Painkillers

Jintyp

Hi cam anyone offer advice about painkillers. Am waiting for first of 4 joint replacements and pain increasing. Cocodamol not helping. Gp started me on dihydrocodeine but really it's not helping despite taking 2 tabs & paracetamol twice during night when it's worse though sends ne to sleep eventually. T/c appointment with gp on Monday please can anyone offer advice please. Am on urgent list for first hip but could be months . Many thanks

PJoanne

Hello @Jintyp

Could you phone your GP surgery for an urgent appointment before Monday? Here is some information about Dihydrocodeine from the NHS website and some other links that would be helpful to read.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/dihydrocodeine/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/february/top-tips-for-good-sleep/

Best Joanne

helpline_team

Hello @Jintyp

Thank you for posting on the Online Community and for your enquiry about painkillers. I am sorry to hear you are experiencing so much pain while you are waiting for your first joint replacement.

@PJoanne has given some helpful links. I hope you find this information helpful.

Pain and reduced mobility limits daily activities and can drag you down. This can feel very debilitating. It is good you have another appointment with your GP on Monday who will, hopefully, be able to prescribe another pain medication which may help.

In addition to pain medication, a heat or cold pack and the right kind of exercises may help you to move more easily and be in less pain. Pacing yourself and balancing activity with rest is important too so that you don't overdo it and aggravate your symptoms. Some people find NSAID gels helpful such as Ibuprofen or Voltarol.

You may find our Let's Move for Surgery Toolkit of some help too.

If you would like to have more replies to your post, you are welcome to repost on our Living with Arthritis forum which is a supportive space where you can ask questions and share experiences with others. You are also welcome to call our Free Helpline if you would like to talk things through informally and in confidence on 0800 5200 520 weekdays 9am - 6pm .

I hope you find the information given below of some help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/painkillers-and-nsaids/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/lets-move-for-surgery-toolkit/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes,

Fiona, Helpline Advisor