SUITABLE STRONG PAIN KILLER?

[itsatoucher]

I am new to this condition and still learning about AF and the many and varied symptoms and treatments. I am thankfull for having the cardioversion quickly during the Covid pandemic which appears to have been successful. I wear a watch which monitors my heart rate which rarely goes more than 100 BPM. I was taking strong pain killers for many years for Crvical Spondylosis which has had to stop due to having to take Apixaban. Has anyone else found a suitable non narcotic strong pain killer for this condition?

[rosyG]

I take cocodamol for knee pain post TKR but only at night so don’t get used to it!

[Finvola]

I think most strong painkillers will have some narcotic content - co-codamol 30/500 is one I have used but only occasionally. A morphine patch is another possibility, still narcotic but away from the digestive system. The best person to advise you would be a doctor with some knowledge of AF and Cervical Spondylosis.

[Hidden in reply to Finvola]

Hiya Finvola,

You mention a morphine patch ...... can you tell me a bit more about this. Sorry, but osteoarthritic pain is something I'm constantly grappling with now. Am doing standard/regular physio exercises and on CoCodomol 30/500 but sometimes when there is a variation in weather the pain significantly randomly intensifies. If you prefer to PM your reply thats kool. TBH when pain behaves like this I just don't care about narcotics 😬

John

[Finvola in reply to Hidden]

Hi John - the patch is called Butec and comes in 3 strengths 5, 10 and 20 micrograms, worn for 7 days.

I've sent you a PM.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Finvola]

Finvola. Are the Butec patches prescription only. I have Chronic pain and my G P refused patches because of the cost to the NHS.

[Finvola in reply to Nerja2012]

Sorry to read that Nerja - yes it is a controlled drug and is prescription only.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Finvola]

Thanks finvola. Im using Salonpas but very expensive and not strong enough.

[Peony4575 in reply to Nerja2012]

What an unfeeling GP ! There are now generic versions of the Butec patch that are apparently saving the NHS a fortune . I would ring your local pharmacist and ask for the actual current cost and go back to ( preferably a different ) GP armed with that information and tell them that everything you have tried is not working for you and because you have AF you cannot take NSAIDS

[Nerja2012 in reply to Peony4575]

Peony. I have done all that. G P who is the senior one said he would get the inhouse pharmacist to ring me . Waited 3 weeks so I rang her and was told I couldnt have them because of the cost. I will ask about generic though.I did agree to give Duloxetine a try . Big mistake. My heart went haywire after 2 tablets but they still prescribed them even though they are contraindicated for AF. I have zero confidence in my G P practice. Only 1 other practice in my area and they get bad reviews as well. I give up . Thanks

[Peony4575 in reply to Nerja2012]

Have you seen a Rheumatologist ? Much more difficult to refuse if consultant recommended. It should not be so hard to get decent healthcare . Probably reluctant to give you a referral also . I get more and more disillusioned by what you hear about GPS . Negligent prescribing you something contraindicated

[Nerja2012 in reply to Peony4575]

Peony. Yes I have seen an orthopedic surgeon. Had MRI etc , its C7 C8 entrapment, hospitalized injections in neck without success, referred to pain clinic but because of Asthma and AF medication is limited. "SO" its down to little old me now to get on with it. Co codamol and thats it . But when I have a break through patches would help enormously. Asking GP is like spiting in the wind. Thanks for your concerne though.

[Peony4575 in reply to Nerja2012]

I find the idea of you being left in pain abhorrent. I can understand the patches not being used first line but when you’ve tried or are unable to use the bog standard they should help . Good luck with getting them

[Nerja2012 in reply to Peony4575]

Thanks Peony.

[DevonHubby1]

Cocodamol is the most we've got out of GP. All other strong pain killers they would normally have prescribed clash with the heart meds.

[beach_bum]

Talk to your pharmacist.

[pip_pip]

Hi. I have a problem with Cervical Spondylosis a few years now. My GP gave me a diagnosis and the headaches I was getting were awful. Not to mention the strain across neck. I took painkillers which had little effect for a long time (co-dydramol). Eventually I couldn't stand any more headaches and I went to an Osteopath (I've always gone to Osteopaths in the past for other probs) who softened the back of neck area and gave me neck stretching exercises for twice a day. I continued to see him for a year. The lockdown changed things and now I manage myself. Since seeing him the headaches are nowhere near as severe as they were, headachy is how I would describe it and have currently stopped all painkillers, which seems to have alleviated even more pain. Therefore even less pain.! I now continue with the stretching exercises only. I will be seeing the Osteo occasionally.

Wish you well in your endeavors.

Phil

[SuziElley]

I use co-codamol 30/500mg two at night for pain associated with Dercum's Disease. Not experienced any side effects that I'm aware of

[Eddie49]

I have had two spinal operations, one lumbar and one cervical. This has left me with problems with my thoracic spine which flares up quite often but sometimes with big gaps between the flare ups. I can't get on with co-codamol as it gives me a terrible stomach ache. About six weeks ago the doc prescribed Methocarbamol which is a muscle relaxant which he says will not react with anti-coagulant meds. He says to take as needed. I took some over a few days and gradually improved. I find that for me exercise and stretching is very important, but when I am feeling good I forget to do the exercises and do too much in the garden etc. and then pay for it.

[colinjeffs]

Hi i suffer from cervcal spondylosis i have been on tramadol for ten years, no reaction between apixaban and tramdol pain management doctor put me on tramadol i have been fine.

[Desanthony]

I use Lidocaine patches now and again for the same thing usually overnight. But trying to ween myself off all painkillers as after coming off voltarol years ago because apparently men over 60 were likely to get heart problems from taking it I have not actually found anything as good and tried most of them. The best thing is to talk this over with your GP and ask if you can go on the next available Pain Management Course in your area - goodness knows when they will start things like this up again, I have to say that since I had my Knee replacement in Oct 2019 my back and neck pain has stabilised - probably because I am more balanced now. I still exercise as much as I can - we can go back tot he gym today - won't be going myself for some time as noticed last October that people were not as good as they should have been with cleaning machines etc. Though I have had both my vaccines maybe I should be more corageous. Keep moving!