Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 3/13/2009

Question
Hello.  I had a lap gallblader surgery with general anesthesia. When I woke up I had a serious allergic reaction.  I also had a severe reaction to the pain medications (hydrocodine and perciset).  Now it seems I am allergic to the dissolvable sitiches and about enerything else that goes into or touches my body. Is this normal?

Answer
Hi Melissa
I think that this is difficult for me to comment on as I have not witnessed the type of reaction you have had. Many people have reactions to various things and indeed many feel very sick and peculiar when taking hydrocodeine and percocet. This is not a true allergy but is merely a side effect of the drugs that some people are more sensitive to.
Redness around stitches in a wound is also failry normal but is worse in some people than others.
If you are concerned then you need to seek advice from either those who looked after you or your primary care physician.
Kind regards
Dt Ian Jackson