painkillers for back pain.

[mJc]

Hello all,Am new to the site so if this post is in the wrong place sorry!
I have the dreaded 'prolapsed disc' with the added joy of it bulging on the sciatic nerve, giving me a whole heap of pain. I have read lots of posts about the 'disc' but wondered if anyone has any recommendations for painkillers. I am due for a microdiscectomy when the NHS can fit me in, so until then am relying on drugs, anti-immflamatory , which work quite well as i now have a less severe 'dull' ache in the lower back. However the leg is another matter. Big ouch!! Nothing has worked yet. Currently i am on codeine phosphate & despite my doctor saying 'he had a whole arsenal of drugs to try' its not exactly a cheap option. So i wondered did anyone have any ideas. I know not every pill suits all, but i could at least ask my doctor. The other drugs i have tried have been co-codamol 30/500. i am beginning to think that just maybe i fight the painkillers preventing them doing their job!
any help in all aspects greatly appreciated. Sorry if post a long one, being off work is a nightmare, i get so bored!!!!

 

[Ban Shing]

Hello Kejo, gosh sound quite painfull, I shore someone will come along to give some helpful advise soon.
If you have five mins, nip along to our New Members forum and tell us abit about yourself. Welcome to HP.
love and blessings
Lightwinds
Wendy x

 

[NeedASurgery]

I've tried a variety of combinations of painkillers, antiinflammatories and tricyclics. Started on codyramol and diclofenac, then dihydrocodeine and celebrex, then tramadol and piroxicam and amitryptyline.

I've finally found a combination that works best - 150mg Tramadol SR twice daily, 30/500 Cocodamol PRN and up to 75mg Dothiepin at night.

Unfortunately it's trial and error, and what works for one person doesn't work for another.

 

[Moomin]

Kejo So sorry to have taken so long to look at this just found your sorry story you dont give you age or sex but from what you say you are possible just a little past adolesents. Have you tryed Physical Therapy an Osteopath for example. Some times Doctors dont know ot all thhis may be a physical thing like tight postural muscles. very easily delt with look up my profile and e-mail me or phoneand see if we cant find someone in your aera to help you put Pain killer are just that they are nota cure. I am not a doctor but I am a physical Therapist. Lionheart.

 

[dear ghoul]

I am posting this reply a long time after the original but hope this may be of use to others.

I have had back problems for a few years and have had reoccuring prolapsed discs. My recent bout was unbearable and after 12 weeks I was rushed into hospital for emergency surgery as bowel and bladder etc were affected.

Feeling fine now but did find out from the Pain Relief Section that my combination of drugs was inaffective especially as most of my pain was nerval and to my legs.

They suggested that the best combination was tramadol with ordinary paracetamol assisted with amitripiline in the evening to aid sleep.

Doctors, particularly GPs, recommend co-codramol, in most cases this does not work on nerval pain and will only result in a bad case of constipation.

I have to say I wish I had this knowledge 18 weeks ago instead of suffering for 12 weeks with tablets that did little to help.

Anyway surgery was excellent but would suggest it as a last result. I've had two discs fully removed and one shaved down. Recuperation is going well though and the results wereinstant

 

[Jeane]

It's probably a bit late now, as hopefully the problem has eased by now or you've had surgery.

Did you check out my general advice on low back pain and lumbar spine disc injury - [link=http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=104]http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=104[/link]

Andrew.