Fao Sqad Please.

[ladybirder]

Hi Sqad, need your advice please re painkillers. I had my lung cancer op by VATS in Guy's on 13 Dec and came home on 18th with the following to control the pain.
I have Paracetamol 500mg caplets take two tablets four times a day, Dihydrocodeine 30mg tablets take one tablet every 4 - 6 hours, Morphine Oral Solution 10mg/5ml take 5mls to 10mls four times a day.
Mostly just two of the Paracetamol have been enough to control my pain with the occasional one x Dihydrocodeine in between doses. I think I have overtired myself in the last couple of days and this dosage is not enough to control the pain anymore. So my question is could you advise what would be the best combination safe dosage to take that is a bit stronger than what I am already taking. I've no idea which I can mix with what and don't want to end up in hospital again.
Thank you. xx

[Mamyalynne]

Glad you went, and there is now a better plan for more regular redressing.

Did the Morphine solution help any?

[gness]

Hi, LB....not around much so am catching up with what you've been going through and I'm really sorry.

As regards wounds not healing. I have a lot of experience with that. Make sure you are being given the best dressings. That is really important. Those with silver in are much more effective......they help promote healing and protect against bugs.....best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.....Gx

[TonyV]

Yes good call silver coated bandages do promote quicker healing process, You will not get them unless you ask for them.

[jourdain2]

There are also some very good honey-impregnated dressings, but the silver is excellent.

[ladybirder]

Hi Tony, Mamya, Gness and Jourdain, thanks for the replies. The Morphine was no better than any other painkiller last night, I woke up regularly and felt half asleep the rest of the time but it was OK, been worse. No my dressing don't have any silver in them so I'll mention that at my next dressing appointment. I was given them at Guy's and have been taking them around with me.
I've got some marmalade jourdain, I could slap some of that on;-))
Thanks everyone. xx

[gness]

LB....one of MrG's stays in hospital lasted three months with a wound that wouldn't heal. I found out about silver dressings, insisted they try them and they were a godsend. When he came home and I was dealing with daily changes of dressing I made sure I had silver dressings prescribed and I also used Manuka honey to speed the healing process. Don't just mention it at your next appointment...insist!.....

Dave and I have picked up a bug....he is ten days in and on antibiotics......I'm nearly better after just three days on Manuka honey.....oh and the odd hot toddy..... :-)

[ladybirder]

OK Gness. Understood, thank you.
Hope you two are better soon as well.

[ladybirder]

For everyone who suggested silver dressings I was refused this morning and told they are only used on an infected wound and mine is nice and clean and not infected. As I don't know any differently I had to take her word for it.

[TonyV]

OK Ladyb docs know best I guess they are expensive dressings, but would try a manuca honey dressing and oral coconut oil tablets.

[TonyV]

Should have been spelt Manuka

[anneasquith]

Why dies LB need manuka honey dressings ?

[ladybirder]

Tony thank you but they also are used on infected wounds it seems and as I have said mine isn't infected, at present anyway.

[Mamyalynne]

Don't apply honey yourself without checking, it needs to be medicinal grade.

[ladybirder]

Mamya I won't be touching it myself, I can't reach it anyway. I trust the nurses at my doc's surgery and the nurses at the Walk-in Centre, they know far more than me.

[TonyV]

OK Ladyb stick with what qualified meds say and rule out my suggestions then.

[ladybirder]

Probably best Tony but I still appreciate you and others taking the trouble to respond. And if it does get infected I now know the answers:-)

[gness]

Believing that docs know best can leave your wife a widow, Tony.

Just made enquiries with someone well in the know on this subject, LB. You have been given wrong information.....probably to save money....bit like the not preventing bed sores rule that came in some time ago....
If you have a google around you'll read that silver dressings can help to prevent infection as well as reducing pain and preparing a wound for good healing...who wouldn't want that?

Me? Well if I ever have surgery I will insist on silver dressings....but then my trust in UK hospitals doing all they can to prevent infection is very low......x

[TonyV]

Don't think my bookies pay 1st 5 places so one down. Hopefully better luck at Ling-field in the 14.10

[bednobs]

im really intereted - what not preventing bedsores rule? it's been a while since i nursed, but preventing bedsores wa paramount. My local hospital is currently running this campaign :
This is england though, not ireland

[gness]

All my experience is in England, Bednobs.
I have a friend who was a brilliant and most caring nurse..... always went the extra mile.
He was told that he could no longer spend time and money turning and creaming patients to prevent bedsores.....but he could treat any bedsores after they'd appeared. Things may have changed since he nursed......perhaps prevention is again seen to be better. Somehow I doubt it though.