morphine rash? - ThinnerTimes

janine · 10-25-2007, 06:53 PM

I'm no 3 days post-op. I have alot of pain in my left front area. Gas has been a problem but I'm finally getting some relief in that area. I woke up yesterday morning with a slight rash on my inner elbow. The nurse didn't seem too concerned. I asked for some anti itch cream but never heard form her again. I called and paged the nurse who said the cream was on order and she was waiting for the doc to return her call. Well... When she went home and my new nurse walked in she was quite concerned. The rash had spread, all my legs, arms neck area and encroaching on my face. It itched terribly. Within the hour she had me on benedryl saying I was allergic to something. She thought it was the sheets. I thought it was the medication. by morning some of my rash had disappeared while in other locations it was appearing. The benedryl only lasts about 3 hours and they won't let me have it again untill my 6th hour. I told them I didn't want the pain medicine anymore because I needed to find out what it was that I'm alergic to. My IV was removed at 10:00 and my meds changed. So instead of morphine I was taking lortab. after a dose of that and the rash still there I decided to not take anything at all for the pain. The doctor said this morning that he thought it was caused from the morphine. (Who knew?).. I was dismissed from the hospital this afternoon with rashes and all. I'm home now. Benedryl is my new friend (Just wish it worked longer). I'm on no medications now.. Geez.. how long do I have to itch before this is out of my system?

Corrine · 10-25-2007, 07:13 PM

Hi Janine.

Apparently, the pain you're feeling on the left-hand side is due to the fact that that's the site for the port they use for the big stuff (stapling machine etc).

I'm just over a month out and I still feel it although it's not a problem now.

Wish I could help you on the rash thing sweethear. I was itchy for a few days and ended up with seriously dry skin but that was about it.

Hopefully someone else will have an explanation.

VanessaSFL · 10-25-2007, 07:17 PM

I am alergic to Morphine.I do not get the rash but I itch so bad that I break my skin open.

Morphine = Bad for V

Gangsta420 · 10-25-2007, 07:21 PM

Dont you just love hospitals......

Toony · 10-25-2007, 08:13 PM

Something in the anethesia makes me itch like crazy... First time it happened was about 12 hours following surgery... I was home and nearly rubbed my nose off my face because of the itching! Now Benedryl is my best friend too... I have a "standing order" for it prior to surgeries!

Catching it early helps a lot... it's a miracle medicine! Hope you stop itching soon!

katie

janine · 10-25-2007, 10:13 PM

It's been a few hours and yes I still have the rash and it still itches.

The surgery went well, so Dr. Juarez said.
His surgical team were very funny and relaxed it was amazing to see all those people in the surgery room. I enjoyed them, after spraying some awful stuff in my throat one of the nurses wished me happy birthday!, "thanks", I said laughing because that was god awfull.

When I woke up... I was being rolled into my room.. My husband was there and all I could say was, "I'm glad to see you". my catherder had already been removed and I was in no real serious pain. The morphine button hung over my bed and I could push the button any time I wanted. It was great!. The nurse had a super sence of humer that relaxed me.

within hours I was asked if I remembered what I was supposed to do. I said, "huh... Yes, I have to walk". Getting up for the first time was a challenge and took some time. with my husbands assistance I eventually stood and we walked around the halls. I was slow going but did it and I was glad to be back in bed when it was over.

There was alot of comotion on the floor that night. A lady in the next room refused to get up and walk. She cried alot and coughed alot, she was pretty miserable. The nurse came in after a while and thanked me for being such a good patient and doing the things that are required for my quick recovery. When she finally calmed down and went to sleep. Another lady began to scream. She wailed all night long. Never resting or sleeping. I got up for another walk just to see what her problem was. Apparently she refused to take her pain med's when they finally got them for her. She was just rocking in a chair moaning... The nurses really didn't know what to do for her because she refused the care they offered. She finally recovered the next day and finally went to sleep.

I can't say enough about the help I recieved at the hospital. The care I recieved was unbelievable. It was nice to be treated so pleasantly and with such respect.

I can only sleep a few hours at a time. The itching wakes me up and all the gas built up hurts sometimes. But I am able to drink and eat my jello and take my meds so... for now I guess I'm doing well.

Jeri · 10-26-2007, 01:30 AM

Janine!!

I'm glad you're home & made it through surgery so well but then you get that dang rash.

I know that's miserable. Can you put anything on it like cortisone cream or that kind of thing? Your poor thing.

desmccoy · 10-26-2007, 04:48 AM

I am severly allergic to Latex. So, like toony I have a standing order for Benadryl anytime I need it ( latex is all over the place).They told me for the itching I could put that pink stuff ( that you use for chicken pox) on it. But I chose to live with the itching. Other then this I'm glad things are working out for you.

Toony · 10-26-2007, 05:25 AM

Isn't it amazing how noisy and commotion-filled hospitals are!!! Did you have a roommate? At least it seems administration is realizing that patients should be in private rooms as much as possible!

You were a good pt... and the nurses were great to compliment you on that... It's all in your best interest to cooperate... Refusing pain meds? What's up with that lady!

I'm glad you're home and recovering... that's the best place to be, isn't it? Hope you're feeling a bit better each and every day!

HUGS

katie

janine · 10-26-2007, 09:34 AM

Katie,
I don't understand why that lady was refusing med.s, she was not a GB patient and desturbed the entire floor. The nurse told me another GB patient rang the bell to ask what was wrong with her. "She sounds like she's having a baby". I laughed a little, and it hurts to laugh, She did kind of sound like that lol!. It's so terrible to laugh at someone else's pain but I was in alot of pain too.