Some pain relief/medication suggestions - Endometriosis UK

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Some pain relief/medication suggestions

elisepalmer71 profile image
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Hi all

I often see posts asking what medication you should be on and what suggestions people have for meds.

I would expect that most of us would have tried paracetamol and a NSAID (non steroid anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen. These can be taken together and should be taken regularly. So even if the pain seems less, keep going with that regime. (Obviously following patient advice leaflet).

If that doesn’t work then a stronger NSAID such as naproxen could be added in, or mefanemic acid. These drugs can upset the gut, so sometimes you May need a drug (PPI- proton pump inhibitors) to protect your stomach- particularly if you are on long term regular use.

Another drug called transanemic acid can reduce the heavy flow and this in turn can improve pain.

If the paracetamol isn’t working, then the next step up would be something like co-codamol or codydramol. This is a mixture of paracetamol and codeine. It comes in doses of 10mgs and so on of codeine. Do you might be on 30/500. Which means each tablet has 30mgs of codeine and 500mgs of paracetamol.

Again, to keep pain on a steady line rather than severe increases, take it regularly, at the same time every day. Set an alarm, and take it even if the pain is subdued.

Another choice might be tramadol. This is an opioid drug and can make you drowsy. It gave me side effects of a dry mouth, which is quite common. It may also make you constipated, along with the codeine as above, so taking a laxative of some sort is recommended. Something along the lines of Sennokot, Lacido or similar.

Sometimes drugs such as amytriptyline, gabapentin or similar, are prescribed to help with neuropathic pain. Although it says in the leaflet they are for depression or to treat epilepsy, they are also licensed for pain treatment.

This ‘pain ladder’ is the usual way to treat pain and the best way for you to get your clinician to help you is if you show them a record of what you have taken and when. Then from that, they can judge what isn’t working and add in something else. I would also think that if you were at the stage of being on codeine or tramadol (or any other opioid), then a referral to a gynaecologist is not unreasonable to request.

I hope that helps. If you go along with evidence that pain meds aren’t working, it’s a much easier process.

So when it came to my daughter, I started her on four times day paracetamol and three times a day Brufen. I’d written it all down, and after 2 cycles (one lasting 10 days and the other 14 days with a gap of 3 wks between the 2) and a record of how frequently her pad was changed, how limited she was with activities of daily life, where her pain was etc. She was immediately started on something stronger and referred to endo specialist centre.

Hope that helps you all ladies. Especially the younger ladies/ young adults as you know that you aren’t alone and that there are other girls like my daughter, going through similar struggles, so I can empathise with you.

Obviously you should speak to your GP and specialist about any medication and follow their advice. This is just to explain some of the meds that might be used.

Blessings, Elise. X

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EndoBattle profile image
EndoBattle

Dear Elise, what a great informational post. Well done for posting this. I work in a pharmacy and couldn’t have written it better. Obviously check with your pharmacist if you are taking any other medications and ibuprofen shouldn’t be taken if you are sensitive to aspirin or asthmatic. I would always recommend the coverage you have listed. Especially paracetamol and ibuprofen as you can cover your pain with a staggered structur 2xparacetamol first thing. Then when you have eaten ibuprofen. Important to have food in your tummy when taking ibuprofen you don’t want to add to the list of ailments that you are already dealing with. Tens machines are also brilliant for pain. Especially if you have stomach problems and are limited to what you take. I can’t take codeine at all. It’s also important if you do have constipation to take the right product to help. Generally a stool softener is better than a laxative. Health care advisor’s and pharmacist are a great source of advice and support. I wish your daughter all the best for the future. Claire xx

elisepalmer71 profile image
elisepalmer71 in reply to EndoBattle

Hi Claire, thanks for adding those extra important pieces of information. I would definitely recommend advice from a pharmacist because often drugs are prescription with very little information because of the time pressures. I’m a NMP, which is why I suggested these meds and to reassure this group. Hopefully between us, we have able to help someone. X

Blessings, Elise

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