Ibruphen tablets v gel: hello all well, here “up... - PMRGCAuk

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Ibruphen tablets v gel

Doraflora profile image
77 Replies

hello all

well, here “up north” earlier this evening we had the most horrendous thunderstorm lasting 30 mins - and with huge hailstones -and, I kid you not, SNOW! My poor bedding plants have taken a right battering.

I digress! Hubby has been advised to take pain killers for the awful pain he’s getting with cervical stenosis. Think his body is getting used to the regular paracetamol, and he’s now having the odd dose of ibruphen. Someone has suggested using the gel instead as it’s easier on the stomach. And he’s wary of the effects of taking tablet form for too long.

Any thoughts please, you lovely expert s.

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Doraflora profile image
Doraflora
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77 Replies
SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

Personally I find anything deep seated, the gel is like a chocolate teapot.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS

It is supposed to be easier on the stomach, but because any medication absorbed into the skin then circulates throughout the body caution is still advised. Be careful not to exceed recommended dosage.

As an OA sufferer myself I've always been reluctant to take NSAIDS (except for temporary relief of something like a headache or a broken bone) because they actually interfere with cartilage regeneration which is counterproductive in earlier stages of OA, but I also know that at some point the benefits of pain relief outweigh other considerations,

Bcol profile image
Bcol

Hi DF, I was out driving in that and was decidedly "interesting". Has your husband not been prescribed anything stronger than Paracetamol?

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Bcol

No, he’s not been in this much pain until a week ago. And paracetamol had helped a lot up until then.

He’ll contact the surgery this week if no improvement

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to Doraflora

You can get the weaker version, of Co-Codamol 8/500 over the counter, it may worth trying a few days of them.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Bcol

But not at the same time as paracetamol ...

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to PMRpro

Definitely not, it's a instead of.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Bcol

Just pointing it out - in case ...

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to PMRpro

Thank you. I’m paranoid about things like that. I was even on the phone to the pharmacy before he used the gel, just to make sure it was ok with hubby’s other meds.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Bcol

He’ll try anything! Thank you

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply to Doraflora

See other comments. If you/he does try them then you MUST NOT take the paracetamol.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Bcol

Bless you Bcol, but we are aware of that. Thanks

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

I do wonder sometimes if they have any concept a) the degree of pain being suffered and b) how useless OTC painkillers can be for such things.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to PMRpro

But what is the answer? I feel a bit helpless.

Although he’s not as grumpy as Eamon Holmes apparently is - if you’ve heard about his situation in Italy….

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Doraflora

No - tell me ...

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to PMRpro

You’re not missing much! Apparently he had a spine operation which wasn’t successful. Then broke a shoulder by a fall downstairs and is in a wheelchair a lot of the time & his wife, Ruth Longford, and a lot younger than he, is apparently is fed up of being his “carer” & is divorcing him (according to the “media”)

My hubby is worried - ha. But I have threatened him🤣.

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestree in reply to Doraflora

I have worked with both and it isn't that at all.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Sophiestree

Oh, you can’t dangle the carrot there…..?

Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestree in reply to Doraflora

😉

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro

Had spinal operation in 2022 which wasn’t very successful -left with mobility issues. Along with other things - taken its toll on personal life -apparently divorcing.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to DorsetLady

Hmmm - in sickness and in health, for better for worse and all that. Can't stand the bloke personally. They are both 64 so she isn't younger - wonder who said that,

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro

Not overly keen on either. As you say, in sickness and in health…. Some people are a bit selective aren’t they,

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to DorsetLady

Seem to be ... And some of us did it on a lot less money!!!!

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro

Absolutely…

Mfaepink1973 profile image
Mfaepink1973 in reply to PMRpro

and for a lot longer!

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Mfaepink1973

Definitely! 51 years married for us on Sunday 😃

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Doraflora

Congratulations.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to PMRpro

Thank ye kindly

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to PMRpro

Ha, it might have been my (wrong) assumption for some reason.

But I’d never heard of her until she got with Eamon🧐

Stills profile image
Stills in reply to PMRpro

Exactly! I use a number system to try and deal with pain . One being the lowest and I’m never at less than that in any joint. Usually I have joints at 3-4 which is ok. Given thought that this is the entire body it only takes a single joint to become a five and then all the others, even at a one, become intolerable as a whole. I don’t think GPs have any idea what it’s like to suffer day after day after day and knowing it will never go away. It’s a life sentence.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Stills

I spent ages trying to explain to a new rheumy here doing a study on why our assessment score of the impact of PMR on us is always higher than they assign as disease activity. Actually - just dawning on me, they persist on using the joint pain etc assessment they use for inflammatory arthritis and my joints don't ever hurt except the right index finger but that is a Heberden's node, nothing to do with PMR. But the PMR can be playing merry hell. It is affecting half your body at least - and then something that in isolation and for a limited time is a 3 or 4 ramps up to being an almost intolerable 8. And reduces you to tears because you have no idea when it will ease off since painkillers never help.

Stills profile image
Stills in reply to PMRpro

That’s unsurprisingly typical of a one size suits all approach in my humble opinion.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Stills

No - I think it is something a bit different, A misunderstanding of PMR effects more than everyone with PMR is the same. But you're right in that why do they think a vasculitis has the same symptoms as an arthritis?

DrRon profile image
DrRon in reply to PMRpro

For a lifetime I have also been plagued by Cluster Headaches, the suicide headaches, and so many medical professionals have not yet understood the gravity of this agony in order to prescribe meds that adequately deal with it ... non sufferers just do not get it.

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane

My son collapsed 2 weeks ago, vomited blood and clots. His blood pressure dropped and he was rushed to hospital. An endoscopy showed scarring on his stomach lining. He had to have blood transfusions and intravenous antibiotics. The cause was put down to ibuprofen so I am sure you know my answer.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Koalajane

Oh I’m so sorry to hear that, Koalajane. I do hope your son soon recovers. x

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane in reply to Doraflora

Thank you. He is recovering well and doesn’t remember a lot of the horrendous incident. It happened in their en-suite and he broke the toilet seat. My daughter in law has horrible memories of trying to hold him up while he was vomiting blood, ringing for an ambulance and trying to keep their 13 month old son out of it as he thought it was messy play!She doesn’t want to use the en-suite now!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Koalajane

Not surprised - bless her.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Koalajane

How frightening for everyone

Stills profile image
Stills in reply to Koalajane

Wishing your son a speedy recovery

sewinggranny profile image
sewinggranny

My GP prescribed Voltarol gel for my back pain, it's available over the counter but it is more expensive. I find it works better than ibuprofen gel for me.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to sewinggranny

It’s all trial and error, isn’t it? What works for one….

Mfaepink1973 profile image
Mfaepink1973 in reply to Doraflora

Exactly! I bought Voltarol as I’d heard it was good but it had no effect whatsoever on my sore shoulder (pre PMR)

Mumdadlove profile image
Mumdadlove

I get really bad neck pain, I use a heated wheat neck wrap and also to sleep a neck collar, it just helps with me to not crunch my neck up during sleep and find the wheat pack soothing in the evening, for me co codomol doesn’t touch it but find paracetamol does, I prefer the gel to ibroprofen tablets, I also have a good osteopath that quite often finds that when my neck is bad it can come from my shoulder area, feel for your hubby, and you

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Mumdadlove

Oh, bless you, Mumdadlove. We’re okay. There’s soooo many people much much worse. But it does affect hubby’s quality of life atm.

We’re really putting a lot on the new memory foam bed that arrives next week. Our old bed is not good at all.

Bertiebeagle profile image
Bertiebeagle in reply to Doraflora

We got a memory foam mattress about three months ago. I always said I wouldn’t have one and our old mattress was a good one and only 7 years old (but I think the current recommendation is to change after 7 years) but I have to say I haven’t slept as well for years. Certainly helps with the arthritic joints!

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Bertiebeagle

Oh I’m pleased for you - and totally enthused about that. Ours will be here next week. Can’t wait!

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Doraflora

Let us know if it helps. Reading this reminds me how at one time I was looking into getting a sheepskin mattress cover. Must have been before PMR diagnosis, because haven't thought of it for years. If I recall they were very expensive, but could have got a single sheepskin locally sourced for much less and it would have been large enough for most of me.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to HeronNS

Ha, yes I think sheepskin is still very expensive.

Mattress’s are such a gamble aren’t they, especially when hubby now wants a firmer mattress than me. That’s why we (well, I!) said we’d need to get two single beds with different mattresses. That way we’d both be happy. And they’ll both be fitted to a 6’ headboard so that’s ok.

And: I’ve gone for separate duvets. No more lying there for me with only about a foot of cover on me.

Stills profile image
Stills in reply to Mumdadlove

Wear can I buy a neck collar as you describe or is it prescribed?

Mumdadlove profile image
Mumdadlove in reply to Stills

I got mine on Amazon, it’s a sleep neck collar

Stills profile image
Stills in reply to Mumdadlove

Thanks

Ardbeg28 profile image
Ardbeg28

Different complaint, I get extreme pain in my calf and found Deep Freeze spray and also the gel, bought over the counter, was better to relieve the pain than the Ibuprofen gel I was prescribed.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Ardbeg28

There is still localised pain in my broken wrist and the early days recommendation, used more sparingly now, to ice the area (even through a cast) is surprisingly helpful. Had always thought heat was the key to relieving most pain, but this isn't always true!

Hulotsholiday profile image
Hulotsholiday

I occasionally use the gel for sacroiliac pain when it’s really bad. It works well and quickly. But I only use it for a day or two which is usually time for a flare there to start settling. Ice packs for a few minutes help too. I haven’t read all the posts above, but otc cocodamol had paracetamol and codeine, which may help. Or Zapain which has same strength paracetamol more codeine. I find a mix ( 2 Zapain am, 2 cocodamol bedtime) mostly manages OA pain without the constipation problems usually experienced with opiate.

Stills profile image
Stills in reply to Hulotsholiday

I have used OTC codeine based meds all my adult life for rheumatoid joint pain. Last year I found I had diverticulitis that MAY have caused by the codeine. So just a warning.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Stills

Yes, both me and hubby are wary of being on something like that for a long time.

Hulotsholiday profile image
Hulotsholiday in reply to Stills

Thank you. Yes, as with every med, there’s a downside. My cocodamol and Zapain are both prescribed. I could buy the cocodamol strength otc but I think in view of the risks it’s better that it’s logged. The problem is that there are so few options for effective pain management. I’m hoping that taking 2 cocodamol and 2 Zapain daily is minimising the risk and giving a degree of relief.

Stills profile image
Stills in reply to Hulotsholiday

Sounds like a sensible plan

sidra1968 profile image
sidra1968

Hopefully the docs can prescribe him some Norco or Tramadol to see if that helps, neither does much for me, but it does help many other people.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to sidra1968

Yes, I’ll be packing him off to the docs if he doesn’t improve, but tbh his demeanour has been much better today & he doesn’t seem to be suffering ‘quite’ as much. But it’s been much warmer here today & he’s done a little bit of gardening.

I find he’s much worse when it’s cold or wet.

Helipad profile image
Helipad

I don’t know if this will help but I now use an amazing product I came across, checked out all the reviews etc prior to buying. It’s called Warrior Balm . It’s made from natural organic ingredients and is great for so many pain conditions. It has brilliant reviews and most people I have recommended it to have found it helps immensely. It’s made by a company called M.C.C. Motorbikes Cosmetic Company, please don’t be put off by the name. There is a lovely backstory as to why this was developed. It is also handmade, packaged etc. The do a lot more products as well and I know use a few of them.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Helipad

Ah - good old wintergreen!!!! At least there is no glycol muck in it!

readingbooks profile image
readingbooks in reply to PMRpro

Wintergreen ! Just reading the word brought instant memories of my childhood and my Nana who always used it for her 'rheumatics'. I loved the scent !

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Helipad

Now that sounds very interesting and I’ve already researched it. (What a funny name though 🤣)

If the gel he’s bought today doesn’t help then we’ll definitely give the warrior balm a whirl. I like the sound of natural ingredients…

Helipad profile image
Helipad in reply to Doraflora

The name is part of the back story and how it all came about. Hopefully you will find something that will help

Loveopera profile image
Loveopera

before I had my knees ‘done’ I used both acupuncture and a Tena machine both which helped though where were restrictions as to where in the body you can use them . For arthirits spot gels i use Voltarol Gel which seemed pretty effective

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Loveopera

A friend has also told me about a Tena machine. Another option if need be.

Inchcock profile image
Inchcock

Co-codamol are far more effective in pain relief. But, as the chemist will ask you if you've taken them before. To be on the safe side, ask your doctor if they are safe for hubby, first. We in Nottingham missed the storm this time. All the best.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Inchcock

He’s very wary of taking co-codomol. One of my friend’s husband is totally addicted to them.

But thank you for the suggestion.

Pixix profile image
Pixix

sorry…not an optimistic reply from me…a bad fall onto my Cocccyx four weeks ago has not improved.bursitis in right hip & sciatica in other hip appalling. Back issues, i have a spinal tumour, could be that) very bad. I am on highest dose of time release Tramadol and twice increased the strength of Butec pain patches, & I can only stand for 3 minutes before I’m in too much pain, but sitting down us appalling, too! Seems to me, there are some pains 5hat painkillers don’t cope with! I’m seeing the Dr for a depo medrone & local anaesthetic injection to help the Coccyx area & an examination of my back. I’ve been in chronic pain for 15 years & acute on& off for 12 years. Our 43 years old marriage nearly broke when the 12th disease was diagnosed & steroids were brought back into the picture again. Nearly split for a while. I fully understand Eamon & his wife. It’s hard having something wrong every second & so many different things going wrong, he’s lucky as he has more money & can pay for surgery & consultations, but then his back op went wrong. But being a cater of somebody like me is hell. Maybe even worse than having it yourself. I cannot take ibuprofen or gabapentin, duLoxetine or Pregabalin, but hear good things about them. But I really think it’s up to his Doctor, Doraflora! Nobody can prescribe painkillers without knowing a full history. I’d say Tramadol is one that has helped, though. S xx PS I went to a Pain Climic. He said you’re too overweight. I said it’s the steroids. He said I don’t care what it is, there’s nothing I can do to help you.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Pixix

Oh my goodness Pixix. Poor you.

My hubby has chronic degenerative spine/cervical stenosis. In fact the neurosurgeon said he was concerned to see how much damage there was. Anyway, we’re so grateful to all you lovely people on here with the different suggestions.

Hubby has been slightly better today (it’s a lot warmer here today) & he was happily doing a bit of light gardening, which was good to see.

I’m sorry to hear about your marriage issues. Tension comes out in so many ways. We’re all human.

I so hope you can get some relief of your pain soon. x

And PS: what a so-and-so your consultant sounds to say something like that!

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply to Doraflora

I’m just about to have my spine & whole back area looked at again. I can’t swim any more, & love swimming, but it’s just acute pain that’s stopping me! Warmer helps, it’s a lot colder here in the south of England atm. Thank you, but the good news is that I reduced by pred, & we talked a lot, & are very happy atm. The consultant I saw when we lived a long way from here, so I’m safe from seeing him again!! S x

Grammy80 profile image
Grammy80

Almost 32 years ago, I fractured my ankle and required lots of hardware along with a second surgery just 4 weeks after the first. The doctor kept saying Ibuprofen, more Ibuprofen. It wasn't long before my son found me out cold on the livingroom floor, called the ambulance . I had to perforations of my stomach and required 2 pints of blood. Diagnosis~too much Ibuprofen. Hopefully, they can prescribe something for his pain.💞

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Grammy80

Oh my, you were lucky your son found you.

And hubby is only taking one dose of ibrufen a day; he’s having paracetamol in between.

Grammy80 profile image
Grammy80 in reply to Doraflora

That's considerably less than I was taking and hopefully it gives him some pain relief and comfort. I'm sure you'll be keeping on watchful eye.💞

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Grammy80

You bet I will😉

You take things steady Grammy80.

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