No pills - get a Duragesic patch- you don't have to swallow and you can't puke it up.

Pain management is a basic patient RIGHT - demand it.

That topical swish & spit is only for eating or swallowing - it's effects only last a very short time. You will also need long term and short term narcotics. The long term stuff, like oxycontin or duragesic keeps a lid on the basic pain threshold and are slower acting. The short term ones, like morphine, etc. are for breakthrough pain that goes over the top of the pain threshold maintained by the long term stuff.

It will only get worse -get the meds as soon as you can.

What is there to be cautious about? People who really need pain meds rarely get addicted. I am a recovering addict/alcoholic and had no problems with the pain meds. Keeping a lid on the pain will greatly improve your healing.

It could be much longer than 4-5 weeks. I was on pain meds almost 6 months.

Constipation will become an issue so talk to your nutritionist about preventive measures.