Is this even possible?

[shinieshoes]

I have been clean for 2 years after a 7 year stint with tramadol and norco. On Tuesday I had 3 teeth surgically extracted. I gave my husband the pills so he could dole them out to me. The dentist gave me demerol 50mg 1 to 2 every 4 hours. Ive never taken demerol before and I have tried not to take them but my God it hurts! My face is huge and it looks like I got punched in both eyes...I have been taking 1 every 6 hours along with Motrin 800. Anyways, I have noticed the depression I used to get kicking in. Is that even possible? Just from a few pills? Can my mind really relapse that fast? It took months for my brain to reset and get my energy back and get past the depression. Has anyone else dealt with this? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[shinieshoes]

He knows about the about all the meds I'm on. Allergy, wellbutrin, birth control, etc. I don't believe I'm having an allergic reaction. I called the dentist and he said the swollen lips just come with the procedure. Usually for me if I'm allergic it comes with crazy itchiness. He said take some benadryl and see if that makes a difference. I'm going to flush the demerol as soon as hubby gets home though. Thanks for all the responses! And thank you for your concern clean!  I should have told the surgeon about my addiction. I was just scared of the pain. I didn't want him to not give me anything because of my addiction. Also it's kind of hard to take care of a 6 month old that keeps headbutting you in the face. I can deal with most other pain but mouth pain is the worst. All just excuses I know but they sounded valid at the time.

[Merri12]

Ok i had 3 teeth dug out of my jaw and they gave me a avript for Tylenol 3. I alternated that with 2 Motin to control the pain. Granted i was not happy the next day but after that i was fine. I have never heard of Demerol given for teeth stuff. Insane. Norco doesn't work for teeth pain of sny kind. You should be able to manage on the Motrin ali e soon. Get rid of the Demerol!!!

[clean_in_ks]

By your dentist not knowing you are an addict....and not knowing you are on Wellbutrin....he/she wasn't given the opportunity to make an informed all inclusive decision about what to give you.  There are interactions with Demerol and AD's.....as mentioned in my first post to you.  

[clean_in_ks]

My main point was that you "may" be having an allergic reaction to the Demerol.  

Not telling your dr or dentist you are an addict is your choice....not one I would choose for myself, but still your choice.  I feel the more knowledge my dr's and dentists have about me......the better equipped they will be to assist and help me.  

[shinieshoes]

Thank you for the quick responses.  Clean... No I didn't tell him about my addiction history. I figured since my hubby would be in control of them there was no need. I have told drs about it before and they treated me differently afterwords even though I was on the pain meds for pain until it elevated to needing them to feel normal. I am taking welbutrin right now to quit smoking. I tried the chantix it made my whole body hurt. I know that welbutrin is mainly for depression and smoking cessation is an off label use. It's helping with the smoking though! I absolutely hate muscle relaxers so no none of those or any benzos. I didn't know that demerol had those side effects. That would probably explain why my lips are huge and puffy. I didn't ask why the demerol and not the normal norco I get after past surgeries. He just gave my hubby  all the scripts penicillin, phenergin, Motrin and demerol. The only upside to the demerol is that it doesn't give me the euphoric feeling.  Even though I did okay in past surgeries with the norco it still sent my mind back to the wow I remember this feeling. It feels nice! So I'm trying to avoid that particular mind screw. So no I don't really want to call and ask for a different one. I think my best bet is to just have the hubby flush them and I'll deal with it. I have been using ice on both sides and rising every 2 hours. That helps short term at least. Im in counseling!  Thanks y'all!

[clean_in_ks]

First...sorry you are hurting and miserable from your extractions.  
Second....congrats on 2 yrs clean and having your hubby dole out your pills
Third.....it's not the depression that I'd be concerned about were I in your shoes (shinie shoes...hahaha)

So, I'll throw out some questions and observations, ok?

Does your dentist know you are an addict?  Is it noted as such on your chart?
Are you taking other medications right now like an antidepressant, benzo or muscle relaxer?

Demerol seems a strange med to put you on....it can interact with other meds in a way that other pain medications won't/don't.  You have been on hydrocodone post surgery with no problems before, right?....any reason you weren't given that along with the 800 mg ibuprofen?

Did you know that one of the "possible", while unusual, side effects of demerol is puffiness and/or swelling of the eyelids, eyes, face, lips or tongue?

I'd suggest calling your dental surgeon ASAP.....and get your pain med changed to something else....as well as keeping your head elevated, icing when you can and taking the 800 mg ibuprofen as often as allowed.

As addicts.....we never get the privilege of becoming "un-addicted"....brain chemistry-wise.....so be careful here.....your history of addiction started at age 10 if I remember right.....and some after care to keep those "thoughts" in check would help you a lot once you start feeling better~

[msdelight]

I have not had this particular experience, but I can tell you that the addict brain never forgets! Also, although Im sure you are in quite a bit of pain, Demerol seems like overkill to me. Perhaps you could ask your dentist for something less strong and more appropriate. Does he know about your issues from the past? I would stop the Demerol if it were me, its a nasty drug and it makes you nauseous. Call and see if you can get something else. Rinse constantly with warm salt water to ease the pain and swelling and promote healing. Hope you feel better soon!

[tooter212]

Congrats on your 2 years. Yes I think it can. There are times when pain pills are needed but I wouldn't take more than prescribed and as short of time as possible. All of these things are mind altering and can be very depressing, I know it affects me the same way. Pray you get relief from your pain soon