Why not let me have a PCA?

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.

I was just wondering about this and was hoping someone could give me an answer.

A few years ago I underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and oopherectomy. Before the surgery, I requested a PCA in lieu of pain shots. I had ankle reconstruction surgery once and I loved the PCA. Everyone at the hospital told me "its not done that way for hysterectomies." At the time, I was in so much pain, I did not want to argue and I let it go. Now, I'm wondering.....why not let me have a PCA? Thanks for your input.

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i can't think of a reason. i've seen pca's used for c-sections. maybe you should ask the doc who did your hysto?

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Because of 2 things.

1) You had a "female" procedure and we all know those are not as painful as any others(yeah right!)

2) You DARED to self advocate. It is all about control.

You should haved had a PCA or an explanation of why what you were getting for pain was indicated.

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Transport, Home Care, Mgmnt.
Because of 2 things.

1) You had a "female" procedure and we all know those are not as painful as any others(yeah right!)

2) You DARED to self advocate. It is all about control.

You should haved had a PCA or an explanation of why what you were getting for pain was indicated.

:madface: YEAH! What she said^! Our gyn patients get pca's all the time.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.
IA few years ago I underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and oopherectomy

you should have had a pca. my mother just had one with a pca and implanted pain buster ball (on-Q)

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I was just wondering about this and was hoping someone could give me an answer.

A few years ago I underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and oopherectomy. Before the surgery, I requested a PCA in lieu of pain shots. I had ankle reconstruction surgery once and I loved the PCA. Everyone at the hospital told me "its not done that way for hysterectomies." At the time, I was in so much pain, I did not want to argue and I let it go. Now, I'm wondering.....why not let me have a PCA? Thanks for your input.

that sounds very antiquated, apparently that hospital is not up to standard on pain control.:nono:

when i had several fibroids removed, the anesthesiologist asked me in the pre-op area, what i wanted, demerol, morphine, or dilaudid. i was not in a "elite" hospital, it was just a regular hospital where people go. the doctor told me before hand that i would have a pca. when i woke up, i had a pca with dilaudid going, although i was too asleep to use it and was trying to get out of the bed (to go where?) but i had no pain. so they sound kind of mean.:madface: i'm sorry they treated you that way.

be well

cc

soon to retire june 30 2006:balloons:

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Specializes in ER.

In my hospital post op hysterectomy pain is managed with Tylenol and ibuprofen, with maybe a po narcotic thrown in rarely. So mabe they didn't intend to give you IV narcotics.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
In my hospital post op hysterectomy pain is managed with Tylenol and ibuprofen, with maybe a po narcotic thrown in rarely. So mabe they didn't intend to give you IV narcotics.

Geesh! I hope I never require surgery at your hospital.

I've never had a hyster, but did have an open lap for the repair of a tubal pregnancy, and can't imagine relying on Tylenol and Advil for immediate post-op pain. I realize that everyone has a different pain tolerance, but these drugs don't even take care of a headache for me. By 24 hours post-op, I was relying on oral narcotics, and I went home on day 3 with a script for Tylenol #3, which I alternated with OTC meds at home.

I agree that this hospital's pain service sounds antiquated. A shame that the surgeon performing the procedure didn't advocate for the OP for better, more reliable pain control.

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.

Are you sure you're not thinking of hysteroscopy? I can't believe any doc would expect to manage a TAH/TVH with just Tylenol or ibuprofen.

I'm with you, Jolie; if this is true, I hope I never wind up in that hospital for anything. Sheesh, what to do they give their CABG pts? A bullet to bite on?

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Tylenol or Advil wouldn't have cut it for the diag lap i had back in April, and i only had 3 band-aid incisions.

And any doctor or hospital who says i don't need a PCA for a hysterectomy doesn't need to perform my procedure. That's just assanine.

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That is absolutely horrible! At the hospital I was working at we received post-hysterectomy patients on our floor with either an epidural running or a PCA started (sometimes both). They were also started on routine doses of IV Toradol day of surgery and first day postop and went home on an oral narcotic of some kind. Sounds like this hospital needs a little education on appropriate pain management--a hysterectomy is a major surgery and appropriate pain relief medications are vital to the recovery process.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We can all speculate on the whys of this. In the end, the original poster needs to ask her MD.

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