Pain relief: My condition has got worse... - British Liver Trust

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Pain relief

Mummymoors85 profile image
19 Replies

My condition has got worse over the last 6 months and need to take a stronger painkillers.

The Gp has given me codine or zapin but I find these very drowsy.

Is there any painkillers that are strong that don't knock you out.

When I ask the gp I got a weird look. But they don't mix well with a 3 and 6 year old.

Tia

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Mummymoors85
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19 Replies
jojokarak profile image
jojokarak

I am surprised you are any of them medication with liver disease ... What pain are you experiencing?

Mummymoors85 profile image
Mummymoors85 in reply to jojokarak

Constant pain in liver area in the front and ribs and all up the back.

Apparently it's did to the inflammation but I'm not allowed ibuprofen.

Why are you surprised?? I'm currently awaiting my 2nd appt at kings so will ask then.

Fastkat profile image
Fastkat in reply to Mummymoors85

Your liver itself shouldn’t hurt as it has no pain receptors. Must be something else? Higher strength painkillers isn’t a good idea with a chirotic liver and will do you more harm than good

Careful1 profile image
Careful1 in reply to Fastkat

This is true however, the capsule that surrounds the liver (Glisson's capsule) can and does register pain as it has pain receptors. So, if someone has a fatty or enlarged liver it can stretch the capsule and cause some pain...

jojokarak profile image
jojokarak in reply to Mummymoors85

Never would give me anything stronger than paracetamol apart from morphine and that was only when I was in hospital and only pain I really experienced was aching or pain when I had ascites... Hope you get sorted

Millie09 profile image
Millie09

I am not allowed anything bu paracetamol but even then i try not to take them. I am in constant pain but due to two prolapsed discs middle to lower back and osteopenia in right hip.

So you have inflamed liver mummymoores ? I wouldn't even take any pain killers if thats what the pain is. I would have thought this wpuld have aggravated it ? Best thing to do is ask your hepatologist..hope you get some help x

O13B profile image
O13B in reply to Millie09

I too have serious back pain was on a whole cocktail of pain meds including morphine! I am now only allowed 1 paracetamol every 6 hours (no relief so don’t take anything)

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to O13B

Thats exactky why i don't bother taking paracetamol. Does not help. Sorry to hear you have back pain 013B .not good is it .

O13B profile image
O13B in reply to Millie09

No but I just have to cope or kill my liver and therefore myself, so on balance it’s best option x

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to O13B

Totally with you on that one x

1football profile image
1football

Hi

Interesting comments and all have there points but am not quite as convinced as it’s as straight forward as liver disease = no painkillers and for this reason

1,I have cirrhosis

2,I have HCC

3,I get pain

Whenever I have treatments like embolisations am given paracetamol either intravenous or tablet which normally work every 6 hours for ad long as needed normally a week if that’s not strong enough then it’s codein,I think it’s probably down to we are all different with possibly very similar conditions but at different stages so my advice would allways speak to your Hepatology team or failing that your GP and follow there advice

Hope pain eases soon and take care

Huw

Mummymoors85 profile image
Mummymoors85

Thank you for your replies.

Yes I have huge inflammation of the liver (surprises a&e as it's sticks out)

I'm in pain and if I didn't have painkillers I wouldn't be able to function.

I will ask when I got to kings but they never said anything in my last appt. but this maybe because it was my first??

Smyally profile image
Smyally

Sorry to hear you are experiencing so much pain. Like the others have said most people with liver conditions are advised to only take paracetamol and sparingly at that. However if your in pain to the point where your struggling to function then that is not good for your well being either. If I was you I would talk to my hepatalogist and see if they could prescribe something for you and that way they can keep a eye on you too. Hope you feel better soon x

Mummymoors85 profile image
Mummymoors85 in reply to Smyally

Thank you I see them on the 12th so will ask

hi as u prob aware codeine is very addictive well when i say aware i hope u have been told of this u can get various strenght of codeine try a lower strenght if not already on i have along with pbc i have fibromyalgia and 2diff types of arthritis i alternate with co codamol 8/500 and just paracetamol ask your phamacist or even liver dr good luck

Mummymoors85 profile image
Mummymoors85 in reply to

Hi Pattie this is excatley what i do. Plus I can't drive on codine so I don't have it in the week otherwise my children just wouldn't get it to school.

Now this is where my problem lies the pain has gotten worse and my gp said to take the codine on a regular basis.

So do I stay in pain through the week so I can get my children to school or take my drs advice and find other alternatives.

I just wish I could have a stronger painkiller that doesn't turn me into zombie.

in reply to Mummymoors85

i can in oneway understand your gp saying it as far as hes concerned you are his concern not your family but even so he should take it into consideration they will all carry a certain amount of drowsiness but therr must be something else that would suit sounds like a trial and error why dont u ask to be refferd to a pain clinic at local hosp there very good x

Mama41 profile image
Mama41

My hepatologist prescribed Indometacin when I was in pain after RFA.

It worked really well at controlling the pain and there was no side effects

Tramadol and codeine made me too spaced out.

I have liver cancer but no liver disease so it may be different for me as I'm allowed all meds but best to speak to your liver Dr as no one should suffer in pain.

Joolz1408 profile image
Joolz1408

I think there is a case for medicinal cannabis for certain illnesses. In fact I am watching TV with Jeremy Kyle about this subject. The Government will be reviewing this Law.

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