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Original poster

Strong Painkillers

28 replies

Jo19899 · 27/08/2024 19:27

I work from home and have been managing chronic pain from trapped nerves in neck and herniated disk in lower back with ice/heat/volatrol/biofreeze/tiger balm and paracetamol.

At home I can just about cope as I can change chairs/lay on bed but if I go out to a social event which isn't that often, the pain can become unbearable so I wanted to get something to manage the pain so I can function properly. I have tried patches salonpas etc but these don't work. I can't take NSAIDs.

If anyone has taken strong painkillers to manage occasional chronic pain when leaving the house please could you let me know what you tried and whether it worked.

My GP refused to prescribe any opioids etc even for short term use so I am going to ask a private GP but wanted a steer on what may be available. Most painkillers seem to be banned these days due to addiction risk.

OP posts:
bluecomputerscreen · 27/08/2024 19:36

have you seen a physio?

Hayley1256 · 27/08/2024 19:43

It sounds like you need to see a physio. A combo of paracetamol and ibuprofen normally works when I bad back pain. Your pharmacist should also be able to sell you some stronger over the counter stuff (the kind they keep in the locked cabinets.

Pixiedust1234 · 27/08/2024 19:43

When I'm at my absolute limit with pain I take Solpadeine which has codeine in it. It only takes the edge off though. I cant take ibuprofen either.

Vettrianofan · 27/08/2024 19:44

Dihydrocodeine and paracetamol. I take 60mgs Dihydrocodeine, and paracetamol as prescribed by the GP.

Take roughly 3 or 4 times per day.

user1471538275 · 27/08/2024 19:44

Painkillers aren't always effective and any opiates will come with side effects as well as you becoming tolerant to them.

A TENS machine worked well for me, and can be worn at work/out of the house.

A physio referral/building strength and mobility carefully will also help long term.

shellyleppard · 27/08/2024 19:45

Op you can get heat pads that attach to your clothes, would they help for a short time?? They normally stay hot for nearly 24 hours. Also have you considered going to an osteopath?? Gentle hugs x

Original poster
Jo19899 · 27/08/2024 19:46

Thanks for your replies but I have seen various physio/osteopaths (probably had well over 20 sessions) and even tried acupuncture. None of them could help. All my pharmacist could offer me was cocodamol 8/500.

OP posts:
HighlandCow78 · 27/08/2024 19:47

Opioids are not particularly helpful for nerve pain which is why they will be hesitant to prescribe them. Ask your GP about neuropathic pain relief like amitryptyline, gabapentin etc which is much more likely to help you.

Original poster
Jo19899 · 27/08/2024 19:50

@HighlandCow78 thanks - I was on ami 30mg which helped with sciatica pain but felt like an absolute zombie so came off it. I may ask for gabpentin or pregabalin but my ami experience has put me off these types of drug.

OP posts:
Pantaloons99 · 27/08/2024 19:51

I'm a professional chronic health agonising pain person 🤷‍♀️🤣.

NSAIDS are the best for this with omeprozole to protect stomach. Naproxen is probably best. But if it is an absolute never ever then all I can suggest is heat - the antiinflammatory heat sprays like deep heat.

I take tramadol. What it does is removes your mind from the pain somewhat rather than removing pain.

Some people need this stuff due to unrelenting agony so I don't know why they insist on trying to talk you out of your physical suffering.

Have you looked at exercise for dodgy cervical discs - using a resistance band for example. There's the chin tuck exercise which lengthens the cervical spine.

After that you've got steroids but it's a temporary fix. It will reduce inflammation.

I've taken everything going and your options are limited on this without NSAIDS.

Paracetamol is low risk compared to all others I've listed. You could take it round the clock for say 24 hours to see if it helps. You can take it alongside other meds to boost effecacy as long as those other meds contain no paracetamol.

HighlandCow78 · 27/08/2024 19:52

Jo19899 · 27/08/2024 19:50

@HighlandCow78 thanks - I was on ami 30mg which helped with sciatica pain but felt like an absolute zombie so came off it. I may ask for gabpentin or pregabalin but my ami experience has put me off these types of drug.

30mg is quite a high dose - DD found 10 or 20mg taken early in the evening, around 7pm (to avoid the zombie feeling the next morning!) much more tolerable.

Octavia64 · 27/08/2024 19:53

Yes.

So there are a number of options.

Most GPs for pain these days prescribe NSAIDs usually naproxen sodium. If you have stomach issues it can be prescribed with omeprazole which protects the stomach.

They tend to be reluctant to prescribe anything else. In the past I have had codeine (30mg tablets). It is stronger if used with paracetamol. Stronger than codeine is tramadol.

Private doctors are more prepared to prescribe opioids. However you may need to pay for a private prescription (ie the actual cost of the drugs).

Codeine/tramadol can have interesting side effects. They make many people nauseous and constipation is common. I have a reasonable amount of codeine because frankly I don't like taking it.

If you have nerve pain you are better looking at something specifically for that. Amytriptyline is the first line which is usually prescribed. It's better for nerve pain than painkillers.

Pantaloons99 · 27/08/2024 19:54

I feel like one of the few who cannot tolerate or find any benefit from the nerve drugs like amitriptyline. Hate them.

Octavia64 · 27/08/2024 19:54

If you cannot tolerate amytriptyline then second line is either duloxetine or gabapentin/pregabalin

Original poster
Jo19899 · 27/08/2024 19:54

@Vettrianofan thanks - do you find 60mgs Dihydrocodein and paracetemol effective? I just need to get through the odd day out so this might be an option.

OP posts:
OneSparklyPeachDreamer · 27/08/2024 19:57

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

HighlandCow78 · 27/08/2024 19:59

Pantaloons99 · 27/08/2024 19:51

I'm a professional chronic health agonising pain person 🤷‍♀️🤣.

NSAIDS are the best for this with omeprozole to protect stomach. Naproxen is probably best. But if it is an absolute never ever then all I can suggest is heat - the antiinflammatory heat sprays like deep heat.

I take tramadol. What it does is removes your mind from the pain somewhat rather than removing pain.

Some people need this stuff due to unrelenting agony so I don't know why they insist on trying to talk you out of your physical suffering.

Have you looked at exercise for dodgy cervical discs - using a resistance band for example. There's the chin tuck exercise which lengthens the cervical spine.

After that you've got steroids but it's a temporary fix. It will reduce inflammation.

I've taken everything going and your options are limited on this without NSAIDS.

Paracetamol is low risk compared to all others I've listed. You could take it round the clock for say 24 hours to see if it helps. You can take it alongside other meds to boost effecacy as long as those other meds contain no paracetamol.

NSAIDS can be helpful but are not the most appropriate medication when it comes to nerve pain whatsoever.

FuckThePoPo · 27/08/2024 20:06

Nortriptyline has less zombie like effects

Original poster
Jo19899 · 27/08/2024 20:08

@OneSparklyPeachDreamer I basically do all the physio exercises that I learned from numerous sessions at home. It doesn't help much and I now go once a month to osteopath to help free up my neck as I have limited movement (this does actually help). I am not a fan of medication but do need a solution to help manage short term pain so I can actually enjoy the odd day out.

OP posts:
OneSparklyPeachDreamer · 27/08/2024 20:10

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

Pantaloons99 · 27/08/2024 20:12

@HighlandCow78 yes definitely, you're right. Nerve pain is so difficult to manage. I have neuropathy from head to toe but mine is a peripheral neuropathy not associated with disc degeneration/ herniation.

Where the source of verve pain is in an inflamed or herniated disc- naproxen is fantastic. So I get sciatica ( the most agonising nerve problem down the leg). Naproxen knocks even that out by addressing the inflammation in the disc.

Shitter for OP if NSAIDS are off the table

Original poster
Jo19899 · 27/08/2024 20:18

Pantaloons99 · 27/08/2024 20:12

@HighlandCow78 yes definitely, you're right. Nerve pain is so difficult to manage. I have neuropathy from head to toe but mine is a peripheral neuropathy not associated with disc degeneration/ herniation.

Where the source of verve pain is in an inflamed or herniated disc- naproxen is fantastic. So I get sciatica ( the most agonising nerve problem down the leg). Naproxen knocks even that out by addressing the inflammation in the disc.

Shitter for OP if NSAIDS are off the table

LOL - yes a real shitter! as I can't take NSAIDS due to diverticular disease so they are not advisable.

Yes, Naproxen helps reduce the inflammation but off the table. The consultant offered a steroid injection but 2K plus hospital fee so not an option at the moment.

OP posts:
Vettrianofan · 27/08/2024 20:19

Jo19899 · 27/08/2024 19:54

@Vettrianofan thanks - do you find 60mgs Dihydrocodein and paracetemol effective? I just need to get through the odd day out so this might be an option.

I do. If I don't take it then the pain is very obvious and affects my daily life and what I can manage to do. I wouldn't wish living in pain on my worst enemy.

You have my sympathies OP. I hope you find the right pain medication for your own unique health situation.

OneSparklyPeachDreamer · 27/08/2024 20:20

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

CaptainBeanThief · 27/08/2024 20:24

I have ICU related neuropathy along with a brachial plexus injury ( spinal nerves ripped from the cord) so I have a lot of pain, I also had necrotising facsitis in my leg.
I'm on 15mcg relatrans patch ( bupneoprhine)
Pregabiln (325mg)
Duloxetine (60mg) also for my mental health conditions
And I take paracetamol.
This is all prescribed by the pain clinic consultant.
Your GP can prescribe gabepentin/ pregabiln for nerve pain.