Pain killers

[fruitsalad]

I have had arthritis in my finger and thumbs for a couple of years now and it seems as though it's going to my toes now as well I also suffer with my back and doctor seems to think this could also be arthritis I ask what painkillers I could take for it and she said paracetamol but sometimes these are not strong enough and I wonder why she didn't at least suggest ibuprofen sometimes I take both together if it's really bad but surely there is something stronger she could prescribe for me

[Sqad]

There are stronger painkillers for arthritic problems, but that would depend upon the type of arthritis.

Why not try the paracetamol/ibuprofen combination ?

[daffy654]

You could ask your GP to refer you to the hospital pain clinic if over the counter stuff isn't strong enough.

[fruitsalad]

Believe it's wear and tear type arthritis fingers are getting very knobbly toes the same especially the two big ones will try the combination type pain killers first though squad before I ask for something stronger

[Eve]

If it's a long term condition maybe they don't want to start you off on anything really strong as once you're on it it's difficult to come off if it's long term pain and it might be overkill (more than you actually need but hard to tell if you just feel the pain is gone so keep taking them).

Could be they are starting gentle and seeing what you can cope with and you can then build up and get to a level you have sufficient/best possible pain relief from, also allowing for any worsening of the pain/condition.

Some painkillers have potential side effects, especially from regular long term use too such as ibuprofen and other inflammatory medication on your tummy and some pain medication can be habit forming or cause effects like constipation.

It can take a while and a bit of trial and error to get longer term pain relief right so maybe keep a pain log and note effects of anything you take and have a talk with your GP to come up with a pain management plan to allow for the level and frequency of your pain covering general day to day pain, particularly bad patches etc... which can then be reviewed as and when required.

[starone]

I have osteo-arthritis, which I believe comes to all of us when we get old. The doctor prescribes cocodamol for pain relief, which I only take when I get desperate. However, I have taken cod liver oil capsules, high dosage, for years and am convinced that it has helped me. I reckon I would have been far more arthritic if I had not taken them. One a day is easy to remember.

[fruitsalad]

Have taken cod liver oil for as long as I can remember use to have the liquid from a spoon when I was a child I have just started taking glucosamine one that boots do called joint assure so hopefully this may help a bit thanks all for your help