What to take for pain?

[Beefull8]

Hi. I have adult onset asthma and also have lower back pain and costochondritis plus migraines. I usually just deal with it but have a trip coming up and wanted to bring something just in case the pain becomes unbearable with all that sitting. I keep reading NSAIDS are contraindicated for asthma. Does anyone know an alternative? I have curcumin but it doesn’t seem to help with pain. I also have hot and cold patches and stretching exercises. Thank you!

[djbctla]

Beefull8

I use pound shop heat pads.

BERNARDINE

[Beefull8 in reply to djbctla]

Thanks!

[peege]

I use Volterol gel alongside paracetamol as cannot take ibuprofen tablets . It contains Diclofenac rather than ibuprofen. I did take ibuprofen for many months for back pain (regardless of asthma) but it wrecked my stomach .

[Beefull8 in reply to peege]

Oh wow! Thank you for the recommendation! I never heard of that and will check it out.

[Juliefrog in reply to Beefull8]

you can get diclofenac in tablet form too - I had it a few years ago when a slipped a disc - not sure if that has to be on prescription though..

[ReedB]

Hi, I'm asthmatic but I'm fine with ibuprofen so if you haven't tried it could be worth a go. Also, magnesium spray has helped me with things like lower back pain.

[Beefull8 in reply to ReedB]

Thank you! I should try it. Do you put the spray directly on your back? I drink magnesium and it helps overall but my lower back has really been bothering me lately.

[ReedB in reply to Beefull8]

Yes I do. Just spray it on and rub it in. Also, how old are you, if you don't mind me asking?

[Beefull8 in reply to ReedB]

Im in my forties.

[ReedB in reply to Beefull8]

Ah, could hormones be a part of the migraines, back ache etc?

[Beefull8 in reply to ReedB]

It could be! I also found out my ferritin and iron absorption are low.

[ReedB in reply to Beefull8]

I'd be tempted to do some investigation into perimenopause symptoms. I started with migraines, back ache, hip ache and generally started to feel like I was falling apart! Hrt has been a life saver especially being so young in my late 30's. Having estrogen especially if we've had courses of prednisolone is good to protect bones.

[Beefull8 in reply to ReedB]

Wow thanks! I’m sorry you went through that so young but I didn’t know these symptoms were common. I thought something was wrong with me 😝.

[ReedB in reply to Beefull8]

I think we all get to that point 😂

[Gareth57 in reply to Beefull8]

If you try ibuprofen and you do react, as happened to me, don't panic it's not pleasant and lasts for about 4 hours then stops when the ibuprofen has worked itself out of your system. I found ventolin made little improvement

[Beefull8 in reply to Gareth57]

Thanks! I guess it’s better to try it before I get on the plane.

[djbctla in reply to ReedB]

I’m going to try magnesium spray also thank u. BERNARDINE

[Bemoresquirrel]

I use a small battery operated TENS machine for lower back pain & rib pain. I find it effective, but it doesn’t seem to work for everyone.

[Beefull8 in reply to Bemoresquirrel]

I tried it and got the chills and started shaking from it. Wish it worked though!

[Bemoresquirrel in reply to Beefull8]

Ah that’s a shame, I hope you find something that works for you. x

[Beefull8 in reply to Bemoresquirrel]

Thanks! I am trying a back wrap.

[Poobah]

Magnesium Glycinate is particularly good for migraines and inflammation. Magnesium Malate is good for fibromyalgia. These are usually mixed with other compounds so check the contents for a elemental magnesium percentage, 40% and above if possible.

My migraines ceased once I upped my VitD3 intake. 2,000iu daily worked for me and raised my overall Vit D levels into the adequate range. Fat soluble so take oil based capsule for best results, or oil based spray but these aren't cheap. The magnesium helps absorption of VitD.

Even though I have aspirin intolerance I was able to tolerate Feldene Gel, whereas I don't tolerate other NSAID gels.

Amitriptyline is very good for nerve pain but takes several weeks to kick in. I had a trapped nerve last year and it was horribly painful. I wasn't confident that Amitriptyline would work, but it was excellent. In the meantime my GP prescribed codeine, but tried using Co-codamol most days as it had less codeine as I didn't want to become reliant on it. The physio gave me exercises that definitely helped too, in fact they diagnosed the trapped nerve and gave excellent advice on what to ask from my GP.

[Beefull8 in reply to Poobah]

Wow thanks!! This is so helpful. I definitely feel better with epsom salt baths and magnesium. Thanks for the other recommendations too.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

It's good to be cautious with NSAIDs and you can find they start to trigger you when they weren't before - but not all asthmatics are triggered by them.

For migraines, I don't have them but I am aware through work (I write about medical research) that opioids are not considered the best idea for migraine treatment - so perhaps best to be cautious about codeine if you're buying over the counter.

If you find you're having frequent migraines, you're struggling to get on top of them and/or they last for ages I would definitely see your GP about migraine specific treatments. There are more options than over the counter treatments for migraine, and they can discuss what you can take with asthma.

[Beefull8 in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you!

[Patk1]

I find alternating hot wheatpack with ice pack (pkt frozen peas or veg,in a carrier bag - its VERY soothing) eg 20ming ea,is v gd & recommender by physio.whn bad I use a tens machine too.i always have v bad pain in spine and other areas,& personally need painkillers so rely on prescription painkillers.I'd try paracetamol first: if not enough,u could step up to otc cocodamol = 8mg codeine+500mg paracetamol - u take two up to 4x day

At Yr age,I took evening primrose oil capsules 500mg for 3wks then up to 1000mg for pmt- it cured my pmt migraines and other symptoms& was recommended by GP.

Also do drink extra,it does help shift toxins frm inflamed areas and helps with headaches

[Beefull8 in reply to Patk1]

So helpful! Thank you. I will try the primrose oil.

[Poshcards]

yes, Perniton massage cream, i call it my 'magic' cream. If I et a twinge or really bad apin, my hubby rubs it on for me and usually it starts to ease the pain. All natural products too, no drugs involved x

[Beefull8 in reply to Poshcards]

Cool! Thanks.

[Laura_ALUK]

We wish to highlight that supplements could be a trigger for asthma or symptoms for some people.

They are not a replacement for your usual asthma treatment and you should always check with a qualified healthcare professional like your GP or asthma nurse that there are no interactions.

Please refer to our community guidelines for more information.

Please keep in mind that content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors nor the advice given by healthcare professionals.

Written by

[macada]

I'm not sure what country you live in but I'm in Canada and I use topical Voltaren Emulgel when I have back discomfort. I also have adult onset asthma, I 've never been told not to take NSAIDS because of the asthma, I don't take them for other reasons but not because of the asthma.

[Beefull8 in reply to macada]

I’m in the US. Have you tried it before? I used to take Tylenol and didn’t have a reaction so probably could try it again if I really needed to.

[macada in reply to Beefull8]

The Voltaren Emulgel is a topical anti inflammatory that is rubbed on the area of pain, it's not ingested. Yes, I use it whenever I have back or sciatic pain.

[Beefull8 in reply to macada]

Glad to know something works!

[macada in reply to Beefull8]

It works if the pain is from inflammation. If it's something else, it may not work for that problem. Good Luck!

[-Butterfly-]

For headaches I use 4Head (UK)

Found out the hard way that ibuprofen didn't agree with me, and bonjela 🫣

[Beefull8 in reply to -Butterfly-]

Thank you!

[WheezleSneezle]

Only some people with asthma react to NSAIDs. During a hospitalisation the doctor on duty ceased my arthritis med which was an NSAID (meloxicam) and my normal respiratory medicine doctor who was a professor restarted it and told me I was not one of those who have asthma symptoms from that drug class. I now can’t take them because of dangerous interactions with one of my blood pressure meds and carbocisteine but my asthma was never affected. Best to ask your doctor about pain meds to be sure.