No Pump for Pain

I had a serious anxiety attack when I read this--obviously I don't want to be in pain and I am very prone to vomiting. I am going to talk to my dr. tomorrow before surgery about some other options.

Thanks for the info.

I had something totally different- I had an epidural for pain management. It is sorta like what they give ladies in labor, but not as deep and it numbs a different part- I was partially numb from my chest down to my hips but I could still feel my legs and could still walk. I had a button I could push for extra medicine, but I could only push it 2x's an hour.

I had a TAH with a vertical incision (it took 42 staples to close my incision- I got them out yesterday- WOOHOO!!) so I'm sure TVH is different.

I, also am going to have an epidural for pain management, but in addition to Toradol, for the 1st day. Then the morphine pump w/Toradol and eventually a high-dose Motrin mix w/Toradol. I'm having a TAH-BSO w/repairs and possible biopsy and possible vertical incision.

Why doesn't the pump work? Isn't the morphine going in all the time and you just use it extra if you need it (every 4 to 10 mins. my Doc said, depending on what they think I need).

Is it the nausea, which I am petrified of, or does it just not work for pain even without nausea?

Sheila

Sheila,
The morphine does not go in on a continuous dose--it only goes in when you push the button. It is a nice form of pain control for many people-but for some--like me--it made me nauseated and groggy. I used the Toradol and that is really all I needed. I used a couple of Percocets at home and then strickly used Motrin. Everyone has a different pain threshold--but for me the pain was not that bad. I thought that it would be a lot worse than what it acctually was. Good luck and try to relax. Relaxing acctually helps reduce the pain. It is the goal of docs and nurses to make sure you are pain free.

Mafalee

I had the pump but hardly used it. When they discontinued the pump I was given Percoset and that made me loopy. The Toradol IV was great; clear headed and no pain.