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What OTC Pain meds work best for you?

Posted , 7 users are following.

luvinlex
luvinlex

After the initial week of "goofball" drugs, then going down to the Percocet for several weeks after. I still haven't found anything that works well on the residual pain. One spot, it pinches and stings when I make certain movements, but it's still uncomfortable to sleep or lay on my side on the sofa. I keep a pillow underneath me and between my legs. I asked my PT, "should I be taking some of the anti-inflammatories I had been using in the past. He literally laughed. "Those don't work on METAL" and I felt like a real dumb a**. I know they don't work on metal...I meant the tissue around the new hip and not the new hip itself. Any sort of pre-packaged local anesthetic or similar? Creams? I've got about 4 types of anti-inflammatories from pre surgery days. Each doctor gave me something new. "this is better than that other stuff". I finally just decided to take prescription aspirin after a Prilosec to protect my stomach. It's always been the best remedy for headaches, even better than Aleve or other expensive OTC pain medicines. Just wondered if anyone found an effective way to control the soreness - 4 months post op. 

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK luvinlex

    Posted

    I've had quite a bit of pain post-op, and am almost 9 months and facing another surgery in a month. For me, none of the over the counter pain meds do anything, or have ever done anything to relieve pain. I am always amazed when my sister and husband take ibuprofen for aches and pains and they all go away. Hasn't ever  happened for me with any of the varieties, except the really strong prescription stuff, which I am not taking.

    I'd ask a doctor or nurse, rather than a PT about pain meds, even OTC's. I thought that PT's just do "physical" things, like massage, manipulation and give directions about physical exercises that you do yourself.

     

    • luvinlex
      luvinlex AnnieK

      Posted

      thanks for your reply. The Therpists have a PhD and are highly trained, I thought he's know something but guess I was wrong. I just think I should go back on anti inflammatories on a regular basis and see if it starts to help w the pain. I'll report back. Thanks again. 
  • annie.conway
    annie.conway luvinlex

    Posted

    I also had that stinging sensation. It was quite sharp! Now, 4 and 1/2 weeks post op those are all gone. Some areas still have little to no feeling at all, but I'm confident the severed nerves will all grow back and settle.
  • marge69954
    marge69954 luvinlex

    Posted

    Sorry to hear about your pain luvinlex.  I would just stick to basic stuff since it is so easy to pop a pill for pain and then poof now you have become dependent on them.  If all else is well with you, try to stick it out for one morning you will wake up, start to walk, and find that it feels so much better and will continue to every day after that. 
  • linda38528
    linda38528 luvinlex

    Posted

    A worthwhile discussion topic - I hope more people join in. I am particularly interested as I am allergic to NSAIDs. I suspect that the answer will be that it is all very indiviual (you hinted at this in your surprise at relatives that get relief from aspirin or other pain relief of choice). I also suspect that some of the pain we get after THR is nerve pain and I don't know of any OTC that gives this kind of relief.

    The most useful advice I got was to look for time released products - many so called arthritis combinations have this. I use Tylenol Arthritis because acetomenophen is the single agent I can use w/o provoking a reaction. Pain management is a field that needs more information to be available.

    Thanks for starting this discussion.

    Linda

  • Skidget
    Skidget luvinlex

    Posted

    My BFF (massage therapist) highly recommends castor oil packs for any type of pain. They're a bit messy for my liking, and I'm guilty of not following her advice as often as I should, but - she has handfuls of clients where they've worked and there's no side effects.
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