AIBU to think 30/500mg should relieve pain?

[SecretSleeper]

Where would you go next? What is stronger?

I've a chronic pain autoimmune condition.

Am paralysed with joint pain some days.

What can I take if these don't relieve pain even a little?

The co-codamol do nothing at all for me. I had hoped they would as GP seemed quite cautious when prescribing.

I take quite a mixture to get near to tolerable pain control. For ME and Fibro I have 100-125mg amitriptyline, time release diclofenac, 30/500 cocodamol, along with lansoprazole (for reflux issues from lots of meds!) mega dose vit D as tests showed I had basically none in my body (this has improved pains quite a lot more than I expected so worth getting checked for anyone with uncertain as to cause joint / bone pain!) and melatonin as even with all those sedating meds I still have insomnia issues.

Recent problems with a spine / disc issue has led to radial nerve problems and god does the nerve pain kill, so added diazepam (for the muscle cramping reaction to nerve pain) and pregabalin to the above. It is currently mostly at a bearable level with twinges although flares if do much with right arm (which is a problem as an right handed and a glass artist who currently struggles to cut glass!) Had stern lecture from Dr about no alcohol though as says my respiratory system will be too suppressed when sleeping and high risk of not breathing, so can't self medicate that way any more! Take a years to get to this point though, and lots of being assertive with Drs to get back to ones that worked when they changed them (mainly due to costs it seems!), so do push for further help in sorting it out

Opioids aren't necessarily to be avoided if they're the best thing for your pain


I've been on long term opioid therapy for 16 years - I was worried about the long term effects, but he said actually the side effects were minimal and it was actually much safer than taking NSAIDs long term - although obvs if NSAIDs are the right thing for your pain, then you should take them!


GPs are shit with chronic pain in my experience - definitely ask for a referral to a pain team


Oh and re 'addiction'


There's a difference that many GPs don't necessarily perceive when it comes to opioids



1. Tolerance. You get used to the effect of the drug and need more of the drug to get the same effect. This is not addiction




1. Dependence. Your body gets physically dependent on taking the drug and will go into withdrawal if you stop taking it without tapering down. This is not addiction




1. Addiction. You psychologically crave the drug for the effect it gives you over and above the pain killing effect, you take it whether you're in pain or not


 I am tolerant 
 I have some degree of dependence after 16 years (although fairly minimal as we try and rotate my meds). Currently on Oxycontin 20mg slow release as a baseline with 10mg oxycodone up to 4 times a day for breakthrough. Baclofen as needed.

I've been through every neuropathic pain med and anti inflammatory but my pain is nociceptive so nerve pain and anti inflammatory meds don't do anything.

Def, definitely push for a pain team referral



I am not addicted

Naproxen is stronger than ibuprofen but you'd need a prescription.

I am a disabled man aged 60. For 8 years I have taken a raft of medication, strongest of all 160mg Oxycontin daily. Over the time I have gradually become a zombie, constantly tired,sluggish, forgetful,no use to anyone. Then ten weeks ago I had an appointment with the Pain Clinic, where I was informed that the 160mg Oxycontin was the equivalent of 3 times the safest daily dose of Morphine. Now I have to come off it, which I have been doing now for 9 weeks, and I can tell you that having become addicted to the stuff, it is'nt easy getting off it! Nearly there, but the effects were awful. Never take what the Dr says as Gospel; I never will again and i'll question every drug suggested from now on. My wife says that my whole demeanour has changed,though,so not all bad.