Chronic pain - what medication are you on?

[DaveMyHat]

I'm ready to go to my GP and threaten to kill myself if they don't give me something. I am taking paracetamol, sometimes I get cocodomal OTC. It's not really helping. GP gives me antidepressants. Despite what I just said I'm not actually suicidal, I'm just really fed up.

' I have tried my best to carry on as normal but it's like it's out of my control. I feel like taking a drug that may cause dependency would be better than what I have currently.'
Dave, my thoughts exactly. I had to take care of myself, l needed to be able to move to live. Life just wasn't worth living with the level of pain l was in. You keep this in your mind . You will take them as long as you need them. Once you start being able to move and doing exercises and Physio l am sure your pain will improve and you can drop the meds gradually

Dave l am in this group if you feel you need more support , they are absolute darlings .
www.facebook.com/groups/StenosisSupportGroup/

Thank you x sorry I just have been feeling a bit down

Dave no need to be sorry , it is awful it drags you down l understand l was once where you are, l listened to my Physio. l took the tablets, did the physio, l am very careful what l do to my back, no lifting , twisting, bending or being immobile. It has improved so much l don't take any of the tablets except mild pain relief now. Take care .

Does anyone also use natural support supplements like turmeric?

I did use it but didn't find it helpful. It's like everything though l presume , some if us it works for others it doesn't. I did use Zacin cream which has Capsicum pepper in it and found it absolutely amazing !

I've got one of those vapes with cannabis oil. It's new so can't say if it's a help yet or not but I'm hoping so. Gp won't help me.

Zapain and amytriptiline. My husband has a problem with his wrist, seriously damaged tendon, and he has acupuncture as no medication actually works.

I'm on codeine and pregabalin for fibromyalgia/back pain/joint pain. Have tried amitriptyline, Gabapentin and stuff like topical ibuprofen (can't handle anti-inflammatories due to stomach ulcer) and CBD oil. And obvs the usual yoga, physio, tens, chiropractor etc.

Just returned from my NHS pain clinic consultation and the Dr suggested the pain is "muscular" and questioned my fibro diagnosis. 🙄 Luckily I think I've found a nice GP who seems to actually want to help me so I'll be going back to review my meds in a few weeks. Fingers crossed!

I will say that codeine kind of works but my tolerance is now high so it doesn't work as well as it used to, which sucks. However, I'm a bit optimistic about pregabalin because it has worked wonders on my anxiety! I no longer have that knot in my stomach and I'm able to go to work and do things instead of being a trembling mess in the corner. Not sure if it's helped the pain but maybe by increasing the dosage it might kick in?

Has anyone tried Duloxetine? The pain clinic Dr said that I should be on that for fibromyalgia instead of pregabalin. I might try it if the pregabalin doesn't work.

Hope you find something that works for you OP! I think it's easy to downplay the impact pain has on your life when you see your GP - I found that doctors started to listen to me when I started crying.

I've had chronic joint pain for years and have just seen a rheumatologist and had mri m's on my back and hips .. it didn't show anything .. does anyone have unexplained pain in their joints ? I've seen so many people over the years that I've almost given up. I don't take any medication on a daily basis because paracetamol and ibuprofen don't do anything so what's the point 🤷‍♀️.. it's so annoying !!