SURVIVOR: Sounds like this might be a good question for Larry Hoover in the Drug Forum. He knows a lot about herbal remedies.

Actually, ibuprofen is pretty good, if you religiously take a double antacid with every dose. And you might need some antacid between doses also. Otherwise, you're asking for stomach trouble sooner or later. Of course, it's not Vicodin, which it seems to me any humane doctor would be willing to prescribe.

My own feeling is that, after your sponsor has had her warts removed and gone without pain medication afterward, she might be better equipped to speak on the subject.

This is my personal experience. I had a spinal laminectomy, took pain meds through day 5 (day 1 being day of surgery), and then took ibuprofen from then on. I knew I had to do that in order to avoid abusing the pain meds. I would not follow the orders of anyone who told me not to use the pain meds that any compassionate doctor would prescribe. Your surgery is known to have a very painful recovery period. There is nothing smart about putting oneself through needless pain. It's draining on both body and mind. Time enough to be strong when you have used the pain medication for a while, when the pain lessens, and when you feel you can start substituting one ibuprofen for one Vicodin or whatever. If you are rigorously honest with yourself, you will know exactly when is the right time.

Stock up on those lovely cooling wipes before surgery. And be sure to bring home a sitz bath. Ask the doc if there's something gentle and healing you can put in the sitz bath water.

I hope you're getting the counseling you need, Survivor. So glad we can be here for you also. Lean on us. No need to be embarrassed.
Hope your surgery goes well.

Adieu