To ask for more drugs- if not, which ones?

[TheImprobableGirl]

I’m in hospital for a medically managed MMC, diagnosed at 12+4, baby made it to 12+1. I’m at peace with what has happened and prepared as much as possible but... it really fucking hurts. I have the pain threshold of a delicate toddler and had an epidural in previous pregnancy.

So far I’ve had
3:45pm MMC drugs (to force the MC, up-fanjo style)
5pm paracetamol
6:40pm coedine and more MMC drugs (orally this time)
8:30pm Liquid morphone

And it still hurts like a bastard. What can I ask for next?

Liquid morphine rather.

More morphine maybe? How long since the last lot? Sometimes they will start you off with a low dose to see if it does the trick but will increase it on request.

Sorry this is happening to you.

More morphine seems greedy, I don’t want to seem like an addict
She did say that if the morphine didn’t work then I could potentially have pethidine after an hour passed (9:30) so this is an option? It was about 3/4 of a calpol sized syringe

The nurse is very kind and pro-pain relief! Unfortunately she is also 6 months pregnant, which is a bit of a gut wrencher as she has two dc the same age as mine but I’m not going to trade her!

Pethedine is another opiate. It won't take the pain away but you won't care.

Not caring about the pain would be a big bonus about now

Can you ask for a pca so you have control over the pain relief

Miscarriage brings all sorts of pain with it but this pain is one you can escape. In your position I'd take whatever is on offer and rest awhile.

It sounds daft but i found iv paracetamol was better than oramorph when i had a recent op.
Sending you a hug op

IV paracetamol is v v underrated in my opinion and would help you immensely. It's expensive so nurse may fluff an excuse of a reply but it's not opoid and it bloody well works well. Ask for that.

What is a pca? I am concerned about my self control and may take all the drugs at once
@barbarianmum thank you, you are being very helpful- so I should be able to avoid much of the physical pain? Will ask her about upping morphine

Make sure you have paracetamol and some diclofenac/ibuprofen if you can take it as well and regularly, people (including lots of hcps) always seem to think you move on to a "stronger" painkiller and stop the basic pain relief which does help as well. Hope you feel more comfortable soon

When an ovarian cyst torsioned and I was admitted, two large doses of Oramorph didn’t touch the pain. So I was stepped up to Fentanyl. Blissful 😊

Ps sorry you are going through this

Sorry have seen you have had some paracetamol earlier, keep taking as appropriate even if it doesn't seem like it helps it will be a bit

I’ve been there OP. Medically managed MMC at that same gestation. I’m so sorry.

Try not to be brave. I remember it hurting like a mother. Get the nurse back in and ask her what they can do about it now. I agree with PPs, paracetamol on the side is definitely underrated!

Would probably be ready for next dose of paracetamol, will check! She is contacting dr for pethidine so should have that at 10 which she has said should knock me out, going to pop something on Netflix and hopefully ignore the pain

So sorry to hear you’re going through this. I hope things start looking up soon. I was in a situation not dissimilar to yours and I was lucky to have understanding nurses giving me oramorph whenever needed. I was a bit woozy from it and tried explaining that I’m not asking for drugs for fun and that I am genuinely in pain, and they completely got it and told me not to worry. I’d definitely ask for more morphine.

Pethidine is also a good one. And even gas and air if they have it. Sending good vibes!

Thank you
And silver lining and all that

just tell them u are in pain. I know from previous experience (not medically managed but same gestation) that they don't give u a full dose of morphine straight away and I was given a full dose in 3 seperate shots, iykwim, about 30-45 mins apart. I take it u are having anti sickness with the morphine 2?
Also another who recommends iv paracetamol or gas & air. Can't recommend pethadine personally though as I don't tolerate it and sends me loopy and I did NOT like the feeling at all (made me feel very out of control)
xx

She didn’t offer anti sickness, but I have hobnobs to control the sickness

PCA is patient controlled analgesia - often morphine in a drip intravenously into the back of your hand. It has a limit put on by the doctor/nurse so you can't overdose but you decide when you want more by pressing a button. Did they put in a device with a needle in your hand or inside of elbow to receive drugs? (Sorry I am not in the U.K. and can't remember the English word! Catheter?)

They should definitely give you more paracetamol as well (you can have 4 grams in 24 hours, normally in 4 doses of 1000mg). I wonder if they don't give anti-inflammatories for MC because they might increase risk of heavier bleeding, but worth asking for those too.

You can take oramorph every 2 hours (I'm not sure on the dosage) as that is what I had after pelvic surgery.

Hope things improve

Cannula twotabbycats would the be it?

Yes justforthisnow Cannula! Doh!