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Original poster

How do painkillers work; what is the best way to take them?

126 replies

KatyMac · 20/02/2011 08:52

Specifically paracetamol, co-codamol (not at the same time) & diclofenac

Currently I take (Paracetamol or Co-codamol) them when I am in pain; but something the GP said makes me wonder if taking them before I get to that point might be better.

He also intimated that I should take the diclofenac whether or not I have any pain at the time

Does anyone know what I am supposed to be doing; getting understandable info out of my GP is like puling teeth (which may well be my problem as I don't think I am necessarily a 'good' patient)

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 26/02/2011 16:56

Grin I have IBS so Co-codamol has the most wonderful side effect

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ChilledChick2 · 26/02/2011 17:39

In what way, may I ask, or will you decline to divulge the details Wink

Original poster
KatyMac · 26/02/2011 19:05

It means I only go about 3 times a day instead of 6-8

It's great Hmm

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ChilledChick2 · 26/02/2011 19:54

No worries Katy. As long as you can go at least once a day that's OK. I've always gone on the idea that your body will tell you when to go. You know the old saying: When nature calls, you gotta answer.

It also depends on how constipated YOU feel. If your used to going 6-8 times a day and that's normal, maybe going less feels a bit constipated to you, but to anyone who doesn't have IBS, it may seem unusual to go so often IYSWIM.

LOL, passing thought, but that wee sceptical emoticon keeps looking at my winky up aboveSmile.

Original poster
KatyMac · 26/02/2011 19:56

No I can honestly truthfully say, it is a definite improvement!!!

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ChilledChick2 · 26/02/2011 22:49

From what I've been told, IBS can be really painful at times, especially if you eat certain foods. I guess those foods differ from person to person.

By the way Katy, don't be afraid to correct me if I'm wrong on anything.

Original poster
KatyMac · 27/02/2011 09:07

It can, but I tend not to eat those foods; however I get caught out with food when eating out, freshly cooked turns out to be heavily processed & desserts are particularly bad.

My IBS is in good control (rather like my ME/CFS) I eat a good healthy diet (a bit light on raw fruit & veg) and have an active lifestyle (a bit light on exercise) and both are OK
Too much stress, exercise or the wrong food can set off either and I am wondering if my current "being in pain" is my CFS having a flutter; as I am on day 4 of significantly less pain (& no pain killers)

It's like a set of scales, if I go away at the weekend I do less before & after and eat carefully before & after.

My IBS manifests itself with pain, cramps & squitty poos all day; constipation is a dream state......until it goes too far (I often have an attack straight after my period)

The (all the time) pain is a problem for diagnosis as when I had an ectopic pregnancy they asked "didn't you have any abdominal pain?" - I replied "Yes but with IBS, unstable hips, arthritis in my lower spine, a partial prolapse, a repaired bladder and being post miscarriage & ERPC a fortnight ago; I kind of expected a bit of abdominal pain" Wink

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ChilledChick2 · 27/02/2011 21:35

Hi Katy, sorry to be so late getting on here. Loads to do as it's DS's birthday tomorrow, so along with all the stuff that goes with organising parties etc, there's the housework to do too.

Anyway, how are you today? Hope your alright! I must admit, from your last post, you seem to have gone and are still going through a good lot of pain/discomfort. I think you're doing well coping with them although it can't be easy for you. I assume you have better days and bad days.

ChilledChick2 · 27/02/2011 21:36

Sorry, re: coping with them, I mean about your conditions.

Original poster
KatyMac · 27/02/2011 21:55

Happy Birthday to your DS, how old is he?

I think the pain/in pain stuff is very relevant, the pain can be cope with only resorting to pain relief when it becomes uncontrollable

I have had 3 really good days and today has been a bit rough but I went to Cambridge yesterday so it was only to be expected & I'd have been better is it wasn't my Dad's birthday & I had to do a meal

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ChilledChick2 · 28/02/2011 12:12

Morning Katy. How are you today? Hope you're feeling OK.

DS is 6 today. Doesn't seem 6yrs ago he was born. Amazing how time flies when you go from being single to having 2 kids and married in the space of 2 years. You could say I didn't hang about Grin. It'll all started, in 2004, when I was eyeballing DH over my friend's breakfast bar and we've been stuck with each other ever since Grin. Don't worry I'll not bore you with the rest of the gory details Wink.

Sorry to leave so soon, I've to bike it to Tesco to pick up more stuff for the party. Will be back soon. In the meantime have a Brew and a Biscuit to dunk til I come back.

ChilledChick2 · 28/02/2011 12:13

Meant to pass on many happy returns to you DF and hope he's doing OK.

ChilledChick2 · 28/02/2011 13:41

Hi Katy, back again. See when you're exercise, do you have a point you push to (to keep as fit as possible), and if you go past that point you become extremely sore/tired? Do you rest enough as well?

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/02/2011 13:53

umm, no

I just live, that's plenty - more than I can cope with most of the time

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DeputyMumAuntie · 28/02/2011 17:24

Ginger is a good natural pain killer, can take it in many ways, many times a day, also in drinks e.g. spiced infusions or in capsules, can DIY make some..

saffron v. good too, I use it for period pains e.g in rice or hot drinks.A bit Expensive but lasts a long time.

If it's CFS/ M.E. you have there is plenty of info. and help (support type help ) available-don't let anyone push you into anything you're not happy with.

Magnesium supplements also very good for muscles and nerve functioning. All the best*

:-)

ChilledChick2 · 28/02/2011 20:44

Back again. Had to go for a while to get things organised but now I got time to relax a bit.

I agree with Deputy about the ginger. the other thing about it is that, for some, it helps to settle their stomach. Peppermint is also good for this, although I've never tried saffron before.

Is there somethong good in your life you could focus on when you have a bad day? When I was in excruciating pain with my back, I used to think I would end up dying in pain. Instead of thinking I would be in pain forever, I made a point of repeating to myself that I could get better, if only bit by bit and it worked. I pushed for better pain relief and believed that my body would do the rest. I'm fitter and more pain-free than I have been in years, just don't ask me to do a back-flip or I'll end up in a heap on the floor Grin.

Anyway, how was your day today? Are you feeling any better?

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/02/2011 21:30

I'm going to try ginger

Most of the time I don't have to think about it tbh

Today was worse than the last few days but better than last week

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ChilledChick2 · 28/02/2011 21:58

That last cuppa and biccie was on me BTW.

Glad to hear that it is better than last week but, do you get the feeling there's still room for improvement on the symptoms though?

I really have to go to bed now, after all that cycling/charging round etc, I'm ready for the sack.

Hope you sleep well tonight and feel better tomorrow.

Good night and take care.

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/02/2011 22:03

How did the Birthday go?

My Dad's was pleased with his - he had back surgery in Dec & it went wrong so it waiting to go again; so it's a bit of limbo time for him

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ChilledChick2 · 01/03/2011 08:30

Morning Katy, how are you this morning? Are you feeling better today?

Glad your dad was pleased with his birthday, although, not good his back surgery went wrong - not good at all. BUT, the next time he goes for surgery, I hope it goes way better for him than the last time.

Birthday went great. My youngest brother tortured the kids with a blow-up ball, tapping their heads/ribs/bellies with it and tickling them etc, so they were well tired when they went to bed. DS though has sooo much energy. My younger brother calls him Forrest Gump because he runs everywhere and rarely walks. Good thing really as we get to places quicker Grin and it keeps us fit too.

Got to drop kids at school and do some shopping so will be back later.

Take it easy Smile.

Original poster
KatyMac · 01/03/2011 14:32

Not a great day

Homework is due & I am blocked

But this too will pass

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ChilledChick2 · 01/03/2011 17:11

When you say blocked, do your mean you've had a few drinks or you're blocked (spaced out) on your pain relief?

The reason I ask is, there are so many slang meanings for the word 'blocked' it can be confusing (I'm easily confused anyway [grin).

Original poster
KatyMac · 01/03/2011 17:38

Blocked as in I know what to say but I can't write it (writers block)

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ChilledChick2 · 01/03/2011 18:23

Aha! I knew a was way off the mark. Have you tried thinking, for a few mins, of something totally irrelevent to what you're doing?

I don't think I've ever had writers block and I used to do a shed-load of essays etc for school/college/work. Is it painful or is it that the person suffering just can't write what they're thinking?

Original poster
KatyMac · 01/03/2011 20:31

Working hard

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