Pred and painkillers

[Fredddie]

Hi all

Can you tell me what painkillers are safe to take with Pred. Is ibuprofen and aspirin off limits and if so what do you suggest for general aches and pains.

Many thanks.

[SheffieldJane]

I was prescribed both Paracetamol and Tramadol. Painkillers are not very effective for our diseases, after all Pred is the one superior painkiller for PMR and GCA. On occasion I have found that Paracetamol eases a defined headache and Tramadol can be useful at bed time to soothe the flu feelings and encourage sleep. However, if you are still experiencing significant pain then your Pred dose is probably too low. Ibuprofen and or Aspirin can cause stomach bleeds if taken with Pred and usually doctors advise against it.

[Fredddie in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for your reply

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Paracetamol or cocodamol (not together or you risk overdosing on paracetamol and that isn't a good idea) are the usual recommendations for other aches and pain. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin are not usually approved of since they can irritate the stomach, so can pred and both together the risk of bleeding is even higher.

My doctors allow me to use ibuprofen - but I only take it once a day together with 1g paracetamol and that lasts all day.

[Fredddie in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your help.

[Kittymom7]

I hv the same issue. Diagnosed with GCA and prednisone is down from 40mg to 5. Headaches are still there along with occasional claudication. I take gabapentin at night so I hv no sleep issues. Can I take aspirin or similar medication?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kittymom7]

What sort of claudication?

If you are suffering claudication, you need to speak to a doctor.

[Kittymom7 in reply to PMRpro]

Jaw and tongue fatigue upon eating is the claudication I’m feeling.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Kittymom7]

Then you need to check that out….

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kittymom7]

Then that MUST be reported to your doctors and checked out. It isn't ever normal and can be GCA flaring.

[Bramble2000]

Paracetamol, co-codamol, oramorph but they are unlikely to give any relief. I’ve taken all of these and then some and non of them touch the PMR.

[ladygigger]

Depending on the pain level, for me it's either (not mixing, obviously!) paracetamol, co-codamol or tramadol (left over from a recent operation). That's not to deal with the PMR but the bursitis or osteoarthritis in other areas.