Am I the only one allergic to narcotic pain meds?

jbara · February 10, 2006, 2:29pm

As far as I know, I am allergic to all narcotic pain medications. I am about to have a major operation, and my worst fear is that I won't be able to manage the pain afterwards with just OTC pain meds. Has anyone else been faced with a similar dilemna?

Red_34 · February 10, 2006, 5:01pm

What narcotic pain relievers have you tried and found you were allergic to? I personally can't have codeine like in Tylonel #3 because it gives me severe migraines and I can't have any anti-inflammatories because of my chronic illness so I am somewhat in the same boat. A few years ago I had my tonsils and adnoids removed and because I couldn't swallow, they gave me a liquid form of a narcotic pain reliever. I honestly can't remember what it was because I was in a drug induced fog for 2 weeks to deal with the pain but I do remember that it was yellow and it helped me a lot with no ill side effects. But like you, I have to be choosy on which pain meds I use. The only other pain reliever I can take is Darvacet, have you tried this one yet?

~Sherry~
_{Ulcerative Colitis since 1992
^{Meds: Colazal & VSL#3}
^{Secondary Raynauld's Syndrome since 2004}}^{Meds: Niacin when needed
_{Donate today to helps others like yourself!
http://www.healingwell.com/donate}}

jbara · February 10, 2006, 6:53pm

Hi Sherry... thanks for the response. I think I've tried most everything, i.e., Percocet, Percodan, Vicodin, Phentenyl, Darvocet, Tylenol #3, you name it. I can take any of these drugs if I'm in the hospital because at the same time they can give me Benedryl intraveneously to take care of the itching, hives and nausea. Oral Benedryl isn't sufficient, so once I'm home I'm outa luck. Sherry, I noticed that you were diagnosed with Reynaud's Syndrome. So was I, just a few months ago. What are your symptoms, and do you do anything for it? I have these really funky electric boots that I wear all the time when I'm at home (if I'm just sitting down that is) and I use toe warmers in my shoes when I go out. I have UC too... proctitis actually. I take Canasa for my flare-ups (about every 6 weeks or so).

Post Edited (jbara) : 2/10/2006 11:57:09 AM (GMT-7)

Red_34 · February 10, 2006, 7:23pm

My symptoms for the Raynauds are considered mild/moderate and I only take Niacin (flush free) when I need to. I haven't had to go to the prescriptions (yet). My fingers get red first then lose color and become numb. I have absolutely no feeling in the tips when they get numb. And when I warm them back up, I get that horrible pins and needles feeling. Also if I stick them in cold water, ohhhhhh does that hurt! When I get things out of the freezer, I use a towel or I have one of my kids get it for me. My toes aren't as severe. They get cold easily and turn purple on me but very rarely do I lose feeling in them yet. I think those warmers are a Raynauds sufferers best friend! :) Your Uc may have brought on your Raynauds since it's linked to many auto-immune diseases.

I'm just curious, do they make a prescription strength oral antihistimine like Benedryl? Seems to me that if they can have one in the hospital IV then they could have one to send home with you after your surgery.

~Sherry~
_{Ulcerative Colitis since 1992
^{Meds: Colazal & VSL#3}
^{Secondary Raynauld's Syndrome since 2004}}^{Meds: Niacin when needed
_{Donate today to helps others like yourself!
http://www.healingwell.com/donate}}

jbara · February 10, 2006, 7:41pm

Sherry, I don't know if they make a Rx strength Benedryl or not, but I think it woudl be worth looking into. Thanks for the suggestion. Yea, I kind of wondered the same thing about the Reynaud's and UC... I've also developed joint pain that feels like arthritis in my hands and feet, although I had hoped it would go away once I cleared up my most recent UC flare... it didn't. Can you relate?