Newly diagnosed sciatica ... what to expect ?

baccyman

tenacioust123 wrote: »

I'm in the same position regarding stomach problems. I've been taking diclofenac for over 2 years with no protection, all of a sudden I started getting really bad stomach pains and feeling very sick, after a visit to the doctors I was put on omeprazone as he believes I have an ulcer. I am having an gastroscopy on the 2nd April to confirm this.

I would urge anyone taking any NSAID to make sure they speak to their doctor if they have not been prescribed a stomach protector.

i had the same trouble as you when i was taking ibuprofen and then diclofenac also called voltarol i ended up with stomach ulcers and had an endoscope that confirmed duodeanal ulcer because i have ulcers now i get a lot of heartburn and acid reflux,
i take some tablets that are called Ranitidine and they really help to settle the acid and heartburn,
and as you have said if people are on anti inflamitories they should check with the doctor about the side effects on the stomach.

pipkin71

tenacioust123 wrote: »

I'm in the same position regarding stomach problems. I've been taking diclofenac for over 2 years with no protection, all of a sudden I started getting really bad stomach pains and feeling very sick, after a visit to the doctors I was put on omeprazone as he believes I have an ulcer. I am having an gastroscopy on the 2nd April to confirm this.

I would urge anyone taking any NSAID to make sure they speak to their doctor if they have not been prescribed a stomach protector.

I take lansoprazole now as I had problems after taking brufen for a few years. I'm now taking diclofenac slow release alongside the lansoprazole and so far no problems.

looby75

diclofenac is the stuff of the devil!! It made me SO ill and didn't touch the pain at all. Nasty nasty stuff *shudder*

pipkin71

looby75 wrote: »

diclofenac is the stuff of the devil!! It made me SO ill and didn't touch the pain at all. Nasty nasty stuff *shudder*

I get on better with the slow release capsules.

It goes to show how different drugs can affect people differently.

looby75

pipkin71 wrote: »

I get on better with the slow release capsules.

It goes to show how different drugs can affect people differently.

I suppose that why they always say you shouldn't take anyone else's meds even if you have the same symptoms.

daska

my mum was told that you must never take diclofenac without also taking something to protect you from peptic ulcers - such as ranitidine.

tenacioust123

It's well known that NSAID'S cause stomach ulcers, so I can't understand why doctors don't automatically give a stomach protector as well. It wouldn't be hard for a flag to come up on the computer when they prescibed it.

However diclofenac did work for me and since stopping it I have increased pain so am taking more oramorph for break through pain.

pipkin71

tenacioust123 wrote: »

It's well known that NSAID'S cause stomach ulcers, so I can't understand why doctors don't automatically give a stomach protector as well. It wouldn't be hard for a flag to come up on the computer when they prescibed it.

However diclofenac did work for me and since stopping it I have increased pain so am taking more oramorph for break through pain.

When I was first prescribed oramorph, I was advised not to take it with tramadol [I had read in the patient's info leaflet the two couldn't be mixed]. They since decided it was ok but even then none of it was controlling the pain all the time.

Now, I'm taking gabapentin along with my other medications and the combinations are so far so good in keeping the pain under control for the majority of the time.

Prior to the new doses I could happily have chopped off my left foot due to all the pain I was in. There have been a few side effects but I'm used to the combinations now and I'm not relying on the oramporph so often

Of course, the problems I have with my spine haven't gone away, but the pain was affecting my mental health so I'm happier now. I still dread pain filled days but they don't seem to be happening as often and I think that's half the battle. I also have to make sure I don't aggravate the problems so no marathon running just yet

baccyman

another med that i have is amytritaline i take this at night it is a sedative that helps to relax the muscles and this helps to reduce the pain, but the only trouble with this med is that you feel like a zombie the next morning,
i have tried taking this early in the evening 8 - 9 but still feel the same in the morning,

somebody_else

baccyman wrote: »

another med that i have is amytritaline i take this at night it is a sedative that helps to relax the muscles and this helps to reduce the pain, but the only trouble with this med is that you feel like a zombie the next morning,
i have tried taking this early in the evening 8 - 9 but still feel the same in the morning,

I was advised (by a GP) to take it around 6.30 pm. I've been on it a while now and I'm certainly more awake if I do it this way.