Over the counter painkillers

[MusicTeacher]

Hi, I’m new on here. Just been struggling with odd pain over the past week and it seems similar to fybromyalgia. Don’t want to bother the GP for now, am trying to manage pain with paracetamol but it’s not working very well. Any suggestions for self managing? Thanks

[Hidden]

I tak co codamol, I was on naproxen it's an anti inflammatory so you could try ibuprofen which is similar,

I also take ibuprofen and paracetamol together when pain is worse, this is allowed because it's 2 different types of medication

Heat rub/spray or cold gel or any heat really, hot water bottle or heat packs etc

Epsom salt baths, because magnesium helps pain

[MusicTeacher in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I’ll try alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen. Have been having warm baths which definitely help ( can’t cope with the pressure of water in the shower at the moment) - will try and get some Epsom salts

[Hidden in reply to MusicTeacher]

Both are to be taken every 4 hours so technically you can take paracetamol then 2 hours later ibuprofen then 2 hours later the paracetamol again, I take both at the same time every 4 hours

I like hot baths too but they don't help much really, they help for a bit while I'm in the bath though

[MusicTeacher in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Yes, I find the pain is relieved when I am in the bath but not so much when I get out!

[Hidden in reply to MusicTeacher]

Hi

I've got a seat massager. It massages back, bum and thighs, has heat option as well. I also find long hot water bottles and electric blanket. The pain meds I'm in are nortriptyline, oramorph, zomorph and duloxetine and co-codamol as when I need it, try not to use it too much as I know paracetamol bad for liver, I have compensated cirrhosis, liver disease originally caused by meds from my drs over the years. These meds just take the edge off my pain , if I didn't take them I wouldn't be able to get out of bed in a morning!! This pain isn't due to just fibromyalgia alone, I have many conditions which cause me pain 24/7 and an hour or less sleep per night due to pain. Sending all my love and hugs Lynne xxxx 😘

[Hidden in reply to MusicTeacher]

I saw it on the news the other night that ibuprofen and other anti inflammation drugs including the gels that you rub on are to be avoided during the time of the virus, don't know the reason but maybe you should Google to be sure? Keep safe xx

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Hidden]

thats not really correct. There is some very ting anecdotal evidence in flu that anti imflams may not help when you have the virus so if you do not have symptoms keep taking them as prescribed.

bbc has an article on it if your interested.

[Hidden in reply to desquinn]

Sorry, I'm a bit of a drugophobe at the best of times 😫just thought it best in case Music Teacher hadn't seen the report to get her to check it out xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You have a point and I was worried at first, but it seems its only partly true, people with asthma etc shouldn't take anti inflammatory tablets as it can suppress breathing and immune system, but you can if you don't have breathing issues, if you do start to feel as if you might have coronavirus I wouldn't take NSAIDs anti inflammatory tablets unless you're on them from your doctor though, but that's my personal opinion, just the fact it can suppress breathing and I'd need my lungs at maximum capacity is enough for me not to be taking ibuprofen if I think I have coronavirus

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Been watching too many news reports gonna cut down on my news viewing I think it's making me a paranoid wreck😫xx

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Hidden]

nothing on general drug advice about asthma and NSAIDS. There is a comment that IF you take aspirin and breathing gets worse then stop them but that is all.

article is here: bbc.co.uk/news/51929628

if prescribed take them until dr says don't.

[Gooddaysagain]

I'm intrigued by the term 'similar to FM'..... have you been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? If you have no diagnosis, PLEASE 'bother' your GP..... if you leave it too long, to save 'bothering' people, your condition will get to the stage where OTC medication will not touch the pain.

Sorry, but there's loads we can suggest on this site that's helped us but, without the guidance of your GP, that wouldn't really be safe.

Also, if you decide to take Ibuprofen, please ask the pharmacist about what you should take to minimise damage to your stomach and GI tract as Ibuprofen is proven to cause real damage here. (Yet another reason for 'bothering' your GP....)

Hope your pain feels eased, soon,

e-hugz, dee x

[MusicTeacher in reply to Gooddaysagain]

Hi, thanks for your concern and I understand your wariness about giving any advice. I have no diagnosis as it is very recent pain (only a week) and I know it has to be ongoing for at least 3 months. I was just looking for advice as to how to manage at home for the moment. I know we all have to be careful about different painkillers.x

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

As most GPs are only seeing emergency patients at moment, I would suggest speaking to your local pharmacist. They can give you advice on OTC pain relief until you can get a gp appointment.

You describe your pain as only being recent - fibromyalgia pain is pain that has been ongoing for 3+ months xxx

[MusicTeacher in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Hi, thanks for your advice. I'm not saying in any way at all that I have fibromyalgia - I am well aware that it is pain that has been ongoing for at least 3 months - but that is the closest description that I can find. I am also aware that other conditions can appear similar and would need to be ruled out etc. I just wanted to reach out for some advice from a community that knows. I will have a chat with the pharmacist when I next go to the shops.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hope you can get some answers sooner rather than later ... Totally understand how frustrating the diagnostic process can be in normal times, let alone in current situation.

Pain management techniques I find helpful include heat (I use heat pads and heat rubs), exercise/activity ... Keeping moving helps me reduce pain from stiffness,

Holistic therapies -i use reiki, crystal therapy and aromatherapy at home daily, also massage helps me ... So I'll get hubby to rub where needed since I cannot book my usual hot stone massage

Mindfulness, meditation, relaxation,

Distraction such as TV, music, books, hobbies can help to take your mind off the pain for a short term xxxx

[MusicTeacher in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions - much appreciated. xx