackground: linear-gradient(rgba(101,176,205,1) 0%, rgba(112,150,186,1) 100%);display:flex;align-items:stretch;}\n\n\n.riskgrad4\n\n{background: rgb(112,150,186);\nbackground: linear-gradient(rgba(112,150,186,1) 0%, rgba(153,94,150,1) 100%);display:flex;align-items:stretch;}\n\n\n.riskgrad5\n\n{background: rgb(153,94,150);\nbackground: linear-gradient(rgba(153,94,150,1) 0%, rgba(197,100,131,1) 100%);display:flex;align-items:stretch;}\n    \n        \n  \n      .riskinner1{flex:20%;display:flex;align-items:center;padding:1rem;}\n      .riskinner2{flex:35%;display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;text-align:center;padding:1rem;}\n      .riskinner3{flex:45%;display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;padding:1rem;}\n\n\n}\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<p>After an operation it is normal to expect a degree of discomfort or pain. Pain after surgery is known as acute pain; it has a known cause and will improve as the tissues heal. The amount of pain will reduce quickly in the first few days. In the meantime good pain relief is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This webpage gives you information on the pain relief options which may be available to you after surgery. Methods of pain relief are constantly improving, and you will be able to get moving again sooner after your surgery than you might expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Inpatient Pain Management Team, and the staff on the ward, are here to make sure any pain you do have is as well controlled as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any concerns about how your pain will be managed after surgery then please discuss these at your pre-assessment appointment or with your anaesthetist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you suffer from chronic pain, or take regular strong pain medication, the Acute Pain Team will be informed before your surgery to plan for any potential problems. You should take your usual pain medicines on the morning of surgery unless you have been told not to by a doctor or nurse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aims of pain relief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It will not be possible to remove all pain, but we would expect you to be comfortable enough to make progress with your recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting moving and returning to normal activities are crucial to helping you recover faster, return to a good quality of health and avoid complications. Pain relief is designed to make this possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The aims of pain relief after surgery are to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"myarrowcontainer\">\n        <div class=\"mycirclecut myarrowcircleblue\">\n          <div class=\"mycirclecutout\"><\/div>\n          <div class=\"mycircle myarrowcircleblue\">1<\/div>\n          <div class=\"arrowpad\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"myarrowinnercontainer myarrowinnercontainerblue\">\n          <div class=\"arrowcontent\">\n            <div class=\"arrow myarrowblue\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"arrowcontentcol\">\n              <h3>Allow you to get moving<\/h3>\n              <ul>\n                <li>Helps to prevent muscle weakness, stiffness, constipation and\n                  blood clots<\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"myarrowcontainer\">\n        <div class=\"mycirclecut myarrowcirclepurple\">\n          <div class=\"mycirclecutout\"><\/div>\n          <div class=\"mycircle myarrowcirclepurple\">2<\/div>\n          <div class=\"arrowpad\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"myarrowinnercontainer myarrowinnercontainerpurple\">\n          <div class=\"arrowcontent\">\n            <div class=\"arrow myarrowpurple\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"arrowcontentcol\">\n              <h3>Allow you to deep breath and cough<\/h3>\n              <ul>\n                <li>Helps prevent chest infections or pneumonia <\/li>\n                \n              <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"myarrowcontainer\">\n        <div class=\"mycirclecut myarrowcirclegreen\">\n          <div class=\"mycirclecutout\"><\/div>\n          <div class=\"mycircle myarrowcirclegreen\">3<\/div>\n          <div class=\"arrowpad\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"myarrowinnercontainer myarrowinnercontainergreen\">\n          <div class=\"arrowcontent\">\n            <div class=\"arrow myarrowgreen\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"arrowcontentcol\">\n              <h3>Allow you to return to your normal activities<\/h3>\n              <ul>\n                <li>While your body continues to heal<\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"myarrowcontainer\">\n        <div class=\"mycirclecut myarrowcircleyellow\">\n          <div class=\"mycirclecutout\"><\/div>\n          <div class=\"mycircle myarrowcircleyellow\">4<\/div>\n          <div class=\"arrowpad\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"myarrowinnercontainer myarrowinnercontaineryellow\">\n          <div class=\"arrowcontent\">\n            <div class=\"arrow myarrowyellow\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"arrowcontentcol\">\n              <h3>Improve sleep<\/h3>\n              <ul>\n                <li>Important for physical healing and mental wellbeing<\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"myarrowcontainer\">\n        <div class=\"mycirclecut myarrowcircleteal\">\n          <div class=\"mycirclecutout\"><\/div>\n          <div class=\"mycircle myarrowcircleteal\">5<\/div>\n          <div class=\"arrowpad\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"myarrowinnercontainer myarrowinnercontainerteal\">\n          <div class=\"arrowcontent\">\n            <div class=\"arrow myarrowteal\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"arrowcontentcol\">\n              <h3>Improve mood and anxiety<\/h3>\n              <ul>\n                <li>Important for all aspects of your recovery<\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"balance\">Getting the balance right<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pain relief is important to help you recover. However, pain medicine may have side effects. It is important to get the balance right and we are here to help you do this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does good pain relief feel like?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"mytlcontainer mytlcontainertop\">\n        <div class=\"mytl mytlred mytlredtop\">\n          <h4>TOO MUCH<\/h4>\n          <p> Comfortable but problems with side effects from pain killers.\n            These might be feeling sick, itch, constipation or feeling very\n            tired.<\/p>\n          <p class=\"mymobiletext\"> Speak to the nurses and doctors looking after\n            you. They will give you advice or make changes to your pain relief.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mytl mytlgreen mytlgreentop\">\n          <h4>JUST RIGHT<\/h4>\n          <p> Mild pain but comfortable. You should be able to move, deep\n            breathe, and cough while keeping a smile on your face!<\/p>\n          <p class=\"mymobiletext\"> Keep going as you are and aim to gradually\n            reduce the amount of pain relief you are using.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mytl mytlorange mytlorangetop\">\n          <h4> NOT ENOUGH<\/h4>\n          <p> Severe pain on movement, only able to take small breaths and not\n            able to cough.<\/p>\n          <p class=\"mymobiletext\"> You don&#8217;t need to struggle on. Tell the\n            nurses or doctors looking after you that you are in pain and they\n            will help.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mytl myinfographic\" id=\"myscales\" src=\"\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/scales.png\" alt=\"icon of a pair of weighing scales\">\n      <div class=\"mytlcontainer mylargeformattext\">\n        <div class=\"mytl mytlred\">\n          <p> Speak to the nurses and doctors looking after you. They will give\n            you advice or make changes to your pain relief.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mytl mytlgreen\">\n          <p> Keep going as you are and aim to gradually reduce the amount of\n            pain relief you are using.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mytl mytlorange\">\n          <p> You don&#8217;t need to struggle on. Tell the nurses or doctors\n            looking after you that you are in pain and they will help.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing pain after surgery is a team effort, involving you and the staff looking after you. If at any point you feel your pain control could be better, you should discuss this with the doctors and nurses on the ward or the Inpatient Pain Management Team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"painteam\">The acute pain team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a major operation, the Inpatient Pain Management Team may be involved in your care and will visit you on the ward if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Inpatient Pain Management Team work closely with you, and the doctors and nurses on the ward, to make sure your pain is as well controlled as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who are the acute pain team?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"145\" height=\"144\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/specialistnurse.png\" alt=\"Decorative cartoon image of Specialist Nurse\" class=\"wp-image-523\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">SPECIALIST NURSES<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Very experienced in managing acute pain after surgery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">PAIN CONSULTANT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Specialist in pain medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"145\" height=\"144\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/painconsultant.png\" alt=\"Decorative cartoon image of Pain Consultant\" class=\"wp-image-529\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"145\" height=\"144\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/anaesthetist.png\" alt=\"Decorative cartoon image of anaesthetist\" class=\"wp-image-528\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">ANAESTHETIST<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Specialist training in pain medicine. They are on call 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whatdo\">What do the pain management team do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During each visit the Inpatient Pain Management Team will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Assess your pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You will be asked to describe your pain, including whether it is mild, moderate or severe. You may also be asked to give your pain a score out of 10, where 10 is the worst pain and 0 is no pain.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"205\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/options2.png\" alt=\"Oral Pain Killers, Strong Pain Killers, Local Anaethetic\" class=\"wp-image-527\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A combination of methods is good because each one works on a different part of the pain system. Also, it stops you needing large doses of any single medicine, so the risk of side effects is reduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"oral\">Oral painkillers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You will be given regular painkillers as either tablets or liquid. Examples include paracetamol, ibuprofen and tramadol. Although they may seem simple, they are very important. Each one works in a different way and they are the building blocks on which any pain management plan is built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strong\">Strong painkillers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You are likely to require other strong painkillers. These are medicines such as morphine, fentanyl or oxycodone. They are all types of painkillers called opioids. Opioids are good at controlling acute pain after surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They can be given to you in different ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"mygrid\">\n        <div class=\"painbox twogridmar mypurple\">\n          <h3>Short acting<\/h3>\n          <div class=\"painboxtext\">\n            <p>Tablets or liquid which you\ntake when your pain gets\nworse or before you are\ngoing to move about.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"painbox twogridmar myyellow\">\n          <h3>Patches <\/h3>\n          <div class=\"painboxtext\">\n            <p>These stick to your skin and\nprovide background pain\nrelief throughout the day\nand night.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"painbox twogridmar myblue\">\n          <h3>Long acting <\/h3>\n          <div class=\"painboxtext\">\n            <p>Tablets which you take twice\na day and provide\nbackground pain relief for\n12 hours.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"painbox twogridmar myteal\">\n          <h3>Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) <\/h3>\n          <div class=\"painboxtext\">\n            <p>A PCA is a machine\nconnected to your drip, with\na button for you to press.\nEach time you press the\nbutton you receive a small\ndose of painkiller through\nthe drip. The machine\ncontrols how often you can\nget a dose to stop you\naccidentally taking too\nmuch.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are opioids safe?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You may have heard stories about problems with opioids, especially people becoming addicted. When used for a short time to help with acute pain after surgery the risk of becoming addicted is very small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Inpatient Pain Management Team will always make sure there is a plan in place to reduce the amount of opioids you are taking as your pain improves. Opioids do not work for long-term, or chronic pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"LA\">Local anaesthetic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For surgery on your abdomen or legs, a regional anaesthetic may be used. This is usually a spinal or an epidural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are injections in the middle of your back which are performed when you are awake, before you are given a general anaesthetic to make you unconscious for the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-plum-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>EPIDURAL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">A very small plastic tube, known as a catheter, is inserted through a needle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Local anaesthetic and painkillers can be given through the tube for up to 3 days after the operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"71\" height=\"184\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2022\/04\/spine.png\" alt=\"Decorative graphic of spine\" class=\"wp-image-526\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>SPINAL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">You are given a single injection in your lower back of local anaesthetic and strong painkiller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">This provides good pain relief for up to 24 hours after surgery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The injections are usually done with you sitting up, although they can also be done with you lying on your side.<\/li><li>Local anaesthetic is injected to numb the skin before the spinal or epidural injection starts.<\/li><li>More local anaesthetic drug, and a strong painkiller, is injected through a needle close to the nerves in your back which detect pain from your abdomen.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Regional anaesthetic provides good pain relief after surgery and reduces the amount of strong painkillers you need to take. This helps you get moving sooner and reduces the risk of side effects from painkillers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The options available will be discussed with you by your anaesthetist, who will also explain any risks of these injections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nausea\">Feeling sick<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some patients can feel, or be, sick after an operation. This can be because of the anaesthetic, the surgery or the painkillers you are taking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anti-sickness medicine will always be available to you. So if you are feeling sick, please let a member of staff known so that it can be treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"relaxation\">Relaxation and distraction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hospitals can be a busy and stressful environment. You may find it useful to bring something to help you relax. For example, this could be something to read, or some music to listen to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"goinghome\">Going home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you recover from your operation your pain will improve. The amount of pain medicine you need will decrease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the time you are ready to go home, you may still be taking some painkillers. It is important that you continue to gradually reduce the amount you are taking after you go home. The Inpatient Pain Management Team will help provide you with a plan for how to do this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are taking long-acting opioids, you should aim to gradually reduce and stop these within 2 weeks. You may need the occasional dose of short-acting opioid, but should not be using these for longer than 4 weeks after you go home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you feel like you still need strong painkillers for more than 4 weeks after going home, it is important to discuss this with your GP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"research\">Research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>NHS Lothian is committed to supporting clinical research. If you are eligible for any research studies, someone from the research team may contact you with information that you can read. If you do not wish to take part in any research, this will not affect your clinical care in any way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\">PLEASE NOTE<br>This website includes content taken from the Royal College of Anaesthetists&#8217; (RCoA) leaflets &#8216;Fitter, Better, Sooner (2018)&#8217;, &#8216;You and your anaesthetic (2020)&#8217;, &#8216;Anaesthesia explained (2015)&#8217;, and &#8216;Common events and risks in anaesthesia(2019)&#8217;. However, The RCoA has not reviewed the website as a whole. Some of the RCoA infographics used on the website have been adapted for web viewing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After an operation it is normal to expect a degree of discomfort or pain. Pain after surgery is known as acute pain; it has a known cause and will improve as the tissues heal. The amount of pain will reduce quickly in the first few days. In the meantime good pain relief is important. This<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":295,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-302","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"davidmcbain","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/author\/davidmcbain\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"After an operation it is normal to expect a degree of discomfort or pain. Pain after surgery is known as acute pain; it has a known cause and will improve as the tissues heal. The amount of pain will reduce quickly in the first few days. In the meantime good pain relief is important. This","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=302"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/302\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":590,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/302\/revisions\/590"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}