Pain relief

[chrissey7]

Can any of you lovely people help me with advice re pain killers I am in a lot of pain with a recurring back problem am desperate to take some meds but do not want to mess my near normal blood tests up thank you x

[butterflyEi]

Hi chrissey7

What causes your recurring back problem?  Is it something that could benefit from osteopathy or chiropractic help as a way to avoid pain killers?

I was told by the specialist at diagnosis that the only tablet a PBC sufferer should take is paracetamol however that is not always enough.  Perhaps a visit to the doctor would help get you prescribed something that will help.

best wishes

[chrissey7 in reply to butterflyEi]

I have been going to a chiropractor over the last year and my back was so much better just hoping this is a blip but need to take some pain relief. I took 500mg paracetamol yesterday and some deep heat rub  I was wondering if taking 500mg x2 would be alright need this pain to stop it is a vicious circle I think I don't walk up right when I am in pain  thank you  for your reply

[butterflyEi in reply to chrissey7]

Hi chrissey7

I think the packets used to say up to 8 tablets spread through the day.  Hope it works for you and you feel better soon.

I used to lay on the floor with my legs over a low(ish) chair so could bend and be supported at the knee making sure that the small of my back was in the floor.  Thin pillow under my head for comfort and support.  Used to lay like that for about 15 minutes at a time to get some relief.

best wishes

[badpiglet]

Hi Chrissey7,

Paracetamol within limits on packet is OK.  Don't go over limits.

But I saw a program the other month where they proved that deep heat topical products are a waste of time as the heat does not go below the top surface of the skin.

I found wearing a wide supportive 'back brace' belt very helpful.  You can buy them easily eg physio room or boots and some have metal supports.  Mine is thermal (and has magnets but those are incidental and I don't think do a lot!) and if I need, I can slip heated thermal pouches (like the ones you can buy to keep your hands warm) into the belt.  I usually wear the belt continuously for days if necessary, no matter how hot I get.

If you've got inflammation, cool packs in a back brace might be good.

The relentless grinding pain can be awful - hope it gets better soon.

[chrissey7 in reply to badpiglet]

 Thank you  I will look into one of those back braces I really don't like taking meds if I can help it

[scarecrow42]

Hi crissey7...

If you are living in severe pain, take the meds! Yes, their may be a few minor side effects, but at least it's some kind of relief. I spent the last 2 years bone on bone in my hip joint. Tried most of them, taken Cortisone shots until they didn't work anymore. By the grace of god, surgery took place and I'm walking again. Hopes and prayers to you...

[GrittyReads]

I agree with Badpiglet (hi Bp!) about taking the pain killers, and the heat creams being no use - and if you think the back brace would fit your pain - and any specialist you see is okay with it for your condition, then try it. 

Do you know the cause of the pain, and/or have you been examined by a really, really  good (old school, eg Addenbrookes / trained last century) physiotherapist?  

I saw a physio I would trust with my life, several times about a knee injury, and then later: lower back and hip pains, and the advice, the (very gentle) exercise and life style regime they suggested for me, each time, were  brilliant lifesavers.   For me, it was basically about losing a little weight,  and very gently, gradually and carefully strengthening the muscles in the area;   but also improving all my joint support, as muscles across my lower joints were not strong enough, and were causing stress, misalignment and thus wear and tear and pain higher up. 

At a later date  (I'd let the exercise slip a little), a brilliant local osteopath agreed with the everything so far (except that I had to keep it up - more so as I got older and was otherwise less active), but he refined some of the exercises until I'd built up again.  He also suggested finding a 'really good, well trained, and careful'  Pilates Teacher ( = probably not in a large group, or local 'gym/fitness centre', or one who doesn't walk around and check what you are all doing, or give options for different builds, conditions, weights etc).   

If I let the exercises slip, I do get twinges, and then I know to go back to the baby exercise and build up again, slowly, but consistently and frequently - it has to be ongoing, for life! 

Nb  The Osteo was also only in favour of cold compresses or ice packs - not heat.  The cold causes the blood to concentrate in the area and speed healing and inflammation reduction.   If you can't do an ice pack (we have several, always in the freezer) rinse a cloth in icy water, place it on the spot, cover with a warm towel and lie in a rest posture with warm blankets over your body for 20 mins.  Repeat as needed - and don't over do things!  The cold cloth is also great for ibs and sprains - tho' ice pack better for sprains.

Hope this helps. 

[badpiglet]

Talking about cool packs - can highly recommend 'Chillows'.  Multipurpose large cool pads that are good for injuries, menopause / illness night sweats and for dogs in hot cars.  Also good for picnics.....!

[amanda1709]

I have dealt with my pain with mindfulness,pain relieving foods,avoiding unnatural foods such as white sugar as they can cause pain flare ups.And I listen to binaural theta waves on utube.It didn't happen overnight,but there is a lot of information on the Internet. Just type in pain relieving foods and pain relief alternative's to drugs.Hope this helps..

[chrissey7]

I have had this back pain since doing the splits accidentally while rescuing a coy carp that had jumped out of our fish pond I know it is funny but not now I am still having this problem I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and get an injection 2x year for this  I have just had my 70 th birthday and still work full time doing a strenuous job so I suspose I am lucky in lots of ways diagnosed with pbc 3 years ago  and not too many problems with that so far no urso so far as my bloods are normal  thank you all so much for your advice I am going to go to boots and buy a back brace will let you know how it goes  chrisseyx

[JennyCville]

Ask about nucynta...it is an opioid that is "pre-processed" and doesn't affect the liver.

So sorry you are going through this.

[TracG]

Hi Chrissy 

Although I joined this site approx 2 years I have never posted anything until now. I suffer servere back pain and my GP and consultant have stated never to take any anti inflammatory drugs or use some deep heat rub creams which have have this as an ingredient. As you say paracetamol is not always enough and with PBC I have always been advised to avoid taking the daily maximum dosage as this is only ok for those without liver problems.  Recently may pain was unmanageable and I was prescribed Codine Phosphate 15mg for pain relief and I was also able to take this as well a paracetamol. This has been the best pain relief I have taken and no anti inflammatory drugs involved. As we are all different this may be something you could discuss with your GP or consultant to get help with your pain. My physio gave me a really good tip that when you lie down on your side put a pillow between your thighs as this takes the pressure off the lower back and pelvis. 

Also I tried a couple of visits with a chiropractor which was unsuccessful so decided to get acupuncture which I had tried years ago with great results. I had not seen this acupucturist for 10 years so when i went back to her I gave her an update on my medical condition and I explained I had been diagnosed with PBC in 2010. The back treatment has given me great results and I now very rarely need any pain relief. Unfortunately I also suffer badly with the itching which I had discussed with her. At the same time she gave me accupuncture treatment to help boost my immune system and asked me to monitor my itching to see if there was any improvements. To my surprise there is an improvement but as we all know it generally never goes permenantly so I go every 2 /3 months for a immune system boost session.

Hope some of the above is useful.

Kind Regards

TracG 

[chrissey7]

Thank you so much  for your kind input When I went to my chiropractor she did use acupuncture on my back  but only for a minute or two I will find out if I can find  someone to give me the immune system boost  as well as back pain treatment I am waiting for a back brace I have ordered  to see if that will help as well  once again thank you      Chrissey

[vikkib]

Hi Chrissey I too live with recurring back pain and don't like to take meds.  I take fish oil caps and  one tsp of turmeric powder with 1/2 tsp fresh black pepper in a small amount of juice after eating once a day but if I'm really sore I take it twice a day.  There are times I think I don't need it any more and stop only to find that I cannot move the next day.  Turmeric is good for the liver but you should google it in case it is bad for other health issues you may be having.  I hope you feel better soon, soft gentle hugs and positive healing thoughts coming your way. 

[chrissey7 in reply to vikkib]

 thank you will give the turmeric a go nothing to lose x

[cazer]

Hi chrissey ive suffered quite a lot with tooth pain...i know i can take paracetemol but was also told  i could have  paracodeine which is the 2 combined but since then the docs  have given me  the codeine phosphate  separately which makes the timing easier so you can cover longer periods without overdoing the  daily dosage.

I dont know if youve been told but pbc can cause lack of absorb of some vits..d being which can lead to thining of bones this can cause a lot of pain..so as a precaution you could ask for your vit d to be checked and a bone scan to make sure there  is nothing going on with that.

Dont panic as it is treatable.hope that helps.cazer

[chrissey7]

 Thank you so much 10 days ago I was in so much pain  from this ongoing back problem I would do any thing to treat it thank goodness it seems to be getting better the last few days  I hate taking meds  I always worry  what they do to the liver  once again thank you for your input Chrissey