Posted on 06/02/2022 6:25:46 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Aromatherapy reduces post-surgical opioid use by half in hip replacement patients anxious before their operation, according to a new study.
Previous research has shown that anxiety, depression and catastrophising (patients who believe they are going to die during surgery) increase post-operative pain and opioid use by up to 50%.
Aromatherapy, the use of essential oils to enhance well-being, has been used for thousands of years and a number of recent studies have found that lavender and peppermint aromatherapy, in particular, can reduce anxiety.
This study is one of the first to employ a randomized, placebo-controlled design to look at whether aromatherapy reduces anxiety.
Participants are randomized to an active treatment (aromatherapy) or placebo group. Those in the active treatment group are given a lavender and peppermint "aromatab", an adhesive patch that slowly releases essential oils when stuck onto clothes, skin or a hospital gown, to wear from at least an hour before their operation.
Levels of anxiety, depression, catastrophising, pain and opioid consumption are recorded over the course of the study.
48 hours post-operation, the anxiety score had fallen in both groups but the drop was greater in the aromatherapy group (anxiety score of 13.5 in aromatherapy group vs. 16.2 in placebo group).
Total opioid use in the first 48 hours after surgery was 50% lower in the aromatherapy group (12 OME) than in the placebo group (24.75 OME). (OME, oral morphine equivalent, is a measure that allows comparison between different drugs and methods of administration).
The researchers concluded: "Our results suggest that, by controlling anxiety, aromatherapy can help control pain and reduce opioid consumption."
One possible mechanism of action of aromatherapy is through the limbic system, a brain structure known to regulate pain, emotion and anxiety.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Menthol has similar actions as propofol, used in anesthesia. So it makes sense given it is volatile.
Post surgery I’ve used aromatherapy. I found that the aroma of sweet sensimilla helps.
Oh no problem there. Sheesh.
I had three extensive abdominal surgeries starting in 2010, then during the last surgery in 2015, had to be opened so they could take my gall bladder. This all occurred over a 5-year period. They gave me Oxycodone scripts for the first three operations. I filled the first prescription after the first surgery (temporary colostomy after bowel perforation due to diverticulitis), took two pills, and couldn’t stand feeling like a zombie all day. I threw the bottle away, and ripped up the other two scripts they sent me home with after the other two surgeries. Fortunately, I have a pretty high threshold for pain.
>> took two pills, and couldn’t stand feeling like a zombie all day
I’ve been opened up too. I was on a drip for 36 hours, and requested to be taken off. I didn’t care to have the pain masked any longer than absolutely necessary. The pain that followed in the days ahead was excruciating... lol
Let's hope neither of us will ever have to go through surgeries like that again. Four abdominal surgeries in 5 years was enough for me. I was 63 when I had the first one. I'll be 75 in August.
Agreed. Remain healthy, FRiend.
Use the pill for what it is. Take as needed. The first day after surgery they tell you to take them on time to stay ahead of surgical pain and sleep it off. After that take when you need FOR PAIN. Not for high. I never liked the way it made me feel. Had 2 shoulder surgeries. Same shoulder, fixed cuff and it tore 11 months later, they fixed again and pretty sure it’s torn again 4 months later. Both times I only needed for a day or 2. After that Motrin works fine.
But the fact they blame opioid addiction on post surgery addiction is crazy. They scare the doctors. The % of addiction and OD from surgeries is very small. Take out the number of addicts and OD from people that don’t have a legal prescription. And people that think they are on heroin and get fentanyl. The problem isn’t with people that need for pain. There is a place for pain medication. But the amounts of fentanyl coming into this country will kill this nation. Surprised they haven’t started lacing pot with it and killing people.
On 1 March of this year, my 80 something wife had a hip replacement.
She had a procedure about 3 months before, and they asked
her what music she would prefer. She opted for John Denver and did okay during and post procedure.
The John Denver music was played before, during and in post op with her hip replacement.
She came home the OR day about 6 hours post op.
One of our adult sons and his wife met us and helped her up the ramp. She wanted to talk and drank fluids for about an hour. Then, she went to bed and opted for no pain pills just a flexible ice bag.
About midnight, she decided to have some pain pills. Looking back on it, she should have take pain pills after she got home.
So, John Denver is in her medical record to be played before, during and after a procedure or outpatient surgery.
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