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

[KatyMac]

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)

My results are back

The only one that is slightly out of range is ESR which is 55

& my Rheumatoid is satisfactory (still wonder if the diclofenac affects that)

Afternoon Katy. That's good that most of your results are OK .

Can you explain what ESR is and what it relates to? Sorry, I'm tired and a bit dozy today.

I think it implies a level of inflammation see here

But I don't think it means much on it's own - other than more investigation is needed

So would that mean, that if you had very sore joints, those levels would be higher or lower than normal? I would understand it more if you could enlighten me as to what the normal levels are.

I do like to learn about these things because then I can understand when I come across someone (like your good self) who talks about it. Not only that, but, I like to have some sort of understanding.

Well it's good because the GP can't say there isn't a problem - it should be less than 20 (or less than 30 if I were over 50) & it is 55

It just means there is inflammation but not what sort, so I need more investigation

He will probably saw - we can test it again in a month

Didn't get back to this thread, forgot aobut it . Sorry you're having a crap time Katy - my Fibromyalgia has flared up big time this week, as has the chronic fatigue. I have "hit the wall" a few times this week . Hope you feel beter soon, I know exactly how you feel

Thanks Saltire, dreading Friday

Sorry to hear you haven't been too well lately Saltire. Hopefully you'll start feeling better very soon.

How are you feeling these days Katie? Hope you're feeling not too bad. Apologies for not being on much lately, been mad busy this last week and will be for the next 2 weeks.

I'll be on for a short while before bed, but will be back ASAP tomorrow.

Can you two good ladies let me know what your symptoms of chronic fatigue are? I'm asking because for about the past 20yrs, I become extremely tired by lunchtime (I go to bed at 10 - 10.30pm and get up around 6.30 - 7am and by 12pm I'm exhausted). Been to GP numerous times and explained the problem, had bloods taken, results come back normal EVERY TIME, and I'm just stumped as to why I'm so tired.

My CFS started with a very high temp for 36hrs then I never really picked up

By struggling through the fatigue I ended up sleeping for 18 hrs some day

I walked with a stick and DH had to carry me to the bathroom at times

Even now in remission (12/13 yrs on)I have 'brain fog' & concentration difficulties

I used to get bruises where I walked into furniture/door jams etc

I had muscle pain all the time - you know the pain you get when you over exercise

There is more but I'm tired

This has been going on since I was in Yr 2 (13yo) in high school, and I'm 33yo now. I came home one day and felt so tired that I didn't want to eat my tea, just sleep. Been like that ever since. Well, I do eat more healthier foods (always loved my fruit and veg) and a balanced diet and have done for the past 9-10yrs but, it hasn't made a difference, even with vitamin nad mineral suppliments.

I've tried tea/coffee/energy drinks/exercise/Pilates/Yoga/fresh air and TBH even though I exercise gently, I'm so tired afterward, that I just want to sleep.

Apart from a few hours in the morning, I find it extremely hard to stay awake.

Chilledchick, while I am sure something is wrong; I'm not convinced from your description it's CFS

Being tired, not being able to stay awake isn't really what it is - There are several CFS/ME threads on here; why not have a look & a chat to others

Feeling very rough today

It looks like you're getting more benefit from the NSAID than the anelgsics (which i can't spell) so if it were me i'd wean myself off the anelgesics and focus on finding an NSAID that works for you. There are other types of painkillers out there too that are very effective such as amytriptiline etc which are effecitve for nerve pain. But this needs to be something you discuss with your GP or a pain specialist as you can't really mess around with pain medication.

Random question here for people who know but can you take paracetamol with arcoxia?

Cheers guys!

ESR is 55 CRP is 60

My brother (with RA) only has them in the teens

I have new anti-inflammatories which are certainly making me feel less wooly headed

Apparently I'm not allowed a proper diagnosis/referral until I am taking the maximum amount of anti-inflammatory tablets & co-codamol (I thought taking co-codamol all the time was thought to be 'bad')

You'll certainly be 'bunged up' if you take them for too long. Codeine causes constipation on a monumental scale.

No - I have IBS going 3 times a day is so much better

ha ha ha keep with it then

Caught up again with this.
have you had a diagnosis of FM/ME?CFS then Katy? (sorry if I've missed it mentioned already on thread.

Mine is hellish just now, am going to have to stop childminding full time I think. They are both sleeping just now so am sitting with feet up and lap top on, actually I am doing some reading up on Fibromyalgia again although i think I've read everything there is to read

I had a diagnosis of CFS in 1995 - but it's been pretty much in remission

My brother was diagnosed with RA in Dec 09

But looking at my MN record I have been having problems since 05

No diagnosis or referral until I am max'ed out of pain killers & anti-inflammatories - which is a bit negative imo

But (apparently) my ESR & CRP wouldn't be high with CFS

Sorry Saltire I missed the 'giving up f/t childminding' really? Giving up or going p/t?

Gosh that is a shock

Thinking of going part time - which was what I was meant to be doing when I started CM'ing again last year. I was only meant to be doing it 2-3 days a week, not 50 hours a week, which is whatit has developed into.
I can't do it, especially with some of the "terms" parents wanted written into contract. then something happened (well a few things) and I have given ntoice to full time parents.
Not being able to go to doctors when I needed to didn't hlep either. I've had this since I was 19, so can cope and have done cm'ing for years but this was jsut too much for me

I had a chest infection back in November and it's taken ages to get rid of the crap feeling from it (Doc thinks I may have PVF) and add that to the Fibrom and it's just not working.

I have been monitoring your 'situation' & am glad you have taken action.

I have made an appointment to see the GP next week; but I'm not expecting much

How's things katy? I'v ebeen at doc today and been prescribed tramadola nd naproxen. I've never had either, so that be fun!
I read further down that you are getting joint pain too , I have been getting joint pain a lot recently, I have always, up till now just had the widespread muscle pain.

The GP says it's viral arthritis (but as I was diagnosed with that in 2005 I am a bit sceptical)

Naproxen is giving me nosebleeds (I think)

Don't know tramadol