Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction brought on by pain meds and might have to have a c-section....HELP!

[Lizbarone]

I am hoping someone can lend some good advice regarding sphincter of oddi dysfunction.  I had to have my gall bladder removed in February of 2007 after the birth of my son.  After the surgery, anytime I had to take an opiate based pain medication or even an over-the-counter cough syrup, I would get horrible pain attacks (they were even worse than the gall bladder pain!).  After ruling out other things, I was recently diagnosed with SOD.  For the most part, I have been able to avoid a pain attack simply by not taking these types of medications.  I sometimes get a milder attack after a very rich meal, but my severe pain attacks only seem to occur with the pain meds.  
Here is where I need help:  I am currently 6 1/2 months pregnant and since I had a c-section with my first child, I have a high chance of having one with my 2nd.  I remember how painful the first one was and I am terrified about managing my pain if I have to have another c-section.  I can't imagine having a pain attack after a c-section!  I know I'm going to have to have other surgeries as I get older too and I need to know what people like me do!  Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone been in a similar situation?  My OB is considering an extended epidural, but this will prolong my recovery and I was hoping there might be another option too.
Also, does anyone know of a specialist in the Los Angeles area?
Thank you for any advice!!!  

[erin121305]

After my hysterectomy I was given another epideral to get me out of pain.  It worked great but the only thing was having t o stay in bed a bit longer because of catheter.  They then gave me a morphine pump that worked great because with just the epidermal I started to have withdrawal because of all the meds I was on before surgery.  So the epideral was great! I would just make sure they are still continuing with meds during and then rate your pain once removed.  For me the morphine or shots of dilauded worked best.

[rsn2525]

   Ive had chronic pancreatitis for 25 years and SOD for the last 2. You are indeed correct that some narcotics can cause episodes of SOD to flare. I really sympathize with you because the pain from both SOD and pancreatic inflammation is awful. Through my experience and that of others ive spoken with it is usualy the morphine type pain meds that are more likely to give you trouble. I am hospitalized a couple times a year and years back I was given 1st given dilaudid then morphine and both made it much worse. After many hours of extreme pain I was given meperidine (Demerol) and it worked very well. After I was stabilized I was given a  Fentanyl  patch(25 mcg/hr) which also worked. So there are alternatives to what you were given that made it worse.

[HyE_jO0]

Personally, I've been diagnosed with a mild form of SOD.  I've never heard of it being brought on upon by use of narcotics.  However, I have been told and have read articles on how pain medication can actually cause pain.  How well do NSAIDs work?  Have you ever tried high doses of Acetaminophen?  I've read articles on how some people were allergic or tolerant of Narcotics and yet were able to cope through recovery with medications without opiates.   Just a suggestion!

~HJ-K