Painkillers

[fruitsalad]

I'm prescribed naproxen and co  codomol for arthritis, but it seems to be losing its effectiveness, what would be the next best thing, I have an appointment next week with gp

[brainiac]

That's what you should be asking him/her, a medical professional, not us: unqualified strangers on the internet

[Cloverjo]

I think the next step up would be Tramadol. It's addictive, though.

[nicebloke1]

17.34 I would think many people take the same medication for same problem.  Fruitsalad could just be interest  in what the doctor will give her next.

[fruitsalad]

My point really, was does anyone take anything stronger apart from the above, for the same ailment and does it help.

[hellywelly4]

My gp put me on amitryptilline which initially when it was first used was used as an antidepressant. Later doctors realised that people reported that their pains had gone. The pain relief dose is very low and it takes about six weeks to kick in. I'm just hoping that it will work for me. Will let you know. My pain is in my hip and knee and is awful.

[Bazile]

//I think the next step up would be Tramadol. It's addictive, though.//

How can a pain relief tablet be addictive ?

How does the addictiveness manifest itself ?

Is it the fact that it relives the pain , so you reach for it often ?

I'm not saying it isn't , mind .

[Cloverjo]

I don't know, Bazile. I thought it was the drug that either Ant or Dec became addicted to. Maybe it gives you a bit of a buzz or numbing so you keep taking it even the physical pain has gone. 

[JinnyJoan]

I have a friend who says she is afraid of becoming addictive to a drug - I say to her when you are 75 years of age would you worry about addiction.  Take anything to help you.  

[rowanwitch]

Combination of nurse training, experience, and a lot of reading trying to manage my own problems.

It depends on the nature of the pain.  If there is a direct nerve component a drug like pregbalin, or gabapentin which help prevent spasm type pain.

An anti depressant called duloxetine can help ( a lot) I have rheumatoid arthritis and it removed almost all my pain but I couldn't stay on it due to side effects.

As for the addiction question the way I was taught is that a pain killers that just relieved pain are unlikely to cause a true addiction but what happens is people become addicted to peripheral effects such as feeling relaxed, chilled, etc.  Opiate receptors are linked to addiction and can just as likely be triggered by compound analgesia like co-codamol, or co -dydramol.

Tramadol is used quite a lot now, I can't take it but it works for some people.

Other pain control methods should be considered  things like nerve blocks, tens machines, and simple things like supports( I have knee and hand braces)heat pads, and ice packs.

Acupuncture can be really effective but needs to be done by a really good practitioner, not a physio, or nhs doctor who has done a short course.

First line treatment should be physiotherapy to strengthen and support the affected areas, weight loss if required, and use of aids to support or reduce load on feet,knees, hips, lower back especially.I

Hope that helps

  

[barry1010]

Tramadol addiction is real and can have severe consequences 

https://rehabsuk.com/addictions/drug/tramadol-addiction/

I take it when necessary as a last resort, for a few days only

[maggiebee]

When I had a hip replacement I was prescribed tramadol and paracetamol.  Advised to take the tramadol for no more than six weeks as it was addictive.  It certainly worked for pain relief at the time.  Not sure what else is out there and would take advice from your GP fruitsalad.  

[fbg40]

Hi Fruitsalad

As someone with a few "problems" joint wise ( and spine) I take Pregabalin ( 100mcg twice daily) and plain old paracetamol as and when. I also use Sevodyne patches - 1 patch per week, 10 mcg per patch. I find that cocodamol and tramadol cause constipation - I have been told it's the codeine that causes this. I hope this little bit of info helps. Please keep us posted.

Good luck.

FBG40

[fruitsalad]

Thank you, guys for all of your suggestions, gp is sending me for X Ray to see if the arthritis is worsening, from the last time I had one, so in the meantime, been told to keep on with the naproxen and co codomol 

[jourdain2]

I also found amytryptelline added to my prescription, but I have not collected it, because I  asked one of the nurses to check up and  she found that there was a possibility that it could worsen my (very slight and under control) glaucoma.  My eyes being more important to me than pain (I need to drive) I put up with the pain.