Should I worry that I'm taking so many Painkiller pills?

nearlyrich

Please don't use forum users well meaning advice in lieu of docs advice, I am not having a go at anyone here but your own GP needs to know your current position especially if you think you have problem with the meds. I do not say this to be awkward, I have FMS and I take Ibuprofen every day my new GP was horrified that I had been taking this daily for 5 years plus and no-one had ever suggested a liver function test. I had one all was OK but they can be bad for you so take care.

Dolly66

nearlyrich wrote: »

Please don't use forum users well meaning advice in lieu of docs advice, I am not having a go at anyone here but your own GP needs to know your current position especially if you think you have problem with the meds.

I would definately agree with you on that one. Even under medical supervision I don't like the number of meds I'm on, Without it, I wouldn't even consider it - NO OFFENSE INTENDED to anyone who may be using large amounts of medication without GP involvement, it's purely a personally opinion. I even tell my GP about cough medicines if I'm using them, although maybe I'm just being paranoid

nearlyrich wrote: »

I do not say this to be awkward, I have FMS and I take Ibuprofen every day my new GP was horrified that I had been taking this daily for 5 years plus and no-one had ever suggested a liver function test. I had one all was OK but they can be bad for you so take care.

I didn't know about the liver thing with ibuprofen though (I assume you mean it can do some damage). Something else for my next docs appointment though. Although with the amount of paracetamol I'm on it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to ask about that.

GlasweJen

ibuprofen and diclofenic shouldn't be taken at the same time due to complications they can cause with the stomach. Pairing that up with codeine is a disaster (as codeine causes constipation).

OP you should really speak to your GP about this.

jenniewb

GlasweJen wrote: »

ibuprofen and diclofenic shouldn't be taken at the same time due to complications they can cause with the stomach. Pairing that up with codeine is a disaster (as codeine causes constipation).

OP you should really speak to your GP about this.

I know I already take mefenamic acid pills and know not to take them with ibuprofen as they are both from the NSAID family as is dicofenic pills. I have called NHS direct that many times to get advice on what pills I can/can't take together they must have my name flash up when I call!! I have my doctor tell me this but I always forget so I now write things on the boxes to remind myself.

But when it comes to taking imefenamic acid (ie NSAID family pills) with codine, NHS direct, the pharmasist, the GP and the gynocologist who saw me each said this was fine (I always used to ask when I can take the pills, until things got bad with my periods a few years ago it was a revelation to me that you could take more then one pill type at a time and I had to get this from several people before I would allow myself to do this!!) I'm confused: why have all my medical people told me its OK but its not OK? Or are you referring to the two NSAIDs mentioned?

jenniewb

nearlyrich wrote: »

Please don't use forum users well meaning advice in lieu of docs advice, I am not having a go at anyone here but your own GP needs to know your current position especially if you think you have problem with the meds. I do not say this to be awkward, I have FMS and I take Ibuprofen every day my new GP was horrified that I had been taking this daily for 5 years plus and no-one had ever suggested a liver function test. I had one all was OK but they can be bad for you so take care.

Its one team of doctor who prescribes and advises on what to take, I get told by specialists to "ask your doctor to prescribe XX" so they already are aware on top of which I have called NHS direct about things I take to ask if its OK to take things together many times over.

Its not the combination I have worries about, its the legnth of time I will be taking them.

It probably makes more sense if I explain that I used to be (and still to some respect still am) anti-pills. I know they help, I know I need them and I do indeed take them. But it worries me I take them, I worry about what they could be doing to my insides and more-over my liver.

I was able to get my head around being advised to take two to three different types of pills when I have my period (suddenly seemed to get extremely painful periods about 3 years ago, currently being investigated) and even then I did worry. But now I'm supposed to take all these pills every day?! That worries me even more. I guess it works this (sounds mad I know!) for every good thing, bad things happen as a result and I can see pain relief to some extent but I'm waiting for the come-back, the side effects or something and this freaks me out because when damage has been done often its too late to fix it.

I'm not asking medical advice, I get plenty of that via my doctors, what I was asking was more reassurance and if there is anything I did need to worry (and perhaps ask) about regarding what I take (in lieu of getting support and a list of questions to ask my doctor). I wouldn't accept medical advice on here because I have no idea what the qualifications are of anyone posting. I value the personal experiences as they help me see I am not by myself and also if there are any issues I can keep my eye out for them or go speak to a medical advice person on them.
But the advice about asking for a referral for alternative therapy and the mention of the pain clinic referral were pieces of advice I will be acting on.

GlasweJen

Sticking to one NSAID along with the stated dose of co-codamol is fine, it only becomes an issue at high doses/mixing NSAIDs

madrhino

Humphrey10 wrote: »

FYI: expensive fancy painkillers like Nurofen Plus are more effective than cheap own-brand bargain ones, even in cases where the effective ingredients are identical, due to the increased placebo effect from the fancy expensive ones.

Sorry to hijack thread but are there any cheaper painkillers than Nurofen plus with identical ingredients. They are the only painkillers that touch migraine pain for me but I don't like the extortionate price. Can't take paracetomel as I'm afraid of being sick on them due to bad experiance years ago.

Humphrey10

madrhino wrote: »

Sorry to hijack thread but are there any cheaper painkillers than Nurofen plus with identical ingredients. They are the only painkillers that touch migraine pain for me but I don't like the extortionate price. Can't take paracetomel as I'm afraid of being sick on them due to bad experiance years ago.

I couldn't find any other codine+ibuprofen tablets OTC when I was looking for them earlier this year, but I am not 100% sure they do not exist.

Have you spoken to your doctor about paracetamol? Many people incorrectly believe themselves to be allergic to various things, but you are right not to risk taking paracetamol again until you are sure, if you are allergic to it it would be dangerous. I only mention this because there are a few different versions of co-codamol (codeine and paracetamol) available.

It might also be possible for you to get codeine + ibuprofen on prescription, this might be cheaper depending on whether you have to pay prescription charges or not.

jenniewb

madrhino wrote: »

Sorry to hijack thread but are there any cheaper painkillers than Nurofen plus with identical ingredients. They are the only painkillers that touch migraine pain for me but I don't like the extortionate price. Can't take paracetomel as I'm afraid of being sick on them due to bad experiance years ago.

I take codine (prescribed) and paracetamol separatly because its cheaper then the branded stuff, if you can get codine separatly (from your doctor) and ask your doctor if its OK to take (not sure if its similar to paracetamol or not) normal doses of iburpofen can be take with it, (ibuprofen is basicly what Neurofen is).

cally6008

jenniewb - from what you've posted on here, it does sound like you have HMS (hypermobility syndrome), clues are back pain, joint pain that is worsening and sensitivity to medication

please do take a look at this forum - http://www.hypermobility.org/forum/ - if you haven;t already done so

feel free to PM me or do a search on MSE boards for HMS as I know a few of us on here suffer as well