Pain relief : Can someone please help with... - Endometriosis UK

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Pain relief

Joannaf1990 profile image
20 Replies

Can someone please help with what they use as pain relief, I'm in so much pain and now won't have my op till February even though I'm on the urgent list and been waiting since June! I'm struggling and use naproxen but it's just not touching it anymore and that's all my doctor said will help

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Joannaf1990 profile image
Joannaf1990
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20 Replies
emmalouise1992 profile image
emmalouise1992

Hi

Have you tried tramadol or I used to use dihydrocodine for my pain relief I found this worked for my pain the only reason I had to stop is because I had a reaction. To it I Now have naproxen and its rubbish doesn't touch the pain!!

Joannaf1990 profile image
Joannaf1990

No I haven't I will ask the doctor if I can get it. I had normal codine but it made me dizzy and sick so not sure if it will do the same. Naproxen works for about half an hour but that it and you can't have many can you

emmalouise1992 profile image
emmalouise1992 in reply to Joannaf1990

Yeah dihydrocodine just makes you feel really happy lol but it made me itch terrible lol tramadol was probably the best ive had as it helped the pain and helped me sleep too! No I can only have them twice a day I think

Joannaf1990 profile image
Joannaf1990 in reply to emmalouise1992

Happy might be a good thing as I'm feeling very low!! Naproxen makes me sleep so at least I get a good nights sleep!!

Cupcake1617 profile image
Cupcake1617

Codeine and oramorph for me - lots of heat too

Cupcake1617 profile image
Cupcake1617 in reply to Cupcake1617

I had the depo injection and that helped ease the pain after 4 days, so I decided to get the implant as it helped that much!

Joannaf1990 profile image
Joannaf1990 in reply to Cupcake1617

I e never heard of orMorph. We are trying for a baby as I know it's difficult to conceive so the implant and pill is out the question 😢 I wish I could afford to go private I don't know how much more I can take

Cupcake1617 profile image
Cupcake1617 in reply to Joannaf1990

its great as it kills the pain but then it sends me to sleep - so I can only take it at certain times/days. Oh i see. Private fees are so expensive :( ... I hope you find something to ease the pain between now and your operation. Keep positive as you never know you might get a phone call before hand :). Im currently sat attached to my heat pad - have you got one or tried one? Some people swear by TENS machines too

Joannaf1990 profile image
Joannaf1990 in reply to Cupcake1617

I've got a hot water bottle right now, someone else mentioned a TENS machine so will have to try that too!! I'm happy to try anything!!!

Joannaf1990 profile image
Joannaf1990

Where do I put the machine on my belly or my shoulder as I get pain in both

I am currently taking cerazette which allows me to manage my pain with a combination of diclofenac, mefenamic acid and co-codamol (8mg strength). This brings the pain down to a level where I can cope with it. Without the cerazette I can't manage at all and have ended up in A&E several times.

I've tried codeine 30mg but not only is it utterly useless, it makes me throw up. I also have tramadol and dihydrocodeine for emergencies but I try to avoid them as much as pos as I have 2 kids and my husband works away a lot, so I have to be able to drive/function.

Your GP is wrong to tell you that naproxen is your only option. There are lots of different painkillers and you may need to try various combinations to find one that works for you.

Joannaf1990 profile image
Joannaf1990 in reply to

My doctors are awful kept telling me I was in pain because of my job and I diagnosed myself in the first place!! That's why I'm worried what to take as I have to drive and work! I've been up a and e too but because I'm waiting for my op they put it down to that and do nothing!! I wanted to change hospitals but they said they would do it in October and was put on the urgent list then they didn't actually put me on there so now waiting till February but putting a complaint letter in, fed up of feeling shit and having time off work when I'm self employed!!

Alicepirate profile image
Alicepirate

Sounds lame but constant hot water bottle is the only thing I find helps😀 even better than tramadol for me .

Susybee profile image
Susybee

Same as above really. Heat helps distract (which I find is all I can do. Constantly try to distract myself all the time) so I have 2 long wheat bags for leg and back at home and a warming back pack for work. Then Tramadol, naproxen, lansoprazole (to protect stomach from naproxen) amitriptyline, paracetamol then anti depressants and laxatives. So much fun. This is the worst my endo has ever been this year and I had lap and ablation in February. I don't think I could face more surgery yet so just spend my time distracting myself as I have a 4 year old but don't plan on anymore. I hope all TTC can manage it as I'm thankful I could at least have a child with this wretched disease. All the best xx

Kelkijojoface profile image
Kelkijojoface

You poor thing, I just had my op last week after a very long wait too- I feel your pain. The best thing I found was dihydrocodeine 30mg every 4 hours AND Naproxen (500mg in the morning and 500mg in the evening). I felt sick from cocodamol but the dihydrocodeine was fine other than making me constipated. I'd also recommend lactulose or laxido to prevent this because if you have endo on your bowel the constipation will be hellish. Also hot water bottle/heat patch is my best friend. Hope you get sorted soon - you are nearly there, just keep on keeping on xxx

Joannaf1990 profile image
Joannaf1990 in reply to Kelkijojoface

Thank you so much! I'm always constipated as it's mainly in my bowel so use lactulose most of the time anyway

Eemc2028 profile image
Eemc2028

I am 4 days post op now and already feeling able to reduce pain relief according to gp although this makes me extremely nervous.before hand i started with naproxen it didnt touch the pain i have gone through lots of different analgesia amatriptalyne,declofenac tablet and suppositories(these are amazing) ask gp about them very under used analgesia.paracetamol,zomorph,oramorph,codeine,gabapentin,zoladex ect.you mag find it takes a combination of different ones to touch the pain and i also cant stress enough how much more effective they are if you are relaxed and also time them so you dont get highs and lows of meds.good luck,use your gp to help plan what and when to take.

Em.xx

Endo sister

Joannaf1990 profile image
Joannaf1990 in reply to Eemc2028

Thank you so much! So many suggestions to put forward! I hope I find something soon

Kelkijojoface profile image
Kelkijojoface

Em is right about being able to reduce them after your surgery- I am 1 week post op and due to see my GP today to plan for coming off my pain killers completely. I definitely needed them for the first few days but it is much more bearable now :) oh and interestingly o have had had no constipation (since first bowel movement 3 days post op) since the surgery despite continuing dihydrocodeine at the same dose as I used preop.

Good luck Joanna - you are on the final stretch :)

Jls8990 profile image
Jls8990

I take mefanamic acid and tranexamic acid, they take me from climbing the walls in horrendous pain to normal human being! I only had my laparoscopy at beginning of December, am due first period at weekend so not sure what will be like after surgery but those tablets have been a complete life saver for me before i had surgery and was diagnosed with stage 2 endo. Hope this helps x

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