motrin for c section pain

Be_Moore · Jun 25, 2009

Bummer on the pain control, that sucks. But I wonder...why did you think you needed a UA? Running a fever/tachy post-operative is not abnormal. It's your bodies attempt to fight off infection at the site. The other thing is that air bubbles aren't really an issue. It takes a large air bolus to cause an air embolus, unless you have an AV malformation of some sort...and even then, the test to check for an AV malformation is to visualize injected air bubbles with US.

But that sucks they wouldn't control your pain.

greeniebean · Jun 25, 2009

I recieved Percocet after both my c-sections but it never helped my pain! I was told to walk so I tried to at least 3 times a day. My nurses didn't even empty my cathater! And it was left in for 3 days after delivery! My cousin had to empty it. They actually told me I drank to much and that they couldn't be expected to empty it every few hours, they were to busy!

Sorry about your rotten expirience!

summerrose_10 · Jun 25, 2009

First, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm assuming the outcome was good (healthy baby?) I'm with Be_moore, pain control is vital for good outcomes., bummer your nurse was "stingy" on the narcs. She must have forgotten that pain is what the patient says it is.

As we can not give medical advice here I will share my experience. I too had C-sec. The first one unplanned, medicated with tylenol only, it was a horrible experience. Like you, "forced" to walk, drink etc. In my case, (it was pre strep-b screening), so ... I did have major infection; no one knew until after placing me in a cold shower at 3am and me begging/pleading, for warm blankets, they then realized I wasn't being a "baby", I didn't need to just drink/walk, I really was sick. The second C-sec, went as PLANNED (premed. for colonized strep B), had excellent pain control, not one of the nurses hesitated to get me a pain pill when asked. It was a great experience.

Sorry you had such a bad experience, hope you learn from it (ie.give your pts good pain control:nurse:) and focus on the outcome of the whole experience. ie. one special little being:heartbeat

Schmoo1022 · Jun 26, 2009

I am sorry about your pain control issues. It is hard to take care of your little one when you are not comfortable. I had great relief from Motrin for the c-section pain, I never needed anything stronger. I did have serious issue with upper back and shoulder pain. I don't know if it was the way I was laying in bed or what. I had great nurses who were always asking about my pain level. The one complaint is it was so hard to get the baby out of the tram without pulling on my incision!!

LuvofNursing, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 26, 2009

Bummer on the pain control, that sucks. But I wonder...why did you think you needed a UA? Running a fever/tachy post-operative is not abnormal. It's your bodies attempt to fight off infection at the site. The other thing is that air bubbles aren't really an issue. It takes a large air bolus to cause an air embolus, unless you have an AV malformation of some sort...and even then, the test to check for an AV malformation is to visualize injected air bubbles with US.
But that sucks they wouldn't control your pain.

I think the bigger issue here is.....nobody would acknowledge your concerns. I don't care how minor the concern is, those who work in this line of work need to remember that it is never normal to be in a hospital. You may be anxious, sad, scared, and even if you are just fine, one should always make an effort to remember that although WE are in the hospital dealing with these things everyday, others are not.

A better response to the bubble thing would be to explain the amount of air that would be concerning....or....tap the large bubbles to a port and suck em out with a syringe. it does make me nervous that an "instructor" is not making more of an effort. What type of example is that?

As far as pain goes, it is one of the most common nursing diagnoses for OB. Not all patients respond the same to pain meds, so it is important to find what works for them.

Remember why you joined this profession and if it wasn't for the helping/caring aspect, you may need to reevaluate.

roseglasses · Jun 26, 2009

i was totally different with my c-section. As soon as i got to the floor (had an hour in recovery) i wanted my iv and cath out. The nurses made me wait 8 hours because I was not supposed to get up for the first 8 hours. As soon as the 8th hour hit they came and removed everything that was holding me to the bed. I got up walking and everyone was commenting on how i needed to come teach other patients. i only stayed in the hospital 1 day after the c-section. I knew my hubby had to go back to work in a few days so i had to do it myself. i did get Tylenol 3 for pain and as long as i stayed ahead i was good. I have a high tresh hold for pain! Congrats on the new baby!

LuvofNursing, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 26, 2009

i was totally different with my c-section. As soon as i got to the floor (had an hour in recovery) i wanted my iv and cath out. The nurses made me wait 8 hours because I was not supposed to get up for the first 8 hours. As soon as the 8th hour hit they came and removed everything that was holding me to the bed. I got up walking and everyone was commenting on how i needed to come teach other patients. i only stayed in the hospital 1 day after the c-section. I knew my hubby had to go back to work in a few days so i had to do it myself. i did get Tylenol 3 for pain and as long as i stayed ahead i was good. I have a high tresh hold for pain! Congrats on the new baby!

I think this is exactly the point....everybody's pain level is different, it is important to understand this in order to provide appropriate care.

roseglasses · Jun 26, 2009

Oh i totally agree Luv i was just telling my experience

rn/writer, RN · Jun 26, 2009

I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience. On the unit where I work, section patients come to us on a PCA with hydromorphone (Dilaudid), or occasionally they are on Duramorph. In addition to the narcotic meds, they also get Toradol q 6 hours. After approximately 24 hours, we trade the PCA for Percocets and the Toradol for ibuprofen.

A few patients come off the PCA early because the Dilaudid doesn't give them good relief. We switch them to Percocets, and most do well. A rare few need Vicodin or some other choice. But they all still get Toradol or ibuprofen unless they are allergic.

The narcs address the incisional pain, while the NSAIDs give relief for cramping and decrease inflammation. The combination is what seems to do the trick.

I shudder to think of treating a fresh section with only an NSAID. For most of my patients, this would not be even close to adequate.

Please, write a letter to the unit manager and the DON at the hospital where you stayed. It would be good to find out what was actually prescribed vs. what was given. It could be that meds were ordered PRN but not administered. Either way, your pain was not managed properly.

I hope all went well with the baby. I'm just sorry that your hospital stay was so unpleasant.

SlightlyMental_RN · Jun 26, 2009

Congrats! Sorry to hear that your pain control wasn't adequate. I actually chose ibuprofen post-section, as I was super-paranoid about anything passing through in my breast milk. :rolleyes: But then, I also dragged my butt out of bed and insisted that my daughter room with me. (You know the first-time mom type: I'm going to do this the "right" way, even if it kills me.) :chuckle

ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2009

Well one good thing came out of this.... a wonderful child! Congrats. I agree u should put something in writing to the unit nurse manager and let them know of your dissatisfaction. You atleast deserve to know why u were treated that way. I had a csection 8 years ago and I was on a pca of morphine for atleast the first day after, then treated with percs after. I was discharged 4 days after she was born. But.... I hope u are feeling better now as each day passes and goodluck with the littleone.