Medication Error

[Jamie]

I had another problem with my pain meds yesterday. Sunday morning I began getting that slight nausea feeling in my stomach again when I took my pain pills at 8:45 in the morning (after 7 hours without). Since I was not hurting all that much at that point, I decided later in the day not to take any more, as the stomach feeling was still there. I was getting along really well all day.... walking around the house easily without my cane. Still no real discomfort at bedtime around 11:00 p.m. Soooooo.....decided I maybe was over the need for the Darvoset and took one Tylenol PM to help me get to sleep. I nodded off quickly but woke at 1:30 with my bad leg in that restless mode. I got up and paced a little. Got on the computer. Did 12 minutes on the bike. By that time, the restless feeling had turned to real pain. I took another Tylenol Extra Strength (not the PM kind), but after 30 minutes the pain was still there. Rats!!! I hoped it would be okay to take a Darvoset on top of the Tylenols (since about 1 1/2 hours had gone by since taking the last one) and popped one Darvoset. Thank God.....pain relief in about 30 minutes and I was able to go back to sleep around 3:30 a.m. Now here it is around 6 a.m. and I had to get up to go to the bathroom. Sigh.....not a very restful night at all. And I'm left not really knowing whether I should continue taking the Darvoset every 5-7 hours like I was doing before or again try to do without during the day to lose the queasy stomach feeling. It does go away when I stop taking them. I'll be glad when I can be free of prescription pain meds completely!!! Guess I'll just wait and see how I feel in a few hours. At least I know I can take one of the pain pills instead of two and still get relief. That is better and may eventually help with the nausea. This is a long post and I feel better now that I have whined and moaned. Gonna try going back to sleep for a while.

 

[Doug]

We all probably started out taking two pills, went to one, and now most of the time I take one half pill. I'm hoping that in a few weeks I'll be sitting at the table with a knife cutting them into quarters.. But there are bad days and I will pop a whole one.
We have had in the past three months probably hundreds of post about the pain killers and possible addiction..
The way I personally feel is that I might have some issues with withdrawal but it's too late to worry about it..it's there. Why be in pain??
You waited too long to take the pills and had to pay the piper..Then it takes more to get relief. Take them as you need them. Don't hurt. Get the knee well and tackle the other when the time comes.

 

[gatiger]

Jamie, I may not be the best one to address this issue as it takes quite a bit to do anything for me when it comes to pain meds. But, since I haven't learned to be quiet, I take them as I need them. I kinda treat the presciption schedule as a guide not an absolute. I know with me, if I am really hurtiing it takes more to get relief. As Doug said, some days, most in fact, I don't take anything, other times I take what I need. As for the nausea, I'd suggest eating 'something' when you take them to see if that helps. Maybe a couple of crackers at least. Thats all I got.

 

[Jamie]

Thanks for the support, guys. Once I got the Darvoset in me when I wrote this post it actually worked and I went back to sleep. I'm really not worried about addiction, I just hate that "sickie" feeling in the stomach that I seem to get after about 3 weeks on any constant med. I drank a glass of milk when I took the pills and that did seem to help. I'm much better today. I guess it's easy to feel sorry for yourself when it's the middle of the night and it seems like the whole world is sleeping peacefully and you are awake and hurting. That's usually when I have problems with my mental state! Today is a new day, though, and things are looking up. My therapist today explained that the Tylenol wears off in 4 hours - especially taking only 1 pill. She suggested taking 2 at at time like the label says starting at bedtime and then wake up in the night to take 1 or 2 more every 4 hours. Admittedly that is not fun to do, but since I usually get up in the night and take more Darvoset, I guess it would be okay. So I may try that. I didn't realize they wore off in that short a time. Bummer. Live and learn.

The good news is that my home therapy is now over and I've officially graduated to outpatient therapy. I am so excited because we took a walk outside today. Walking up the hill on the sloping sidewalk was a fair workout, but I could do it. I could go up and down steps. And my range of motion is BACK - zero degrees on extension and 120 on flex. I couldn't be happier!!! Now I hope to be taking some more walks each day and hopefully going further each time.

So thanks again for being there for my whine. I'm okay now!!!

 

[faith]

Tylenol PM and a some prescription drugs (flexirol e.g.) have a side effect that produces "restless leg syndrome" in some people. I am one of those people and it sounds like you are too.
Always let your Dr know that you have had this problem, because there are always alternatives. Anytime a Dr mentions muscle relaxers, I let them know.
I have come out of my skin finding out the hard way.
Faith

 

[Jamie]

Interesting, Faith. I have never heard that. Thanks!

 

[Doug]

Isn't that wierd. Pills that are supposed to relax and put you to sleep make your legs look like you're doing the Funky Chicken...

 

[Jamie]

One of the mysteries of life, huh. The Funky Chicken is not what I want to be doing at THIS stage of my life!

 

[elcammeno]

I am taking hydrocodone & I got that sick feeling to my stomach & I was told by a nurse that whenever taking the medication to always eat like a 1/2 sandwich or stick of cheese 20 minutes before taking the medication for pain. After doing that I no longer got that nausea feeling. I found out that crackers or milk didn't work as it goes through the system too fast. I have to wait that 20 minutes.
What is the best lotion to use after the tape is taken off where the stitches were? Is a vitamin E lotion best? I was told to apply a cream lotion twice a day by a therapist & to massage it in.

 

[Doug]

El,
We've had this discussion several times and the winning recommendation is Aquaphor Healing Ointment. I got some at Walgreens in the Hand Lotion area..Others may use cocoa butter. I had been using Vit. E but apparently there was an issue with that.

 

[Skeet]

I started using the Aquaphor after it was recommended. You should use it a couple times a day at least. My scar has flattened out and it far less sensitive. It seems to be helping. I also use body butters from time to time.

 

[JenniferG]

I bought the Aquaphor also after all that discussion. (At walgreens Doug, they had a $1 coupon) And have been using it. I still have some scabbing so It's to soon to say as for results, but I'm having faith. I like the consitency of it. It works well on other spots that itch.

 

[Rowdy66]

Jamie; I don't know what it is about those early morning hours when we are not that far from dawn yet seem so alone. I know exactly what you mean though. I have always thought that suicide rate must be higher during those hours than any other time. (Sorry to be so morose.) If I am bothered by something and I wake up around that time it is so hard to go back to sleep much less to think restful thoughts. When I was 39, about a million years ago my back was really messed up and it seemed like everynight I woke up around 3 am and laid there with my thoughts and my pain. It was terrible. You can't call anyone, it's just too darn early, and when you are hurting you don't feel good enough to get up and do something. Just know you are not alone when you are lying there and that there are many others in far more pain than you are in. My son reads his Bible when he wakes up during those hours, which is a wonderful way to lift yourself out of a funk. I often say my rosary or the Lord's Prayer, really concentrating on what the words mean and I find that usually I am back asleep in no time. Back in 1975/76 my son Ben was dying from leukemia and when he would wake up and be in pain I would read him Bible Stories out of this book I had gotten him that was illustrated with lovely pictures. Within a few sentences I could see him begin to relax and the next thing I knew he would be back asleep, most often for the night. I have found that God and His Son are always awake and ready to listen and help to ease my pain or my restless spirit, whichever happens to need soothing. What better friend to call? I can think of none. Good luck. Rowdy

 

[Jamie]

Rowdy, what beautiful thoughts! I will always think of them now when I happen to be up at all hours by myself. Your words really helped!!! Thanks so much! Hope you get to join us in TKR recovery very soon! ....Jamie

 

[JenniferG]

I have found that God and His Son are always awake and ready to listen and help to ease my pain or my restless spirit, whichever happens to need soothing. What better friend to call? I can think of none.

So true Rowdy. Glad you're back and hope you're feeling better. God bless.

 

[Doug]

Rowdy, Thanks for sharing that.
I remember a sermon by one of my preachers about the Lords Prayer. He broke it down line by line, and word by word as to exactly how Jesus was teaching to pray. It really is fascinating and wondrous.
Now just tell me that it wasn't God who put this forum and at this time put all of us together for support...Not a miracle but a blessing.

 

[Skeet]

Thanks, Rowdy. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I cannot even imagine what you and your son and family went through. I know when I lost two babies, my faith in God and Jesus was all that got me and my hubby through the pain and back to joy. God is the best and most constant comforter. I pray He comforts us all tonight and that we get good nights' sleep. I'm finally done with HP work and my work as the volunteer coordinator at my kids' school.. so I'm heading to bed. Probably won't even need sleep aids tonight.

God bless and keep you all... until tomorrow.. Skeet

 

[jb94102]

you have that right Skeet cant beat GOD for sure cause when it really comes down to it hes all we have ........ isnt faith a good feeling :O) JIM

 

[Skeet]

It's the best feeling, Jim. The very best!

 

[texassissy]

Rowdy--
Bless you-- my daughter lost her daughter< my precious first grandchild, after a 12 year battle with a terrible disease.. you speak the truth.. without God where would we be!!!

Linda