Long term use of Pain Killers

[duncancallum]

Hi folks

Scince my accident 3.5 years ago I use prescribed and over the counter pain killers on a pretty regular basis.

I tend to use them for 6wks-12wks then get fed up of taking them. I was wondering what people use and wether they found if they stuck with them they got used to the side effects.

I take/have taken and I hasten to add not at the same time;

Tramadol, Codiene 60mg), Nefapam and Diclofenac (sp) I also use over the counter co-codamol on a frequent basis.

The codiene and tramdol I find it makes trying to work or see through a thought process a difficult thing to do.

The Diclofenac made me feel realy ill and I am still on gastric restraint pills.

Nefapam-doesnt seem to make me spaced just makes me feel queasy and slightly light headed.

How do you find them or have you got any other sugestions Herbal or whatever.

I accept I don't do myself a lot of favours as I refuse to stop doing what i used to do with the exception of Hiking and mountain biking. I am doing my house and in the last 3 months have done a clutch, 2xcambelts a brake/suspension change and a head gasket on my fleet. Doing the Head crippled me and I had to get a lift from my unit home as I just seized up. I then spent the next week on the over the counter cocodamol and heat packs till I eased up. I see a physio on a regular basis who has to get my back and hip to move again as all the muscles just knot up.

Cheers

Duncan

P.S Im on that brilliant Irish pain killer tonight as I am sore from doing the house today but the sunday ritual is beer+TG.

[skeggysteve]

Duncan, my wife is on Tramadol, Diclofenac and Tramacet (plus a few other non pain drugs).

We have looked at for a long time for altenatives to prescription pain killers but can't find any.

She has seen a few physios but they have all said the same - we can't do anything.
She walks as much as possible, dog walks every day etc. But if you are in pain there is only so much you can do.

She find the best thing is to get comfy in a chair and relax - unfortunatly this has made her put on a lot of weight.
The docs don't think this is a bad thing but she hates it and so tries to do more - and so does to much which puts her out of action for a day or two! Women you just can't tell then anything!

One point - one doctor said with the drugs she is taking she should be taking 'Omeprazole' to counter act the stomach problems with one of the other drugs.

She doesn't use the Irish pain killer - but she does use the white grape in a bottle stuff!
Her regular doc has said thats fine so long as you don't over do it.

On a side note - I had a bad tooth ache a few weeks ago and couldn't find any 'normal' painkillers so took one of her Tramadol - feck they are good I was out for a good 12 hours!
Made me realise how much pain she must be in to take as many as she does.

Hope some of the above helps.

[davepoth]

I've been weaning myself off after a bad car accident. What I've noticed is that there was bad pain the first day, especially in muscles I'd worked hard the day before. But if I kept going through that it seemed to get better with each passing day.

I understand the best way is gentle exercise, and swimming is about the most gentle exercise of all.

[RemainAllHoof]

Most drugs have side-effects. Google "Omeprazole"...

Have you considered EFT, hypnotism or acupuncture for the pain? It can work. Ignore the sceptics on PH who prefer side-effects.

[Lemmonie]

I took two tradadol last night for a migraine and they didnt even tough the sides! I mean i really did not feel them take effect at all. I ended up taking two solpadols as well and eventually they did work, although i feel completely wiped out today.


Any idea why the tramadol didnt work?

[HalfMoon]

I've been on Tramadol, Codeine, Dihydrocodeine & so on for about 8 years and I don't really get the side effects anymore. I used to feel groggy after taking them - which helped with sleep but unfortunately this is one side effect that was actually desirable!

Have you been referred to a pain clinic? I went to a few sessions at one a few years ago and while not teaching me mush that I didn't already know, it was still a helpful experience.