Codeine and itching

[YourMajesty]

My poor DS(5) is now 5 days post tonsil and adenoid removal and sitll in pain. He is taking hydrocodone with tylenol and it's making him itch. Anyone out there have this problem with the codeine family of meds? I've reduced his amount and added a small dose of benedryl but I feel bad that his throat is so sore. Any ideas for me to try?

 

[monami7]

I always itch when I have taken codine. As an adult I have just weighed what was worse to me the pain or the itch. As your DS is only 5 I would definitly talk to the doctor. They may have something that will not have the side effect.

 

[becobscot]

Codeine makes me itch also. I feel bad for your DS! Maybe Children's Advil(with your Dr.'s permission) might help.

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

Yes, it happens the most when I am trying to sleep. Another thing is when I have taken a lot many days in a row (like after having a baby...) I started getting some pretty wierd dreams that almost made me feel like I was hallucinating (like all my teeth falling out!). Just something else to watch out for or ask him about...

 

[phyllis1966]

Makes me itchy, too - especially while I'm trying to sleep (it's in my cough medicine). I just take a bit less and it's not as bad, but I'd ask the doctor about your son since he's so young.

 

[lemondog]

I itch when I take it too, especially my nose area! The doctor said this was a pretty typical reaction. Mine is not so bad I can't sleep or anything, but if it really bothers him maybe Benadryl would help?

 

[YourMajesty]

Yes, it happens the most when I am trying to sleep. Another thing is when I have taken a lot many days in a row (like after having a baby...) I started getting some pretty wierd dreams that almost made me feel like I was hallucinating (like all my teeth falling out!). Just something else to watch out for or ask him about...

DS started itching around day 3. I think he might be having some sleep issues too...like profuse sweating and bad dreams. I did cut his dose back and that seems to help. I mix it with a small amout of benedryl. It amazes me that most drugs that are supposed to make you sleepy do NOT have that effect on my kids; however, when I ask around I find that others have similar problems. How I wish he was bouncing back faster and not in pain.
I have talked to the Dr and he suggested the benedryl too; however, there is nothing like tips from the "real world"....makes me feel less clueless.

Today I'm thinking that maybe I should take him back to the Dr (even thought it's a week early) just to make sure....I'm just in that doubting stage.
It's a long weekend coming up!

 

[boo's mom]

yep. I took hydracodone when I had my wisdom teeth taken out. Started itching an hour after taking the first dose.

 

[Blondie]

If a medication is making you itch, you should stop taking it.

Call the surgeon and see what they recommend. He should be switched to something else.

When my then 3 y.o. had his T&A, he wasn't given anything for pain to be taken when he was discharged home, and the funny thing is, he didn't seem to need it either!

 

[jx3smom]

Makes me itch, too. No rash or anything, just an annoying itch which is way better than the pain.

 

[lemondog]

I was told the itching was not a true allergic reaction, just a side effect many people have to narcotics. I also get the itching from morphine and demerol.

Sometimes codeine has the opposite effect on me too, making me wiggy instead of relaxed. I had bronchitis really bad this winter and I had to switch to regular Delsym cough syrup because the codeine cough syrup was keeping me up all night!

 

[YourMajesty]

If a medication is making you itch, you should stop taking it.

Call the surgeon and see what they recommend. He should be switched to something else.

When my then 3 y.o. had his T&A, he wasn't given anything for pain to be taken when he was discharged home, and the funny thing is, he didn't seem to need it either!

I envy those that have a T&A with no pain, but it's good to hear some do not have it. DH spoke with co-worker and his DD never complained of a sore throat once after her surgery. It makes me very sad that DS is in pain...would not wish it on any child. He woke up in pain and has never been without it. He can hardly talk or swallow. We are surprised because he never complains about anything.

 

[Dodie]

I cannot take codeine (even Tylenol III which is Tylenol with Codeine). It makes me itch like crazy. And it makes me "wired." I can't sleep. For me, the reaction is worse than the pain.

I always tell doctors that I am allergic to Codeine so they don't inadvertantly give it to me in any form.

 

[YourMajesty]

I cannot take codeine (even Tylenol III which is Tylenol with Codeine). It makes me itch like crazy. For me, the reaction is worse than the pain.

I always tell doctors that I am allergic to Codeine so they don't inadvertantly give it to me in any form.

Dodie,

Just wandering what they give to you instead of codiene? Seems like all the choices for pain medicine are some form of codeine.

 

[Never2Old4Disney]

Yup I get this too but only if I take too many in a short period of time. A few months ago I had an infected wisdom tooth that needed the infection cleared up before they could pull it so they gave me hydrocodone for the pain. One night it was so bad I think I took about 4 in 3-5 hours. I was itching SOO bad... Morphine does this to me as well, after I had stomach surgery a couple years ago, I was on a morphine drip. I told the nurse it felt like bugs were hatching in my legs they itched so bad... But it was that or be in pain. Guess which one I went with.. LOL

 

[720L]

My daughter had pain for about a week after surgery. She acted really strange when taking tylenol w codeine so after the 2nd day I think I just gave her motrin? I can't remember maybe it was a diff pain med from the dr. She had bad pain (crying when meds wore off) for about a week I would say. Call dr for alternatives. good luck.

 

[lemondog]

Dodie,

Just wandering what they give to you instead of codiene? Seems like all the choices for pain medicine are some form of codeine.

Well, mepergan/meperidine is demerol, not codeine. It might make you itch, but it's worth a shot and IMO works a heck of a lot better than codeine at helping the pain. However, it practically puts me in a coma it is so strong so I don't take it unless I absolutely must.

 

[YourMajesty]

Well, mepergan/meperidine is demerol, not codeine. It might make you itch, but it's worth a shot and IMO works a heck of a lot better than codeine at helping the pain. However, it practically puts me in a coma it is so strong so I don't take it unless I absolutely must.

I forgot about the demerol/mepergan. I took that in pill form after my c/section. DS did have a IM shot of demorol during surgery. I guess if he wakes up screaming again I could ask about a liquid form. Hopefully he is rounding the corner. He seemed to tolerate the pain better today... we will see how the pm goes.