Hi , I’m on Edoxaban 60 mg daily for stroke risk after 2 ablations . I’ve just pulled my back lifting a heavy box and although I’m not incapacitated I’m getting a lot of pain bending so trying to rest but with three young dogs to exercise I need to be active . I’m visiting my GP next week to discuss coming off PPI’s as I’m concerned about long term effects and he wants to trial Nizatidine which seems a better option as I do suffer a lot with reflux .
Im going to ask him about painkillers to help with the back pain and I want to know which one is effective and suitable for me with AF and taking regular anticoagulants. I’ve only ever used Paracetamol in the past as I’m concerned about raising my HR but they are not any use with this type of pain. I’ve heard Naproxen is very good but as an NSIAD can thin the blood so may be risky taking it along side Edoxaban.
Can anyone recommend a good short term painkiller that could help ?
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Hammerboy
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Based purely on my experience pain killers are not really appropriate for back pain - not long term anyway. I recommend seeing Physio or even better, a Chiropractor or Osteopath. These health care peeps are most likely to be able to assist in identifying your very real back problem - such problems may have more than one cause.
I also empathise but keep moving anyway. Really depends upon what is causing your pain on who you would want to see. Most back pain caused by muscle strain can be relieved with stretches - physio,
If it’s misalignment - a good chiropractor & spinal rehab. If it is disc problem then possibly see a spinal surgeon. I have absolutely no faith in NHS for treating back pain so rather than waiting months to see a specialist look for a good local physio who can give you an analysis of your movement restriction and a good indication of likely cause?
As to painkiller:- NO to any NSAID - less about the enhancing anticoagulant and more that they are a known cause of AF.
If there is inflammation then you should be OK using NSAID topical gel and your GP may prescribe? That works well for muscle strain. It’s an OTC med anyway in UK, although not everywhere in Europe.
Paracetamol - works much better if you take every 4-6 hours and take soluble version.
My sympathies to you and your dogs - back pain is a misery in so many ways. I usually use a heated cushion - and co-codamol short term when it's bad but that was OK'ed by my GP (paracetamol and codeine).
There is a strong version (30/500) which your GP could prescribe short term - my husband uses it occasionally for back pain.
I take Apixaban and Flecainide so am very careful about painkillers - never NSAID's.
If you have an immediate need to manage the pain I would call 111 or speak to a pharmacist. You ar right to be concerned about the contrary indications for using some painkillers, but you need a qualified response in my view.
Mentioned here recently was a DNA test, which may highlight foods behind your reflux. I would also be discussing the reflux with an experienced Naturopath and or Nutritionist, certainly no PPIs.
Re back pain, sorry no suggestions for the immediate problem. At 70yo I have adopted the habit of doing a wide variety of exercises (for 20 mins) twice a week as an insurance policy for when I do something risky without thinking first. These exercises are a random bunch picked up over the years from school, yoga and therapists, when struck down with back pain.
Poor you - I can really sympathise. Back pain is dire.
When an appointment with my cardiologist coincided with a particularly bad lower back day - I bemoaned the fact that he had advised and I was taking Edoxaban and could no longer take my ‘go to’ aspirin. Paracetamol does absolutely zip all for me.
He suggested I took Tramadol briefly, as he also did for back pain. I know Tramadol has a bad rep in some situations and as it was nigh on impossible to get a GP appt at the time for a prescription (lockdown) I did not bother. Not recommending at all - just sharing the info.
I think CDreamer’s response is a good one. I and 79, have intermittent back pain, and treat it in two ways. One, I did go to a PT to analyze and prescribe some exercises. She led me through a series of stretches which have been very effective. I do them every day, they take about 15 minutes, and are quite effective at keeping things ok. Until of course I feel so good that I figure I don’t need them any more. Wrong. It returns. I start again.
In addition, I try to schedule a periodic appointment with a chiropractor preceded by a thereuputic massage — very effective.
I play a lot of golf, and that actually helps my back. When weather is bad and I can’t play, my back actually causes more problems.
Everyone is different, so I am not sure how helpful this all is. But I do know one thing — it tends to take maintenance like stretches or appointments, and that all gets tiresome, especially when things seem fine. And so I stop. Oops. And get reminded…😅
I should add that I do take Tylenol occasionally before I play golf or have moderate pain. And this does have a positive effect, at least in my case. Not an anti-inflammatory, but safe and addresses the pain at least in positive ways.
I'm currently going through the exact same thing as you are right now. It's been four days now and the pain is unbearable. On video call Dr. could see the pain I was in and is sending me something to take. He knows I have afib so I'm anxious to see what it is. When I get it I'll let you know. By the way I'm 78 years young with a slew of health issues.
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