Pain killers
- Thread starter lal1991
- Start date
Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
Generally you want to stay away from NSAIDS and aspirin....anything that has bleeding as a potential side effect.....
Tylenol is ok generally, I'm sure others will chime in too.....I don't have a ton of experience with taking painkillers for symptoms as I was never prescribed any by my docs (for flares, that is!) over the years....
Tylenol is ok generally, I'm sure others will chime in too.....I don't have a ton of experience with taking painkillers for symptoms as I was never prescribed any by my docs (for flares, that is!) over the years....
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2011
- Messages
- 426
I recently asked a pharmacist about painkillers and crohn's as I was getting a lot of headaches, which paracetamol alone didn't help.
I've found that the combined paracetamol and caffeine pills are more effective than paracetamol alone (the caffeine increases the painkilling properties of paracetamol), and the pharmacist also recommended co-codamol (500mg paracetamol + 8mg codeine).
If that is not strong enough you can try the stronger codeine combinations (500mg paracetamol + 30mg codeine), although they are prescription only in the UK. I can only take one of those at a time as they make me a bit spaced out, even when I have a lot of pain.
The problem is that if you then end up constipated by the codeine, then things like lactulose can be problematic with crohn's, and interfere with some crohn's medications.
I believe that any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, etc) are not a good idea with crohn's. It's a bit ironic when inflammation is our enemy here!
I suppose, where lifestyle allows it (I have two kids, so not very often!), then curling up and resting with a blanket and hot water bottle is an alternative source of comfort, but that doesn't help when there's so much else to be done!
I'd also love to hear any suggestions from those more experienced in this area than me.
I've found that the combined paracetamol and caffeine pills are more effective than paracetamol alone (the caffeine increases the painkilling properties of paracetamol), and the pharmacist also recommended co-codamol (500mg paracetamol + 8mg codeine).
If that is not strong enough you can try the stronger codeine combinations (500mg paracetamol + 30mg codeine), although they are prescription only in the UK. I can only take one of those at a time as they make me a bit spaced out, even when I have a lot of pain.
The problem is that if you then end up constipated by the codeine, then things like lactulose can be problematic with crohn's, and interfere with some crohn's medications.
I believe that any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, etc) are not a good idea with crohn's. It's a bit ironic when inflammation is our enemy here!
I suppose, where lifestyle allows it (I have two kids, so not very often!), then curling up and resting with a blanket and hot water bottle is an alternative source of comfort, but that doesn't help when there's so much else to be done!
I'd also love to hear any suggestions from those more experienced in this area than me.
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Messages
- 10
I have never experienced much in the way of abnominal pain due to the Crohn's (although it is early days yet).
My GI believes this is because I happened to be taking Nortriptylene for headaches before the onset of the disease. He said Nortiptylene was a "powerful" painkiller.
I was prescribed the Nortriptylene by a neurologist following a concussion but it is easily obtained from your GP.
Ironically, I still get the headaches.
If you did decide to go down this path, I would be really interested to know what effect it had, if any.
My GI believes this is because I happened to be taking Nortriptylene for headaches before the onset of the disease. He said Nortiptylene was a "powerful" painkiller.
I was prescribed the Nortriptylene by a neurologist following a concussion but it is easily obtained from your GP.
Ironically, I still get the headaches.
If you did decide to go down this path, I would be really interested to know what effect it had, if any.
Nortiptylene is an anitdepressant not a painkiller let alone a powerful one. but I would avoid NSAID (Ibuprofen and alieve) Tylenol is one of the best but long term use will cause dependency as with any of these. Rebound headaches will occur causing dependency. Just my input! good luck to you all!
Beware of following a doctors advice... Do your own research on what they have prescribed before taking it!
gavin
Beware of following a doctors advice... Do your own research on what they have prescribed before taking it!
gavin
I have severe Crohn's perianal fistula and a stoma and I'm on Remicade/ pentasa mesalezine/ steroids - can't remember which sorry.
Painkillers
With the stoma I was warned to avoid include all Nsaids - codeine, ibuprofen, aspirin etc... because it can ironically cause constipation, which with the stoma = more pain long term and possible hospitalization.
I have tremadol (opiate) they take 15/20 mins to start working and if I take two at once consecutively (following maximum prescribed guidelines) give me hallucinations. I don't take them regularly. But they work even though you may not want to drive on them. :yfaint: and they are highly addictive.
Which leaves paraceetamol. I started having really bad headaches from the one time withdrawing off paraceetamol and found out even though professionals seem happy to feed them to us full time, they are in fact quite dangerous long term and have some quite serious side effects. I've been using them solid at least 9 months this time. And they are not so good at really reducing that bad pain.
I use long hot baths for hours/hot water bottles to relieve pain with flare ups.
Pain avoidance
I follow my diet strictly and eat well.
I avoid as much stress and over exercising as I can - I basically listen to my body and stop as soon as it is not happy no matter what I'm doing or who wants me to do something or tell me their problems. Hard but better to put yourself first before getting really badly in pain again and unable to do more. I use a mobility scooter for supermarket shopping.
:sign0085: There is some limited research on the internet that cannabis can help relieve symtoms of Crohn's inflamation including pain?
I've not tried it but would be interested in anyones experience with it with Crohn's? Especially long term use. I understand there is a kind of spray that can be used instead of smoking it?
Are there any other 'natural' painkillers with less side effects?
Last word - I would second the 'beware of what your doctor prescribes you' having learnt the hard way. I have been prescribed with painkillers I can't take or that can make things much worse - mostly from G.P s or Hospital Doctors not directly linked to my Consultants. The side effects don't normally affect most other people but they might affect you. Please check what you are taking with your speciality Nurse or Consultant - I even check my vitamins and minerals with them now.
Painkillers
With the stoma I was warned to avoid include all Nsaids - codeine, ibuprofen, aspirin etc... because it can ironically cause constipation, which with the stoma = more pain long term and possible hospitalization.
I have tremadol (opiate) they take 15/20 mins to start working and if I take two at once consecutively (following maximum prescribed guidelines) give me hallucinations. I don't take them regularly. But they work even though you may not want to drive on them. :yfaint: and they are highly addictive.
Which leaves paraceetamol. I started having really bad headaches from the one time withdrawing off paraceetamol and found out even though professionals seem happy to feed them to us full time, they are in fact quite dangerous long term and have some quite serious side effects. I've been using them solid at least 9 months this time. And they are not so good at really reducing that bad pain.
I use long hot baths for hours/hot water bottles to relieve pain with flare ups.
Pain avoidance
I follow my diet strictly and eat well.
I avoid as much stress and over exercising as I can - I basically listen to my body and stop as soon as it is not happy no matter what I'm doing or who wants me to do something or tell me their problems. Hard but better to put yourself first before getting really badly in pain again and unable to do more. I use a mobility scooter for supermarket shopping.
:sign0085: There is some limited research on the internet that cannabis can help relieve symtoms of Crohn's inflamation including pain?
I've not tried it but would be interested in anyones experience with it with Crohn's? Especially long term use. I understand there is a kind of spray that can be used instead of smoking it?
Are there any other 'natural' painkillers with less side effects?
Last word - I would second the 'beware of what your doctor prescribes you' having learnt the hard way. I have been prescribed with painkillers I can't take or that can make things much worse - mostly from G.P s or Hospital Doctors not directly linked to my Consultants. The side effects don't normally affect most other people but they might affect you. Please check what you are taking with your speciality Nurse or Consultant - I even check my vitamins and minerals with them now.
