Live data from Hacker News

After Surgery in Germany, I Wanted Vicodin, Not Herbal Tea

nytimes.com

11–20 of 421 posts

Re: After Surgery in Germany, I Wanted Vicodin, Not Herbal Tea

#12
post #4

Hi, I read your article and many of your experiences are - sadly - the normal behaviour with pain and pain killers in Germany. In the south of Germany even more than up in the north (from my experiences). But there is hope... I would recommand that you search for a new doctor - in the best case a young doctor fresh out of the university. The reason is simple. Pain management have only recently become a major topic in…

I think you completely failed to read between the lines - the article is a criticism of rapidly increasing number of people addicted to pain pills in US and their excessive consumption across the country.

I don't think you even have to read between the lines. The article is pretty clear about it.

Not just pain killers but also things like cold medicine.

But he did say his English was poor so i can see how that might get lost in translation.

Re: After Surgery in Germany, I Wanted Vicodin, Not Herbal Tea

#13
post #11

"I took two ibuprofens that first day. In hindsight, I didn’t need them, but I felt like I should take something" I have noticed the need to "take something" with a lot of American friends when they have problem. It's almost like a reflex.

I assure you there are just as many of us with a complete aversion to taking anything at all.

Re: After Surgery in Germany, I Wanted Vicodin, Not Herbal Tea

#14
post #11

"I took two ibuprofens that first day. In hindsight, I didn’t need them, but I felt like I should take something" I have noticed the need to "take something" with a lot of American friends when they have problem. It's almost like a reflex.

I assure you there are just as many of us with a complete aversion to taking anything at all.

No doubt. But I think you are in the minority.

Re: After Surgery in Germany, I Wanted Vicodin, Not Herbal Tea

#15

Hi, I read your article and many of your experiences are - sadly - the normal behaviour with pain and pain killers in Germany. In the south of Germany even more than up in the north (from my experiences). But there is hope... I would recommand that you search for a new doctor - in the best case a young doctor fresh out of the university. The reason is simple. Pain management have only recently become a major topic in…

I agree on the stress, you can however remove some of the stress. It's not because you are in pain you have to suffer. I know it's not entirely true, but it is to some extend.

Re: After Surgery in Germany, I Wanted Vicodin, Not Herbal Tea

#16

Hi, I read your article and many of your experiences are - sadly - the normal behaviour with pain and pain killers in Germany. In the south of Germany even more than up in the north (from my experiences). But there is hope... I would recommand that you search for a new doctor - in the best case a young doctor fresh out of the university. The reason is simple. Pain management have only recently become a major topic in…

The whole point of the article was that she did not need the painkillers and actually prefers it in hindsight.

With the american "sick day" system drugging yourself to work is a necessity. The german take as many sick days as you need lets you choose the healthier route.

Re: After Surgery in Germany, I Wanted Vicodin, Not Herbal Tea

#17
post #11

"I took two ibuprofens that first day. In hindsight, I didn’t need them, but I felt like I should take something" I have noticed the need to "take something" with a lot of American friends when they have problem. It's almost like a reflex.

My wife fusses at me when I mention I've had a headache for the past X hours and I haven't taken anything for it...

Re: After Surgery in Germany, I Wanted Vicodin, Not Herbal Tea

#19
post #4

Hi, I read your article and many of your experiences are - sadly - the normal behaviour with pain and pain killers in Germany. In the south of Germany even more than up in the north (from my experiences). But there is hope... I would recommand that you search for a new doctor - in the best case a young doctor fresh out of the university. The reason is simple. Pain management have only recently become a major topic in…

I think you completely failed to read between the lines - the article is a criticism of rapidly increasing number of people addicted to pain pills in US and their excessive consumption across the country.

Overall this is a pretty disappointing article, for a verity of reasons, one it does not really express anything it just tells a very boring story with seamingly no point

It advocating for less pain management in the US? or better pain management in Germany, I cant tell

It is critical of the idea that citizens of the US desire to eliminate pain? I am critical of cultures that endorse and support living with/in pain

"Excessive" consumption is subjective depending on your point of view. Further the increasing number of people addicted to opioids is a complex issue that has some correlation to prescriptions but can be debated on if that is the cause as other factors can be at play, further the increase in DEATHS as a result of said increase in addiction IMO can be more closely linked to the ever increasing desire to treat addiction as a crime not as a medical issue which causes a whole host of black market issue including quality and potency inconsistency in supply chain directly leading to more Overdoses

Re: After Surgery in Germany, I Wanted Vicodin, Not Herbal Tea

#20

There was a study at Mass General Hospital studying if pre-surgery carb loading reduced the need for post-op narcotics. (Not sure what the outcome was.)

Aren't they worried about the patient vomiting and choking? I had a dental implant done at the end of last year and I wasn't supposed to eat anything before surgery.
Post reply on HN