Non drowsy pain medication?

[Kricam78]

Hi all,

I have endo between uterus and bowel, my left ovary is stuck to my pelvis and bowel and I have adeno as well.

I've only tried ibuprofen, paracetemol, naproxen, codeine and co-codamol (over the counter strength) for pain relief and co-codamol works best to take the edge off. Unfortunately it makes me feel like a zombie (!) really drowsy and like I can't think properly which isn't ideal when I need to be on the ball at work.

Do you all have recommendations for a non-drowsy pain medication, whether over the counter or one that I can speak to my doctor about? Heat and tens aren't options as my work can be quite physical.

Thank you in advance!

[Cailleach]

Hi,

NSAIDS like diclofenac can be prescribed by your GP, like ibuprofen but stronger. They should not make you drowsy. Often prescribed with a tablet to protect your stomach as long term they can cause bleeding there. For years I took that along with paracetamol and it worked fairly well.

The tens machines are pretty small and meant to be able to be worn all day. I made a little pouch for mine that I safety pin to my clothes just below the waist. The worst that can happen is the connector comes loose, you can just plug it back in.

Hope these ideas help. GP might have other thoughts on meds too, worth asking.

[Kricam78 in reply to Cailleach]

Hi Cailleach, thank you for your reply!Yes I've tried naproxen which is an NSAID, I had to take it with omeprazole to protect my stomach. Unfortunately it didn't work for me. I've never had much luck with ibuprofen previously for other pain so wonder if NSAID's as a whole aren't suitable for me

I do have a tens machine and it's wearable, it has a clip to fix to your clothing but I work as a police officer and wear a utility belt and stab vest and unclips all the time or the wires come out and getting into my PPE to reattach it is a real pain! Especially if it happens when out and about rather than in the office.

I think I'll have to ask my gp as you say, hopefully they'll come up with something because my pain is daily now.

Thank you again for your suggestions. Most appreciated x

[Cailleach in reply to Kricam78]

I was just thinking I tried a couple of other NSAIDS before diclofenac so there may be differences. Ibuprofen did work for me initially but then later was not strong enough.

There are also nerve pain meds, most commonly amitryptyline and Gabapentin.

Amitryptyline does make you a bit drowsy, it’s taken at night though. Might be an issue if you do night shifts though. Gabapentin I found made me a bit dopey initially but that wore off as my body adjusted to it.

You didn’t say if you are waiting for surgery, but have you also tried any hormone treatments that might stop your period?

The other thing I have been considering is acupuncture, donut know personally how effective it is.

Best of luck!

[Kricam78]

Thank you Cailleach, it's very kind of you to come back to the question.

The nerve pain meds do interest me. Thankfully I don't do nightshifts any more so they're a possibility and I'll keep an open mind re the NSAID's.

I already have the Mirena coil and I take rigevidon combined pill. Despite having both I still bleed of a fashion and it doesn't follow any pattern.

I had a laporoscopy 5 weeks ago now where some of the endo between my uterus and bowel was cauterised but I'm still experiencing pain. It's possible that this is more to do with adenomyosis and from adhesions (left ovary is stuck to bowel and pelvis). I am awaiting a date for my follow up with the gynae consultant but as I'm still affected to the point where I'm having to take time off work then I think I'm going to have to see my GP before this.

Do you mind me asking what your experience of endo is? Are you managing to control the symptoms?

[BookBimbles]

Hello I hope you’ve had some relief or help since you last posted.

Just a thought - St Johns Ambulance and other brands - have wireless stick on TENS patches. Some specific for periods. I found them practical when out and about. Same with stick on heat patches. I think eventually my body adjusted to codeine so eventually could take over the counter codeine and work/ drive.

[JadeH92]

Have you tried mefenamic acid? It is an NSAID but I have found it much more effective than Naproxen. Doesn't upset my stomach as much either. There are also more long term drugs for neuropathic pain like Gabapentin and Pregabalin but you cannot just take one when you are in pain like you would with the mefenamic acid they have to be taken daily and I found the side effects more intense especially the withdrawals when I was coming off them.Also have you tried the be you patches?

Hope you get some relief soon 🥰

(sorry only just realised this was posted 2 months ago)