An ER "First" for Me...

[Music in My Heart]

Last shift, a postictal patient had a severe headache and wanted something.

She said she was allergic to Dilaudid and wanted Toradol.

Like I said, a first for me and a nice change from I'm allergic to all NSAIDs and any narcotic that doesn't start with a "D"

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

When Toradol first hit the market, the dose was 60 mg IV or IM. Later they decided that 60 mg could be a bit rough on the kidneys and changed it to 30 mg IV. For a single dose I'd have no problem giving 60 mg IV. Since it's a NSAID, it works great as an anti pyretic too, if other routes or meds are undesireable.

[arabianeyez83]

30 mg IV is the usual dose in my ER..there was no problem giving a 1 time dose of 60 mg IV.

[Fribblet]

Toradol is awesome stuff. It's been my experience that for people suffering from kidney stones that when toradol works, it really, really, works.

I've seen people feel much better after receiving narcs, but I've only ever had people report being pain free with kidney stones after getting toradol.

And for people with muscle/skeletal pain, it's a miracle drug.

[Butterfliesnroses]

I really am "allergic" to NSAIDs. I get GI bleeds really easy! I used to take Ibuprophen and got a GI bleed and lost enough blood to need a blood transfusion. Then months laster my doctor put me on Celebrex and I had another GI bleed. So I've received strict instruction not to take any NSAID ever! With that said though I generally stick to Tylenol. The last time I took a narc was over 3 years ago when I was in the hospital.

[Teleflurry, DNP]

Anytime they call it MY dilaudid instead of some Dilausid I equate their addiction to Gollum and his "PRECIOUS "ring .

Hey nurse can you bring MY dilaudid ? - gollum

Hey nurse can I get some Dilaudid yet? - ok pt.

[Fribblet]

I really am "allergic" to NSAIDs. I get GI bleeds really easy! I used to take Ibuprophen and got a GI bleed and lost enough blood to need a blood transfusion. Then months laster my doctor put me on Celebrex and I had another GI bleed. So I've received strict instruction not to take any NSAID ever! With that said though I generally stick to Tylenol. The last time I took a narc was over 3 years ago when I was in the hospital.

Okay.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

What stretches me to the brink are people with their extensive list of "sensitivities."

Yes, and they always call them "allergies". I've stopped trying to explain the difference between an allergy and an intolerance, as well as pointing out that some of their listed "allergic" reactions are actually common side effects. It just seems to go in one ear and out the other most of the time.

[caregiver1977]

Okay. Now I know why I get strange looks at the hospital when I tell staff that I am allergic to Demerol (was slowly becoming unable to breathe).

[SpEdtacular, MSN, RN, EMT-P]

Have you ever had someone start freaking out because the medication makes them drowsy. I thought it was common knowledge that opiates cause drowsiness but I started including it in my this medication may make you feel ____ spiel.

I've also had a lot of people outright refuse pain medication when they really needed it. Some people seem to think that using narcotic pain meds would be the same as being black out drunk or having someone give you roofies.

[caregiver1977]

Have you ever had someone start freaking out because the medication makes them drowsy. I thought it was common knowledge that opiates cause drowsiness but I started including it in my this medication may make you feel ____ spiel.

I've also had a lot of people outright refuse pain medication when they really needed it. Some people seem to think that using narcotic pain meds would be the same as being black out drunk or having someone give you roofies.

Guilty...and I can't explain it either. I don't think I will be black out drunk or feel like someone gave me roofies, but I usually don't take pain meds until I really, really need it. I can't count all the strange looks I received in hospitals. My OB usually prescribes Loratabs (sorry if that is misspelled) when I go home from delivering my children, and people think I am crazy for not filling the prescription. I just take my Tylenol.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I've also had a lot of people outright refuse pain medication when they really needed it. Some people seem to think that using narcotic pain meds would be the same as being black out drunk or having someone give you roofies.

LOL, I always get really nervous about being offered narcotics and refuse them even if I kinda do think I need them because I feel like I'm supposed to refuse them. There's something in my brain that does Admiral Ackbar's "It's a trap!"

If you ever work in peds exclusively, you get used to patients refusing pain meds. I recently had one girl REFUSE to take her motrin for pain because it was "icky" and "MY HEAD DOESN'T HURT ANYMORE." Liar. But whatever.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

After I had my wisdom teeth removed, my dentist gave me a prescription for Vicodin. Didn't fill it, just took aspirin or Tylenol. I would rather not have vico-treats or perky-treats unless I had a fracture. Don't know what I would do if I had kidney stones.