TORADOL (ketorolac) linked to Recurrence Prevention

well I have a hematoma on my right side non cancer side may need to go back into surgery my hemoglobin is also low at 8 May need a transfusion

Oh gosh Stephmoen - I'm praying for you to feel better quickly!

Stephmoen, I'm so sorry you had such a rough night with pain, and that you are dealing with a hematoma and low hemoglobin. Wish I could help you out in some way, and I really hope I didn't HURT you by jumping on the anti-opiate bandwagon. Hope things start going better for you VERY soon.

For anyone worried about opioids, Sassy is absolutely right, pain management is the number one priority. Opioids are a mixed bag, and there seems to be a movement to minimize them. But in providing pain relief they provide a large benefit. If using them is all that work, your body is still coming out ahead by avoiding the effects of pain. As Sassy mentioned, it's dose dependent, as well. So, low doses of opioids, switched up with other pain relievers aren't going to be harmful.

yes I'm doing ok now on norco hading pain my drs do say toradolay have played a role but not to dwell on it I will be honest getting through this without opiods is very difficult I am avoiding morphine because that's what must studies are based on but I do need pain meds hemoglobin is at 7.7 hoping it goes up now bleeding stopped and won't need transfusion

Probably not something anyone here has thought of with regard to Toradol, but since it came up for me there is bound to be someone to come along later with the same experience. My EKG was abnormal in my pre-op physical last week. It showed a condition called Long QT, which is a heart rhythm disorder. Sometimes it is genetic, but it can also be caused by certain medications or nutritional deficiencies. This was the first time for mine so there was probably a temporary cause for it, although I think the genetic variety can spring up out of nowhere later in life as well.

When I was looking up a list of drugs to be avoided, I found a study with ketorolac on a list of meds that can cause Long QT when used after surgery. There are others and it's not that unusual after surgery, but it's temporary. Not something you want to make worse in someone who already has it though.

That was the morning after I spent all night in the ER with my husband who had a MRSA infection. I was very dehydrated, hadn't eaten and had been running myself ragged dealing with his problem while trying to get everything done I needed to do for the cancer. I had a feeling that was what was causing the problem, and that there was nothing really wrong with my heart. I was concerned about the Toradol under the circumstances so asked my doctor to repeat the test in a week to give me a chance to take better care of myself.

I worked on my nutrition, getting plenty of fluids, and getting my electrolytes back in balance - all stuff we should all be doing all the time, but it is hard sometimes when we have so much going on at this very stressful time in our lives. Went back for the follow-up test this morning and all was normal. Now I go into the surgery with at least one concern about the Toradol handled. Removing any drugs or supplements that might be causing it is another way, but that didn't happen to apply to me.

So if this ever happens to anyone else, there are probably ways you can reverse the Long QT by taking care of yourself, or removing any offending substances. Unless your problem is genetic and permanent. In either case you would want to have a conversation with your surgeon about the Toradol. It wouldn't necessarily mean you can't use it, but they should be aware that the Toradol can make things worse so they are watching for problems. I had spoken to my surgeon about the Long QT before I asked for the Toradol, but she didn't mention any possibility of aggravating the condition. I think this is one more thing that not all doctors are going to know about.

JMO as always, but I don't think it is anything anyone should worry about unless they actually have Long QT, but wanted to put the information out there for those who do. Hope it helps someone.

they say this is an issue that can occur and not necessarily from the toradol but obviously they do t want to give me something that can cause the bleeding issues to become worse I still am happy I did it pre op like I said this could be an issue for anyone not just from the toradol

My PCP did speak to a cardiologist (and ran some extra bloodwork at his request - they cleared me), but regardless I don't really have it so it's not an ongoing concern for me. It was caused by the dehydration and not eating much for a few days straight. Good suggestion to speak to a cardiologist about Toradol and possible safety issues in patients with Long QT, in addition to making your surgeon aware.

norco is starting to upset my tummy and I'm worried about liver I had iv tylenol do you guys think small amount of morphine is ok my only ither option

Wow, Steph, sounds like you've been through the wringer a few times already! Glad to hear your bleeding has stopped, and I hope your blood numbers come back quickly. That's pretty spectacular that your scans showed the cancer is gone! Hope your path results are great, too. I'm wishing you much smoother sailing from here on out!

I appreciate the concern, but I don't want to turn this into a discussion about me. I've never had an abnormal EKG before, no one in my very large family has it, and there was an obvious to everyone immediate cause for it (Occam's Razor - "The simplest explanation is usually the correct one"). There is really no cause for concern, I just wanted to help inform others since I hadn't seen the issue mentioned.

I'm more concerned about Steph's bleeding, and my own risks since our procedures are similar. What Loveroflife said made sense to me that the risk of bleeding could be higher in one procedure vs. another. We don't really know do we? I wonder if anyone does?

Steph, I have also had some visits from Murphy's Law along this journey (just not as far along as you), so I kind of know how you feel about nothing seeming to work out right. Congrats on the clean scans - that's big so enjoy the good news.

I have had way too much waiting time to go back and forth about my surgery, but now I'm wondering if delayed reconstruction might be a better idea for me since I really want the Toradol. Opinions? Does anyone think having the BMX and reconstruction separately would lower my risk? Or if I'm gonna bleed I'm gonna bleed? I know some people are just more prone to it.