Asked to provide own painkillers!

Louiselhrau:

Paracetamol is actually one of the best drugs for pain relief post surgery, literally the best there is so I don't know why so many people are going on about needing something stronger.
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I don't know where you got that from. It's never even shifted a headache for me so cannot imagine it would be much use post-operatively.

Crikey I got given a box of diclofenac (?) to take home. And that was only after an episiotomy that was beautifully stitched as I'd had an epidural so she took her time! Wasn't allowed to take my own painkillers (I'd read on here to take a stash because you might have to wait longer than you'd like...), I did take a ranitidine while I was waiting for induction and that had to be recorded formally too.

Maybe take the basic stuff in but be pretty firm in requiring something better while you're there. I can't imagine even ibuprofen touching the sides after a section. Fingers crossed for you OP!

Sorry, I don't know why that posted twice.

I posted once and the post disappeared so I had to write it again. Then when I wrote it again (and couldn't remember the exact wording the first time!) they suddenly both appeared. Weird.

As a midwife this is bullshit. They meant for you to stock up on paracetamol and ibuprofen at home so you don't need it as part of your take home meds. No way would you ever not be given adequate pain relief post section..

I have had a number of surgeries, including 2 c-sections. The post surgery pain with the CSs was unlike any of the other surgeries, it was incredibly severe. The difference with the other surgeries was that I got good pain relief and was up and about afterwards within hours. With the two paracetamol that I got after my spinal block wore off, I was in unbelievable pain (somewhere on a par with gallstones and labour, for context) and being told 'but paracetamol is a great painkiller' didn't make it work any better.

I know it's a great painkiller a lot of the time, but if it was the best painkiller there is for post surgery, why are there alternative painkillers available after other invasive surgery?

I have had several surgeries, including two csections. Stronger pain relief than paracetamol was offered in every other surgery, even the ones which were much less invasive than a c section. And in most of those cases, I declined them because I didn't need them.

If paracetamol is the best pain relief there is, why are different painkillers offered routinely after other surgeries? I am dubious that they are holding onto the best stuff, the paracetamol, for the post natal ward.

Wow, when I had my fibroids out and ended up with a similar sort of scar I was given a self administered morphine driver (they were doing a trial thing on pain relief post surgery) it was amazing, the best bit being that I hardly used it unless I knew I was going to have to move about, because just knowing I had it helped with reducing anxiety about pain and so reduced the pain. The woman in the next bed (also post fibroid) wasn’t on the trial so had to rely on pain killing injections, she was in a lot of discomfort and very anxious.

I think I would have been very unhappy with paracetamol.

Postnatal seems to have improved in Leeds since my first one. Ask them about enhanced recovery pathway for c section.

Paracetamol is also cheap as chips so no real saving to the hospital (unless of course you're on "adult Calpol" as I was cos I couldn't keep anything down).

Also, as I mentioned, the downside with paracetamol is the effective dose is uncomfortably close to the dangerous dose, so if your patient is also on opioids and somewhat out of it as a result, you really don't want them with a stash of their own paracetamol in the bedside cabinet in case they lose count.

"Insertdeadcatsnamehere
This is also a big northern city hospital..."*
I’m guessing Leeds, that’s where I was 2 years ago. It’s not a new policy.

FYI I didn’t need anymore than over the counter stuff. You may not either. Paracetamol works on a cumulative effect so don’t miss a dose!*

I was just coming on to say I bet this is Leeds. Happened to me in both my c sections in the last 3 years.

First section was emcs, awful incision. I was still being sick from the anaesthetic and the pain after 24 hours and all they gave me was paracetamol which took hours to come on the drugs round.

Second section I took my own pain relief in and started it once the suppository wore off. Good job as they never offered me any pain relief!

I had EMCS 17 years ago, was given lots of lovely pain relief post op and felt really good despite 24+ hour labour and having endometriosis with scar tissue that doesn't like contractions. Breast fed no problem.

Had Ds2 by ELCS in Leeds 14 years ago, their pain relief was totally shit, so much so I discharged myself early to be able to get home and have access to pain relief. They had reduced it down on day 2 without telling me. I was in absolute agony. I believe they sent me home with paracetamol and ibuprofen, just OTC doses not anything stronger. Dh went to a chemist on the way home and asked for advice on what I could have and when, they were appalled at major abdominal surgery pain relief offered in hospital. It still upsets me to this day how they treat pain relief.

Paracetamol is actually one of the best drugs for pain relief post surgery, literally the best there is so I don't know why so many people are going on about needing something stronger.

What the fuck?

This is outrageous on medical grounds. I had a week in hospital last year and everything - all drugs I was taking including the HRT I brought from home - had to be logged, locked away safely and put on the drugs round so that each dose could be recorded.

After my ELCS while I still had the epidural in overnight (strong opiates) I was away with the fairies, completely out of it. It would have been incredibly easy for someone in my state to overdose on paracetamol.

Also, DH had abdominal surgery last week (thankfully one of the last cases before they started cancelling due to Covid). He was absolutely advised to bring his own over the counter pain killers. We also had a child in hospital in the summer, again told to bring own otc meds. It’s not just women that are asked to do this in the hospital we were at.

I've always been told to take any medications I take regularly in with me, they should be locked up in the cupboard next to the bed. Your supposed to take your own stash but lets be honest, the nurses don't have time. They get locked up to prevent theft of meds.

I've had gynae and none gynae surgery where no otc pain meds weren't given after surgery.

On discharge for the last couple of years, they've never been prescribed and told to buy my own.

The cost goes up for the nhs because of the prescription and the costs associated with this. So that 1p pill end up costing the nhs 5p or whatever.

FYI I didn’t need anymore than over the counter stuff. You may not either. Paracetamol works on a cumulative effect so don’t miss a dose!

How bizarre!

I got told off for taking my own and not the ones provided! I took some before I realised they did the rounds!

That's awful. I've always been given the painkillers after c sections, I've also had morphine in various forms when I've asked for it.

I always get my meds swiped in hospital they tried not to give them back to me last time until I pointed out they were mine I bought them in not theirs from there stocks

I took the leaflet to boots and they gave me the higher dose stuff and more than is usually allowed. It cost less than £5.

I don’t get why you’re enraged?

@EatTheHamTina and @Whatsnewpussyhat it's the prescribing and dispensing which adds the cost to providing paracetamol to a patient either whilst as an in-patient or as a take home medication (TTO). It can also hold up discharge thus why women are asked to get in their own supply of paracetamol or ibuprofen (which can be sourced very cheaply) for discharge.