Pain relief

[Mintymow]

Can anyone suggest what pain relief I can use while on Pred 3 mg. Paracetamol is not doing it for my back which I think is a different issue from the PMR. Thanks.

[piglette]

A lot of people take Tramadol for back pain, it is OK with pred. Have you talked to your doctor?

[Mintymow in reply to piglette]

Not yet piglette have apt coming up. Will ask about that. Thanks

[piglette in reply to Mintymow]

One thing doctors often recommend Ibuprofen, tell them you are on pred as the two are contra indicative. As PMRpro says have you tried hot or cold packs? Also walking and swimming are good and yoga. Have you got a good mattress? I have heard that some people have got relief from the Alexander technique. I have never actually tried it myself though.

[Mintymow in reply to piglette]

I do walk quite a lot piglette but really don't have much time to fit in other exercise. Mattress is fairly new and I'm reasonably comfortable in bed which is good.

[PMRandRA in reply to piglette]

Slow stretching exercises find online.

Tramadol is addictive.

NSAIDS are prohibited.

[Hidden in reply to PMRandRA]

Hi, who says NSAIDS are prohibited! what would happen if you took ibuprofen?

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

Pred and NSAIDS are documented as contra-indicative, so you can clobber the lining of your stomach.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Paracetamol has recently been shown to be no better than placebo for back pain so I'm not surprised it isn't helping! Never helped me either. If a pain-killer will help then co-codamol is probably the safest alongside pred but it is prescription only.

What is wrong with your back? Have you tried icing (bag of peas wrapped in a towel so it isn't directly on the skin) and heat (warm hot water bottle, again best wrapped) alternately?

[Mintymow in reply to PMRpro]

I get back pain from time to time I think its from pushing hubby in his wheelchair, he had a stroke three years ago and can't walk any distance now. I will try the cold and heat and see what happens. Thanks.

[Trenny in reply to Mintymow]

I had an MRI scan for my back It showed multiple problems and Rheumy suggested corticosteroid injections, which I haven't taken her up on as I am concerned about having more steroids. I am on 7mg Pred at the moment.

[PMRandRA in reply to Trenny]

Try the jabs. They are fine with Pred.

[Runrig01]

Amitriptyline is very good for back pain, especially if you get sciatica with it, but it does relax the muscles. Gives you a hangover feeling in the morning till your body adjusts, but you get a good nights sleep. Drs prefer to prescribe cocodamol before trying Tramadol. This is because Tramadol is an opiate and classed as a controlled drug. However it does not constipated you any where near as much as cocodamol. The 30/500mg strength is prescription only but you can buy 8/500mg over the counter. Hope your pain settles soon 😃

[olive2709]

Started to get backache on 5mg doc gave me co codamol does the trick can take 8 a day bit find taking 2 mid to late afternoon then two before bed works. Used to get niggle in back before GCA went away with pred

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Mintymow, if you feel that your back pain isn't PMR-related, then do have it investigated to rule out any injury. As you have to push your hubby in a wheelchair, then that is obviously aggravating any condition. If you don't already wear one, a support girdle can really give relief with back pain, and could be especially helpful in supporting your spine when pushing the wheelchair.

[Lilymaerose]

Hi mintymow I take co codamol really good if paracetamol doesn't work but you need a prescription, which your dr should give you

[Annodomini]

Don't rule out remedial exercises, Mintymow. If the pain is in the lumbar area, I find that simple pelvic thrusts - not quite Elvis style, but slower - help to release any spasm. Also Pilates takes the strain off the back muscles by strengthening the core muscles and if the pain is related to your having to push you husband's wheelchair, getting the core muscles to take the strain would be beneficial. However, pain relief is foremost at the moment and you have plenty of advice from others about this.