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How Volleyball Star Gabby Reece Managed Post-Surgical Pain Without Opioids

By U.S. News & World Report

The one great thing about scars — be it physical or emotional — is they can be a reminder of where we’ve been and how far we’ve come. Every time I look down at my right knee, the scar I see reminds me not only of all the wear and tear I incurred jumping around on the volleyball court, but the amount of joy the sport has brought me over the years. Last year, I decided to have a total knee replacement after more than 15 years of pain. The recovery period was painful, and maybe a little more so because I made the choice to avoid taking pain medications during my recovery.

[See: 10 Ways to Prepare for Surgery.]

Preparing for My Surgical Experience

It was no surprise when my doctor said I needed a total knee replacement. After playing volleyball on and off for 25 years and attempting to manage my knee pain through exercise, diet and physical therapy, my knee had become non-functional.

As I started preparing for my surgery, I knew it was critical for me to be an informed and involved patient. Pain management was an important topic to address with my surgeon because I knew I didn’t want to rely on medication to manage my post-surgical pain, including opioids. With new reports estimating that 91 Americans are dying every day from an opioid overdose, and that 1 in 10 patients prescribed an opioid following surgery report becoming addicted to or dependent on the drug, my mind was made up to recover naturally.

This was not only a personal decision, but a decision I made with my husband and three girls in mind. For starters, I simply didn’t want to have opioids in my home. My youngest daughter kept asking me, “You’re not going to have to take those strong pills are you?” She was only 8 years old and obviously had been paying attention to the conversations her dad and I were having. I’m respectful of the fact that opioids are addictive and, regardless of how strong I think I am, I was definitely not foolish enough to think I was above being susceptible. After all, addiction to opioids can happen to anyone regardless of their age, faith, gender, ethnicity, lifestyle or determination to not “overdo it.”

[See: 8 Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist.]

The Road to Recovery

I respect that pain is a natural part of the recovery process, as it is the body’s way of communicating to us when we need to rest or slow down. While it wasn’t easy to recover without any pain medication, it felt like such an important choice to stay committed to. Instead of turning to pain medications, I was holistic as possible in my recovery through sleep, stim machines, nutrition, exercise and managing the stress of recovery and the discomfort that goes along with it. To be honest, I continue to promote my healing. I still go to physical therapy and consistently use ice several times a week. I stretch and do exercise that does not set me back in my recovery. When my body tells me I’m pushing too far, I listen and maybe change some of my training to a more low-impact exercise, like biking or pool training.

I learned a lot through this experience, but the most important was that I could have managed my post-surgical pain using a variety of non-opioid options. This approach would have enabled me to have an easier recovery without the risks and side effects associated with opioids. When this came to my attention I was excited to partner with an initiative called Choices Matter, which aims to educate both patients and physicians about their options when it comes to controlling pain after surgery. Choices Matter is about giving patients the resources they need to make the most educated choice for them.

If you need to have surgery, it’s important to have a conversation with your doctor and develop a plan, including alternatives to managing pain. I know doctors are busy, and sometimes it’s intimidating to speak up or ask questions, but believe me: Your body will thank you. More importantly, your doctor will be aware of your concerns and can provide you with better care. To help you with that discussion, I encourage you to visit PlanAgainstPain.com. This website has useful tools and information to help plan for your recovery, including a customizable discussion guide to ensure patients and caregivers ask the right questions prior to surgery. If you still feel too intimidated to speak with your physician, bring a friend or family member for support to help initiate the dialogue.

[See: 4 Opioid Drugs Parents Should Have on Their Radar.]

I’m passionate about people being advocates for their own health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find resources so that you can be an informed and active participant in your care. While pain is personal, it’s important to discuss pain management options prior to any procedure. As I approach the one-year anniversary of my knee replacement surgery, I’m constantly reminded that I made the best decision for myself and my family by avoiding opioids. Not only does my knee feel great, but I’ve learned so much in the process, and I’m sticking with the line “scars are sexy.”

More from U.S. News

7 Reasons to Call Off a Surgery

11 Ways to Cope With Back Pain

Exercising After You’ve Gone Under (the Knife, That Is)

How Volleyball Star Gabby Reece Managed Post-Surgical Pain Without Opioids originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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