Painkillers?

Twinkletoes36

Hi
Apart from paracetamol, codeine and tramadol what other painkillers are available? I'm taking regular paracetamol and codeine and it's not touching the pain in my spine. Had a reaction to tramadol last wk so just wondered if there's any other types of painkillers cos I'm in agony! Waiting for a call from my specialist nurse.
I've been taking etodolac (lodine) for 18 months now so can't take any other anti inflammatories.
Could cry with the pain. Stupid **** body!!..sorry for the language

stickywicket

There are other paindullers. I think they're mostly morphine-based. I also think - but don't take my word for this - that I've read on here that back pain often requires different ones to those that many of us take. You need proper medical advice and I hope you get it soon.

Slosh

I am on paracetamol, duloxetine (for my nerve pain) and Meptazinol which is in the same family of drugs as Tramadol which I can't take as it doesn't go with duloxetine. Previous to this I was on co-dydramol which even though I was taking 8 a day didn't do it for me. I went back to work briefly before the end of the summer term and as I found this incredibly painful, to the extent I just couldn't focus on my work and ended up in the GP's surgery practically in tears I was given a two week course of Oxycodone which is a morphine derivative. It made me feel much more like myself but he was very wary of giving it to me long term due to its addictive nature. I finish the course tomorrow but will discuss it again before I go back to work in September.

dreamdaisy

Pain killers don't do what's promised on the tin; they dull the sharper edges of the pain and no more. There are patches such as butrans and fentanyl, your GP can advise about those but nothing will work as you may wish. My favourite pain relief is general anaesthetic but it has one major downside - I'm not awake to enjoy it! DD

Slosh

No, don't like general anaesthetic. I was very sick after my last one to the extent I couldn't even keep down the drug they gave me to stop me being sick. I think to take or not is to some extent a personal decision, I just know that I am unable to function without, especially when working. Nothing I've had completely clears the pain and I do believe that pain is a warning in itself not to do too much but I couldn't face being without my pain meds.

Twinkletoes36

Thanks for the replies, the nurse has rang back and I'm going to hospital tomorrow morning for a kenalog injection. My 4th one since April! I'm in two minds wether I'm happy or not. I am happy cos it's like a miracle drug but I end up starving, bad tempered and last time I had palpitations. However without it I'm in agony, bad tempered, exhausted, skin gets bad etc etc so all in all prob best to have it until the humira gets delivered.
It's a shame there isn't a miracle painkiller with no side effects whatsoever.....I wish! Nothing more exhausting than being in constant pain. Then when I wake up from a snooze I'm in pain from my body seizing up.
Wouldn't mind if I was 70 but I'm only 36 with two small (gorgeous) kiddie winkles!

dreamdaisy

Steroids are not a miracle - they appear to be but all they do is mask the symptoms, they do not affect (let alone improve) the underlying condition.

One of the most difficult lessons we have to learn is that pain is a part of our lives. It's always there, it won't go away, it may ease but then will happily make up for doing so. I can no longer remember being pain-free and that is a relief because it stops me harking back to days I will never know again. DD

ichabod6

Drugs are not the only method of self managing your pain.

stickywicket

ichabod's right. Try here http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Selfmanagement/pain-management/videos-on-managing-pain

Slosh

I have read the booklet you refer to and have also taken on board advice from my physiotherapist. I do the exercises he has given me three times a day, practice relaxation/mindfulness meditation daily, use a hot wheat pack, etc. I can't use a TENS machine due to the fusion in my neck. I was warned before my op that it probably wouldn't remove my pain, in my case it is caused by pressure on my spinal nerves. I can't take NSAIDS any more so I do depend on painkillers, it's not so bad when I'm not working and can rest and take things easy at home but work is a different matter and as my job involves working with vulnerable children and families, including chikd protection I do need to be able to focus and concentrate.
Like everything else our levels of pain and how they respond to treatments vary. I have learnt that I have to live with pain, but need the support of meds so that it doesn't take over my life.

Slosh

Just wanted to apologise for the tone of my last post. One of those days when I'm feeling down, fed up and anxious/nervous.
Tomorrow I'm going out with my daughter for the day and then she is coming back and staying over so we can have a girly evening with films, face packs chocolates etc. That's the good bit!
What is not so good is that I have had to do the "sensible" thing and hire a mobility scooter to use when we go round Lakeside. It's the first time I've had to do this, and while I know it's the right thing to do and will mean I can enjoy going round Lakeside without having to worry about how far/how long I can walk for before needing to sit down it's not something I'm looking forward to.
Glad it's with my daughter though as I know I can rely on her to give me a hug if I need it.
Dreading the possibility as well of seeing someone from the school where I work.

Silly I know but there it is.

Twinkletoes36

Hi, yea I do appreciate that pain will be part of my life for here on in but whilst I'm waiting to start the new treatment and due to the increase in inflammation in my joints my consultant is keen to keep the inflammation to a minimum to avoid joint damage. I'm used to pain and can cope with it, I have quite a high pain threshold but this is on a whole new level. The steroid injection is just to tide me over til I start the humira as I had a reaction to tramadol.
Slosh I'm so sorry you're feeling so low at the minute, I totally understand. It's hard to keep up a brave face when you're in so much pain. You have your daughter and I'm sure you will have a lovely day, try and think of the silver linings. I'm sure your daughter will be happy to spend some quality time with you. Enjoy your face packs, have a giggle.
'Sometimes the prettiest smiles hide the deepest secrets, the prettiest eyes have cried the most tears and the kindest hearts have felt the most pain'
It's **** but we will cope, I'm going to fight this to the best of my ability and I'm sure we all will cos were stronger than we think we are.
Flippin hell that was deep!!

Slosh

Thanks for the encouragement Twinkletoes. My daughter is a real support to me andhas promised to come out with lots of jokes about my using the scooter today to make me laugh and has also promised as many hugs as I need. Trying not to look back to last December when I was able to walk round the shops.

Hope your GP/specialist team are able to come up with a treatment plan that suits you soon and that gets your pain down to a manageable level.