Sikcell: People living with Sickle Cell

We still Hope

Premedicate?

Do anyone pre-medicate? I was told by my Dr. to premedicate myself. It seems a little scary, sometimes I feel like a druggie because I'm taking medicine when I'm not in pain. But it helps especially when I'm going to be out of the house for a long period of time during errands and whatnots or when I exercise. Most of the times I push myself to hard and end up having small crisis at the end of the day. I don't take anything that would make me sleepy, just something over the counter like Tylenol. I know Tylenol can cause liver damage so I definitely limit my usage but do anyone see anything wrong with this?

0 members like this

Comment

You need to be a member of Sikcell: People living with Sickle Cell to add comments!

Join Sikcell: People living with Sickle Cell

Comment by Chasidi Poole on November 24, 2009 at 8:53pm: Not at all! I actually have to premedicate so that my pain level doesn't get to the point where nothing will help. My doctor told me to do this back when I was in high school so I wouldn't have to be in the hospital as much... till this day I still do it especially when I know the weather is about to change drastically.

Comment by Kim Davis on November 23, 2009 at 9:15pm: Hi Trish!

I am new to this blog but like you, I am glad to know that such a place exist ;-)

As for the pre-medication, while I understand the need to do so at times, it is probably not best. I have done it and still do when I need to. I believe that it helps keep me out of the hospital, but that's just me.

Comment by Trish on November 23, 2009 at 3:44pm: Hey Neise and SCW...thanks for you guys post, like I mentioned before I am so glad I finally have access to people like myself who understands and know my pain. I'm so glad I'm not alone, I have my husband, children and extended family but no one really fully understands like you guys....

Much Love
Trish

Comment by Neise on November 23, 2009 at 2:25pm: Hi Trish. I know exactly how you feel. I have to pre-medicate myself also because I know my body. Like you if I know that I am going to be out running errands especially if it is cold outside or if I have a long day I will start to ache. If I pre-medicate myself then most of the time I am able to finish my errands with little pain instead of a full crisis that I would have experienced had I not taken precautions. I know for me, if I wait until I'm in a full crisis to take medication 9 times out of 10 it is too late and the medication will not work. I have to try to head my crisis off so they won't get as bad. This is advice that I received from my hem doctor. Sometimes this works and sometimes no matter what I do I still can't stop a major crisis from happening. But the times that pre-medicating myself helps avoid a major crisis I am very thankful.

Comment by Sickle Cell Warrior on November 22, 2009 at 1:03am: I have heard this too, but I generally don't pre-medicate. The theory behind it is that if you keep a certain level of analgesics in your system, your pain will never spike or peak uncontrollably. But like you said Trish, exposing yourself to high quantities of pain-killers when you might not even have significant pain is just wreaking havoc on your internal organs.

I usually wait to feel pain before I take anything. Sure it takes about 30-45 minutes to kick in, but at least I know then that I'm actually in pain and not just taking pain meds for S&Gs.

Tylenol can cause liver failure, toxicity and even systemic organ failure. It's important to only take the maximum daily recommended dose as it states on the bottle. Please make sure you hydrate anytime you do take any pain meds, because this helps your body to flush out the drugs from your system.