Pain relief

[Lucy_x]

Hi ladies ,

I’m not sure if any of you remember but I really struggle taking tablets . Last year I started training myself to take them and I can now take ibuprofen and similar size tablets - however , paracetamol etc I struggle to take as they’re bigger and more chalk like.

I was just wondering if you had any advice on other pain killers out there and I’ve read horror stories of what taking lots of ibuprofen can cause.

Thanks as always ,

Lucy x

[Christin_a]

Hello

Have you tried a tens machine at all? It sends little electrical pulsed to interfere with the pain signals in your body. It's an odd sensation, but no pill taking required. You can pick them up for around £20 online or in pharmacys. They only work whilst wearing and don't work for everyone but might be worth a try as you struggle with painkillers.

With he ibuprofen as that's currently what you take I'd suggest getting a stomach protector to help and stop the side effects of long term nsaid use.

[Lucy_x in reply to Christin_a]

Thankyou so much what exactly is a stomach protector? X

[luthien in reply to Lucy_x]

well done on taking the tablets, they're all odd shapes so not the easiest to take!

Paracetamol - i take that with a big gulp of water at the same time and followed by lots of water. I think you can get ones that dissolve; soluble paracetamol?

Stomach protector, these go with the non steriodal anti inflammatories; like ibuprofen. It helps stop the sicky and upset stomach feeling, and gastritis (stomach ulcers?) as a side effect of taking those long term. I get Omazeprole from my GP, which really helps, you take it once in the morning when you know you're going to be taking ibuprofen that day. You could go to your GP and get a monthly prescription or ask your pharmacists - when I asked my local one they did something over the counter but it's like three times the price of the Omazeprole on prescription.

[Scottoe]

I used to really struggle taking tablets so had to take dissolvable ones. Progressed to being able to swallow capsules but still can’t swallow tablets. So anytime I get prescribed medication from GP I ask for capsules I take lansoprazole to protect my stomach as ibuprofen used to give me stomach pains. This comes in a capsule too xx

[Lucy_x in reply to Scottoe]

Thankyou so much , I’m sorry if these next questions sound really silly , but just wondering how you managed to be able to take capsules ? And what does lansoprazole do and how do you get it?

Thankyou so much xx

[Scottoe in reply to Lucy_x]

Put the capsule on the edge of my tongue then took a big mouthful of diluting juice. They don’t start to dissolve like tablets do in your mouth, so you can drink as much as you need for you to swallow the capsule. Think fizzy juice works well too.

Lansoprazole is used to prevent stomach ulcers from taking anti inflammatory tablets like ibuprofen. You have to get in on prescription. Omeprazole is the same xx

[c142]

I take beechams lemon which contains paracetamol even when i have severe pain. I found it works well and quicker since its already in a liquid form than the tablets.

[Moon_maiden]

Hi, Nefopam are small tablets, non opiate, prescription only. I think they are a bit more expensive than other pain killers, some GP’s may be reluctant. Morphine is in liquid form.

I’ve never taken so many painkillers in my life.

[Thecraftyadder]

Just to add some information to the suggestions of stomach protectors here (omeprazol and lansoprazole) the official term for these drugs are 'Proton pump inhibitors' (PPI). That's what to ask your GP for. They come as capsules so hopefully you'll be able to swallow them.

[EndoJaz]

I get bad side effects from anything more than paracetamol and ibuprofen. Hot water bottles and heat patches are good. I agree with the lady who takes beechams hot lemon/black currant as they are fairly pleasant to drink and better than taking a tablet.