Migraine

So I went to the ER last night. What an experience that was. It's no wonder I didn't want to go in the first place. I waited 3 hours just to see a Physician's Assistant, he wasn't even a doctor. I answered all the same questions, like the last time. And I told him that we did a combination of Dialudid, Toradol, and Reglan the last time and that helped so he agreed to do the same thing again. I'm pretty sure they didn't give me as much IV fluids as the last time to go alone with all the medicine. I have enough issues with my fear of needles to begin with but this time getting the IV made it a little harder to breathe than normal. My body still had a hard time adjusting to the Dialudid. The nurse the last time referred to it as a 'woosh' like it hits you all at once and you're lightheaded and messed up. Definitely had a similar feeling this time. They ended up giving me a second, smaller dose of the Dialudid this time. And literally 10 minutes later they were rushing me out of there.

The minute I sat up I thought I was going to get sick or pass out. I barely made it back out the waiting room before I had to sit back down again. Made it out to the parking lot before I got sick everywhere. I ended up throwing up about 3 times. I could barely make it up the stairs to bed. It was horrible. I wish the guy had let me stay laying down for longer. Then I don't think I would have gotten as sick. Once I got in bed I was afraid to move because any time I did I felt like I was going to get sick again.

I should have been able to sleep like a rock last night with all that medicine in my system. But that was too good to be true. I probably woke up half a dozen times and by 6:30 I'd given up. My migraine is gone. Let's hope it lasts more than 24 hours this time around. Less than 2 weeks til I go see the new neurologist/migraine specialist... I really hope he's more successful than the last few doctors I've seen have been

Meli

I'm so sorry you had to take a trip to the ER. I think that must be the most unpleasant place when you don't feel well. - Well, maybe that and a rollercoaster!

Are you feeling better today? I hope so. I hope you get some sleep today too!

Dilaudid does not work that well for me. Well, I should say I seem to need a lot of it if I need it. And then, after all the dilaudid finally helps the pain - I get sick. Catch 22 I guess.

If you can, take some time to rest today! It sounds like you need it!!!

Good luck with your appointment! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Oh Meli, while I'm glad you have woken up pain free, I'm so sorry getting there was so nasty.

Are you able to lay low today to recover? I sure hope so. Keep us posted when you are up to it.


Cindy

I wish I could lay low today. I have to work both jobs and go to a wake in between. It's not going to be a fun few days. Hopefully I can get through it without another massive migraine.

I'm glad the dialudid helps me. I just wish I didn't have to go to the ER to get it and that I hadn't gotten so sick from it. I'm going to see if the new neuro will be willing to prescribe it for me so I can take it in pill form from home to see if that's easier for me to handle.

Meli,

Dilaudid does come in an injectionable form. Perhaps it's something the doctor could prescribe for you to have as a rescue at home if you can give yourself a shot.

Cindy

Just a thought, but Phenergan or Compazine could maybe work better than the Reglan at controlling the nausea/ vomting. Everybody reacts differently to stuff.

Good point, Amy!

Or there is Zofran too. Zofran works great for me.

I don't know how willing doctors are to script Dilaudid....Do you have other drugs to use for rescue? That may help you avoid some ER visits.....

I have Zofran in a dissolvable tablet form that I take for the initial nausea when I get a migraine. That usually works. Not sure why they chose Reglan at the ER. I think I'll suggest something different if I have to go through that again. The only rescue I have from the doctor I've been going to see is Vicodin. I'm really hoping I can get a different one from the new doctor. The Vicodin hasn't helped when I've needed a good rescue. It doesn't have to be Dialudid, that's just what's worked so far. I'm willing to try anything that will keep me out of the ER.

Meli,

They're tending to use Reglan over Phenergan or Compazine for a couple of reasons. It has fewer potential side effects. Compazine in particular has some pretty nasty side effects for some people. Then there's the recent court case that stemmed from a woman losing part of her arm when Phenergan was injected wrong.

In any of your ER trips, have you ever had a simple IV infusion of fluids and magnesium sulfate? That works wonders for lots of people.

quote:

Originally posted by Meli:
I have Zofran in a dissolvable tablet form that I take for the initial nausea when I get a migraine. That usually works. Not sure why they chose Reglan at the ER. I think I'll suggest something different if I have to go through that again. The only rescue I have from the doctor I've been going to see is Vicodin. I'm really hoping I can get a different one from the new doctor. The Vicodin hasn't helped when I've needed a good rescue. It doesn't have to be Dialudid, that's just what's worked so far. I'm willing to try anything that will keep me out of the ER.

Generally when I go to the ER at one hospital they give me Reglan and Benedryl. At another hospital they give Pheneragan and Toradol. Next time is either Dilaudid or Morphine.

I had found they used to always give Compazine. Then it was on national backorder from the manufacturer for months and they honestly got out of the habit of using it. Add in the other reasons as Teri described and you have the reasons they don't use those drugs as often.

One of the reasons they give Reglan is its sedative quality. Zofran normally does not have that.

I am sorry yuo had to do the ER Meli. I did as well, and they always find a reason to admit me! And leately once they admit me they find something I don't want them too LOL.

Take care, hope you are awap today

Dawn

Meli!

Sometimes the ER experience seems worse than what ails you in the first place! Dagnabbit anyway! Glad to hear the beast is broken. I'm keeping droolie talons crossed for you!

Neili,
I am new here and was checking out older posts so I do not know if you will get this. I have also had Dilaudid IV along with Zofran and Benadryl. Very sleepy but it does work.
I have found that they need to give me the Dilaudid very slowly (1mg over 1-2 minutes) and I do not feel that "woosh" or feel as sick. I have even had the nurse give it further up in the IV fluids so it mixes with the saline.

Kim,
That's an interesting idea. I may try something like that if they push me to go the same route next time when I go to the ER. But unfortunately the Dilaudid wasn't successful the last time... so IF I have to hit the ER again I'm going to take the list that's here about IV infusions with me and see if I can get the ER doc to go for any of those combinations instead.

Meli