Sick of pills...good alternatives?

[Goldencat]

Hi guys I’ve got to the point where I’m just sick of all this medication - on good days it’ll make a dent in the pain and on bad days it makes me nauseous to the point where I’ll vomit. My body just feels tired! Regardless of what I take I suffer with low level burning all around my vagina and lower pelvis/ top of legs. Assuming it’s to do with inflammation . Does anyone know of any natural remedies - foods/ teas etc that are supposed to be helpful for inflammation? I’m currently on naproxen, diclofenac and for bad spells oramorph so something that you can take safely with NSAIDs would be great. Would really appreciate any advice of what you guys have found useful against inflammation xxx

[Starry]

Hugs,

Turmeric and ginger are good anti inflammatories.

Also cutting out acidic inflammatory food like red meat, refined sugar, dairy, wheat, caffeine and, for some people also processed soy, helps some people with bloating and pain symptoms. There is plenty of endo diet advice out there, including one book endorsed on the Endo UK site.

I cut out wheat last year as there is science study supporting that, did a food diary to work out my other intolerances and also introduced probiotics that boost the immune system.

It's probably also worth getting your vitamins and minerals checked. I was low on zinc and vit d.

Ironically opioids can increase the amount of pain experienced (Google hyperalgsia) so it may be worth exploring alternatives by seeing a pain specialist. I'm on pregabalin which works differently. There is also tens and acupuncture meditation and cbt techniques to try out.

I found coping with chronic pain by Neville Shone interesting along with the site retrainpain.org

[Goldencat in reply to Starry]

Ty so much starry for taking the time to reply to my message. I will def try the anti inflammatory foods. I’m a big foodie so know I will struggle with the diet side of things but I am considering cutting out gluten as all the women on my mums side: my mum, aunt and cousin have coeliacs and I haven’t been tested myself so prob should! Will cut out gluten for a month and see if it makes a diff to my energy levels xxx

[Goldencat in reply to Goldencat]

And will def try the probiotics too

[Starry in reply to Goldencat]

Opibac, Bio kult and Culturelle all have good reputations and some science behind them. The latter is what I take, supposed to be a strain particularly good for the immune system.

[Hidden in reply to Goldencat]

I just saw a snippet of your post and had to look, I’m too on a few medications - amitriptyline just increased to 75mg, medication for the anxiety related to the pain increased, loperamide for bowel cramping every day, naproxen and diclofenac with cocodamol which really does nothing but when it’s really hurting I feel like I’m doing something by taking it. They just keep piling up and I’m wondering if part of feeling rubbish and drained all the time is an effect of that. I’ve just ordered a book recommended on the endometriosis charity site, “endometriosis - A key to healing and fertility through nutrition” once I’ve had a look I can get back to you and tell you a bit about it if that would be helpful? I think unfortunately one thing that works for someone doesn’t work for another so it’s all about trying everything until you find something for you!

[Goldencat in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your response! Yes any recommendations would be great - it’s hard to know what’s going to work for yourself but I guess I’m only going to know through giving things a go x