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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIn the hospital they are running out of saliene, also morphine and Dulauid
because I am allergic to morphine I had Dulauid and they had to calculate how much I might need before I could get off the liquid pain meds and back to regular pill meds.
It kind of scary that a trauma center is out of strong pain meds.
I understood the saliene was a result of a shortage in Puerto Rico. I didn't ask if the shortage of the liquid pain meds were also a result of the hurricane.
It is pretty scary to think that major hospitals can be out of life saving drugs.
Demtexan
(1,588 posts)Damn.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)loan of necessary supplies from a larger city hospital.
MissB
(15,810 posts)At a major trauma center hospital in Portland Oregon. I wasnt dying - just really sick. The nurse wanted to hook up a second bag but they said no- shortage. I heard them taking quite clearly about it since I was in a bed in the hall in front of the nurses station (busy night; I was grateful for the bed.)
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I thought you might have been at a rural hospital. I hope you get the care you need and I hope you feel better soon!
mountain grammy
(26,623 posts)haven't heard of this happening in Colorado, but of course it's not the kind of news that's reported, unless it happens to a newsperson.
Hope you're feeling better.
oasis
(49,389 posts)pnwmom
(108,980 posts)our IV bags. Or they did before the storm.
C Moon
(12,213 posts)mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)It's ridiculous to think we're running low on friggin SALINE, it's literally Table Salt ... dissolved in Sterile Water FFS!
The opioid 'shortage' is probably just bureaucratic opioid-war bullshit TBH. DEA watching supplies like a hawk, even in hospitals and other surgery facilities, CREATING a 'shortage', which is unconscionable.
BTW, are you SURE you're 'allergic' to Morphine? That's actually very uncommon. What happens to you when you have it?
reflection
(6,286 posts)the side effects have been the same. It is so weird I almost don't expect you to believe me. However, my dad was also given morphine during a recent surgery - before that, he was the kind of guy who hadn't entered a hospital in decades, much less got cut on. They had to restrain him when he was under, he was thrashing around so badly.
What he described was exactly what I experienced, and it was like this - when I was under, it was like watching a film of the most grotesque horror I could imagine, human limbs being twisted, snapping, body parts being pulled through each other, a weird pulsating gory knot of skin, tendons, bone, going inward, outward, replete with shrieking and agony. I'm not a doctor or anything, but I guess it would be called a hallucination or a psychosis or something? My dad begged me not to let them use morphine again. He was terrified. In any event, after my second round with morphine, which was an identical sequel, I always mark that I am "allergic" to it on the relevant form. Can't deal with that any more. Fortunately, Dilaudid is as pleasant to me as morphine is unpleasant.
The strange part is that I can't find a single soul who has that this experience with morphine, outside of my father.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)I have vomited every time it was given to me. Hydrocodone and oxycodone make me sick too. When injured, i usually tough it out with Aleve. No fun.
Mariana
(14,858 posts)If you ask your doctor, he or she might recommend or prescribe something to prevent or relieve the nausea. Mine did, but it was a long time ago and I don't remember what it was.
WillowTree
(5,325 posts)It's the IV bags that deliver it. The majority of the IV bags used in this Country come from a factory or factories in Puerto Rico that were seriously damaged or destroyed in the hurricane.
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)and I will leave it to you to correct the spelling since spell check isn't working obviously
Norbert
(6,040 posts)This year's flu epidemic is one of the worst in some time and will probably be on the uptick for at least the next month before it peaks. Naturally there will be an increase in demand for IV bag usage which will make the shortage even worse.
What is it going to take for these idiots to figure out how irresponsible the trump/GOP cabal are; the death of a child or grandchild or other loved ones? But, of course, Puerto Rico is full of brown people so that makes everything AOK.
mopinko
(70,117 posts)when someone dies. we use a lot of morphine.
they do this bit of the job shaking their heads, knowing what is coming.
Ms. Toad
(34,074 posts)(Although some states exclude controlled substances in their programs)
http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-prescription-drug-return-reuse-and-recycling.aspx
mopinko
(70,117 posts)least of all the morphine, which is often used w a pump.
i get it, but jebuz.
Ms. Toad
(34,074 posts)I had medication that was $125/syringe that I was able to donate. (I could get a month's supply of 2 syringes/day for a single copay, or a week's worth. Because it wasn't clear how long I would need to be on the medication, if I got a week's worth, I faced the prospect of up to 4 specialty drug copays v one.
I tried to work a deal with them to pay one copy, but be able to pick up syringes daily for up to a month - no dice. The insurance company (who had to pay full price for either a month or a day, at the same single copay for me) told me to get a months' worth and donate the rest. #pennywisepoundfoolish
hatrack
(59,587 posts)FarCenter
(19,429 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,068 posts)FarCenter
(19,429 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,068 posts)FarCenter
(19,429 posts)In other words, is it pure H20 and NaCl, or does it contain dissolved minerals, other liquid chemicals and dead organic debris?
You can make ordinary tap water sterile by heating in a pressure cooker for 20 minutes.
hack89
(39,171 posts)http://fortune.com/2015/02/05/theres-a-national-shortage-of-saline/
Ilsa
(61,695 posts)No other minerals. And other minerals can affect the fluid balance that is targeted, and can skew or affect blood lab work.
BumRushDaShow
(129,068 posts)ranges of components.
I don't have access to the USP (which is paid access) but this description describes a regular Saline (NaCl. USP) solution -
https://www.rxlist.com/normal-saline-drug.htm
dembotoz
(16,807 posts)I WAS NOT so close to ease drop, but the patient's voice rose in volume a bit as she discovered she was gonna get screwed due to big pharma....shortage means price goes up....capitalist dream