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Painkillers

Posted , 16 users are following.

floramac
floramac

Hello, currently on 3mg pref after 3 years. My back went on Monday and I am struggling with the pain and spasms. I have been using aspirin but yesterday I went onto Brufen which was slightly more relief. I did not take my dose of steroids yesterday as I believe you should not take both together? What painkillers do others take when the need arises?

Thanms

0 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • gillian_25383
    gillian_25383 floramac

    Posted

    As I can't take NSAID I take paracetamol and if needed tramadol on prescription.I know people say it can be addictive but never had a problem. Hope your back eases soon

  • kate50809
    kate50809 floramac

    Posted

    Poor you. I have to take painkillers for an ongoing problem with my back but I avoid aspirin because of the pred. I really don;t think you should stop the pred at the moment though, you don't want the added pain of pred withdrawal. Can you take paracetamol? (I also take Tramadol when necessary - but that's serious stuff!!) Hopefully it will all settle down in a couple of days.

    All the best

    Kate

    Kate 

  • Silver49
    Silver49 floramac

    Posted

    I don't know what to suggest but I can empathise as that happened to me a few weeks ago and I was on 2.5mgs. I didn't take any painkillers but struggled and the pain was worse when I lay done so sleep was difficult. I increased my Pred by .5mg but I don't think it made much difference. I'm stubborn and prefer to put up with the pain rather than take anything. It eased after about 3 weeks. I think others will advise but I hope you have some relief very soon. 

  • 3party
    3party floramac

    Posted

    I have used the same analgesics as I would use if I were not on Prednisone (5mg).  Frankly, 3 mg is such a small dose that I would not worry about it. When no one is looking, you might try 5 mg or even 10 mg just once, as a diagnostic tool. If it makes a bnig difference, you know that inflamation is the culprit, which suggests Ibuprofen or similar, rather than codeine or similar.
  • EileenH
    EileenH floramac

    Posted

    You shouldn't really take both together long term, it isn't recommended because both can irritate the stomach and even cause bleeding if you are unlucky - but you MUSTN'T miss your pred doses, even at 3mg. Your adrenal galnds are unlikely to be fully up to speed sinc eyoua re still taking pred, albeit a low dose.

    If you need to use NSAIDs then also take omeprazole or ranitidine, take the tablets at separate times and if possible with a meal. Icing and heat alternating may help - or one or other alone. everyone is different so it's difficult to say what will suit you. 

    Some people use arnica for muscle problems but deep heat type gels are also OK in small amounts with pred - though not if you have asthma apparently,

    • floramac
      floramac EileenH

      Posted

      I take omeprazole on a daily basis and have done for years. I have been at 3mg and below for 9 months now. I am doing the ice and heat and the deep heat, all with little effect. I am allergic to paracetamol so that is out.
    • EileenH
      EileenH floramac

      Posted

      Then you are safe as you can be taking an NSAID and pred together, though, as I said, not in the same hour or two is probably a good idea. 

      But really you shouldn't just drop the pred like that. Even 3mg of pred has an effect on the adrenal function. However long you have been on it.

    • floramac
      floramac EileenH

      Posted

      The pain overtook my sense yesterday! Back to pred today and have waited 3 hours before taking the painkillers.
    • bjmoen
      bjmoen EileenH

      Posted

      Can you please tell me what omeprazole and ranitidine are?  I'm in the US.  We have ibuprofin, asprin, Tylonel and Aleve,  Would any of these be the same as omeprazole and ranitidine?

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy bjmoen

      Posted

      Omeprazole is a PPI, a Proton-pump inhibitor, it could be called Prilosec in the US, it treats conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach. Ranitidine also called Zantac is also an antacid but is an older drug and it is not actually a PPI which is a newer product.  Ibuprofen, aspirin, Tylenol and Alene are all pain killers.
    • EileenH
      EileenH bjmoen

      Posted

      Just a bit of explanation: When you see me name a drug without using a capital letter it is the substance that is in the drug - and if you google it you will find the brand/generic names used in the USA, in particular, or any other country. Different countries have different names and this is an international group. In Europe doctors usually prescribe the substance - and what is dispensed depends on what is the "offer of the week" from the suppliers. If if must be the original brand they must say so.

  • pauline36422
    pauline36422 floramac

    Posted

    i agree with eileen    never stop  pred like that all you are doing  is mixing your body up, and causing more pain.

    i am ok through  the day     but  take one paracetomol at night to help shoulkder pain,   which works for me. i do however  try to miss a couple of nights,      i dont have any pain whatsoever through the day.     just  shoulder pain  when in bed.       i got down to 1.5   pred  but  had to  go up to   4,      now back down to 3  mg,   its so anoying when you think you have beaten this  illness    only to find  a few  weeks later   you are mistaken, grrrrrrrr

    • Harrie4
      Harrie4 pauline36422

      Posted

      I totally agree that you shld never stop the pred, especially at such a low dose. That’s essential. In addition, have you considered physio sessions? Some ultrasound followed by gentle, gentle massage — make sure you stress to the PT that you’re on prednisone — might give you some relief as you heal. I am recovering from pelvic stress fractures and my PT session 2 days ago practically had me skipping down the street. She did ultrasound, laser, massage, and heat. 

      Wishing you all the best with your healing  process and hope you let us know how you’re getting along...

    • floramac
      floramac Harrie4

      Posted

      Thank you for the great suggestions. At the moment I could not bear anyone or anything touching the area, the slightest movement sends it into spasm and the pain takes my breath away. I will certainly look into it asap.
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