So I posted that I was given a new pain pill to replace my old marvelous one that made me totally pain free typically in one dose, occasionally two. The new one I got did not work nearly so well. I took the first one at 1 AM, after which I never went back to sleep. It lowered the pain enough to survive, but didn’t get rid of it, at all. However I did feel mentally very on. And this is why:
Side effects
Commonly reported side effects for butalbital include:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Intoxicated feeling
- Light-headedness
- Euphoria
- Addiction
- Severe impairment of judgement
I’d again like to highlight the two that really made Tuesday special: Intoxicated feeling and Euphoria, which translated into a most delightful time spent on the computer and watching TV. Usually if I watch TV for too many hours in a row I start feeling depressed. Many people have thought this quirk insane, but it’s true. However Tuesday I actually commented to myself, “I’m in pain, but I feel great. I could watch TV all day. I could watch TV and write emails ALL DAY!”
The bottle said not to exceed 6 pills in 24 hours. Well in 12 hours I’d had 7 (this could have been the "severe impairment of judgement" side effect kicking in). I was having a very hard time walking straight, speaking coherently, or putting my glasses on without poking my eye out. I called the pharmacist to discuss the dosing.
Me: I just need to know how serious this don’t exceed clause is?
Pharmacist: Quite serious.
Me: But I’ve had the max dose and there are a great many hours till I can go to the doctor tomorrow. When this wears off I’m going to be in serious pain, emergency room pain.
Pharmacist: If you exceed the dosage you will be in the emergency room.
Me: ....
Pharmacist: I suggested you go ahead and go to the emergency room now.
Me: ....I’ve been awake since 1 AM; it has no bearing on anything, I just feel the need to say that.
Pharmacist: I think you should go to the emergency room.
He was very lovely.
Rachel called me on her way home from work and I broke the news that I might need her to take me to the emergency room. It should be stated that it was also Jared (her husband’s) birthday. She, without hesitation, agreed. They are both very, very good roommates!
We chose an urgent care place over an emergency room. I think it was a good call. I took my old empty bottle of pills that used to work and my new full bottle of pills that didn’t work, at least not in the way I needed them to.
Nurse: This old medicine was for stomach pain, ulcers, etc. This new one is for headaches and it has caffeine.
Me (light dawning): I’ve been awake since 1 AM.
Nurse: I don’t want to speak badly about another doctor...but...
Me: I’ve been awake since 1 AM
(I’ve never fully understood why you have to tell your story twice. Once to the nurse who you think is maybe the doc, and who after you’ve poured out your heart and feel somewhat connected to, says, “Okay, the doctor will be in in a few.” Then you have to tell it all over again. I’m usual tired the second go round and leave stuff out.)
Doctor: So what’s going on with you?
Me: My stomach hurts and I’ve been awake since 1 AM.
Doctor: This medicine is for headaches and it has caffeine.
Me: I know.
Doctor: I don’t want to speak badly about another doctor...but...
Me: I know.
Doctor: Here is a prescription for a pain pill that’s actually for your stomach.
Me: I’m so tired.
Doctor (patting me on the knee): This will help.
And it did. The new, new drug works WAY better; but I must be honest, while I don’t miss the pain or insomnia, I do miss the euphoria; that was nice.
p.s. I will be making an appointment with a GI doctor very soon...and I promise not to blog about it.
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