Asked to provide own painkillers!

[Insertdeadcatsnamehere]

I've got an elective ceasarean booked in a couple of weeks. Have just had the consent form and info through and I've been asked to provide my own painkillers (for on the recovery ward afterwards, I'm still, possibly naively, assuming they'll provide the actual anaesthetic). Absolutely speechless! Just wondering whether anyone has had any comparable (but not female- specific) surgery and has been asked this? Apparently if I forget to bring my paracetamol and ibruprofen I can toddle down to the onsite pharmacy a couple of hours after my major abdominal surgery and purchase some. So that's helpful. No word on whether they'd sell me anything stronger...

What I find most ironic about this is that if you request to have an elective section (on a maternal request basis as opposed to being advised to have one for medical reasons) you’re told “it’s major abdominal surgery” etc etc to try to dissuade you from having one. But apparently despite being major abdominal surgery, after having had this major surgery, the only pain relief you’re routinely offered in hospital is paracetamol and ibuprofen and when you are discharged (less than 24 hours post op in the current climate) you’re given no pain relief to take with you.

It’s fucking depressing.

That's cutbacks for you. And saving money for NHS. Abominable strategy.

If I were faced with this, I would demand to know if EVERYONE facing surgery have to do this.

But look, CS is a woman thing and they will be fine. Get the drift?

I bet those undergoing Transgender surgery will get everything they want for fear of Equality Act. But women having a baby Nah.

I am so angry for you OP.

I've had a lot of surgery of different types in a few different hospitals in recent years and have been asked to provide my own paracetamol and ibuprofen to take home on all occasions - but not as an inpatient, that seems odd.
It is cost related. Not the actual purchase costs of the drugs themselves but the costs around prescribing, dispensing, labelling etc. I can't remember the exact details but I was got a leaflet with my admission papers for a day case procedure last year and it said something like the total cost to the NHS of giving a day patient paracetamol to take home was something like £10 whereas at the time you could get 16 paracetamol for 30p in the supermarket. That might not be the exact figure but it was something in that range. I still got given the prescription only drugs to take home but was asked to get some of the over the counter drugs in preparation for admission. The anaesthetist did ask me if I had got them though and I don't think they would have sent me away with nothing if I had said no, and people on some benefits were mentioned as not needing to get them in the leaflet. The cost savinbs this particular Trust saud they have made from this change was significant.
I don't think there's anything wrong with asking people who can afford OTC drugs to buy them to be honest. I also wouldn't assume that there will be nothing else offered. Pretty much every operation I have ever had has had the same basic post op "recipe". Regular paracetamol, a regular NSAID and opioids as required in between. So the hospital will probably still provide the opioids. It does seem odd to have to actually take your own drugs in as an inpatient though. I've only ever been asked to take my own for home. That said, the amount of time I have waited for pain relief on busy wards at time I would not have minded having my own medication and being autonomous. I have a long term painful condition and am pretty good at managing it at home, but on more than one occasion have found myself prescribed less post op than I was taking pre-op.

Sorry but I haven't read the full thread, but obviously make sure whatever medication you take, that it is compatable with breast feeding, if that is your intention.

I've got no probs with taking in paracetamol etc you can get a box for 20p or something, very cheap.

The letter is clear that that'll be the pain relief though which is what has shocked so many.

This is rubbish but it’s much better than having to wait for an overstretched staff member to issue you some. Very easy to go past the 4 hour mark like that which makes it significantly harder to get back on top of it.

It’s been a while since I had a c section but I’m pretty sure I had a morphine pump immediately post surgery (which cause havoc with a breastfeeding baby!) and was then given Diclofenac til discharge.

I got that too Betty.

The letter states that the paracetamol will be the pain relief after.

I'm totally amazed by that. Decent pain relief is so important and it's well known that women and children have in the past and probably still are undermedicated for pain.

It's a bit worrying to read, but I'm sure nobody is going to turn around and say "well, if you didn't bring your painkillers, there's nothing we can do to help you - you're on your own".

I wonder could it be part of an "enhanced recovery" policy. If you have your own painkillers, then maybe there are fewer delays waiting for midwives to get them for you and less likelihood pain keeps you in hospital for longer? Unless you have complications, getting home sooner has got to be good!

This surprises me. Surely all medication needs to be charted so no one accidentally overdoses by either taking too many themselves or a combination of drugs administered by the medical team & the woman supplementing. Also, what about drug interactions? Sounds really unsafe to me.

I agree boatyardblues
How is someone hazy from lack of sleep,pain and opiates to remember when she last took paracetamol? IV paracetamol is extremely effective but couldn't be given if the woman had dosed up on oral paracetamol. And as I mentioned up thread, ibuprofen isn't a benign drug, it doesn't suit everyone and in my hospital anyone prescribed Ibuprofen or drugs in the same class (NSAID) is also prescribed a proton pump inhibitor drug eg omeprazole for gastric protection.
It seems a recipe for disaster to me.

I had major gynae surgery back in 2011 and refused all painkillers except paracetomal - had 35 stitches . Had to provide my own sanitary pads, pain relief etc . Told it was cost cutting .

Similar experience last year when a doctor proudly told me they’re trying to persuade people to first try some surgeries (he said most gynae procedures, urology stuff, etc) with no anaesthetic where possible - said it usually isn’t needed and that I won’t be in that much pain if I just relax !

I had my section 30 years ago and didn't get any pain relief afterwards. I had my first child nearly 50 years ago, back then they supplied all sorts, nappies and nightgown for the baby, sanitary towels for mum. I was surprised when I had to take my own with my youngest so I suppose this is just following the trend.

I did catch midwife trying to steal some of my nappies for 15 year old mum on the ward who had nothing, I told her she could have them when I saw what she was doing but thought it was a bit off for midwives to be nicking my stuff. She did apologise.

As pp said the idea of people 'managing' their own pain relief with whatever they can get before they go in is problem in terms of tracking.

Seems bonkers.

Also tbh plenty of people in general can get hold of illicit drugs. If you think you're facing a major op with a paracetamol after. Isn't that asking for trouble in terms of people taking in stronger illicit drugs?

I was on an opium drip for ? Time with both my sections. Catheter out next day and up and walk. If no issues discharged that day.

The opium helped. Morphine rather. Different names same difference really.

Same as heroin and methadone essentially in all but when it's used, who by and for how long, and that dosage is controlled.

So that kind of makes me think. This surgery fucking hurts. You've been cut open to get right to your insides. I've had other surgery many times and CS was no more or less painful. Decent pain relief is key to recover. BYOdrugs seems like a strategy that will cause more harm than good in the longer term.