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I turned 60 this year and have never took pain killers however my condition has got worse and imho my left leg needs pain killers as I’m suffering and affecting my standing walking. I’m seeing my consultant at spinal injuries to have X-ray etc and to discuss this I’m just reading online that you cannot take painkillers every day due to side effects etc ! I thought paracetamol was safe to take every day but apparently not due to liver damage etc ? Does anyone on here take painkillers everyday ? Thankyou for your help and advice in advance
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Yes but low dosages, I take 20mg Zomoprh morning and night and I am on Butrans patches. I also have Oramorph but I do not drive after taking Oramorph. Or if I have to I leave at least a 4 hour gap.
You just have to get used to it and you MUST tell the dvla.
The ones that shut my brain down were amitriptyline so I do not take them anymore, my driving instructor had that also with amitriptyline and so he took Nortriptylone instead. (So yes even my driving instructor was on that and Tramadol for his spinal injuries)
Hope all goes well for you.
Have autism sorry if I upset you !
If you are taking medication/s prescribed by a doctor and it does not impair your ability to drive, you are not legally required to inform the DVLA.
If you have a notifiable medical condition (see gov.uk a-z list) or your medication impairs your driving, you must imform the DVLA.
Some insurance companies require you inform them of any medical condition or medication.
You learn to live with nedication and find a work around however, if you find your medication is impairing your ability to drive safely, it is advisable to speak to your GP, as they may find a suitable alternative. It is also worth letting the consultan/understudy know at your appointment that you drive and wish to remain doing so.
Medications affect each person differently, so don’t be put off if one medication knocks you out, as there will be alternatives that may suit you better.
Many thanks Kezo I’m seeing the consultant at spinal injuries two weeks today on the 24th September it’s 70 miles away I don’t mind driving it’s at 2pm so I have lunch at Morrisons just down the road ! Kezo if the chr+ full electric design stays at £1195 I’m ordering Xmas but could you please look when you have time a pcp deal on this car would it be cheaper ? 3 years 10.000 miles a year many thanks indeed
i have osteoarthiritis everywhere lol, spinal stenosis l3,4,5. constant pain, i can predict cold wet weather 24 hrs in advance.
i have been banned from taking naisaids, antiinflamatories as they caused my heart attack as i had been taking them for 30 years, its a rare occurence but it happened.
i am now on 2 x 500mg paracetemol 4 times a day have been for 30 years no side effects.
in addition zomorph 10mg x 2 twice a day slow release and i have liquid oromorph four times a day 10ml occasionally more for breakthrough pain. there are times i have to be aware of drowsiness and restrict driving etc.
its taken 6 years of experimentation to come up with this combo, amitriptylene was a disaster as was a couple of others i cant remember.
you need to maintain a schedule and not skip doses once you find the right regimen, dont skip something just because you have a good day, it will bite you.
good luck it aint easy.
Theres not a lot in it currently, remind me closer to to ordering, as there may be special offer on, but not currently.
Mike, everything you put into your body has an effect, so no matter what painkiller you take, watch for any unwanted side effects.
I have a GP and a heart surgeon in our family and if you ask them paracetamol is, for most people, the painkiller of choice.
My wife has been on constant pain relief for most of her adult life, some stronger than others, so if you are in pain paracetamol is a decent place to start.
The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.Many thanks for the replies I’ve took paracetamol and don’t really do much I shall wait till I see the consultant at spinal injuries a week on Thursday she is a beautiful lady and nice to talk to
i have osteoarthiritis everywhere lol, spinal stenosis l3,4,5. constant pain, i can predict cold wet weather 24 hrs in advance. i have been banned from taking naisaids, antiinflamatories as they caused my heart attack as i had been taking them for 30 years, its a rare occurence but it happened. i am now on 2 x 500mg paracetemol 4 times a day have been for 30 years no side effects. in addition zomorph 10mg x 2 twice a day slow release and i have liquid oromorph four times a day 10ml occasionally more for breakthrough pain. there are times i have to be aware of drowsiness and restrict driving etc. its taken 6 years of experimentation to come up with this combo, amitriptylene was a disaster as was a couple of others i cant remember. you need to maintain a schedule and not skip doses once you find the right regimen, dont skip something just because you have a good day, it will bite you. good luck it aint easy.
I understand where you are coming from as I have chronic lumbar stenosis of all 5 discs because of this I also now have Neurogenic Claudication (have trouble walking distances of more than a few yards )
Anyway back to meds
like you I also spent yrs trying all sorts
After 17yrs lol as crazy as it sounds
I am now settled on Pregabalin ( name changed from Lyrica as they did with Diazepam which is most famously known by its original brand name, Valium I also managed to get off of that stuff as no good long term ) should be taking 3 a day but I dont like to be a zombie so I adjusted over time and now only take 1 before bed
Has multiple uses in my case
It calms down damaged or overactive nerve cells in the brain and spine by reducing the release of specific pain and seizure-triggering chemicals. [1, 2]
( it relaxes and helps my mood and sleep)
If I had taken everything that had been prescribed I dont think I would be here writing this tbh
Lost track of the meds that were taken away as they were deemed to be unsafe even though they thought it Ok at the time to prescribe them to everyone.
We are and always have been imo NHS NICE live trials for all medications
Best wishes to you and hope you have more good days than bad
Pregabalin has been mentioned by my consultant before my leg has spasms feet burning sensation etc what dose pregabalin do you take daily ?
Pregabalin has been mentioned by my consultant before my leg has spasms feet burning sensation etc what dose pregabalin do you take daily ?
Hi Mike
Dosage prescribed starts of low and may increase according to an individuals needs
Dr will often increase dosage in slow stages accordingly
My actual prescription is 150mg x3 daily
What I can/do take and cope now is far less than that
Weaned slowly down to vx1 150mg before bed
I find for me thats the right balance between managing pain and being able to also function is a normal way as I possibly can
Everyone is different when it comes to meds
There isnt a 1 cap fits all
Pregabalin has been mentioned by my consultant before my leg has spasms feet burning sensation etc what dose pregabalin do you take daily ?
Hi Mike Dosage prescribed starts of low and may increase according to an individuals needs Dr will often increase dosage in slow stages accordingly My actual prescription is 150mg x3 daily What I can/do take and cope now is far less than that Weaned slowly down to vx1 150mg before bed I find for me thats the right balance between managing pain and being able to also function is a normal way as I possibly can Everyone is different when it comes to meds There isnt a 1 cap fits all
. It’s this Thursday I go to Sheffield spinal injuries I’ve read about pregabalin but it seems to have severe side effects blurred vision etc are these just temporary also the dementia risk in studios ie 45% higher risk !? Is there an alternative ? May I ask how long you have been taking it ? Many thanks again for your advice
Hi Mike
I think its best if I dont expand to much as it could then be seen as bordering on giving medical advice
Thats not something I want or should be getting into
I understand the quest for answers but as before everyone is different and we can all be affected in different way
I will say though I have been on my Meds for many years and overtime through trial and error I have found the right daily dosage that suits me
Meds can have a plus and minus
Some will suit one individual but not another
iMO its all about an individual finding the right Meds?Dosage that suits them and their own pain threshold
My right dosage that suits me is one that not only helps to reduce my pain but one that also leaves me able to enjoy/engage in family life
I wont lie it has been a journey to get to this stage and I found that if on multiple meds it can be difficult to unravel and differentiate
No one cap fits all thats why I have had to learn to captain my own ship and set my own course
Sorry if this is not much help
Best wishes Mike
By the way what ever she subcribes me it’s no good her writing to my local surgery as took 5 weeks before I’m going to ask if I can sit in waiting room while a nurse fetches tablets from pharmacy so can start taking them when get home
Everything went well at the hospital yesterday had a good talk with the consultant who prescribed me Duloxetine 3o mg then 60 mg in 3 weeks then 120 mg 3 weeks after . The nurse fetched my tablets from the hospital pharmacy the service and care I received yesterday was amazing I cannot thank them enough the hospital is princess royal spinal injuries redmires road sheffield .
I’m a lot better after two weeks on these tablets when I came home with these tablets from the hospital does my local surgery get a letter from my consultant by computer ? I want to get the next month higher dose so I’m ready to take after the next two weeks in case after be ordered . My consultant said she would send me a letter and my surgery but I’ve not had it yet
Good to hear your feeling better Mike.
The consultants secretary writes/emails your GP however, it can be long winded process based on secretary’s work load.
My answer with any medication query always starts with each medication affects everyone differently and some can respond differently due to both conditions and other medications. It’s always best to consult a doctor as to what will work best for you in the long run.
Paracetamol needs to build up, I was constantly given grief from nurses because I tried to only take them when needed. If it’s needed, you’re better off taking 1 every 4 hours over taking 2 when you need them.
Anything above and beyond off the shelf medications you do need to have some time with before deciding to drive any distance. Make sure you’re comfortable with being able to concentrate for the required journey time.
I have medications I can’t take when there’s a chance I might be driving as I’m not safe on the road. These I keep for evenings and overnight.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
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