Pain killers relief during Covid-19

[Fooofs91]

Ibuprofen! Hi guys so obviously with endometriosis pain and living in London it has been extremely difficult for me to get hold of my prescription from my gp for tramadol , there is no paracetamol in stores and there is information going round that people should not take NSAIDS due to the coronavirus . :/ I’m really looking for an alternative. If it was really as easy as going to morrisons or Tesco for some ginger and tumeric I would have but everything is SOLD OUT!!!!!

[Christin_a]

Re your prescription have you asked to see if they can email it to a pharmacy rather than you having to go there to pick it up to then take it to a pharmacy?

If not have you looked at websites that can deliver prescriptions such as UKmeds? In a pinch I have bought private prescriptions before, they are more expensive but needs must.

[Fooofs91 in reply to Christin_a]

Thank you so much for this advice I had no idea I could do this xxx

[angiecxx]

Ring yourDr's surgery and ask if they can send your script electronically to a chemist near you. If you explain it's difficult for you to get to your surgery they should send it straight to a chemist.

[Fooofs91 in reply to angiecxx]

Thank you. I will call them now . Xx

[Moon_maiden]

Ask GP for paracetamol on prescription, the system works differently for prescription rather than counter meds. I did last week when couldn’t get any, no problems.

I also take Nefopam at present, non opioid, slightly more expensive I think, but I didn’t really want opioid.

Good luck.

[Fooofs91 in reply to Moon_maiden]

Thank you for this I will ask them , the thing is all the pharmacies have sold out. Plus I relay on tramadol to even be alive, I am so lucky I have a Stash of ibuprofen otherwise I wouldn’t survive . Keep strong xxxx

[Moon_maiden in reply to Fooofs91]

When it’s on prescription they are in boxes of 100 normally, with maybe 12 extra, depending on the script. They don’t sell this size over the counter and won’t run out in the same way. Much easier 😀

[Fooofs91 in reply to Moon_maiden]

Thank you so much. I am definitely asking tomorrow. Uffff big endo hugsssss xxx

[Amusegirl]

Email me and I will send you a load of paracetamol first class as I was over-prescribed for years and the pharmacy won't take them back! Happy to send you a few tumeric too if you think it will help. Xx

[Fooofs91 in reply to Amusegirl]

This is the kindest thought ever , thank you so much for even thinking like this and sorry it’s only taken me so long to get back . I have been sleeping off my flare ups which have seen to be getting worse . You are so sweet xxx

[Kenko]

Can you get condine? Eat healthy and go veggie for a starters or just eat fish. Also try yin yoga

[Fooofs91 in reply to Kenko]

Thank you . I just bought a yoga mat Hoping to do beginners yoga soon to keep me going xxx

[Thecraftyadder]

Ok. There's a lot of scare stories out there about this. There was even a whatsapp msg saying ppl taking ibuprofen were ending up in ICU. It was fake. I work in a hospital and we have been sent a number of emails on this so here's the facts as we have been informed:

Taking NSAIDS will not increase your chances of catching Covid 19.

There is some evidence that taking them if you have covid 19 MAY prolong it which is why the recommendation is for paracetamol.

However if you regularly take NSAIDS for a chronic health condition you should continue to do so, and if you get sick contact your doctor for advice on if to continue.

But I also recommend as the others have said that you ask your GP for paracetamol on prescription. It's important you have adequate pain relief despite what's going on. I use mine alongside naproxen anyway on my bad days.

[Fooofs91 in reply to Thecraftyadder]

Thank you so much for this advice xxx really important as honestly I relay on ibuprofen right now xxx

[Shmookie86 in reply to Thecraftyadder]

Anecdotal evidence and advice from doctors right now is to avoid all NSAIDs as they may cause worse symptoms of COVID 19, potentially making it harder to treat. There’s no medical evidence as it hasn’t been tested due to the urgency of current events. Doctors worldwide are telling patients to avoid and use analgesics and opiates instead.

[Thecraftyadder in reply to Shmookie86]

Please read my reply above carefully. People who are not sick are not being advised to just stop all NSAIDS. 'Doctors worldwide' are not saying what you claim. I work in a hospital full of doctors and we have had specific emails on this subject. If someone gets sick then they need to contact a doctor immediately for advise.

It is important to only take information from reputable sites online.Check out and read the information on covid 19 and NSAIDS on these:

gov.uk

nhs.uk

hse.ie

[shmookieguinz in reply to Thecraftyadder]

Well the doctors who are speaking to the media and speaking with each other, including various specialists are actually saying what I claim. And I’d rather be safe than sorry. I’ve spent some time recently in hospital and this was the advice given, plus my own GP called to tell me to stop taking NSAIDs as they’ve had meetings regarding this. Perhaps you’ll hear the same soon.

[Thecraftyadder in reply to shmookieguinz]

I'm sorry you have been in hospital. You should always follow the advice of your own doctor as they have your medical history. But still your GP does not constitute 'doctors worldwide'. I don't wish to get into a debate so this will be my last reply to you on the subject but telling someone with a chronic illness to stop or alter their pain medication is a serious thing. It's for a doctor who knows their history to advise on if it is indeed needed, not for anyone on an internet forum, or advise to be taken from a website!

[Shmookie86 in reply to Thecraftyadder]

I think you have misunderstood. I’m not claiming that my GP is equivalent to “doctors worldwide”. Doctors worldwide in the media have been discussing the concerns over NSAIDs, and on a national scale, doctors are advising patients regarding these concerns.

I’m not for one moment advising anybody to alter or stop their medication. I’m sharing some information, which is pertinent to the post, and may prompt people to check that they’re not at an increased risk.

[Lepetitellie]

Codeine? Get it over the counter without prescription

[Fooofs91 in reply to Lepetitellie]

Yes I have some codeine at home thank you xxx I usually prefer taking paracetamol NSAIDS or tramadol I don’t know why they work better for me but it will have to do xxx

[Lepetitellie]

No ibroprofen only for people suffering from viruy

You can take it if you're not symptomatic. Xx

[Nelly_Star]

If you have run out of a prescribed medicine 101 will actually prescribe you a short run to pick up direct from the pharmacy until you can get a new prescription from your doctor. It's worth knowing if you ever need it.

[Fooofs91 in reply to Nelly_Star]

Thank you so much I wasn’t aware of this xxxxx

[endopositive]

If you are isolated then you can take ibuprofen. There is no proof it causes symptoms to get worse. People who are currently on it daily have not been advised to stop. That said it is a personal decision. I have decided to try avoid all meds and replaced with a hot bath morning and night with epsom salts, luckily still available. Also lots of stretching Big hugs to all the endo warriors! Right now how I see it, we need to be supportive to all our friends and family who have no idea, like we do, what it's like to be isolated and not do what you want.

[Fooofs91 in reply to endopositive]

Definitely agreeee!!!!!! The isolation as led to me to taking baths often and I need it especially now that I’m due my period ughhh ibuprofen and paracetamol is literally all I need during this time xxxxxxx big hugssss sis