Stomach Cramps and Morphine

Brian has been given the antibiotic, Clindamycin, through IVs since yesterday morning. He has started having severe stomach cramps, always saying, “My belly hurts.” Usually, I rub and press on his stomach for about 5 minutes, and the pain gradually goes away.

This afternoon, around 5 pm, Brian started screaming in pain again. He kept yelling, “My belly, oh my belly.” I kept rubbing his stomach, but the cramping wouldn't stop. After over ten minutes of his screaming in pain, he was given 1 mg of Morphine through his IV. I wasn't exactly on board with Brian being given morphine, but anything that would take away his excruciating pain was alright with me.

The doctor said that Brian would sleep for a long while. It took almost 10 minutes for Brian to fall asleep, but he slept for only about 5 minutes. He then woke up and was back to his normal, smiling self again.