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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect to be given adequate pain relief, like pethadine or morphine, for gallbladder pain

88 replies

BBQSteak · 18/08/2014 23:44

im fucking dr will not give me anything stronger than 30mg codeine which I can only take two of at once and its not strong enough

ive asked for something stronger they say no

do I have a valid reason to make complaint
or what shall I do?

fucking arrrgghh

OP posts:
SinglePringle · 19/08/2014 08:18

It took 6 years for me to get a proper diagnosis - kept being told it was indigestion! The agony was unbearable. I love alone and in hindsight know that if I were in a relationship, they'd have taken me to A&E.

I was - eventually, when I changed doctor - given diclofenac suppositories. They took about 15 mins to work and it tailed off rather than stopped but they were miles better than any OTC remedy.

Having it removed was the best thing I ever did health wise.

Dapplegrey · 19/08/2014 08:24

It seems very unfair that someone in agony should be deprived of proper pain relief because so many addicts want it.

Also, what would happen if an addict suffered from a very painful condition like the OP? would they be deprived of pain relief just because they are addicts?

Jollyphonics · 19/08/2014 08:37

There are other things between codeine and morphine to try. A GP who dished out morphine because the codeine didn't work would be considered negligent. It's different in A&E - they give you one dose and send you on your way. But it's different in general practice, we have to consider the longer term. It doesn't take long to become a morphine addict, and believe me if you're a junkie then gallstone pain is the least of your worries.

PleaseJustShootMeNow · 19/08/2014 09:12

OP I had gallstones so I totally sympathise. There were times when it was so bad I even considered cutting it out myself. The best advice I got was in A&E after a horrendous attack. Dr said if you use painkillers when the pain starts they make little difference. You have to use them as a preventative to stop the pain getting going. So take the painkillers regularly, everyday until you get the op, regardless of pain or not. I did this and didn't have another attack for the 3 months until my op.

As for the op itself, try not to worry. I was terrified but it was a walk in the park. It's one of the most common ops they do.

mrbob · 19/08/2014 09:32

If you are in enough pain to need morphine you should be in hospital. Your GP is being entirely responsible. Stop slagging them off

Badvoc123 · 19/08/2014 09:37

My gp have me tramadol, nefapam and oromorph for my gallbladder pain.

chockbic · 19/08/2014 09:40

I would complain, there's no reason for you to be in that much pain.

Have you tried a heat pad or hot water bottle?

Floralnomad · 19/08/2014 10:06

How did you get on in A&E OP ?

HannerHet · 19/08/2014 10:08

You should be able to manage it to a degree. I had to wait 10months for the Op after being diagnosed. Had to watch what I ate and had co-codamol and buscopan to take. I never had an attack as bad as the first one. If you do have a bad one, go to A&E. They can't just dish out morphine to everyone who wants it.
By the way the op is very straightforward, I went horse riding a week later.

ballsballsballs · 19/08/2014 11:51

YANBU OP. I've just been diagnosed with gallstones after my third attack. I genuinely thought I was going to die.

Happyringo · 19/08/2014 12:02

When I had my first gallbladder attack I really thought my number was up. The pain was on a par, if not worse than, late stage labour. (Only if it's the first attack you don't know what's causing it so is infinitely more frightening).

I don't think it's unreasonable to want adequate pain relief, and it's not unreasonable to be angry and blaming the wrong people when you're in severe pain.

But it is unreasonable to expect a GP to send you home with morphine, especially if you're looking after young kids. The right place to get the pain under control is in hospital, you have done the right thing going in.

Hope you are alright this morning OP.

eyebags63 · 19/08/2014 12:07

It wouldn't have to be morphine though, there are plenty of other options but the OP's doctor is saying Codeine is the only thing...

Pain management is a important and significant part of GP work anyway, to say they can't or shouldn't prescribe any strong painkillers is just wrong in my opinion.

If you have already been diagnosed with condition X and therefore know what is causing the pain and know it is 6 weeks or before you can get relief with an operation, then surely it is a complete waste of time to be forced to attend A & E just to get adequate pain relief.

Happyringo · 19/08/2014 12:14

Yes and no, if then pain is severe enough to need morphine it could be that the OP needs surgery, and I think the best place to be assessed for that is hospital. Having said that, I don't know why the OP couldn't have been given something like Tramadol in addition to the Codeine. Who knows. I think she did the right thing going to hospital.

turkeyboots · 19/08/2014 13:15

Tramadol seems to have new restrictions on it now. I was given it for gallbladder pain and had to sign extra forms in the hospital pharmacy and got a lecture for pharmacist on using it responsibly as it is an opiate.

It is the worst pain I ever experienced and Op was easy in comparison.

Happyringo · 19/08/2014 13:48

Codeine is an opiate too and equally addictive, so no idea why Tramadol wasn't considered. But of course this is all speculation...hopefully OP has got something decent now!

Darkesteyes · 19/08/2014 13:56

Tramadol didnt even touch the sides with me.
Ive just come off my slimming world fb support page (i went back last year and have lost 2 stone 9 Am currently a size 16) My consultant has put a poster up saying how many weeks it is till Christmas and how much it is feasible to lose in that time.

3 pounds a week is 4 stone something.

4 pounds a week is 5 stone something.

They are STILL encouraging people to do this even though rapid weight loss causes gallstones as in my case. And yet GPs are recommending these classes. The best bit? My consultant actually works in the NHS. Im so fucking angry im thinking of going public with this.

Then theyve got the gall to treat you like a fucking addict when you get ill as a result.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

How are you today OP I hope it has eased.

treaclesoda · 19/08/2014 13:56

I know everyone is different but tbh I found tramadol crap for gallstones pain. It took far too long to work and it left me spaced out for perhaps 36 hours afterwards. It was nowhere near as effective as the codeine.

HatieKokpins · 19/08/2014 14:00

Never heard of anyone getting morphine from the GP for their gallstones! Omeprazole, tramadol, diclofenic suppositries and codeine for me.

MintyCatLeaf · 19/08/2014 14:14

Doctor here.

Working in A and E these days, give morphine to all people in serious pain.

It was similar when I worked in GP.

Angry on your behalf that you're not getting the treatment you need. Angry

MintyCatLeaf · 19/08/2014 14:27

Also, if complaining, say you're disappointed nobody could give you "anything more effective." Naming morphine could (unfairly) tag you as a drug-seeker.

Finally, a lot of us look people in the face when doing abdo exams because it picks up more tenderness in the stoic who might say they're ok (but it's easy to pick up on pain in someone's face), so we can ensure they get adequate relief.

Firsttimer7259 · 19/08/2014 18:00

Pain management starts at bottom and works up. Try the codeine as prescribed add in other drugs as recommended. If that doesn't work you go up a level. But you don't immediately start at morphine unless you have something it's clear always needs morphine.

Ilovenewts · 21/08/2014 07:17

How's things now ?

Original poster
BBQSteak · 22/08/2014 15:22

hi, I'm okish thanks Sad
got a date for my op now, and 'i'm really worried about it Sad

sweet of you to ask

OP posts:
WellnowImFucked · 22/08/2014 15:46

Glad you're feeling a bit better.

The op is a doddle, honestly.
Normally done key-hole, you have 3 small scars, one on your side, one, well mine fell right between my boobs at the lower bra line, and one over my belly button.

Usually a day case, the worst part is the wind. . .

They use CO2, they pump it in to your belly to give them room to see and get around. Then it has to come out. . .

I was advised the following, and it worked for me so I always pass it on.
First drink as much as you can without feeling sick when you wake up. Try to have some fizzy drinks and this will help the gas that's trying to make its way up. And get out of bed and move as soon as possible, even if it is just to edge around the bed, however don't let anyone walk behind you as that's how all the rest of the gas will make its break for it. Grin

I had 2 weeks off work, but honestly didn't need them.
I did have other problems post op, but they were to do with other medical issues I have, from the op itself as I said one of the incisions was right on my bra line and it rubbed a bit. As I'm rather large of boob going out in public without a bra is not an option, but all easily solved with a bit of gauze and some padding.

Can't even see the scars now.

Honestly the relief of knowing I wasn't going to have that pain again was amazing

Darkesteyes · 22/08/2014 15:55

BBQ Wellnow is right. The op is a doddle. Mine was keyhole too.

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