Effect of long term use of pain relief

[Foxymoxy68]

I've been having chronic headaches for the last 3 years and take ibuprofen/paracetamol daily.
The GP prescribed amitriptyline about 12 months ago as a preventer. It worked initially but has no effect now other than helping me sleep. Dose has been increased from 10 to 30 mg with no effect.
I have another appt in 2 weeks to discuss things but am worried about the long term effect of taking pain relief every day. Does anyone have any experience of this?
For context, I'm 55 and have very few symptoms of menopause.

If you are taking painkillers everyday you are at risk of medication overuse headache.

Yes I've read about that but thought that was only an issue with codeine based meds.
I've tried so hard to go cold turkey! 😞

Unfortunately overuse headache can happen with any med.

I got it from overusing triptans, had to have several weeks off sick when I went cold turkey as the headache was overwhelming before it got better.

I read a lot about it at the time suggesting it's so hard lots of people just can't do it.

Daily paracetamol will corrode your liver. It is worth detoxing from it and the ibuprofen. Once you are free of them, the amitriptyline will have a chance to work. Amitriptyline can be taken daily without causing over use headaches.

Have you had your eyes tested? But yes, you need to quit the painkillers I’m afraid.

You shouldn’t have a problem with taking amitriptyline long term at the doses you’re taking it at. If you’re just taking one or two doses of paracetamol per day long term it isn’t much of an issue, it’s only when you’re taking the whole daily dose every day long term that it can be a problem. I have lupus and all sorts of painful conditions and I take paracetamol and amitriptyline daily - as well as Tramadol when necessary and haven’t had any issues. I am of the thought process that if you have pain then you need them as pain in itself can be totally debilitating and steal your quality of life.

Thanks for the advice. Deep down I know it's what I need to do 😔
Yes, I've had my eyes tested twice in the last 12 months and had a new prescription.

Unfortunately you do need to try and reduce the painkillers (in one to talk but it does help).

And Unfortunately it's not uncommon for preventative medication (is it headache or migraine?) To stop working/become less effective over time. It mite be worth trying something else.

Not migraine, just a dull right sided headache.

I get paracetamol headaches if I've been taking them for several days so I have to come off them for a similar amount of time. Unfortunately that means I have to suffer the pain from my health conditions instead. It's a lose, lose situation.

I would talk to your dr about reducing the painkillers slowly with the aim of then only taking paracetamol or ibuprofen for less than 15 days a month. The research for headaches suggests having a regular routine for eating sleeping etc and maybe practising relaxation techniques. Anecdotally a lot of people seem to have neck / posture problems and maybe teeth grinding? I saw something the other day about link between neck probs and migraine but didn't read it fully.

I'll do that, thanks.
I retired (early) from teaching last summer and thought that might help ease the headaches-it hasn't!

I find the 4head stick and the cooling patches help mine

absolute rubbish.

Have you had your insulin levels tested? One cause of 'mystery' chronic headaches and migraines can be metabolic syndrome.

@Greybeardy that’s what the neurologist said. Not the rubbish bit. What I said.

@Greybeardy you are correct paracetamol is not good for the liver if taken long term!

Mumof2, greybeardy was the one who said that long term use of Paracetomol being not good for the liver was “absolute rubbish” so they were incorrect.

The NHS website says paracetamol is safe to take long term (see attached pic). I take it (for chronic pain) most days if I haven't taken an anti inflammatory. Most Drs, IME, are quite happy / encouraging for you to take paracetamol, much less so ibuprofen in the long term. What's not ok is to exceed the daily maximum of paracetamol.
It's worth having a chat with your GP about it.

Apologies to all, I didn’t read it correctly silly old fart!

My GP told me to take paracetamol 4 times a day forever for my arthritis, said she was happy for me to take that. The alternative is to live in pain.

The NHS website has said a lot of drugs were safe up until it was shown they are not safe or not advisable for long term use. Often the NHS website is tardy in being updated.

Mediator, Primodos, Pregabalin…..

Or try one of the many other options.

Still it’s your body, your choice, your risk.

I know how it goes as I’m on medication with risks.