Pain relief

[redthedog85]

Evening everyone 😁

I haven't posted in a while but you have always been so great with advice.

I have been experiencing OC symptoms since September and have finally got my date for an exploratory laparoscopy on the 13th of June.

I am REALLY struggling with the pain now 🥲 it has gotten steadily worse over the 8 months and it's now travelled to my hip joints and down my right leg to my knee. Most of the time I can cope with it but when I'm trying to relax it's making it impossible. The pain when I'm sitting and lying down is horrible.

If I went to my GP or pharmacist do you think I'd get any pain medication better than Ibuprofen and Paracetamol (neither works anymore) to get me through these next three weeks? Or would I be wasting my time trying?

I can't remember what it's like to just sit and lie down comfortably 😭

[Lyndy]

Hello redthedog85, you should be able to get co-codamol in three strengths with a prescription for short term use. I suggest you talk to your GP about the next bit of time you need to get through.

Naproxen is another option…like ibuprofen but much less toxic.

Once they know what is going on they should be able to offer a more targeted approach.

Women’s pain is often dismissed, (i think people with endometriosis have found this) so you might want to have that argument in your back pocket and a description of what you are feeling.

Best of luck xx

[redthedog85 in reply to Lyndy]

Thank you Lyndy!! ☺I'm going to try and get a telephone consultation with my gp tomorrow. I've seen several different gps about this issue, it's been a struggle to get to this point. Just glad I have a laparoscopy on the way. I was given the usual response of it's probably IBS and to get the coil and go back on the pill as the only response to the pain. I have been able to manage it fairly well up to this point but not getting any sleep or being able to relax is definitely getting to me now.

I hope the laparoscopy brings some answers 🤞🏻 and I can hopefully, like you say, at the very least get a proper pain management plan.

xxx

[Jholly4]

I found codeine made me feel sick and dizzy ( pain team said I am a fast metaboliser, so get more side effects). they suggested dihydrocodeine and that suited me well and helped reduce pain before my surgery and could use it once off the morphine after the op. Something to consider if you don't get on with codeine too. Hope op goes well.

[redthedog85 in reply to Jholly4]

Thank you!! ❤ That's really useful info ☺ xxx

[Jholly4 in reply to redthedog85]

They gave me docusate to take daily to keep poop soft to reduce constipation and lactulose to have in cupboard in case I felt it was needed.

[SuffolkJen]

Hi redthedog85

Along with all the above great advice do you own. a TENS machine? If not it’s worth investing in one (around £30).

I bring mine out once in a while and it’s a useful tool alongside pain meds xx Jen

[redthedog85 in reply to SuffolkJen]

Hi Jen! I never thought of a TENS machine, I have heard of them. Just had a Google there and it looks like they help loads of people. I'll definitely look into getting one of those, thanks so much for that info 😁😁 xxx

[Trickysite]

i am sure there are a host of pain meds, so do badger professionals, e.g. doc, onc, CNS. Celecoxib is an anti-inflammatory, strong or stronger than ibuprofen and naproxen and easier on the stomach. But, I am sure there are many alternatives. Hope you feel better soon, Emma

[redthedog85 in reply to Trickysite]

Thanks Trickysite ☺ my gps do seem to need a bit of badgering 🤣 I hope I can find something suitable just for the next few weeks. I've managed ok up to now but just this last couple of days I'm finding it much harder to just ignore, or try to ignore, the pains xxx

[thejoannabell]

I found that my doctors were very compassionate and concerned about my pain symptoms when I was in treatment. I hope that your doctors are the same and will help you find whatever works best to make you more comfortable. Before I was diagnosed I was in a great deal of pain, but I found that the attitude toward pain management changed completely once I was diagnosed.

[redthedog85 in reply to thejoannabell]

Hi Joanna, thanks for the reply 😁 I was thinking the same about pre and post diagnosis attitudes to pain. I'm glad you had great gps, mine have not been amazing so far. My pain was very dull at the start in September but now has definitely changed into something less easy to cope with. Just very glad I have my laparoscopy date and I can at least focus on that xxx

[Leniko]

can your oncologist prescribe something stronger. Sorry you are having such pain. 🙏

[redthedog85 in reply to Leniko]

Thanks for replying Leniko 😁 I don't have one cz I'm still in the pre diagnosis stage 🥲 still don't know what this is. Been waiting since December for this Laparoscopy cz my ultrasounds were clear apparently but this pain and other symptoms have just persisted. I'm not a baby about pain and I can handle it quite well normally but this has just in the last week or so gotten to where I can't stand it 😭 xxx

[SopSinger]

Definitely push for something stronger. There is absolutely no need to be in pain (nor for the GP to leave you in pain). Crying on the phone often helps ...

[redthedog85 in reply to SopSinger]

Thanks for your reply 🥰 I know, I need to turn on the waterworks. I can't cry in public or in front of people so I always seem so emotionless and fine with everything when I'm really not 😅 xxx

[SopSinger]

Have you spoken to your GP? Any joy?

[redthedog85 in reply to SopSinger]

Hi! 😁 Yeah I rang my GP and he gave me some Naproxen. It isn't helping though. The first day I was on it the pain was worse 🥲 I dunno if that's normal?? It so far hasn't helped xx

[SopSinger in reply to redthedog85]

Sorry to hear that. Sometimes it takes a while, so hope you're feeling a bit better now.

[redthedog85 in reply to SopSinger]

Thanks for asking about it ❤ I tried changing the times I take them and that seems to be better. I was taking them morning and afternoon but I tend to feel mostly ok in the mornings and I struggle at night so I'm taking them afternoon and night 👍🏻👍🏻 xxx