Medication

terryh11
terryh11 Member Posts: 3
edited 13. Mar 2025, 07:03 in Living with arthritis

hi I’m newly diagnosed OA in my spine, hips & pelvis. Already had it in my neck for few years.
but the pain is getting worse & my hips & lower back are very painful. Dr said take paracetamol but it does nothing.
I’ve got paracetamol & codeine combined over the counter from pharmacy but dr advised taking them too much. I only take if I’m in a lot of pain & can’t sleep.
do they prescribe anything? Or am I clutching at straws. Thanks

Comments

  • noddingtonpete
    noddingtonpete Moderator Posts: 1,340

    Hi @terryh11 andn welcome to the Online Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

    I've put a couple of links in below which might be of use.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-spine/

    and

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

    Depending on where you live there is also the Escape Pain programme https://escape-pain.org/i-have-back-pain/

    I hope that you find some pain relief soon, please let us know how you get on.

    Best wishes

    Peter

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on0800 5200 520Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • Bryony
    Bryony Member Posts: 76
    edited 12. Mar 2025, 16:18

    I have end stage OA in both knees. Paracetamol, iboprofen, naproxen didn't touch the pain. Have you been tried with Naproxen? It is prescription only. That helps some. Needs to be taken with something to protect the stomach.

    Co-codamol 8mg / 500mg (the strength bought from the pharmacy, and I guess is what you are using) does take the edge off my pain, so does mean I wake less often at night in pain. I had a discussion with the pharmacist about how to not get dependent on it - I asked if 3 days on then 3 days off might be OK (not exceeding the dosage guidance in the leaflet with the meds), given they say only use for 3 days continuously. She said yes that would be OK. If I'd not asked that specific question she would just have said speak to your GP.

    I've been trying to manage by only using when absolutely necessary, so haven't taken up to that level, but have got to the stage where I need better pain relief, and surgery is still at least 6 months away, so could do with better advice on possible dosage plans, to get maximum benefit with minimum risk of dependence. I'm going to make an appointment with my GP to see if I can get any useful advice. I think pharmacists are probably more knowledgeable though, so have a word with them.

  • terryh11
    terryh11 Member Posts: 3
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/732150#Comment_732150

    thank you. I’ll be reading these!

  • terryh11
    terryh11 Member Posts: 3

    No they’ve offered nothing at all from drs. Just that over the counter meds.
    yes I’ll go to pharmacist. They have my meds which isn’t much so will get info there. Thanks so much

  • Bryony
    Bryony Member Posts: 76

    Hope you get the pain more under control.

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