April 21, 2009 - 1:02pm
Here's one for you...Wanting to avoid the long wait times and jail-like atmosphere of the waiting room at the local county hospital's ER, I decided to travel an extra 20 miles to the newest hospital in town the other day when I had a "thunderclap" headache accompanied by partial loss of vision in one eye.
At triage I informed the nurse I was prescribed Klonopin, Morphine ER and Dilaudid for "breakthrough" pain daily.
I was immediately taken to the "fast track" area, which is nothing more than a single large room with a bunch of easy chairs seperated by curtains. After talking to the M.D. for about .0002 of a second, a nurse came in to get an IV going. I could barely keep my eyes open due to the pain from my headache, but after starting the saline, I noticed the nurse slamming the plunger down on a turkey baster size syringe, staight into the IV access point. By the time I asked what the ???$* she was pumping into my vein, she answered "dilaudid, it's really good for pain." When I asked at what dose, she answered 10mg. At first I thought she was mistaken, since she emptied the syringe in about 45 seconds...but all doubts vanished when I felt the weight of 10 elephants stacked on my chest and a noose closing around my throat.
THE KICKER: I wasn't hooked up to any monitoring equipment whatsoever, and the nurse ran out of the area and pulled the curtain shut behind her as she went. I felt strongly that I had been overdosed, and was on the edge of conciousness when some idiot came to take me for a CT scan. I kept insisting he check my vitals, but was reassured that "it's a common reaction." This answer coming from some 18 year old orderly infuriated me. I literally felt like the hands of god were squeezing the air from my my lungs, and holding them closed. By some devine intervention (or perhaps narcotic tolerance,) I made it thorugh the CT scan, and was blasted out of my mind for the next hour or so.
To make a long story short, I had been administered 10mg IV dilaudid over the course of about 45-50 seconds, and wasn't hooked up to any monitors (i.e. blood pressure, pulse, O2 sat, etc.) at all. I obviously made it through, but the lack of dilligence on the part of the nursing staff was sickening (literally.) I'm really surprised I didn't go out on my face...Kinda sorry I didn't; might have had grounds for a lawsuit. 
April 21, 2009 - 3:25pm
#2
No,...
I spent all that time making that story up to amuse you.
It was the first headache I've ever had in my life, accompanied by partial loss of vision in my right eye. Do I have your permission to visit the ER the next time I think I might be having a stroke?
Yes, I'm dead serious...
April 21, 2009 - 5:24pm
#3
It is not unheard of for
It is not unheard of for folks with headaches to visit the ER. As a matter of fact seems like some folks who suffer from migraines, as well as cluster headaches, can only get relief there. Though it does strike me as odd that an ER would be so quick to give Dilaudid for pain. As most of us know Morphine is the gold standard in the ER.
April 21, 2009 - 5:23pm
#4
Yeah man, that's straight up
Yeah man, that's straight up wrong. When I read this at first I was blown away, lawsuit? For real. But seriously, without doubt you should take this up with the senior people at the hospital if not ppl even higher up.
April 21, 2009 - 6:37pm
#5
I don't see anything wrong
I don't see anything wrong with going to the ER for a Migraine. I know this might sound dumb and over the top to some people but I had a Migraine so bad 2 yrs ago on the 4th of July that I had to call an Ambulance because my family was out of state and there was no way I could drive. First thing they did was give me Dilaudid through my IV. I slept for about 4 hours and they gave me an Rx and sent me home. I haven't had another one since. (Thank God.)
"Jail-like atmosphere." hahaha....That's a good one!
Glad you made it through.........KK
April 21, 2009 - 8:00pm
#6
I assume I wasn't given morphine...
because I'd been taking morphine all day long. I'd also just taken dilaudid oral about 2 hours prior to the injection. I made the staff fully aware of this, by the way.
Now, I know of a product called Dilaudid HP, which is 10mg hydromorphone (ampule) which is ONLY for opiate/ opioid tolerant individuals- but I always thought it was for intra-muscular injection, not IV
April 21, 2009 - 10:58pm
#7
Feliks- I am given Dilaudid
Feliks- I am given Dilaudid via IV almost every time I go into the ER for my pain. It's about the only thing that helps when I am in significant pain there. Last time I went to the ER, prior to having the doctors for admitted patients treat me, the ER doctor there was giving me 4mg of Dilaudid every 2hrs as needed for pain. The first dose he gave me was 6mg via IV. It was definitely helping with my kidney stone pain. You know what happened from there.
I definitely think you were given too much if you were feeling that way. I honestly think they should have taken a more thorough history of you and asked you your feelings about taking that much Dilaudid prior to them giving that much to you. I am a firm believer that doctors should always ask you your thoughts or if you're okay with a particular medication prior to giving it to you. I personally have stopped doctors from giving me the wrong medications or too much of a medication on numerous times. I'm not saying that we should be able to walk into an ER and say "I want this" or "I want that" but I certainly think we should be able to say I only want to start with half that dose for now and work my way up. Or even ask if what they are going to give us can be increased if it isn't working. I like doctors who include me in their care of myself.
As for going to the ER for migraines I certainly think it's appropriate. I've had migraines so bad that I would have rather had a knife stabbed into my leg and broken off in there bleeding out than have a migraine that bad again. Prior to having kidney stones I would have said migraines were the worst thing ever. Now I'm not sure. They're kind of tied. Honestly a true migraine can be worse than any pain out there. As long as people go to the ER for knife wounds, bullet wounds, etc. I think going to the ER for migraines is justified because they pain is about the same IMO...at least the ones I get. I've heard that one of the reasons people vomit sometimes when they get migraines (myself included) is because the pain is so bad. Someone can correct me on that if I'm wrong but I'll believe it until I hear otherwise.
April 22, 2009 - 12:01am
#8
INTERESTING STORY
WHAT DID THE DR THINK WAS THE CAUSE OF THE THUNDERCLAP HEADACHE
YOU DID NT FORGET TO PULL YOUR HEAD INTO CAR BEFORE SHUTTING THE DOOR DID YOU, JUST KIDDING, BESIDES THEM FORGETTING TO HOOK UP THE POWERTRAIN COMPUTER, WAS THE NEW HOSPITAL STAFF BETTER SERVICE, LIKE NEXT TIME WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE THE NEW OR THE COUNTY, THE NEXT TIME IT MIGHT BE YOUR APPENDIX BURSTING AN THEY TAKE OUT YOUR GIZZARD, I THOUGHT THEY GIVE TORADOL FOR MIGRAINES, HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT FELIK, PLEASE READ MY THREAD ON STABBING EYE PAIN, AN YOU CAN POKE SOME FUN AT ME
April 22, 2009 - 12:09am
#9
Kelly-
thanks for your input, it's always valued. Thanks for all of the responses.
Seems like the topic went quickly from high dose dilaudid through IV over 45 seconds to going to ER for a headache. This was not an "infusion," nor was it a drip. Hospital staff might as well shot me up with a gram of heroin.
Let it be known, I have a history of hypertension, and when I the worst headache of my life accompanied by loss of vision in one eye, I'm thinking STROKE. That's why I went to the ER, in addition to the severe pain.
I have no reason to visit the ER simply for "pain relief," I have so many CII narcotics lying around I could supply an Army medical corps. 
April 22, 2009 - 2:04pm
#10
I have a history of kidney
I have a history of kidney stones and the last bout I had (over a year ago), when I got to the E/R, they took me right back and hooked up an I.V. and gave me Dialudid. It was the first time I had ever had it (usually they give me demerol) and I too thought I was going to O.D. It took the pain away but left me with such anxiety that was unbearable. Thankfully, I was hooked up to monitors and the docs & nurses assured me I would be fine.
They sent me home w/ a script for Dialudid and I never did take them again. I called my urologist and he prescribed Vicodin until I had my surgery, and they were much more tolerable.
April 22, 2009 - 3:43pm
#11
er
if you have ever had a migraine you would know why he went to the E.R.
April 22, 2009 - 8:20pm
#12
Medical professionals
Medical professionals diagnosed me with Migraines in 99. Since then I had been pretty under dosed for pain. Lately I have been doing the 7+, and more, on the pain scale for my head since early November of last year. Just recently I was diagnosed with Miyo Fascial Pain Syndrome instead of Migraines which makes more sense.
We all suffer from pain some where in our bodies; otherwise we wouldn't be here. I never went to an ER for headpain, just Urgent Cares. And sometimes they could be pretty Micky Mouse in treating my pain, don't want to give me what I need even though I know my body better than anyone and know what works best for me. And for giving the OP 10mg of IV Dilaudid is without knowing tolerance is silly and beyond dangerous.
April 23, 2009 - 12:04am
#13
Hard to believe, but...
apparently, 10mg of IV dilaudid is apparently equiv. to nearly 100mg morphine...pushed over about 45-50 seconds.
No wonder I fet like I'd been hit by a train...
October 29, 2009 - 11:10pm
#14
ER visits for migraines
I get migraine headaches 5-6 days a week and they can last from 12 hours to days to weeks - if I don't get medical intervention. Along with my migraines I vomit continuously - I'm talking every 10-15 minutes - for days. Even when there is nothing left to come up, I dry heave to the point of passing out from dehydration. I've been to doctors all over the US and no one can come up with an answer. Preventative medications do not seem to work - especially since I'm throwing up so much - I can't keep them down.
I was reading everyone's post about ER visits and IV dilaudid. Last year I went to the ER an unbelievable 83 times. This does not include visits that turned into hospital stays lasting days or weeks. I received IV dilaudid almost every time I went. The dosage that works for me varies, and depends greatly on which Dr. I get. Many Drs are reluctant to give IV dilaudid so often. In my experience, most give 1 mg at a time, or 2 mg max. Drs that know my and my situation are more understanding and knowledgeable about my case usually give me 4 mgs to start, and repeat a 4mg dose 45-60 mins later. 10 mgs at once seems like an awful lot to me for someone who is not opioid tolerant. But that is the main point - tolerance. I have gotten upwards of 15 mgs in one swift IV push from 1 syringe. It all depends on the person and if they can take it. However it is important to state that while a 2mg dose may not effect a person one day, another day it could floor them or potentially seriously harm or kill them.
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) can have extreme effects on the heart and resp. system. Every time you take Dilaudid you are risking having a problem, as with any drug.
What I really wanted to say in my post is that Migraines and headaches are legitimate reasons for a person to visit an emergency room - especially as noted in previous posts, headaches are symptoms and signs of stroke and anyurisms. It's just very sad that drug seeking individuals use "headaches" as a way to obtain pain medications and therefore Drs become suspicious of patients who come in with headaches. I cannot tell you how many times I was accused of being an addict - I mean, 80+ visits in 1 year is ridiculous! I'm the first to admit that. In trying to escape the ER, I had a semi-permanent IV catheter inserted in my arm (a PICC line) as well as a permanent port in my chest in order to administer IV opioids and analgesics at home. That helped for awhile, until the lines became infected.
Anyways, one final point I wanted to make was for headache sufferers to not give up hope. I'm still hopeful there is an answer out there and I'll find it sooner rather than later. For those of you battling with narcotics for pain, I have found a miracle drug that works great for me. Best thing is, it's not a pill or injection. It is a buccal tablet which means it dissolves in your cheek. You just put it in your mouth, up between your gums and cheek - it dissolves away and takes most of my pain with it. It's great bc I can take it even when I'm nauseated. It's a fentanyl drug called Fentora. It's extremely expensive - for my its $5200 a month, but with my insurance I pay $150 a month - which is much less when compared to ER bills. Plus, I haven't been to the ER in over 5 months - I've only had to go a few times last year, and it was mostly for nausea meds and did not receive pain meds every time.
I hope this post helps and educates some people. I am not a Dr and need to say everyone's body is different. Because 1 drug works for me, it may not work for you, and vice a versa.
Good luck to all migraine sufferers. Don't give up!! I wish you the best :)
October 29, 2009 - 11:14pm
#15
I just wanted to add that in
I just wanted to add that in my experience, as well as the experiences of many people I know, when given IV dilaudid, I almost always feel like my chest is caving in - like a great pressure. It only lasts 30 seconds or so and is more intense with the higher the dosage. I also get flushed and sometimes sleepy. Many get nauseated. So that feeling of getting hit by a train I would say is comparable to what I've felt. However, it's never bad or wrong for you to mention any side effects you feel to a nurse - it's better to tell them everything than to leave something out that may be important. If you have a gut feeling something is wrong, demand to speak to a Dr. Don't worry what a nurse may think of you - It's YOUR HEALTH and YOUR LIFE. You have the right to know what is going on with your body.
October 30, 2009 - 4:33am
#16
you
could have sat in a waiting room with no medicine at all for an hr. but yes that is how do you say malpractice. ur respiratory could have plumeted and so would u. glad it worked out tho.
October 30, 2009 - 10:48pm
#17
dilaudid given to fast in my granddaughters iv
I recently took my 18 year old granddaughter to the ER and she was dilaudid in her iv . The nurse gave it to her to quickly and within a couple of seconds she was non-responsive and did not respond for about 5 to 10 minutes. I myself being a nurse knows that you have to give it slowly. MY granddaughter has no memory of what happen. And now she is having some vision problems. When the nurse gave it to her my granddaughters eyes stayed open and it really scared us we thought she was going to die but thank the lord she came out of it.
October 30, 2009 - 11:40pm
#18
Over here you would not get
Over here you would not get so much as a paracetomol or aspirin if you come to ER with head pain. A cat scan would generally have to be performed before you got any opioid analgesia , normally they try to sedate you first. They wont give opiates for head pain because of the risk of exacrerbating any intrcranil pressure that my exist ( and so the Cat scan to confirm/negate ) . Also apart from migraines they're are a few bacteria and viruses that cause excruciating head pain, but from what I have seen in some cases some doctors are jus't so lazy and or incompetent that they see sedation as the quickest and easiest way to deal with head pain, and don't even bother sending a lot of patients for Cat scanning. However if you are in an expensive private health care scheme with they usually shower you with prescriptions on the way out and claim they gave you about 30 different medications while you where there. Of course that's not the case all the time , but their attitude to diladuid is that it is generally only foor anasthesia. Alot of them think codiene is a strong opiate. If you could bottle pain and suffering and give some of those doctor's a full hours dose of ll it's manifesttions I am sure they're attitude would change.
October 30, 2009 - 11:48pm
#19
Do you not get I.V. Stemetil
Do you not get I.V. Stemetil or Stelazine to help you stop vomiting and help with your nausea ??
October 31, 2009 - 2:14pm
#20
Old thread
...I was the O.P. on this thread and it's funny it showed back up. Milo, you made a good point about raising intracranial pressure. Within minutes or the injection, I was getting wheeled into the CT room by some moron orderly who wouldn't listen to me when I was trying to tell him I thought I'd been overdosed. I had I.V.'s in my arm or I woulkd have knocked his arrogant teeth out.
Opiates don't cause me any nausea at all.
For anybody who DOES choose to go the the E.R. for a headache, make sure it's very severe. And to those who fake headaches in the E.R. to get strong pain medicine...be careful what you wish for...
I thought I was having a stroke; that's why I went. At the time I went I had a signficant tolerance to opiates, but 10mg pushed in under one minute seems quite alot. The product I received turned out to be dilaudid HP, and is for use in ONLY opioid tolerant individuals. I know the dose/ injection rate would have put your average joe out cold.
October 31, 2009 - 9:08pm
#21
Good bit of clarification, Saturated.
It's funny how old posts show up like this. I've only had one E.R. experience . . . it was definitely enlightening. Does anybody remember W's comment on Health Care for the uninsured? He said "Well, they can go to the Emergency Room, can't they?". Yes, "they" can, and that'll sure learn 'em not to have stratospherically priced Health Insurance, now won't it?
Q
November 17, 2009 - 1:30am
#22
My migrianes, I never really
My migrianes, I never really considered to go to the ER. I've just dealt with them. and I'm not speaking of the cluster or normal headache, I mean the ones where you get clouds to the left of your eyes, your hand get and tingly and numb. Then about 20 minutes you lose it and there is only one thing that helps me. Lay down, no noise, take some tylnol. And go to bed. I always have warning signs before they hit. Last one I hade was 2 and a half yrs ago while working and I had to tell the manager. I knew one was coming on. So he let me go. I hope everything works out for the OP.
November 17, 2009 - 11:37am
#23
How come
RyanPoz's post about this site being B.S. was deleted? Maybe someone should have been permitted to chat with him about his feelings?
November 17, 2009 - 6:35pm
#24
I have his email address if
I have his email address if you want to chat with him. He gave it to me during his tantrum of changing all his posts to "deleted this site is bull." He told me he was done with this site and would not be back. I dont think there was any changing his mind. He was upset a thread of his was removed, and I tried to tell him it had nothing to do with him but he would not listen. Personally I was annoyed at him jumping ship the way he did, and wasting all of our time. I thought he was very intelligent and had a lot to offer this forum. Who knows, he may have been having a bad day and will ask to come back.
November 17, 2009 - 6:42pm
#25
please message
someone about your problems. a thread where insults are thrown back and forth is not what this board is about...i post on forums like that and i do not care much for getting insulted..
November 17, 2009 - 7:00pm
#26
Can you be more specific
Can you be more specific Goat? Im not sure what exactly you are saying and to whom.
November 17, 2009 - 7:10pm
#27
if anyone has
a problem please message a mod and things will be taken care of...improper posts..improper posters. anyone/anytime..if it's late I know TP is up early to check things out..i am up at odd hours..let someone fix it without posting a complaint..please
November 17, 2009 - 7:20pm
#28
Oh, ok, I know what you are
Oh, ok, I know what you are talking about, I thought you were talking about the thread that Kirby removed. I was thinking, I didnt really say anything back, I was the one being talked about. I meant no harm to RyanPoz, it was just clear he didnt want to be here, and I was annoyed at him wasting our time. Either way, I get what you are saying. You must admit Ive gotten better at holding my tongue, especially in the thread Kirby removed, I kept quiet instead of really letting the poster have it like I wanted to. Enjoy your evening Goat, and you are right, TP is up at odd hours!
November 17, 2009 - 7:27pm
#29
Ah ha !
Saturated, whats up man...
Took a minute for the light bulb to go off, but I knew the tone of your posts sounded familiar ;)
November 18, 2009 - 3:41pm
#30
hah.
How are you Med Head?
The tone of my posts, huh? heheh. Yes, I came back to the board using a different name. Funny you could see the same obnoxious attitude.
Hope you're doing alright.
You went to the ER for headaches? this isnt the same xray in the parking lot story right lolololol? I only ask because if this is true this is VERY serious and write a letter to the hospital.