safe pain killers

[Sophia1968]

Good morning,

Just a quick question, I have terrible neck pain , I really need to take something as I have an echocardiogram this afternoon and really want to be more comfortable, can I ask if any pain killers are safe with cirrohsis (I know I have not been officially diagnosed, but due to scans and kpa result I’m playing it safe in case) I have heard that paracetamol and ibdufen are a no no, but I’m not sure if there is something out there I can buy which is safe, I’m not one for taking pain meds so I know I would only take the one dose to help me through this scan (which lasts about 50 minutes), any advice would be much appreciated, thank you xx

[Readlots]

Hi Sophia, it’s probably best to check with a liver nurse, either your own or the BLT helpline. I’ve been told that half a dose of paracetamol is OK, but ibuprofen is a definite no. But I’d check with a professional first. Wheat sacks or a hot water bottle or icing it may help and wouldn’t hurt your liver. It could be tension due to your scan today and might just go away once you’re there and they are doing their thing.

[Sophia1968 in reply to Readlots]

thanks hun, I think I slept funny in bed two nights ago, that’s when it started, I have not had the scan yet, it is this afternoon and I just think it will be so uncomfortable unless I can ease the pain, I have tried ice and water bottles but it didn’t help, I’ll have another go maybe….. I wish I had a liver nurse but I have no one, I seem to be left to my own devices , I could try and ask my dr but I probably won’t get a response for a few days, thanks for your help my lovely xx

[AyrshireK]

Paractamol is not a no no with cirrhosis.Paracetamol at a reduced dose than that of someone with a healthy liver is what hubby was both prescribed and advised by his liver doctor for anything from headaches to post procedural pain (after endoscopy and embolization operation).

A one off dose isn't going to hurt your liver.

Ibuprofen and other NSAID's have blood thinning properties which can contribute to bleeding problems which someone with cirrhosis, low platelets etc. may already have problems with.

[Rshc in reply to AyrshireK]

hi Katie, is that why cirrhosis patients can’t take ibuprofen? Because of clotting and not because it can cause further liver damage?

[Ubwa in reply to Rshc]

I think it can cause damage to your renal system too

[Sophia1968]

aww thank you Katie, that is great, I only need it for this scan, I will cope otherwise, so I would normally take two paracetamol, do you mean I should just take one instead, or does lower dose mean still two pills but only 4 in 24 hours and not 8 …. Xx

[Readlots]

For me it was just one tablet

[Sophia1968 in reply to Readlots]

thank you so much, I will take just one, hopefully it will work, thank you so much for your help xx

[Kristian]

Hi Sophia,

As Katie says, paracetamol is generally ok with cirrhosis, its probably one of the only over the counter pain killers that is, lol. I was just told to err on the side of caution and keep the daily dose at a max of 6 instead of 8. Key thing is avoid the anti inflammatory stuff like ibuprofen.

[Sophia1968 in reply to Kristian]

excellent Kristian, thank you so much , I appreciate you taking the time to reply , xx

[Kristian in reply to Sophia1968]

No probs and good luck this afternoon. Fortunately an echcardiogram is a pretty sedentary procedure, lol.

[Sophia1968 in reply to Kristian]

thanks hun, yes it was good that I didn’t have to move much, only once to turn on the side, but the getting down in the first place was really hard, the pain just dragged xx

[Roy1955]

My consultant said take as little as possible but also said 2 tablets 4 times a day is acceptable.Dr also recently gave me cocodamol and checked it was OK for someone with well compensated cirrhosis.

If someone has advanced cirrhisis the dosage might be lower.

[Sophia1968 in reply to Roy1955]

that is very helpful Roy thank you, I have made a dr appt because it is getting worse, I am in tears with it now, I only took one paracetamol yesterday, maybe I will take some more today , I’ll see what the doc suggests out of interest as well xx

[Ambrosian]

Most of the well-known brands of Paracetamol have quite high levels of salt in them which is not good for liver conditions. However if you are in the UK Boots have an own brand Paracetamol which they claim has zero salt. You can buy it online if you don't have access to a store although the delivery charge does push the price up.

I sometimes take it for headaches and neck pain caused by spondolitis.

[Sophia1968 in reply to Ambrosian]

oh that’s good to know, I usually do use boots paracetamol, but only have asda at the moment, I wonder if they are ok salt wise xx

[Tommy62]

I was told paracetamol is ok but ibuprofen is not

[Sophia1968 in reply to Tommy62]

thank you Tommy xx

[LolaBow]

Hi Sophia. I was told to continue taking all my meds which also includes paracetamol..I cut myself down from 2 to 1...but if I'm in a lot if pain I take 1 and a 15mg if codeine x

[Sophia1968 in reply to LolaBow]

thanks Lola that makes sense doesn’t it xx

[AnxiousPete in reply to LolaBow]

I was told no opiate painkillers which is what codeine is ? I was taking codeine for arthritic pain so I'm going to check with my consultant on Monday.

[LolaBow in reply to AnxiousPete]

I would pete, I've asked a few times and told it was OK. I also stopped taking a quinine tablet at night for a few weeks ( as I had read quinine was not good for your liver)until I spoke to a consultant and they said it was ok to take them.

[AnxiousPete in reply to LolaBow]

I checked and he said Codeine is OK as I am well compensated. I can also take normsa dose paracetomol.

[Sophia1968 in reply to AnxiousPete]

it’s so confusing Pete, are you allowed paracetamol? My dr just called and was suggesting cream like voltarol and ibrufen but not those ones, she said one that just goes on the skin and does not absorb in, I can’t remember the name, these things never work for me and so I asked if I could use any pain killers, she said not really because they are all no good for the liver 🤦‍♀️ She will speak to the pharmacy and call me back, so it will be interesting to see what they say xx

[AnxiousPete in reply to Sophia1968]

Definitely paracetomol is OK. I'm not sure about the creams / ointments but cannot see how they would work on pain receptors if not absorbed ?

[Sophia1968 in reply to AnxiousPete]

totally how I felt Pete, even the Voltorol never works on me so really can’t see a non medicated one working, esp one that’s not absorbent besides non medical —- surely that’s just a moisturiser 🙄, I honestly have learnt and had more help from all of you than I have with the doctor xx

[Herman7275]

Not sure if this is strong enough but this only pain killer am allowed to take but with a higher dose it normally helps me!! 500mg of Acetaminophen

[Sophia1968 in reply to Herman7275]

Thank you Herman, that is good to know, can these be bought off prescription xx

[AyrshireK in reply to Sophia1968]

Just another name for paracetamol.

[Herman7275 in reply to AyrshireK]

Not sure have never seen paracetamol, but this does help me & a non-prescription and no harm to liver & kidneys

[AyrshireK in reply to Herman7275]

Paracetemol, Tylenol, Acetaminophen are all the same just under different names.

[Sophia1968 in reply to AyrshireK]

that is really good to know, thank you Katie xx

[Herman7275 in reply to AyrshireK]

Well I recognize tylenol, thanks

[Herman7275]

This I can buy over the counter,without prescription.

[AnxiousPete in reply to Herman7275]

We have quite different names to the US for many medications - most people in the UK don't know what acetominaphen is - we know it as paracetomol and it is available without prescription.

[Oldbits]

Hi, when my hubbie needed pain relief after a nasty fall, his gp said 1 paracetamol would work fine as a damaged liver takes so long to remove it from your blood it would work for a longer time. Also to use low dose ibuprofen gel as that doesn't get into the blood. But I would check with your dr as all of us are different. Hope you feel more comfortable soon. I always find that a bag of frozen peas also helps with muscle spasm after I've been doing too much gardening 🙂

[Sophia1968 in reply to Oldbits]

thanks my lovely, I’m still in pain but spoke to dr and she said I can still take two paracetamol but leave longer between doses, I took two pills at 3 pm so if I take another 2 about midnight when I go to bed that should be ok, I have a good pain threshold usually but this is awful , the paracetamols have taken off the edge thank goodness xx