pain relief : Hi, I am a first timer... - British Liver Trust

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pain relief

Orangutan_lover profile image
23 Replies

Hi, I am a first timer asking questions about Fatty liver disease , I have not been out of ICU for six months yet

so my question is can I use voltarol gel on my feet as I have terrible pain in them and been told I can only use paracetamol, I would like to use the gel to message into my feet to get some kind of pain relief as I do not sleep at night at all,

I thought by using the gel and messaging them would help to relax and rest

Sorry for waffling on

Thank you

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Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover
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23 Replies
Clock01 profile image
Clock01

Hello OL 😀, That's a long time to be in hospital and ICU.

Now, I'm no expert but I thought it contains asprin? So might possibly make bleeding more likely? Are you on blood thinners? Then we are not supposed to take asprin and other NSAIDs. Maybe use arnica gel instead? The massaging action alone will increase bloodflow blood flow and should help. But check with your doctors or the pharmacist. Best wishes. x

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toClock01

Morning ,

thank you so much for your reply, sorry I have just read what I put last time i am not good with putting things together my grammar is shocking also my brain is still trying to get to grips with spelling writing reading I’m learning all over again lol

I was on ICU for 25 days then moved to different wards total stay in hospital was two months I was not expected to make it but here I am today

I will speak to my doctor first about the arnica gel, but thank you so much . Best wishes to you to x

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toClock01

Sorry , also I am so scared to take other medication in case it makes my liver worse and my oesophagus as I have bands on it . Have a nice day x

Clock01 profile image
Clock01 in reply toOrangutan_lover

Sorry OL, I misread your post. I agree, keep everything as natural as possible. The simple effect of massaging will help you relax in itself I think.

Have you thought of trying yoga ? Google 'Yoga for Feet' there are several You Tube videos and the slow stretches will help your circulation and gently exercise your muscles. This is just one, easy one: youtube.com/watch?v=K70gvux...

Best wishes. 😀 xx

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toClock01

No I’m not on blood thinners, but was told no aspirin ibuprofen or anything else just paracetamol,

Oldbits profile image
Oldbits

Hello, when hubbie had a bad fall and ended up overnight in A&E whilst he had decompensated liver he was told paracetamol only. But the nurse then recommend arnica or green lipped muscle gel to help with bruises and swelling to be rubbed in. I use tiger balm for my aches and pains and thats drug free. Check that this is OK with your drs. Hope you get some relief soon.

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toOldbits

Hello, aw thank you for your reply and help, I will definitely look at the the things you have suggested, yeah only paracetamol which does nothing for me,

I hope you and you husband are doing well

Nerico profile image
Nerico

Hello! I get aching calves and feet at night, I use a massage oil and give them a good rub for half an hour which really helps. I've also been told by a pain management nurse that I can use ibuprofen gels such as Voltarol as hardly any of it is absorbed into the blood stream so it won't affect my liver.

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toNerico

Hi, thank you for your reply and help, I to have alcohol fatty liver disease and oesophageal varicose so I had to have bands fitted to stop the bleeding, I am so scared of taking any other medication incase it causes bleeding,

With in six weeks I broke my ankle whilst pot was on fell and split my head open on glass tv cabinet and ended up in ICU , omg walking disaster lol

I am so tired cause my ankle and feet tingling and painful, I have also been told I have ptsd due to being in a coma and an hallucination which I can not get out of my head, I just want to have a good night sleep, Hay ho , all will be good take one day at a time

I hope you are doing well and thank you for your reply

Nerico profile image
Nerico in reply toOrangutan_lover

Bless you, you've had a tough run of things.I've got banded varices too, my consultant has prescribed codeine for pain and a paracetamol if required. I just have to make sure I only take them in extremis; they said a low dose intermittently won't cause any harm. Stay away from aspirin as it thins your blood making bleeds more likely, dont take ibuprofen orally, although you can use topical gel as hardly any of it gets into your system.

Before you do anything, GET EXPERT CLINICAL ADVICE, can't stress that enough. Explain your symptoms and they should be able to help. Do try the massage, it really helps me and I do it when I go to bed which helps me relax and sleep, my sleep pattern is terrible! Lack of decent sleep is the thing I hate most, it's like torture. You can buy oils with ingredients like lavender, which apparently also helps with sleep.

Good luck, get advice and hopefully things will settle down a bit.

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toNerico

Aww bless ya you are kind thank you, I have taken on board everything you have said and I will speak to my doctor, I have lavender in the garden I’ll put some at the side of my bed and lavender spray mist I’ll give then ago again, also massaging my feet, anything is worth trying, I get emotional when I can not sleep ,

Once again thank you, hope you sleep well , take care

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toNerico

Morning , i received email earlier then deleted, I hope you are well , I can’t get my head around just sending a message without sending a post, anyway hope you are ok,

Nerico profile image
Nerico in reply toOrangutan_lover

I'm good thank you, how are you today?

To send a DM just click on the username and select chat.

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toNerico

Hi 👋,

Yeah I feel good today and so pleased you are to, I do agree as well about having a pet Barney is my little Shitz Tzu and he lives up to his breed lol , no he is lovely placid and very relaxing but at the same time he can have his moments he is 16 years old, he was my son’s dog and was brought up playing football camping swimming not a lap dog at all, he’s just getting on a bit now so a little slow bless him ,

Anyway glad you are ok and telling me about the DM bit I will try it not good at stuff like that but I will give it a go

lanamc profile image
lanamc

My hematologist said voltaren gel is fine. But I also get great relief from Arnica gel and cream.

Before bed, I usually have a good hot /warm bath with epsom salts. Helps a lot with nighttime leg pain.

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply tolanamc

Hello, thank you for your reply, I will try some Epsom salts, I will be seeing my consultant in August and will have a word with him, as for my doctor I have only seen him once since being out of hospital and he did not mention my liver being in ICU nothing I felt like I was in the way, but never mind all will be ok,

Thank you once again I hope you are doing well

Clock01 profile image
Clock01 in reply toOrangutan_lover

Dear OT, it''s was your consultant who was in the wrong. No one should be made to feel in the way, especially in a hospital. Put that thought out of your mind. xx

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toClock01

Hello, thank you for your reply and thank you so much for helping me feel better , I live on my own so no one to talk to about things ,

Once again thank you, I hope you are well xx

darshaks profile image
darshaks in reply toOrangutan_lover

hi i am from india liver chirossis kpa 15 taking so much antidepressants and have to take painkillers and antibiotics and nsaid every 2 months though doctor denied me but if i dont take my situation worsens i have unbarrabale pain when i wake up in morning in legs ankles and hands i have kept one servant who press my all points for half and hour believe me it comes down my pain to half.. cant you hire one i dont know about your country...

Pie-eater profile image
Pie-eater

I was recently given a tube of Voltorol following billiary reconstruction 2 years after transplant. Some doctors are happy for me to take paracetamol, others are stricter, Only 1 tablet at a time. Asprin is right out, except for the 75mg I’m prescribed each day, I too have banded varices, don’t think they’ve bled thou since before transplant.

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toPie-eater

Hello, thank you for your reply,

You have reassured me in someways as I am so worried about the bands bleeding or even popping off, I know it stupid of me to think that it’s cause I am on my own and I do that what if

Thank you I do feel more at ease, i hope you are well and doing ok

Sorry my grammar is awful not good at putting things together to make sense, I know what I want to say just can’t word it right,, I am dyslexic thank god for Alexa who helps me to spell

Pie-eater profile image
Pie-eater

Don’t worry about the grammar, I didn’t notice anything wrong. The reconstruction wasn’t as bad as the transplant but was worse than I was expecting. Been 5 weeks now and feeling slightly better each day. Hope you go on alright. Thanks.

Orangutan_lover profile image
Orangutan_lover in reply toPie-eater

Thank you, aww dear I am pleased you are feeling better each day that’s good one day at a time and every day will be a good day. Best wishes to you and take care x

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