Your experience with pain relievers

Chet

Chet

Well-known Member
Location
PA, USA
What have you taken for pain and its effectiveness? Your experience might help others.

My greatest source for pain now is my feet. It’s a combination of arthritic toe joints and loss of natural padding in the forefoot. I take tramadol and meloxicam and if they help, it’s not much.

I’m leery of OTC meds like aspirin and tylenol etc. Because of possible side effects to the liver and stomach. My mother had part of her stomach removed because of overuse of such meds,

THC was mentioned recently and I know nothing about it. I would love to hear anyone’s experience with it.
 

Most know I am suffering from peripheral neuropathy. I have mainly sinus and ear canal pain. At night my legs, abdomen, ears and sinuses are very painful. The Doctor prescribed Gabapentin. I am taking 1200mgs per day. I am trying to manage the pain without any more pharmaceuticals. After 6 months of this, and being a regular on a pain management zoom group, I have learned many methods to help manage the pain. I take supplements, exercise regularly, eat real food, use meditation and rest when appropriate, and try to stay active when awake.
I do also use THC for both daytime and nighttime pain. I use Indica gummies for sleeping. Plus Ibuprofen and Benadryl. For daytime I use ( Blue Dream - flower strain ). If you are interested in using THC it would be best to ask a Medical Marijuana Doctor or expert about your condition, and other important information about your health/age. The consensus is to start with a small dose and increase it until it is right for you.
 

Pappy said:
I have tried most everything available, prescription and non-prescription, and have found no relief for my lower back. Only thing that helps somewhat, is to wear a belt designed for back aches. Can’t take nsaids so that’s not an option. Any suggestion appreciated, like Chet was asking.
Click to expand...

Ya might look into Salonpas pads. Difficult to apply[to the low back] when alone but, I do feel I get the most temporary relief using them.
 
Chet said:
What have you taken for pain and its effectiveness? Your experience might help others.

My greatest source for pain now is my feet. It’s a combination of arthritic toe joints and loss of natural padding in the forefoot. I take tramadol and meloxicam and if they help, it’s not much.
Click to expand...
I started having trouble with arthritic toes about 8 years ago or so. The only thing that helped (I didn't want to take prescription meds for it) was something that a friend with cancer used for her bone pain and it's all that worked for her.... BioFreeze. I know the same things won't work for everyone, but I bought the gel form, professional strength at Amazon and it truly helped. My disclaimer is that I can't say for certain that it was the BioFreeze... or the massage while rubbing it in, but it was relief. For some reason it went away after a couple of years and I'm very glad!

That said, BioFreeze is the only thing that helps the pulled lower back muscles my husband sometimes has trouble with. He uses the gel mostly, but for the really bad times, there are BioFreeze patches that give him some relief. In any case, I hope you find something that will help!
 
Over the past say 10 years, I have been coping with Osteoarthritis, SO,
occasional OTC Tylenol and Ibuprofen. But when aches and pains seemed
to advance, I chatted further with my doctor and a couple others related
to my condition. It was then that I considered Meloxicam, and so went
on to use it for 6 months. Ok, it did help about 50 percent and by gosh
that felt so great for me! Then though my liver readings skyrocketed, and
that is when I stopped the Meloxicam. Have never used it again. So now
my choice has been to exercise, get by yearly my corti-steroid injections
into my hips and one knee, but only twice yearly. Initially not getting much
relief with the first injections, but the second and third, what a welcome
surprise of the decrease in level of aches and joint pains in those areas.

About five years ago, I tried Gabapentin, (low dose) for my arthritis, but
it seemed to sedate me far too much even at a low dose, so after six months
I stopped that also.

I also at times wear a support belt for my lower back, maybe once a week
when I am busy with anything physical, that helps me not go into a flair.

That's about it for me, the Osteoarthritis almost laid me up full time at one
time, oh gawd, I tell ya :(

I have one other main chronic condition, I deal with that with my Uro.

Oh almost forgot, about 7 years back I tried using the anti-inflammatory
prescription med Naproxen Sodium, oh that helped a lot! Eventually and
my being concerned with my liver and kidneys, I also stopped the regular
use of that which I had been on for one year.

The end.

EM~
 
RadishRose said:
Moving around, mild exersize helps most of all.
Click to expand...
Movement is my drug of choice for pain relief from Osteoarthritis. I do not take any NSAIDs because I don't want to heighten my heart attack & stroke risk. Plus, my skin bruising thing gets dramatically worse with them. Tylenol? Ha, what a sick joke and enormous ripoff.
I've not noticed any pain relief from THC, and no effect at all from CBD products, for any of the advertised benefits. Indica does works for sleep, but in monitoring my sleep patterns with my Fitbit I've seen that Indica negatively impacts my deep sleep, which is counter to what I'm hoping for.
Vodka gives a couple hours of respite, but I quit drinking at the end of December. I have a compress that I heat in the microwave, gives instant relief, as good as an intravenous opioid treatment, without the addiction and withdrawals.
 
Chet said:
What have you taken for pain and its effectiveness? Your experience might help others.

My greatest source for pain now is my feet. It’s a combination of arthritic toe joints and loss of natural padding in the forefoot. I take tramadol and meloxicam and if they help, it’s not much.

I’m leery of OTC meds like aspirin and tylenol etc. Because of possible side effects to the liver and stomach. My mother had part of her stomach removed because of overuse of such meds,

THC was mentioned recently and I know nothing about it. I would love to hear anyone’s experience with it.
Click to expand...
I would try soaking feet in small tub of epsom salts dissolved in water. Not magical, of course, but might be helpful.
Naproxen might be worth a try.
Myself, I use mostly heat or cold, and body positioning, pillow supports, etc. Lots of distractions, whenever possible.
 
I tried a chiropractor for a bit & had some relief, but after a while I gave it up because I felt worse the day after treatment.

Not supposed to take nsaids & was told to take tylenol, but it doesn't work. Recently I tried the 8-hour time released & found some relief with it. Not sure why it worked & the other didn't.

An acquaintance told me about her experience with acupuncture several years ago & I tried it. It worked much better than the chiropractor from the start. I began with once a week treatment for a while, then it went to two weeks & then to maintenance. The chiropractor was 3 times a week for weeks & insurance gave limited visits which was used up fast, then out of pocket. Insurance doesn't pay for acupuncture, but it's cheaper than the chiropractor in the long run & it has helped.

I would not have tried the acupuncture if I hadn't seen the benefits of it with animals years ago. My husband has even found relief doing it.
 
Being exceptionally fortunate the only pain I have is from a botched surgery on my cervical spine. I've learned to live with the pain rather than take any pain relievers. But if I was inclined to take something the Ops post #1 THC seems to be the overall better choice.

UPDATED JUNE 09, 2022 4:30 PM

A government-backed review of cannabis research found that THC could be more effective for soothing chronic pain than CBD. The review, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine and funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, found that although cannabinoids can be generally helpful for chronic pain, products with a higher THC-to-CBD ratio may be more potent than products with a higher CBD-to-THC ratio. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the two main active ingredients in marijuana. The component typically doesn’t cause a “high,” and the World Health Organization said it doesn’t produce effects “indicative of any abuse or dependence potential,” according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article262356207.html#storylink=cpy
 
I don't use pain killers...unless very drastic circumstances.
When I was pregnant with our second baby I had to have a carpel tunnel release in my left wrist. I insisted on a local anesthetic. The pain was not good after the procedure, but I was not gong to risk harming my baby with pain killers.
 
some do.
some don't.
You won't know until your try.

For me, toe joints pain is gout. Which is fairly easily managed with diet, and keeping the blood basic pH.
I managed with, [italics]Colchicum autumnale[/italics], which is available as a prescription (not inexpensive even with Medicare D) or as homeopathic remedy. Colchicum has an interesting history much like acetylsalicylic acid.
 
for sciatica (collapsing disks)
I've tried aspirin, acetaminophen, THC, CBD creams and oils, acupuncture with heat & without heat therapy, chiropractor and PT without results. I have not tried edibles THC or CBD...and I enough buds to last me a long time.
A prednisone pills (1 week course) is good enough for 12 months. Should have done this year's ago but other doctors never suggested this treatment.
Have not tried Lyrica (GABA) although a bottle sits in the cabinet.
 
Nathan said:
Movement is my drug of choice for pain relief from Osteoarthritis. I do not take any NSAIDs because I don't want to heighten my heart attack & stroke risk. Plus, my skin bruising thing gets dramatically worse with them. Tylenol? Ha, what a sick joke and enormous ripoff.
I've not noticed any pain relief from THC, and no effect at all from CBD products, for any of the advertised benefits. Indica does works for sleep, but in monitoring my sleep patterns with my Fitbit I've seen that Indica negatively impacts my deep sleep, which is counter to what I'm hoping for.
Vodka gives a couple hours of respite, but I quit drinking at the end of December. I have a compress that I heat in the microwave, gives instant relief, as good as an intravenous opioid treatment, without the addiction and withdrawals.
Click to expand...
Here's a thought about alcohol as a pain reliever...

I've had a lot of time to think about this, and really thought about it while dosed with alcohol. I don't think it does much direct relief...meaning that I suspect that it does little to reduce the stimulus.

But what it does do, for me, at least, is that it takes my mind off it and onto very pleasing thoughts or reminiscences. So I'm sitting there, not exactly in a "golden glow", but in a very much more positive and cheerful state.

And I connected it with how the greatest potential, for me, for passive pain (just seated as opposed to "active" pain derived from movement thru ranges of damaged joint surfaces) is when I am not distracted, when I have nothing on my mind, and I notice that one of my knees hurt, just sitting. Then I'll tend to dwell on it, really noticing all of the negative nuances.

So if I have a solid drink or two (no more or the physical cost of recovery is too high), instead of becoming aware of the pain, and really obsessing over it, with a 3 oz vodka 16 oz highball, I may find myself reminiscing about body surfing every summer when I was in my 20s, in CA. Then I might remember the music from that time (maybe Beach Boys Holland), find it online, and listen to it for the next 45 minutes. During all of this time I will be unaware of any passive pain.
 
Chet said:
What have you taken for pain and its effectiveness? Your experience might help others.
Click to expand...
This prolly won't help anyone, but I shy away from pain killers.
I wanna know when things hurt
However
My lady said I may be aggravating my lower back pain by refraining
(like tightening up....enhancing and extending the length of time)
So
I pop a couple tylenol

CBD did relieve my shingles ordeal a few years back

story here

(3) Shingles and CBD (hemp) oil | Senior Forums
 
Nathan said:
I have a compress that I heat in the microwave, gives instant relief, as good as an intravenous opioid treatment, without the addiction and withdrawals.
Click to expand...
That compress sounds wonderful, @Nathan ... and something we could definitely benefit from here. I'd tried some microwave/freezer brands of them that simply didn't work. Is yours one that I'd be able to find at Amazon? You'd think they'd all be manufactured basically the same but I haven't found that to be true.
 
Gary O' said:
This prolly won't help anyone, but I shy away from pain killers.
I wanna know when things hurt
Click to expand...
Helped me, @Gary O' , because it's a boost to me to know that someone feels the same and really *does* understand my feelings about this. I'm the same way... I truly don't like covering/masking things with medication. I feel that I'll instinctively know if it's an issue that actually needs meds. Husband is the same way and says "Pain reminds me that I'm alive." :unsure:
 
Last edited:
Postoperative robotic surgery, did not need the narcotics, or NASIDS.
Narcotic are addicting and have many side effects.
NASIDS (ibprufen tynelonl) are powerful chemicals, damaging to the liver and kidneys.

Avoid long term uses.

An old friend 80yrs suffered from back pain for years, refused the operation. Walter took the Narcotic pain pills at night for years, and titrated the dose so he could sleep.

But he used more and more over the years. One night Walter just never woke up, he died from the pain pills.

A word to the wise...

Jon
 
Michael Z said:
Probably the best pain reliever has been my diet. Fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, with a minimum of processed foods and meat. I went from taking ibuprofen every day or two to taking it only once a week.
Click to expand...
I totally agree with this, and i have been gradually modifying my diet also. I try to eat as many foods fresh and raw as possible, and include more fiber foods and less animal foods in my diet.
Specifically, what helps me for pain is some exercise each day. Swimming and water exercises have helped me to be able to bend my knees (arthritis damage) better again. I can’t walk very far at a time, or on uneven ground, but when my Apple Watch reminds me to walk a little every hour, I walk laps back and forth through the house for a few minutes.

One thing that really helps on days when the arthritis is bad, and that is fresh, raw pineapple. I do what I call a pineapple fast, and that is all that I eat until the pain gets better or goes away. The bromelain in pineapple helps kill pain, and pineapple is one of the very best anti-inflammatory foods that a person can eat.

I also use DMSO when necessary and it helps a lot to relieve pain, and is also beneficial for the body and not harmful.
 
CallMeKate said:
That compress sounds wonderful, @Nathan ... and something we could definitely benefit from here. I'd tried some microwave/freezer brands of them that simply didn't work. Is yours one that I'd be able to find at Amazon? You'd think they'd all be manufactured basically the same but I haven't found that to be true.
Click to expand...
I bought mine a little cheaper on ebay, but this is the same type: hot/cold pad on Amazon
 
Lilac said:
I tried a chiropractor for a bit & had some relief, but after a while I gave it up because I felt worse the day after treatment.

Not supposed to take nsaids & was told to take tylenol, but it doesn't work. Recently I tried the 8-hour time released & found some relief with it. Not sure why it worked & the other didn't.

An acquaintance told me about her experience with acupuncture several years ago & I tried it. It worked much better than the chiropractor from the start. I began with once a week treatment for a while, then it went to two weeks & then to maintenance. The chiropractor was 3 times a week for weeks & insurance gave limited visits which was used up fast, then out of pocket. Insurance doesn't pay for acupuncture, but it's cheaper than the chiropractor in the long run & it has helped.

I would not have tried the acupuncture if I hadn't seen the benefits of it with animals years ago. My husband has even found relief doing it.
Click to expand...
I had very similar experiences as these, explained very well in this post, I am quoting here.
Chiropractor was covered by Medicare, (with small co-pay) once I got that with my SSDI before I got it for being over 62.
Acupucture, I think was not covered.
Very much, the same results as @Lilac explained.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top