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Post by romeosgal on Jul 22, 2011 0:18:14 GMT -5
How do YOU deal with your endo pain? I just got my diagnosis 8 days ago so am trying to figure out how to deal with it. My pain levels have fluctuated from being mildly annoying all the way to the point of me almost going to the emergency room I'm in so much pain. It seems to be consistently there, though varying in degree. I was using Aleve (naproxen) which seemed to work for a while but has lately been less than adequate. My doctor gave me a prescription for some stronger pain killers but I turned out to be allergic to the meds she gave me. So, I've gone back to using the Aleve and suffering. When I'm at home I also use a heat pack. Just curious to see how others deal with the pain.
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Post by cloudyrain on Jul 22, 2011 14:24:26 GMT -5
Hey hon, pain management is different for everyone, but thought I would share what has really helped me!
When my pain is at it's worst I take mefanamic acid (or ibuprofen if I have ran out), 2 hours later I take tranexamic acid (which helps with bleeding and the associated pain), 2 hours later I take paracetomal, and then add a codeine in when needed and have a microwavable heat pack on me most of the time! You have to be careful not to overlap anything that has the same ingredients, and obviously consult with your GP. It's also important to alter your diet appropriately (codeine can make you constipated so drink loads of water) and things like caffeine and wheat can make things worse with regards to your bowel and therefore aggravate the pain.
The biggest 'trick' is to spread out your tablets throughout the day, there is nothing worse than it getting to 8pm and you have already had all the pain killers you can have. I try to keep the pain at a moderate level throughout the day rather than having mild then severe, but it's what you find best xxx
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Post by pretty on Jul 22, 2011 15:25:54 GMT -5
Pain: First thing I did was change my diet, and that took away 50-75% of my daily pain right off. Pain from Constipation: I eat lots of fruit, fiber, drink a lot of water, and when I get constipated anyway, I use senakot (stool softener) and then senna tea to get things moving. Probably use this twice a month. * before changing my diet I was in pain, constipated, ALL THE TIME - so this is a huge improvement. Pain - Ovary pain, cramping pain: Taking ibuprofin BEFORE my period starts and then every 6 hours or so THROUGHOUT my painful days REALLY helps. Studies show that anti-inflammatories like ibuprofin, aleve, etc work best when you take them BEFORE the pain starts - for some things this is impossible, but once you have your cycle figured out you can time it well. Avoid wheat and dairy from ovulation through period start - this helps a LOT of my stomach pain. Using senakot (stool softener) and senna tea and metamucil/lots of water when I do take narcotics (vicoprofin) helps me stay regular. Drinking LOTS of water and avoiding caffeine helps a lot with narcotic headaches. I avoid taking vicoprofin as much as I can, but when I do take them, I remember they constipate the heck out of me so be prepared. I use an electric heat pad but I'm careful now having burnt myself more than once. Also I just take relax time for myself, get a non-sugary snack, a good book, and lots of decaf tea/water/real lemonade.... I've even taken my heat pad outside and sat in the sun, with my sun hat, AND my heat pad.... lol but I live in Alaska so it's not so extreme. When I have a lot of pain anymore, I try to prioritize and plan down time for just me. For example, you have a painful stressful day, come home, dishes are dirty, house is a mess - I prioritize me first, house second. THis happened yesterday, I got off work, picked up laundry and groceries, took them home, put them away - then took a 2 hour nap before doing ANY house work or cooking. IT's hard to do this when you are nervous about messes but you have to put yourself first sometimes, give yourself permission to rest up BEFORE tackling another task! Works great for me. If you do end up taking a lot of any tablets please flush yourself with LOTS of water and healthy foods, these things are pretty toxic but they do help when you need them, but keep in mind your liver and kidneys have to work hard to clean out those toxins, so give them a break - avoid alcohol etc when on narcotics, and do drink lots of water. x Pretty
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Post by romeosgal on Jul 23, 2011 0:20:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. Mefenamic acid is the med I'm allergic to. The reaction I had to it was quite severe. So far, my doc hasn't given me another drug to try. I'm feeling a bit gun shy with new medsafter the reaction I had to that one. Once my next period starts, I am supposed to be going on a bc pill which will (hopefully) get rid of my period in a few cycles. I have so far been using the Aleve or ibuprofen when the pain first starts and it does help take the edge off, but it definitely doesn't get rid of the pain. I can only do the heat pack at home. I can't do it while I'm at work. So wheat and dairy have been mentioned... Any other specifics that should be reduced/taken out of my diet to help with the pain? I'm a vegetarian already and definitely do eat dairy/wheat, but have no problem reducing the intake... Just need to figure out good foods I should be eating that will help sort things out
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Post by hellsbells on Jul 23, 2011 5:42:59 GMT -5
Hi ladies, can I just remind you that we have this entire section devoted to different methods of pain management? If you have any new experiences to add on the different methods, please add them in the relevant threads, cheers!
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Post by JC on Jul 23, 2011 11:20:03 GMT -5
We also have an entire section dedicated to various drug treatments. Definitely check out these sections. There are tons of discussions already on this topic and you'll get a lot of useful information.
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