in pain can't take anything

flossy47
flossy47 Member Posts: 171
edited 13. Jan 2012, 07:14 in Living with Arthritis archive
I'm on sulfasalazine for my IA but still in pain. Can't sleep because of it. Been to GP about it before but all they prescribe is NSAIDs which I can't take as they upset my stomach. Try to manage with co-codamol but can only take it for a couple of days as it then gives me rebound headaches. Don't know if it would be worth phoning the rheummy nurse for suggestions.
Don't think I can go without sleep for much longer.

Any ideas would be appreciated.
Flossy

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,026
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Flossy

    Nothing in this world worse for me than not sleeping!

    NSAIDs give me upset belly too, but my doc prescribed lanzoprazole 30mg to take to sort of 'protect' my belly and l now have one of the COX2 anti-inflams arcoxia Definitely easier on the belly.

    and finally amitriptyline 25mg at night to relax the bod, muscles and me :wink:

    Don't know if it's worth asking for alternatives???

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Toni. GP did give me omeprazole before but it didn't really help. Just tried to get an appointment with GP but nothing available today. I could try the drop in docs but not sure if they would be able to help.

    Don't know if my GP would put me on amitryptiline as they have just taken me off my citalopram as i had been on it for too long.
    Flossy
  • Colin1
    Colin1 Member Posts: 1,769
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Hun,
    yes tou need to talk to GP 1000mg of patacetamol will dull the pain if you can take that but you need to see the GP
    Colin
    WHEN GOD GIVES YOU LEMONS MAKE LEMONADE
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Flossy

    shame you couldn't get to see your gp. The appointments must have gone very quickly. I know with our surgery you have to be on the phone at 8am and constantly pressing re-dial to get through.

    It would be a good idea to ring your rhummy nurse and see what advice she could give.

    I hope things settle down soon
    Love juliepf x
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I can take paracetamol but it doesn't have much effect hence the co-codamol. Rheummy nurse said to try the drop in docs. Or make an appointment to see consultant. That could take a while though.
    Had a look on Google for arcoxia but don't think docs would give me that as only been on sulfasalazine for 6 months. Also not sure if it would agree with me as there is a history of heart problems in my family.
    Thanks for the suggestions.
    Flossy
  • tiggernut
    tiggernut Member Posts: 339
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Flossy,

    Can't really add anymore than the others have said. Just wanted to say hope you get it sorted soon.
    Take care,
    Anita.
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just called my gp's and they have had a cancellation for this afternoon. Hopefully I can get this sorted today.
    Flossy
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,026
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good luck Flossy

    l didn't expect the arcoxia either as both my parents died with heart isssues, but l got it :smile:

    Good luck my fingers will be crossed

    Love

    Toni xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I hope so too - let us know how you get on, yes? I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    good luck with the appointment..
    When things were really upsetting my stomach they increased the lanzoprazole, that did help..
    Also, you could ask about the patches? I'm on fentanyl, agree with me much more than the morphine..
    Good luck anyway and don't let them fob you off..

    e050.gifMe-Tony
    n035.gifRa-1996 -2013 RIP...
    k040.gif
    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well that wasn't good. She has given me Tramadol. I'm sure I've had it before and it didn't agree with me. Doc couldn't see it on my records so didn't believe me.
    Flossy
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Flossy
    Im so sorry you are having such a bad time, If I were you I would ring the rheumy again , or try the tramadol for a few days then ring, if you could get some sleep things would feel a lot better
    Wishing you well with everything xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Going to give the Tramadol a week. If nothing has changed by then it's back to the rheummy. It does say they may cause drowsiness so might help me nod off. Fingers crossed.
    Flossy
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,026
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Flossy

    l hope you wont think this an imposition, but if you are worried about the tramadol you could start gently with half the dose just a night for a day or so???

    Thats what l did years ago when l was on them till l got used to them.

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • Star2001
    Star2001 Member Posts: 96
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Flossy, sorry to hear you are not doing too well. I have been given Tramadol and told to combine it with Paracetamol as they work well together but I was also given Cyclizine to help with the sickness Tramadol caused. I was also given Amytriptilene to help me sleep. I really hope you get some relief soon!

    Star x
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Only on a low dose to start with. I've taken the first one now and see how I get on.
    Flossy
  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    best of luck on the new meds. Hope you cope well and they help.
    :grin:
    e050.gifMe-Tony
    n035.gifRa-1996 -2013 RIP...
    k040.gif
    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Flossy,

    Its rough at times isn't it? I don;t sleep s well half the time and that makes it all seem worse somehow.

    I hope the Tramadol will help and you will be ok on them. I was kinda lucky and took them with no problems but I wonder if you can;t take the anti-inflammatory would the patches be worth a try?

    They are often the same drug but obviously bypass your insides.
    Really hope you will soon feel better and leaving a cuber ((( ))) and a hope. Cris x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,026
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ah yes

    Cris is right - the patches or slow release meds....they release the drug all the time rather than in the 'bursts' you can get on the ordinary ones.

    Tis a thought....

    love

    toni xx
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm on slow release Tramadol so hopefully it will help.

    Thanks for all the support.
    Flossy
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Not doing too well. Pains have been dulled but my head feels like someone has filled it with expanding foam. Serious headache.
    Flossy
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Flossy,

    I am sorry your having a bit of a rough time there just now. The Trams can take a bit of getting used to and maybe you would be better to have the instant 50's for a min until you are. Might be worth talking to the gp about that one?

    I so hope it ill improve for you and hang in there and try and get some sleep. Leaving another ((( ))) and a hope it gets easier for you. Cris x
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The headache hurts more than the pains it was supposed to help.
    Don't think I will take the morning one today as I need a clear head. Looking after my friends little girl while she goes to the hospital for some tests.
    Flossy
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Flossy,

    I do feel for you, its so hard to find something that does help the pain but makes you feel ill. I wonder if you could get a gp's phone appointment and maybe talk about alternatives. Thats the problem there are so many different types and even a small difference in the main drug can make it better or worse for us. Maybe ask about trying the patches or the instant trams so they are out your system quicker?

    hang in there and I really do hope you will feel a lot better soon. ((( ))) Cris x
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Had a serious thick head when I got up. Didn't sleep very well either.
    Flossy