need help meds cause nausea - Pain Management Message Board

lanie b · 12-31-2006, 01:57 PM

I just has shoulder surgery last week things went very well. Pain was minimal due to a nerve block. I now have to start physical therapy and need some pain relief to do it correctly. I just tried the fentanyl 12.5 ptch caused severe headache/ neusea. In the past tried darvoset, ultrim and hydocondone{sp}
All made me have severe headache and retching Any other person have this problem? I really want to be able to do physical therapy and do it right . My other shoulder had surgery and I have reduced motion in that one.
Thanks

Mari526 · 12-31-2006, 02:14 PM

Are you icing your shoulder? Ice helps with decreasing pain and swelling ( which contributes to pain). Before taking any narcotic you should always eat something first to help prevent nausea and make sure you are taking a stool softener or increasing fiber to prevent constipation. Constipation will also make you feel nauseous. You might also be having spasms in the shoulder that contribute to the pain level. Definitely call your MD and notify him about the inadequate pain relief because you do want to be able to benefit from your physical therapy treatments.

IZZY'SMOM · 12-31-2006, 05:36 PM

Hi and welcome, Lanie~
I started on the patch and felt some of the same effects that you have stated, and it really helps me to eat some saltine crackers, or better yet ramen noondles or soup broth. The patches, even though i was accustomed to narcotics before the patch, still, at a higher dose made me feel the same way.
Its harder when something is in your system long term, rather than for 3-4-6 hours, because in the latter case, you know it will wear off. Try to hang in there if you can, I am getting good relief with the patches and am at 50's and i go to PT for my neck, shoulder, and scapula 3 X a week. Sometimes docs will prescribe for naus. with some phenergan, but it also does increase the narcotic, making it even stronger.
Try to eat, and drink tons of water, and let your doc know ASAP, how you have been feeling, but unless the patch just isnt for you, the side effects DO go away. If you can tolerate them after some of the feedback you have recieved here, it is really worth it, as its nice not to have to remember to take meds all of the time, and get some continuous relief. But every one is different. I noticed that the Fentanyl felt so different in a sense than any oral med I had taken, as far as the sick, yukky feeling, and I dindnt even want to eat at all, but now that its evened out, I feel a TON better, except for some b/t pain issures, that I am working on. Are you on any break thru meds for pain, say after youve had a hard PT session that day?

Good luck, and keep on with the PT...even though it seems so slow, it does help. Have you tried Traumeel? You can get it at health food stores, around here [im in a teeny town]. Online, or at any health food store, ect. It is a rub on cream that helps so much. It really does, and I am on a fair dose of narcotics. Its very nice for PT, as I apply it before and afterwards, has NO smell nor is it greasy! Again, welcome, and sorry to say but alot of ppl complain of nausea from opiate pain meds, but it does get better. Have a wonderful New Years!!! WOW!!! Sorry for such a LONG post!
xoxoxoxox
IZZY'SMOM

lanie b · 01-01-2007, 01:21 PM

Thanks for all your suggestions! I have been icing it more and am going to look into the traumeel.