Oh my goodness

[Zmcq]

So I was on lots of painkillers including butrans patches, naproxen and paracetamol and amitryptiline. About 8 weeks ago my Dr started me on 30mg duloxetine it has helped with my anxiety but not helped a great deal with my fibromyalgia. So I spoke to me Dr 2 weeks ago who told me she can't really give me anything else to help, but I can buy cocodomol from the chemist. This helps a little bit. Today my Dr called me and I explained that im struggling to walk and I need some help, basically told me again no pain killers can be given. I got a bit upset and said I can't get help from anywhere and he said he doesn't have anything to give me. I've been referred to physio and pschcology but because of Covid 19 I can't be seen. The pain is getting worse, warm baths help, but I can't spend all day in a bath Lol. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do ? Thanks in advance

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Like MyDexter has mentioned, if you are currently taking paracetamol then you should not be taking cocodamol at the same time

A couple of suggestions that you may wish to consider discussing with your GP ... *If possible as I don't know what max dose is, increasing your dose of duloxetine may help your fibro symptoms

* Consider trying gabapentin or pregabalin

* Consider Tramadol (either on its own or taken alongside paracetamol)

Unfortunately, there is no medication which will take away your pain completely at best you might get something to take the edge off it.

Finding other ways such as a warm bath, heat pads, meditation, mindfulness, distraction etc are useful

The pain toolkit is a great resource for suggestions and tips. paintoolkit.org

[Zmcq in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Hi I am allowed to take cocodomol in the morning and evening then take paracetamol inbetween. I do find warm baths help, I also have a infrared great lamp I use. I have booked another telephone appointment for Thursday to speak to a different Dr so I will see what she says. Thanks

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff in reply to Zmcq]

Ok, yes taking the cocodamol and paracetamol at different times would still be ok ...

[Zmcq]

Hi I'm allowed to have cocodomol in the morning and evening and paracetamol inbetween. Sorry for the confusion.

[Meechan45 in reply to Zmcq]

I am prescribed strong cocodamol and can take 2 tablets 4 times a day

[Jeanhardman]

Hi,I'm in exactly the same boat as you and so as a last resort I bought a vape pen and some cannabis and have a couple of puffs throughout the day ,really really does help,just dont take anymore than a couple of puffs throughout the day and you wont get high

[Zmcq in reply to Jeanhardman]

I have been thinking about this alot recently.

[SusieSquirrel in reply to Zmcq]

I'm in the same situation as you. No medication is working and I have to wait 2 more weeks for doc to increase pregablin. I also have a few puffs on an evening and CBD oil under tongue on a morning. It doesn't get rid of pain but helps the body and mind deal with it better

[Julesubu]

Doctors worry about painkillers being habit forming and sadly a lot of info says they can’t help Fibro pain so not sure they are convinced they will help, it is also a cost thing as these mads are cheaper to buy than prescribe if get free scripts.

Just have a chat with the Gp again.

[Alyson66]

Celecoxib are good,anti inflammatory xx

[DearD]

I have a Revitive machine that you put your feet on and it basically sends small electric shocks through your legs, a bit like a fancy Tens machine. I turn it up as high as I can bear so it can be painful when I'm using it but it's a different type of pain from the fibro so that in itself is a break from it - really just replacing one type of pain with another. However, when it's finished I usually get up to a couple of hours relief before the fibro starts fading back in. I guess any Tens machine would work in a similar way. Might be worth giving one a go xx

[Meechan45]

Why cant give you strong cocodamol my doctor does and 400mg ibuprofen. You must ask if you can have them

[Meechan45]

It is all about money but gps dont understand the pain it takes over people's lives

[Tiamaria2367 in reply to Meechan45]

My doc told me that they had to stop my pain killer's because in America there is an increase on drug abuse and also it could affect my heart so after 20 years on them they are slowly decreasing them but now I'm in agony, there answer was go in your garden and look at the flower's which I was very upset by it. I can't walk any more do to the pain and I'm spreading longer in bed because of the stiffness in my joints and the pain. I feel so low and its hard having to watch my husband doing everything himself when his health is not good either. xx