nurofen

[jsk10]

Hi I have had PMR for 3 1/2 years now and down to 7mg of pred. I have recently gone down with a horrible virus which has effected my nerve in one ear. I am waiting to be seen by a specialist but have been in a lot of pain and Paracetamol only takes the edge off. I am taking the max of them too and it does not cover 24 hrs of pain relief. Would the odd nurofen do any harm if i took them on a full stomach. This is only to get me over the hump I am in so much pain and the doctor says he cant help.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I use ibuprofen for occasional use and it hasn't caused me any problems so far. My rheumatologist uses NSAIDs as a course of infusions for a weeks for certain things and when he does he insists that I take a PPI - here they use pantoprazole.

Have you tried cocodamol? The addition of codeine makes it much more effective, especially the higher doses which must be prescribed. Hasn't the GP offered that or can you not take codeine?

[jsk10 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your swift reply. Codeine knock me out. I will try some nurofen only when the pain gets too bad. Hopefully it won’t take too long to see the doctor. I have never had pain this bad. Sorry except giving birth and I had a lovely gift for all that pain.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jsk10]

Yes, I wondered if that was the case - I don't do codeine either!

Is the GP sure this is a virus?

[jsk10 in reply to PMRpro]

Waiting for an appointment it could take a while.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jsk10]

Not good enough - since ear pain can also be due to GCA flaring and must ALWAYS be borne in mind,

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

My thoughts exactly 😳

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

I didn't say it the first time I saw it but it poked me harder this time!!!

[jsk10 in reply to PMRpro]

Should I mention this they might pull there fingers out. I have been in excruciating pain for 12 days now. They know I have PMR the doc said they don’t think it’s related? What should I do? I’m worried and upset.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jsk10]

Then that doc needs a kick. You can't say what something ISN'T without seeing the patient. You are in severe pain - they should be seeing you. Only leaves a walk-in centre, 111 or the ED.

Different system here but if I had the same and went to my GP (same day, turn up and wait, it works) I'm pretty sure she'd tell me to head for the ED at the local hospital. Would definitely call them and probably write a letter as the hospital can't see her notes from the practice. But I wouldn't be left for 2 weeks.

[jsk10 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you I will try.

[Gimme in reply to jsk10]

If you call 111 and mention possibility of GCA, I think you will most likely find that someone will be on the phone to you within a couple of hours, if not directly. I've called twice because I was worried about my eyes and I was seen by the emergency opthalmologist at the hospital within the hour both times, so I would be very surprised if they will delay, even though the pain is in your ear, because of the potential risk to your eye sight.

[jsk10 in reply to Gimme]

Thank you for your reply I am off to A&E in the morning.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jsk10]

Yes you do need to contact again -and mention that ears can be involved in GCA .. if they query if, then refer to this -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

Also includes the study