Pain Meds & Allergies

Since I am heading for a c/s with breech twin A, I discussed my pain relief options with my OB. I don't feel like he really heard me and I am very nervous. I know from past surgeries that I get terribly sick from any codeine based med. No vicodin, Tylenol 3, roxicet, etc. I'd rather be in pain. In the past, docs have given me morphine tablets and I can take those. I tell him all this and he says I should be okay with percocet. Huh? I just did research online and found percocet is oxycodone with tylenol. And that oxycodone is made from the same ingredient as codeine with one small chemical change. Ahhhhhhhhhh! I'm so afraid of the recovery of the c/s, taking care of twins. I don't need to add being flat on my back, too dizzy to stand, from pain meds. Once I licked my finger while giving DS his cough syrup with codeine and I was dizzy and sick for 2 days. I am that sensitive. I won't die but I'll be miserable.

Anyone else have allergies like mine? What can you take for pain?

 

I don't have allergies, but I did want to suggest that you talk to the people at your hospital before you go in for your C-section. Get your allergies typed up in your file and perhaps a card made up for your door. When I had my girls, I had no clue what pain medicines I was being given. I asked my OB and he told me one thing. When I looked at my chart a few days later I saw three other medicines listed. I questioned the head nurse and she told me that the OBs never know what pain meds will be given after the fact; that's up to the doctors and nurses who staff the recovery and maternity wards. So please be very careful! Make your allergies known to more people than just your OB.

As for recovery, it might not be as bad as you think. I took pain meds round the clock for 48 hours and then only as needed for a week. After that things no longer hurt. Good luck...

 

My OB gave me a stronger version of Aleve and it worked great. It wasn't so strong that it made me sleepy and it didn't take away the pain completely--but it took the edge off and that was all I needed. I made sure, however, to take them on time so my system had a supply at all times.

 

QUOTE(idril @ May 1 2008, 01:20 PM) [snapback]750341[/snapback]
I don't have allergies, but I did want to suggest that you talk to the people at your hospital before you go in for your C-section. Get your allergies typed up in your file and perhaps a card made up for your door.


:good: This is my advice as well.

The hospital will be able to give you a list of what pain meds. they use and what they contain.

 

I am allergic to morphine.......I get VERY itchy.......I am still given morphine, and benedryl to counter act the itching.

 

I have allergies similar to yours. I am allergic to codeine, vicodin, demerol, and penicillin. I too have been worried about various surgeries, including my c-section 2 years ago. I am by no means a health-care professional, this is just my advice based on my personal experiences. First, with anesthesia, I haven't had any problems. I would talk to the hospital and your anesthesiologist separately from your doctor to discuss your allergies. Your anesthesiologist can ensure that your allergies are taken into account. Second, with post surgery pain in the hospital, you will probably have an IV pump for your medication. While you are in the hospital, there are lots of choices available that shouldn't impact your allergies. For example, l have had various levels of morphine in the hospital with great success. Third, with post surgery pain at home, your choices do go down somewhat because of the allergies. With past surgeries (tonsilectomy, breast reduction, c-section) I have only been able to take over the counter pain medication, which did prolong my recovery. With my gall bladder surgery my doctor wanted to try percoset as he thought it might not give me the allergic reaction. It didn't, but I spent a lot of time vomiting so I stopped taking them. Most recently, I was in the ER for kidney stones and they sent me home with a tablet form of dilaudid (only 2mg). It did the trick (and it's not supposed to affect the babies!!). I am sorry to hear about your allergies - they suck!! But just talk to everyone involved. When you are in the hospital, make sure to review your allergies with all of your caregivers - it can make a difference! Good luck!!

 

Thanks! I'll have to ask about dilaudid or however you spell it. I gathered my pill bottles from past surgeries to take into my appointment tomorrow. An untouched bottle of oxycodone, untouched darvocet and about 15 leftover morphine tabs from 4 years ago. That usually seems to help convince docs that I am not a nutcase or an addict!

I put all that allergy info on every medical form so I know it's in my record at the hospital. I'll be sure to discuss with the anesthesiologist too. I'm hoping that I'll only need major pain meds for the first few days then I can switch to tylenol and advil. That's my usual habit.

 

When I had my c/s with Olivia, I had something called Deramorph. It was an injection straight in with the spinal that was 24-hours of morphine releif. I had to take NOTHING that entire 24 hours after my surgery. I would talk with the anesthesiologist and your OB and let them know your concerns, side effects to different meds, etc. Also, make sure they know you are ALLERGIC to that stuff. THer'es other stuff they can use!

 

The hospital will make sure I would think. I have a sever reaction to morphine, yay and I am able to darvocet.