painkillers

[Autienotnaughty78]

got out of hospital two weeks ago with a month supply of tapentadol 150mg plus paracetamol (8 a day) and aspirin. (2na day) To treat back pain. Physio started a week later. I have started with headache this week gp doesn’t have an answer or solution. Any ideas ? Also I will run out of tablets in 10 days, I don’t know whether I need to start reducing or ask for more at this strength. Pain is manageable and I’m able to move around but I feel sluggish and crap all the time. Anyone have any experience to share? I have a consultant appointment in a month but other than that no one to ask. Gp hadn’t heard of tapentadol. MRI showed a prolapsed disc , consultant thinks pain is due to inflammation.

[Bananas5]

healthdirect.gov.au/tapentadol

[Scotsman53]

Headache is a possible side effect of tapentadol, sounds like a change in medication is called for but that would probably have happened anyway at this stage. Good luck!

[cyberbarn]

And others have said, sometimes the side effects start to outweigh the usefulness of painkillers. It sounds like time to start to taper. If the consultant thinks the pain is from inflammation then it the tapentadol isn't the one to deal with inflammation, that will be down to NSAIDs. It might be that you need a stronger one than aspirin, so you could ask your GP for that. A Pharmacist could also advise.

[CharlieJ22 in reply to cyberbarn]

I've been taking 100mg of slow release tapentadol twice a day, since August 2016, for chronic pain issues. The dose is still effective and I've had zero side effects from it ever. If she was given a four weeks supply two weeks ago, then she definitely doesn't need to start tapering. Whilst tapentadol isn't an NSAID, unlike morphine, it works on nerve pain, she should have been prescribed an SAID alongside it.

[Autienotnaughty78 in reply to CharlieJ22]

She prescribed asprin twice a day. I’m wondering if I need a stronger nsaid? I’ve had headaches, nausea, anxiety, twitching , grogginess with the tapentadol and sometimes pain although milder than before. I do want to come off it but not if it means more pain.

[110201]

I used tapentadol post my spinal fusion and have spares still in date if needed. This is another of those medicines that you shouldn’t just stop suddenly!!

What is the plan going forwards for the prolapsed disc? I suspect until this is remedied then your pain will continue.

As already stated if the pain is down to inflammation possibly naproxen or similar would help better perhaps.

Wishing you better and keep us updated!

[Autienotnaughty78 in reply to 110201]

Thank you. I think I’m going to discuss with the gp reducing it gradually . It’s brilliant for the pain so I’m nervous to disrupt things. Will also discuss nsaids as I’m currently on 2 asprin a day but there’s possibly a better solution. I’m totally new to all of this , previously I managed my pain with ocm and exercise. The hospital pain management chose my meds but now I can’t contact them and GP doesn’t seem to know much. I did speak to my pharmacist yesterday who was helpful.

[Autienotnaughty78 in reply to Autienotnaughty78]

No long term plan for disc they said it’s not serious enough for surgery. I’m going to ask about steroid injection and look at osteopath and acupuncture.

[CharlieJ22 in reply to Autienotnaughty78]

Without a medical plan regarding the prolapsed disc and access to any x-rays or MRI scans and reports, any good Osteopath, won't touch your back. It takes around a week to get tapentadol into your system thoroughly and for it to start being properly effective.

[110201]

great news on the disc front so just needing to work out an effective combination for pain relief! I love my osteopath, she also uses needles so happy days! Best of luck to you x

[CharlieJ22]

Most GPs won't have come across tapentadol before, pretty much every CCG in the country class it as a "black drug" which means "unsuitable for use in general practice" which means that in the first instance it must be prescribed by a hospital pain management consultant. It's also still pretty expensive as it's still under patent so no generics are available.