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Original poster

Sickness after diamorphine

16 replies

raisinsraisinsraisins · 11/07/2019 21:52

My DD has fractured her arm and was given diamorphine at A&E. She has had a severe reaction to this, with vomiting every half hour. We’ve come home from hospital as wasn’t getting any help or assistance and the nurses didn’t seem worried.

She is still being sick every half hour and is exhausted now. I don’t really want to take her back to A&E. Does anyone else have any experience of their children being unwell after taking diamorphine and what they did about it?

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 11/07/2019 21:58

Vomiting is a very common side effect to diamorphine, she should have been prescribed antiemetics to go with it.
Hold a tin of chilled drink on the back of her neck, it can help to regulate the vomit centre near the base of the brain.
When I worked in a&e many years ago we used to get a can from the coke machine in reception to help vomiting patients while waiting for their antiemetic drugs to start working.
Hope she is better soon.

Original poster
raisinsraisinsraisins · 11/07/2019 22:05

Thank you. She was prescribed an anti-sickness tablet after a couple of hours of crying and being sick, and me begging for her to see a Doctor. But she was sick immediately after taking it and therefore I doubt it worked at all. I phoned the A&E after we got home when she was sick agin and they won’t prescribe a further one over the phone, say I have to bring her back in. My DP is currently doing a tour of late night chemists to see if he can buy anything over the counter but isn’t having much luck.

Thank for the tip about a cold can of drink - I’ll try that out.

OP posts:
Rachelover40 · 11/07/2019 22:08

I remember being given that when I was in hospital aged 13. I vomited but it wasn't terrible, I didn't feel nauseous all the time which would have been. I just quickly vomited and didn't want to eat. I probably wouldn't have wanted to eat anyway, the hospital food was dire.

The drug was very nice indeed, I've never forgotten it :-).

Original poster
raisinsraisinsraisins · 11/07/2019 22:14

My DD has now been sick every half hour for 7 hours. She says she will never take morphine again! At least it’s made her not think about her arm. I can’t believe that A&E didn’t give anti sickness medication until I asked for it, and then wouldn’t give any more when she was immediately sick after taking it..

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 11/07/2019 22:18

Oh poor love, I had this reaction to diamorphene in labour, it was horiffic but it did settle, hope she's much better very soon

WhoWants2Know · 11/07/2019 22:20

If you have a 24 hour chemist and can send someone, you could try Bucca-stem.

It's an OTC antiemetic that dissolves and is absorbed into the inner cheek, so it can't be lost.

opinionatedfreak · 11/07/2019 22:21

Did she have a cannula in - antiemetics are most effective given IV or IM (but they tend not to do that in kids). How was she given the diamorphine?

Were you actually discharged with a vomiting child? Or did you just leave?

This doesn't mean she is allergic to the drug btw she is just experiencing a recognised side effect. other opiates (Morphine/ fentanyl/ codeine) may cause the same reaction.

It should wear off so I would keep offering her small amounts of cold fluids - you don't want her getting dehydrated.

Original poster
raisinsraisinsraisins · 11/07/2019 22:31

She was syringed up her nostril, and yes we were discharged with her being sick.

OP posts:
Original poster
raisinsraisinsraisins · 11/07/2019 22:33

DP on his way home, went to 3 chemists and all he could get over counter was Kwells

OP posts:
Original poster
raisinsraisinsraisins · 11/07/2019 22:38

Just checked on her and she’s asleep, I hope she won’t be sick in her sleep...

Thanks for all your comments, it’s been such a hard day and it’s nice to get some advice

OP posts:
Nogodsnomasters · 12/07/2019 07:19

How is she this morning op? I hope the sickness has passed now and you all managed some sleep.

Original poster
raisinsraisinsraisins · 12/07/2019 13:30

Thanks for asking. She didn’t sleep well because was uncomfortable, but thankfully the sickness has passed. Thanks for all your advice, it really helped me.

OP posts:
Nogodsnomasters · 12/07/2019 13:32

Glad to hear the sickness has stopped, hopefully now she can focus on healing

Rachelover40 · 12/07/2019 16:41

I'm surprised your daughter wasn't given an anti-emetic but I suppose there were reason. I'm so glad the vomiting has stopped now and she is at home. May she get well soon.
Flowers for you and Flowers for daughter.

Original poster
raisinsraisinsraisins · 12/07/2019 22:44

Rachelover40 - thank you, she is happy to feel better now. I have no idea why they didn’t give a anti-emetic, even after my dd had been sick for hours. I didn’t know to ask. She also had a complete lack of care, was surrounded by bowls of her sick with nowhere to put them, and was discharged while still being sick, with mismatched crutches and no aftercare plan at all. I tried to speak to someone on the phone today but was told I will have a call back on Monday!

OP posts:
Rachelover40 · 13/07/2019 13:13

It certainly sounds as though your daughter's entire hospital experience was a chaotic mess. Please do complain, put it in writing.

I'm glad she is feeling better.

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