For those who cannot take analgesics.

[Calceolaria]

I've just had a pre-op assessment and was asked to list all the medications I had been prescribed for pain. I honestly could only remember about five but when I'm asked well, what was the problem with x y or z, I am hard pushed to find an answer which satisfies them. "They make me feel really ill" doesn't seem to cover it. I mean, I don't throw up, fall over, swell up, become breathless etc. I just feel really, really ill, red eyed, sometimes spaced out, toxic. Anyone else?

[Hidden]

Hello BOB here

Many of people who have not taken strong opiates, or standard analgesics find the contra indications quite severe as we are not used to them. Believe me when I say they will know what to give you although the list can be restricted.

Strong medications can have the problems you mentioned, although this is part of the pain control, so please do not worry

All the best

BOB

[teadrinker]

Yes, I understand where you're coming from. Most medications for pain make me feel foggy & not all there, and it's only having spent a long time not on any regular medication that I realise how much better I feel!

I think when they do pre-op assessments they just need to find out if (a) you are really properly allergic to anything and (b) if anything doesn't agree with you. If you're properly allergic they won't give it to you, and if you don't feel well on it they might be able to offer an alternative but if they can't they will need to weigh up if it there's any risk of you having it. I guess there might be some situations where having a medication and feeling unwell is better than not having it at all. A lot of people say they're "allergic" to things but they're not allergic in the truest medical sense.

Don't worry about the answers you gave them. And you don't have to consent to having analgesia after surgery if you don't want it - but likewise, don't think that if you've initially said no thanks that you can't change your mind and ask them to give you something!

[Hidden in reply to teadrinker]

Dear Calceolaria, they must have been happy with what you said or they would have asked more. GPs tend to list medication in their referral letter. The reason they need to know what you are taking is important: will it interact with the anaesthetic drugs they are planning to use? They can alter these if they know what you are taking. Patients don't always tell their Drs about over the counter drugs. It's best to carry a med list with you at all times if you are a CP patient. If (I hope not) you had an accident you might be very under medicated and could get treated like an addict ie. horribly. Glad you got through it all, well done and all the best for your future.

[Calceolaria]

Thanks T ! I'd take anything if it worked ! Morphine hits the spot !

[Mutely]

When asked how I feel after a particular drug that doesn't agree with me I say this, "Imagine yourself on a ferry having drank 10 pints of Stella...and it's the WORST ferry crossing weather wise in living history..." That normally gives the health care professional a rough idea how bad I feel!

Morphine is a complete NO NO! 100% allergic to that as witnessed by the recovery team! 1st time I've received a ' chaser' & it wasn't alcohol based

[teadrinker]

Yes, I can identify with the drunk on a cross channel ferry analogy!