Hello everyone, I never posted on here before but have been a member since approx 2020. I have PAF and I have found my trigger to be alcohol so I have given this up after 3 hospital admissions . I often read people's comments on here and have found them so valuable and supportive. I have phenomena at present which has knocked me for six. I keet getting muscle spasms and wondered if there are any pain killers I can take. I normally take Coden and paracetamol but they do not appear to help. I'm on strong antibiotics for the infection.
Many thank for listening
Heather.
Written by
Wishlady
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If it's muscle spasms and neuro pain and standard paracetamol which you would be taking as part of your pneumonia treatment isn't helping it would be worth contacting your GP and asking if it's possible to be prescribed medication for neurological pain , muscle relaxant during the time you have pneumonia.Antiinflammatory medications only help with pain caused by inflammation but you can often get nerve pain with a severe infection as well this is more often the cause of spasming in your muscles .
I wouldn't consider using any over the counter medications or supplements without checking if this is ok to have with your antibiotics, many aren't , especially alongside things like blood thinners or aspirin.
Make sure you get plenty of rest and sip fluids throughout the day , this can also help reduce muscle spasms. Try to lie on supportive graduated pillows from below the shoulders/ upper back to keep your body more elevated at night. As well as helping to keep your airways open in bed it also give support to your rib cage and chest muscles which reduces how likely they are to spasm.
Try using deliberate breathing techniques which are helpful for clearing the chest with pneumonia or COVID but are also part of the treatment for inflammation in the rib area called Costochondritis, which is common to have with a chest infection.
You can find instructions and videos for these breathing techniques by doing an internet search for Pneumonia Breathing Exercises , COVID and Pneumonia breathing exercises and Costochondritis breathing .
The cause of this needs to be found, of course. For example, some mineral deficiencies can lead to it. People on long term PPI drugs for acid reflux and ulcers for example, can become, rarely, magnesium deficient. Although not often given these days, a muscles relaxant called diazepam works well for me to help with neck pain. It also relaxes the mind a little, which can be helpful. Sadly, in about a third of people, it can cause its own problems, especially of reliance upon it, so your doctor will be reluctant - but used sensibly and now and then on an "as need" basis, I would say it is a genuine and useful option worth trying.
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