Thoracic pains

[Sleeplessinlife]

I'm currently getting what I can only describe as little jaggy pains from my upper back down to waist area. Lying down with heat helps a bit, but it's really very uncomfortable. Any suggestions what meds may help ? I'm only taking paracetamol as required, co codamol doesn't help. I feel I have to go to gp with known helpful remedy..that only those who suffer can advise.

[Rooruby]

I too get these pains and only thing that helps me is heat as well as lying until it goes usually 30 mins. I have been offered opiate based drugs but as a drug and alcohol worker I decided against due to side effects. This was a personal choice for me and I was thinking I'm 62 and as I get older will need more pain relief so I'm trying to holdout. I invested in a hot water bottle which wraps around the waist and you can wear it hands free which is great and even when I go out I wear it under me coat. Brought on amazon good luck xxxx

[Sunseaandsand]

What you are describing sounds like nerve related pain and that will be why you are not getting relief from co- codamol.

The best chance of getting relief for yourself would be by being prescribed Gabapentin to try, usually a lower dose to begin with then slowly increased until relief is found.

When the fractures are new and healing the best pain relief is with Opioids, these can and are taken safely under supervision of your doctor.Many are offered the patches and these can continued for long periods of time. ( I doubt that paracetamol and Co codamol would give much relief when fractures occur)

They are usually started at higher dose then when the fractures have healed can be tapered to a lower dose.

Many people are under the wrong impression that we will become addicted.

This is not true of people who take them for medical reasons, but people who have a history of using drugs for recreational are monitored more carefully.

If offered and tolerated then why anyone would not want to find relief is beyond thinking about.

I hope you are able to get the right medication to help you x

[Sleeplessinlife in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Thank you so much for your advice sunseasand sand. I booked a gp visit in 2 weeks time. I thought it sounded like nerve pains too. I was given amytryptyline in initial stages, that just put me to sleep at night. I'm going to suggest Gabapentin if the GP doesn't !

[CinnamonRose in reply to Sunseaandsand]

It's great to hear some body talking sense.Many years ago a Dr friend told me the if you need a drug like morphine, the body utilises it and you don't become addicted.

My son had a bad accident and was on a high dose of morphine for 9 months, he had a broken back, he had 4 rods put in and they stopped the morphine in the 3rd day with no side effects at all.