Are painkillers appropriate for stomach pains caused by gastroenteritis?
November 21, 2015 5:19 PM Subscribe
By a stroke of crappy (pun intended) luck, I'm suffering from gastroenteritis for the second time in under a year. I'm taking Vicodin to manage the pain of stomach cramps. I'm going into the second day of taking them and I'm wondering if there's a reason that I shouldn't, or if maybe I don't have gastroenteritis. Money is super tight, so I'm hoping to avoid the doctor. TMI details about symptoms under the cut.
YANMD, but I'd appreciate any insight into if it's worth cancelling Thanksgiving plans so I can afford to see a doctor (I know that if I'm still sick, Thanksgiving won't really matter!) or if it sounds reasonably safe to treat my stomach cramps with Vicodin and see how things go over the next few days.
After my first bout of gastroenteritis, I thought I knew what I was in for and that I would recover after a few days. (Last time it came with horrible, painful vomiting, which I didn't have this time, but my recovery seemed so much swifter.) I've been having diarrhea since Wednesday night, and spent all day Thursday sleeping and keeping hydrated with coconut water and plain water when I could. My crappy thermometer said my temp was at 101.5, so I took two Tylenol and it went down to 99.5 and has stayed around there ever since. I was really exhausted, but wasn't in pain except for a headache that went away when I hydrated more.
Since yesterday, I've been having really painful stomach cramps (like I had to go to the bathroom, but since I hadn't eaten much, there wasn't anything happening there). I took half a Vicodin that I had leftover from something unrelated and within 20 minutes the pain finally subsided and I got some blissful sleep. I was able to have some broth and toast, which was great, because when the cramps weren't happening I felt pretty hungry. I feel guilty taking painkillers for something they weren't prescribed for, but I've been conservative with them so far and they're keeping the pain manageable. They haven't stopped my diarrhea, but I'm not going to the bathroom every 20 minutes in misery so I'm okay with it.
Any thoughts on if this sounds like the stomach flu or something else, or advice or reassurance on recovering? Please be kind, I've been miserable over the past few days and trying to take care of myself during a pretty terrible month—I don't have paid sick time, so I'm already taking a financial hit. (I don't think this is appendicitis, the symptoms don't seem to match. And, I've had my gallbladder out for a few years and didn't have any complications from that, so thank god it's not gallstones...unless they're ghost gallstones.)
YANMD, but I'd appreciate any insight into if it's worth cancelling Thanksgiving plans so I can afford to see a doctor (I know that if I'm still sick, Thanksgiving won't really matter!) or if it sounds reasonably safe to treat my stomach cramps with Vicodin and see how things go over the next few days.
After my first bout of gastroenteritis, I thought I knew what I was in for and that I would recover after a few days. (Last time it came with horrible, painful vomiting, which I didn't have this time, but my recovery seemed so much swifter.) I've been having diarrhea since Wednesday night, and spent all day Thursday sleeping and keeping hydrated with coconut water and plain water when I could. My crappy thermometer said my temp was at 101.5, so I took two Tylenol and it went down to 99.5 and has stayed around there ever since. I was really exhausted, but wasn't in pain except for a headache that went away when I hydrated more.
Since yesterday, I've been having really painful stomach cramps (like I had to go to the bathroom, but since I hadn't eaten much, there wasn't anything happening there). I took half a Vicodin that I had leftover from something unrelated and within 20 minutes the pain finally subsided and I got some blissful sleep. I was able to have some broth and toast, which was great, because when the cramps weren't happening I felt pretty hungry. I feel guilty taking painkillers for something they weren't prescribed for, but I've been conservative with them so far and they're keeping the pain manageable. They haven't stopped my diarrhea, but I'm not going to the bathroom every 20 minutes in misery so I'm okay with it.
Any thoughts on if this sounds like the stomach flu or something else, or advice or reassurance on recovering? Please be kind, I've been miserable over the past few days and trying to take care of myself during a pretty terrible month—I don't have paid sick time, so I'm already taking a financial hit. (I don't think this is appendicitis, the symptoms don't seem to match. And, I've had my gallbladder out for a few years and didn't have any complications from that, so thank god it's not gallstones...unless they're ghost gallstones.)
Best answer: Vicodin and Tylenol both have acetaminophen, so my first concern is that you don't take too much of that. Watch out if you are taking both together. My second concern would be that the hydrocodone in Vicodin is possibly habit forming. I'd try Tylenol alone to see if that works by itself. Tylenol is a pain killer/fever reducer, that's what it's meant to do. Don't feel bad about taking it. Do not take acetaminophen and alcohol together, very bad for the liver. (That includes NyQuil.)
I get bad "stomach cramps" on a regular basis related to digestive issues and follow up from gall bladder surgery, and the thing that works best for me is liquid Tylenol, (and then some ibuprofen if that's working slowly). (Probably not a good idea to mix them, but I've made my choice.) In the US it's marketed for adults as "Tylenol Sore Throat" and comes in a blue, minty flavor. There are other bottles in the same section that also have cold or cough medicine in them; you don't need those. You can also get liquid acetaminophen in the children's section, but you have to do some math to get the dosage right for an adult.
Personally, hydrocodone does nothing for me, as a pain killer or as a habit former. Your mileage may vary.
Finally you might try Imodium or something similar for the diarrhea. Keeping hydrated is the right thing to do. I like Sprite or something fizzy, which I think also helps with the cramping.
/certified pharmacy tech. Ask your pharmacist if you have other questions on how to deal with your symptoms. Hopefully you won't need a doctor. I'm of the opinion that for many of these day-to-day ills, there's not a lot they can do that's better than just waiting it out.
posted by themanwho at 5:44 PM on November 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
I get bad "stomach cramps" on a regular basis related to digestive issues and follow up from gall bladder surgery, and the thing that works best for me is liquid Tylenol, (and then some ibuprofen if that's working slowly). (Probably not a good idea to mix them, but I've made my choice.) In the US it's marketed for adults as "Tylenol Sore Throat" and comes in a blue, minty flavor. There are other bottles in the same section that also have cold or cough medicine in them; you don't need those. You can also get liquid acetaminophen in the children's section, but you have to do some math to get the dosage right for an adult.
Personally, hydrocodone does nothing for me, as a pain killer or as a habit former. Your mileage may vary.
Finally you might try Imodium or something similar for the diarrhea. Keeping hydrated is the right thing to do. I like Sprite or something fizzy, which I think also helps with the cramping.
/certified pharmacy tech. Ask your pharmacist if you have other questions on how to deal with your symptoms. Hopefully you won't need a doctor. I'm of the opinion that for many of these day-to-day ills, there's not a lot they can do that's better than just waiting it out.
posted by themanwho at 5:44 PM on November 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
No, not appropriate. If it hurts enough that you need narcotics, you need a doctor now. Not only that, but narcotics affect your GI functioning. Stop taking them. They are for broken bones, not for stomach bugs, and if you don't have just a stomach bug, why would you want to just treat the symptoms until things get worse?
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:44 PM on November 21, 2015 [27 favorites]
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:44 PM on November 21, 2015 [27 favorites]
Response by poster: I'm trying to answer in good faith but that seems like a "gotcha", could you perhaps elaborate on if you think it sounds like a doctor is worth it based on the details I described?
I clearly said that money is an issue. I already have medical bills that I struggle to pay, taking two sick days was a huge hit, and I wrote this question because I was hoping to get some better understanding of what might make me consider that cost worth it. Feel free to me mail me if you need more details, I don't want to have to threadsit.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 5:44 PM on November 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
I clearly said that money is an issue. I already have medical bills that I struggle to pay, taking two sick days was a huge hit, and I wrote this question because I was hoping to get some better understanding of what might make me consider that cost worth it. Feel free to me mail me if you need more details, I don't want to have to threadsit.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 5:44 PM on November 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
Best answer: And I mean that in the kindest but also stern, like-your-mom, please take care of yourself kind of way.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:45 PM on November 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:45 PM on November 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Sorry, didn't refresh. My reply was to oceanjesse. Stepping back now.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 5:45 PM on November 21, 2015
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 5:45 PM on November 21, 2015
If the pain is severe enough that you are taking narcotics - go to the doctor. I have IBS - so I feel you - but seriously - as a person who has had to manage pain with narcotics - go to the doctor. You may be masking something serious with the Vicodin.
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 5:49 PM on November 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 5:49 PM on November 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
Best answer: I consider whether seeing a doctor is worth it as a separate question here, generally diarrhea is self limited and does not require treatment like antibiotics unless you can't stay hydrated or have other mitigating factors (like bloody diarrhea, or exposure to recent antibiotics, for example). You can get advice for free from the on call doctor for your primary care practice. I'd strongly suggest giving them a call. You don't have to cancel Thanksgiving yet. Most infectious diarrheas will have resolved by the 1 week mark at latest.
As to the answer to your stated question though, narcotics are definitely not meant for gastroenteritis. They're controlled substances and they are addictive, and they have serious side effects. They should be reserved for severe pain such as caused by broken bones or major surgeries or other severely painful conditions. Feel free to Memail me if there's anything else I can help with. I can see you're really stressed about this and I know being sick is the pits. But I have to give you an honest answer to your question.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:54 PM on November 21, 2015 [10 favorites]
As to the answer to your stated question though, narcotics are definitely not meant for gastroenteritis. They're controlled substances and they are addictive, and they have serious side effects. They should be reserved for severe pain such as caused by broken bones or major surgeries or other severely painful conditions. Feel free to Memail me if there's anything else I can help with. I can see you're really stressed about this and I know being sick is the pits. But I have to give you an honest answer to your question.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:54 PM on November 21, 2015 [10 favorites]
Best answer: I have a smidgen of an idea of what you're going through- I have found that my beloved weird garlic sauce from assorted pizza places make me feel like dinner was actually ball bearings and razor blades. Plain old ibuprofen really helps, albeit in much higher doses than for headaches. A couple other things that seemed helpful were boswellia and slippery elm. Boswellia tastes like band-aids, but it really seems to relax my guts when they flare up- for a couple of days, even. I'm fairly certain that my pain/discomfort isn't as bad as I think (and therefore not as bad as yours!) but these could be worth a try- just do a little googling to confirm/avoid interaction trouble. I feel-ish your pains, though- what a goddam distraction!- and I hope the best for you-
posted by JulesER at 7:16 PM on November 21, 2015
posted by JulesER at 7:16 PM on November 21, 2015
Best answer: I suffer from VERY bad gastroenteritis, and I have some painkillers for it, so as to whether painkillers of this type can help alleviate this pain, they can. Mine don't contain any acetaminophen, though, which can make things worse in your intestinal tract in the long term, though.
One of the other things you have to be very careful with on any opiate is that the can really slow down your digestive system. In fact, when you have to take these type of painkillers long-term, you have to either regulate them very specifically or take laxatives to keep things moving, so to speak. So if you're expecting to dose yourself with this stuff every time this happens, you really do need to speak to a physician about your plan of treatment.
posted by xingcat at 7:22 PM on November 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
One of the other things you have to be very careful with on any opiate is that the can really slow down your digestive system. In fact, when you have to take these type of painkillers long-term, you have to either regulate them very specifically or take laxatives to keep things moving, so to speak. So if you're expecting to dose yourself with this stuff every time this happens, you really do need to speak to a physician about your plan of treatment.
posted by xingcat at 7:22 PM on November 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
Plain old ibuprofen really helps, albeit in much higher doses than for headaches.
IANAD, but I'd be very wary of doing this when you have stomach pain; even regular doses of ibuprofen and naproxen can be pretty hard on your stomach and you don't want to cause more irritation or bleeding. The Mayo Clinic recommends plain Tylenol instead for gastroenteritis, but watch the dosage because you've been taking other medication (i.e., Vicodin) that includes acetaminophen.
posted by en forme de poire at 8:29 PM on November 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
IANAD, but I'd be very wary of doing this when you have stomach pain; even regular doses of ibuprofen and naproxen can be pretty hard on your stomach and you don't want to cause more irritation or bleeding. The Mayo Clinic recommends plain Tylenol instead for gastroenteritis, but watch the dosage because you've been taking other medication (i.e., Vicodin) that includes acetaminophen.
posted by en forme de poire at 8:29 PM on November 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
No opiates, no ibuprofen,(on a good day ibuprofen is hard on the stomach.) Take a teaspoon of tabasco sauce when the.cramps come on. I kid you not. The capsicain is an anti inflammatory and it does stop the rolling. Make ginger tea with honey and take it in sips. Remember the BRAT diet, small quantities of banana, rice, apple juice, apple sauce, tea, toast.
posted by Oyéah at 10:22 PM on November 21, 2015
posted by Oyéah at 10:22 PM on November 21, 2015
You aren't treating this issue with painkillers, you're hiding it.
posted by oceanjesse at 12:04 AM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by oceanjesse at 12:04 AM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
When I get bad stomach cramps, I find that a heating pad helps. I get the stick-on kind meant for menstrual cramps. Be sure to apply the stick-on pad over your underpants/pajama pants and not on bare skin!
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 2:22 AM on November 22, 2015
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 2:22 AM on November 22, 2015
Best answer: I generally don't respond to medical questions because I'm not a doctor and many people will tell you anecdotes that say go to a doctor or you're fine or try an alternative remedy. So I don't like to weigh in on stuff like that.
However, I had the EXACT same thing, 2 rounds of nasty stomach virus and it actually did get better for a while, then it didn't, then it did. Then it didn't and it was Vicodin-level pain and I finally went to the doctor.
I had test after test. Specialist after specialist. It was going nowhere and it was insane. AND they gave me painkillers.
Anyway, one time a nurse was in the room and she was checking me in and asked if I had done a stool sample. So I asked the doctor if I could get that done.
I had a parasite. So easily treated.
A few weeks of some pill and I was fine. But if I hadn't done the stool sample, I wouldn't have known.
My point is that no doctor suggested this. Months of stomach and poop problems and nothing because parasites are pretty unusual in the Boston area so they don't test for them.
So. I suggest calling the doctor, explaining the symptoms to the staff, making an appointment and asking if you can also drop a stool sample at the lab.
posted by kinetic at 4:21 AM on November 22, 2015
However, I had the EXACT same thing, 2 rounds of nasty stomach virus and it actually did get better for a while, then it didn't, then it did. Then it didn't and it was Vicodin-level pain and I finally went to the doctor.
I had test after test. Specialist after specialist. It was going nowhere and it was insane. AND they gave me painkillers.
Anyway, one time a nurse was in the room and she was checking me in and asked if I had done a stool sample. So I asked the doctor if I could get that done.
I had a parasite. So easily treated.
A few weeks of some pill and I was fine. But if I hadn't done the stool sample, I wouldn't have known.
My point is that no doctor suggested this. Months of stomach and poop problems and nothing because parasites are pretty unusual in the Boston area so they don't test for them.
So. I suggest calling the doctor, explaining the symptoms to the staff, making an appointment and asking if you can also drop a stool sample at the lab.
posted by kinetic at 4:21 AM on November 22, 2015
The current guideline for Tylenol is no more than 3,000mg/day:
Regular strength 325mg: 2 tablets every 6 hours, max daily dose 8 tablets*
Extra strength 500mg: 2 tablets every 8 hours, max daily dose 6 tablets
If you use the liquid Tylenol that themanwho suggested, read the label carefully to determine dosage.
Bottom line: no more than 3,000mg/day from all sources COMBINED.
*ok, technically 9, but don't just take that extra tablet randomly
posted by shiny blue object at 5:58 AM on November 22, 2015
Regular strength 325mg: 2 tablets every 6 hours, max daily dose 8 tablets*
Extra strength 500mg: 2 tablets every 8 hours, max daily dose 6 tablets
If you use the liquid Tylenol that themanwho suggested, read the label carefully to determine dosage.
Bottom line: no more than 3,000mg/day from all sources COMBINED.
*ok, technically 9, but don't just take that extra tablet randomly
posted by shiny blue object at 5:58 AM on November 22, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks all, especially treehorn+bunny for the kind and thorough responses (as a mefite who goes back much longer than this username, I have been a huge fan for years). I went to the walk-in clinic today rather than take time off work to see my regular doctor and ended up VERY impressed with the clinic (Zoom+ in Wallingford if anyone is in Seattle) and feel like their thorough care was worth the cost. Waiting for the lab results to come back this week and appreciate all the advice.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 3:08 PM on November 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 3:08 PM on November 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
Hope everything works out happily!
posted by oceanjesse at 7:09 PM on November 24, 2015
posted by oceanjesse at 7:09 PM on November 24, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by oceanjesse at 5:33 PM on November 21, 2015 [1 favorite]