very worried about pain meds.

[ExpatJen]

Hi everyone,
At our pre-op appointment last week, the CS told me they would only be using tylenol for pain and not morphine, or anything else, nor would they use anything to help reduce swelling. From what I have gathered, most kids seem to get morphine immediately post-op and do not rely solely on tylenol until days after the surgery. Is that the case for others? I am going to revisit this issue with the doctor but I won't be seeing him again until the surgery (April 26th). I may email him and let him know I am concerned. I just can't imagine tylenol will cut it when she first recovers. The CS explained that bone has no nerves and that the only pain will come from the incision - but still, she's only 4 and although I know morphine can cause breathing problems, there must be something stronger than tylenol available. Any suggestions? I want to be armed with alternatives when I speak with the doctor.

Thanks all,

Jennifer

[craniomommynbaby]

For Simon, a morphine drip was used immediately post-op, but he was on Tylenol with Codeine less then 24 hours after surgery. He had that for 3 days and went home on OTC Tylenol and Motrin. I have heard of other babies getting something other than morphine because they were sensitive to morphine, but I cannot remember what it was. It seems like Holly (Doodles) had some problems with morphine? Maybe Tracy (Snickers) will be able to help. Sorry I could not help more. I guess I posted just to ask if the Tylenol will have Codeine. That seemed pretty effective for Simon.

[Katie]

Dillon also had morphine immediately post op, then tylenol with codeine after a day and a half. Once we came home, Dillon didn't have anything other than regular infant tylenol, as he wouldn't take the codeine oraly. This seemed to work pretty well for him. Definitly talk to them to see if the tylenol will have coedine in it to help out :hugg

[verdon2]

Maggie too had morphine and phetinol(sp?) immediately after in the PICU. Wednesday(2 days post-op) they switched to tylenol. You'll be amazed how well she does, I wouldn't believe it myself had we not gone through it. If you are concerned you should address it to him, I'm sure they will be able to help ease your tension. I will be thinking of you both, good luck!!:hugg

[Lauren]

Matthew had a bad reaction to the sedative they used for the CT and a hard time coming out of the anesthesia so they only gave him tylenol with codeine. He did fine with that. I talked to someone who had brain surgery as an adult and she said the same thing about the pain only being from the incision. I would definitely bring it up to him again. Even if they want to start with Tylenol, I would be more comfortable with knowing that they were open to increasing or adding another med. Good luck!

[Jennifer]

Emily immediatly post-op had Morphine every 4 hours and then something else every 2 hours in-between that. The end of day 2 they were weaning the morphine and giving her tylenol w/ codiene orally (yeah- not sure fun!) We were sent home w/ the tylenol w/ codiene but ended up only giving it to her at night as we had to force it down her.... she did not like it!

I agree w/ above- maybe the tylonel is just fine, but I'd want to know they were open to other options in case it isn't enough. Good luck!

[ExpatJen]

The tylenol is definitely without codiene, which is why I am freaking out. I even thought to myself that I would slip her some tylenol with codiene on my own and thought I'd ask my pharmacist what dosage she would need (you don't need a prescription for it here) - insane, I know, but what lengths a mother will go... I suppose it is because the doctor was so adamant about not giving her anything but tylenol alone that has me feeling like I am up against a wall. I don't want to start arguing with him but I sense that is what will happen. But I'll try to remain calm and hopefully get an outcome I can live with. I think tylenol with codeine would be enough so long as she got it straight away. I really do not want to wait and see if she is in pain first and then give her something stronger - every second in pain is unaccaptable and who knows how quickly the hospital will react. Thanks all.

Jennifer

[plukids]

Hugs to you Jennifer! I agree with the not wanting to wait and see about the pain. Sylvia had a great deal of discomfort after surgery and was on morphine and fentanyl. Every child has a different pain threshhold just as adults. Be cautious on slipping any extra meds though. You need to know what Audrey has recently received in surgery. Our NS told us the same deal....the bone does not hurt its the skin incision that causes the discomfort. I kept thinking well surgeries that do not involve bone hurt and people get pain meds for that. I mean who would think of a hysterectomy or say...vasectomy without pain med?????????? Hmmmmm....... I would be calling. Our NS did give morphine and fenanyl even with his comments regarding not a lot of pain.

[MikenAustinsMommy]

Here's my take on the whole morphine and fentanyl stuff. It is my impression that they give the babies morphine or fentanyl so that they sleep and don't pull on the drains or at their stitches or move around too much. My son had a severe reaction to the morphine and my husband and I were very apprehensive about any other drugs so we had the nurses switch him to just plain tylenol (no codine) which worked out fine for him.

My son's PS said that the insision and pain is very similar to someone who has had a face lift.

[Doug]

I'm not 100% positive, but I think the stronger medications are primarily used to keep them somewhat sedated. I'm sure there is some discomfort. I think the worst thing for them is being confined and not being able to see what is going on because of the swelling. The thought of not being able to see would drive me nuts. Due to some stupidity in my younger years, I had needed to be stitched up. Once, in the back of the head (12 stitches due to a block of ice during a snowball fight), and in my cheek below the corner of my eye ( 40 stitches due to a part coming off an engine I was working, while it was running). The only thing that bothered me was that it itched like crazy. I know it's not quite the same, but there are no nerves in the bone only in the skin tissue.

Lisa - As far as the hysterectomy or vasectomy, these areas have a high concentration of nerve endings, hence the great deal of pain involved. When things are moved around during those types of surgery there is inflamation due to things having settle back into a normal position.

Just my two cents.

[verdon2]

:idea You are right, it acts more of a sedative than a pain reducer.(thats what my PS told us) And as skeptical as we all are, the DR's know what they are doing. Personally I wouldn't give Audrey anything other than what the DR. prescribes.... it's hard, but its for the best!!!:hugg