Surgeon never sent post-op meds... any advice? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 days ago by Pheral@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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Apologies for any weird formatting. I'm a lurker with no idea how to post. For context, I live in the USA, asscrack of the planet.

I had a surgical extraction of a broken tooth at an oral surgeon in a town about an hour away from me. It was a little bit brutal, so I was told to load up on the prescribed ibuprofen/acetominophen and start antibiotics that evening after surgery. After the hour drive home, I went to the pharmacy that I had listed in my paperwork. They had no scripts for me since last year. I called the surgeon's office. The woman on the phone said she saw them in her system, had an hour left in her shift, and would call me if she saw them sent out. I told her not to worry, that the pharmacy would contact me as soon as they received it. I assumed there was no way they'd leave a patient without post-op meds. Well, I was wrong.

They never sent my prescriptions before closing up for the weekend.

The office doesn't have an emergency number of any kind. Voicemails or text messages can be left for them to check on Monday. What in the world do I do or even say to these incompetent assholes?

I'm managing my pain with my own medication, but it's expensive, and they sure as hell aren't antibiotics. I'm broke, if that helps.

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[-] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

You can safely stack some types of pain medications because they work in ~~completely~~ slightly different ways. Ibuprofen + acetaminophen are much more effective than either one by itself. IMO the combination at maximum dose of each is just as effective as prescription pain medication.

Cleveland Clinic: “Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen are pain relievers and fever reducers. They both can reduce inflammation, but they work in slightly different ways and are processed by different parts of the body,” says family medicine physician Amy Bernstein, DO. “It can be safe to take them together if taken as directed.”

Also keep detailed notes. In the unlikely event that significant complications occur due to your surgeon's incompetence you may need them.

[-] Pheral@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

Thank you! I'm alternating between 800mg Ibuprofen and 500mg acetaminophen every 3 hours. Can confirm that it does the trick enough to get a few hours sleep at a time! Detailed notes are a great idea, just in case I do end up having complications without antibiotics. Great thoughts!

[-] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Don't alternate, take them together and take the maximum dose (on the label) of each. It makes a massive difference.

[-] Pheral@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

This is what I mean when I say alternating (just for clarity), devised by oral surgeons, not my vibes:

800mg ibuprofen -> (wait 3 hours) -> 500mg acetominophen -> (wait 3 hours) -> Repeat

This could be all I need for one surgery, or completely useless trash for another... but imo, If you take them both together, you'll feel more pain overall when they wear off. Overlap reduces that with a leapfrog effect. Or not. Just listen to your professionals

[-] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Acetaminophen is supposed to be taken every 4-6 hours while ibuprofen is 6-8 hours. When I've really needed serious pain relief I've waited maybe 5 hours between acetaminophen doses and 7 hours for ibuprofen. Because they're staggered there isn't a period where one of them wasn't working unless the maximum daily dose is hit. I made sure didn't happen by waiting longer between doses when I could.

Just listen to your professionals.

I wish. I've talked to my doctors dozens of times about sometimes needing something stronger for pain relief and not one of them has mentioned combining these two drugs. Instead I had to find out about them by coming across an article on pain relief.

I hope you feel better fast.

[-] Pheral@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

The crazy part is that I'm just following what they wrote in the aftercare instructions. I guess it's considered fine to go ham for a few days in extenuating circumstances? Thank you for the kind wishes!

[-] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 days ago

Forgot to mention that the important thing to keep in mind is the maximum daily dose - 4,000mg for acetaminophen and 3,200mg for ibuprofen.

[-] Pheral@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Yes! And if you're anything like me, expect your stomach to feel like raw hell during the 800ibuprofen/500acetominphen onslaught. I'm also on a liquid diet, please pray for me! Lol

[-] khannie@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I'm alternating between 800mg Ibuprofen and 500mg acetaminophen every 3 hours

Looks like your dosage is wrong. The NHS website confirms that 800mg ibuprofen is twice the generally recommended dosage and 500mg of paracetamol is half the dosage for adults.

My doctor did say it was OK to go over the recommended dosage for ibuprofen to me in the short term so is that maybe where you're getting that? 2400mg a day seems like an ass load though.

If I'm in serious pain I alternate them every three hours but always take the ibuprofen with food as it's harsh on the tummy so my schedule would be, for example:

8am 2 x 200mg Ibuprofen with food
11am 2 x 500mg paracetamol
2pm 2 x 200mg Ibuprofen with food
5pm 2 x 500mg paracetamol
Etc

this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2026

71 points (93.8% liked)

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