BoldonLad
Not part of the Elite
- Location
- South Tyneside
I thought "beta blockers" were Blood Pressure lowering medication? Do they have dual usage then?
Any CCrs on very strong pain killers?
- Thread starter Dave7
- Start date
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I thought "beta blockers" were Blood Pressure lowering medication? Do they have dual usage then?
vickster
Legendary Member
Several licensed indications, but not musculoskeletal or nerve pain for example
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/beta-blockers/
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nickAKA
Über Member
- Location
- Manchester
I've been taking cocodamol for 20 years for an ongoing back problem; I've been up & down on dosage but currently take about 30 - 60mg of codeine a day which I'll probably cut in half this year. I take Doctor Karl's view that nobody was ever awarded a medal for being in pain, and I can function normally at that level so I can live with the 'consequences'.
Anyone suffering from serious side effects I'd recommend you try swapping the 'brand' which may require changing pharmacy. I've probably taken most brands down the years and much as the labels state the contents as identical, they are ALL different, and the side effects can vary massively. I've changed nominated chemists recently because boots switched brands; I felt anxious constantly on there's and couldn't skip a day without feeling ill. Swapped & I was back to normal within a week.
Apropos of nothing, I started off on tramadol - it sent me absolutely barmy and I was soooooooo glad to ditch them....
Anyone suffering from serious side effects I'd recommend you try swapping the 'brand' which may require changing pharmacy. I've probably taken most brands down the years and much as the labels state the contents as identical, they are ALL different, and the side effects can vary massively. I've changed nominated chemists recently because boots switched brands; I felt anxious constantly on there's and couldn't skip a day without feeling ill. Swapped & I was back to normal within a week.
Apropos of nothing, I started off on tramadol - it sent me absolutely barmy and I was soooooooo glad to ditch them....
roadrash
cycle chatterer
- Location
- sitting on the edge of wigan pier
As stated upthread among everything else I take, my amitriptyline was upped to 50mg just before Christmas, I will be making an appointment at docs after the weekend, I simply cannot function properly , its like my brain is in a permanent fog, cant concentrate , its horrible.
vickster
Legendary Member
Ask whether pregabalin is an option as an alternative for nerve pain (although when I moved to 100mg my memory seemed to suffer)
roadrash
cycle chatterer
- Location
- sitting on the edge of wigan pier
I'm alrady on gabapentin 600mg , which is same thing
Andrew_P
In between here and there
No its not its earlier version and cheaper GP's won't tell you that. My theory remains and anecdotal evidence suggests Gabapentin reduces in effect, hence the ramping up fairly quickly. If I was going to remove one and I am not suggesting you do it would be that one, or asking for a swap.
vickster
Legendary Member
Not quite. Pregabalin a further development on from gabapentin. My rheumatologist certainly thinks it’s a better drug.
What is the amitryptiline being used for if not nerve pain? Are you under a pain management clinic as well as a neurologist (or spinal specialist)?
Andrew_P
In between here and there
My wife's friend has had her throat closing up, suffers with Asthma and hay fever so suggestive of allergic anyway came away from GP with 20mg Amitriptyline for "Stress" its knocked her for six since she started taking it.
Like I said I have never ever come across a mood altering drug (off label for nerve pain) taken by so many people.
roadrash
cycle chatterer
- Location
- sitting on the edge of wigan pier
roadrash
cycle chatterer
- Location
- sitting on the edge of wigan pier
rang docs this morning, no appointment until next Monday, I honestly cant remember the last time I felt like myself (my old self). I know with my spinal problems I'm going to be on meds for ever but surely I really shouldn't feel this sh!t, I feel like my whole personality , outlook has altered and no matter how I try , I cant seem to snap out of it. time for a real heart to heart next Monday, enough is enough, no joy and its change of doctor time, but then I have to go through the whole getting them to understand me and to know and trust another doctor ...aaarrrggghhhh.
byegad
Legendary Member
- Location
- NE England
With a worn knee and a back which never got 100% better after I burst a disc some 35 yrs ago, I've been taking Prescription Co-codamol or Tramadol for many a year. I know the former is definitely supposed to be addictive, but IF I'm home and not walking far or riding my trikes I can go days without taking anything. Then If I'm on my way out for a days photography or a day's ride I know I'll be taking the maximum dose of one or the other tablets.
I find tramadol, taken after a while of not using them does make me a bit woozy, but if I've spent a few busy days and been taking Tramadol they don't seem to affect me so much the next day Taking either of the tablets mean I can function for the day and not end up grovelling in pain by lunchtime.
I find tramadol, taken after a while of not using them does make me a bit woozy, but if I've spent a few busy days and been taking Tramadol they don't seem to affect me so much the next day Taking either of the tablets mean I can function for the day and not end up grovelling in pain by lunchtime.
vickster
Legendary Member
Perhaps the doctor can refer you for counselling although this may be better organised via the pain clinic? You may also be able to self refer. Discuss with GP
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Similar here although I also take a (non-addictive) Herbal pain relief most days to cope with the daily 'nagging' background pain. I'm firmly in the 'Let's follow America' in it's use medicinally after all we were quick enough to follow them in 'Banning' it and after all if it was good enough for Queen Victoria then it's good enough for me.
Andrew_P
In between here and there
I had my annual review which is another story. Another new Registrar in a department that has spent the best part of 2.5 years trying to get me on to one or maybe more of the drugs mentioned in this thread and making me feel like an idiot for refusing to use them. Partly because I don't believe it is nerve pain and partly because I cannot stand the thought of them I had this final conversation with them.
Amitriptyline works on (I think he said 25) if not 23 receptors that "might cover" your nerve pain it seemed like it was pot luck but has side effects that may or may not affect your lifestyle. Alcohol in the evening at weekends as you take it early evening would not be sensible or enjoyable, or getting up at 5.30am to be on my bike by 6.15am was probably not wise although I may get used to it and not feel too mushy or fuzzy in the morning.
Nortriptyline works on 19 receptors so less likely to find the right one but potentially less side effects that may or may not effect my lifestyle.
He said the two above if I didn't get any reduction within 6/8 weeks he would advise one increment up, if no success come off them. If they did work to stay on them for a year to 18 months and then taper off and there is a chance that the nerve pain (if it is) would not return or the benefits you did get would stay. If it did return to go back on it. Don't expect it to make you pain free.
They are no longer using Pregabalin due to it being now classified as a Class C drug with the problems of selling on your prescription and or addiction and side effect problems. Not proved to remove all types of nerve pain mainly Diabetic neuropathy. He seemed to think Gabapentin would follow suit soon. It also seemed like I would have had to have begged for any of these now where as in the last 3 years they have thrown this stuff at me and actively encouraged me to use it, including my GP writing a Prescription for 3 boxes of Gabapentin in April this year and telling me to just take them (not my regular GP)
I genuinely feel a lot of these subdue the side effect of being in Chronic pain, I also think as it has happened to me with Cortisone tablets the mind-set of its bloody farking painful now whilst I am taking this lot no way could I cope with more I am staying on them, in fact give me more!
The most bizarre thing is I had almost talked myself in to taking them out of a bit of desperation. Just about reflects how my relationship with the medical system has gone to be honest.
This what gets me, although not this actual Dr at least 3 Registrars and the Consultant have sold the Pregabalin as almost a utopia for pain relief, that is genuinely how they delivered the message, yet this time he more or less said it didn't work for nerve pain. Bunch of tossers really!
Amitriptyline works on (I think he said 25) if not 23 receptors that "might cover" your nerve pain it seemed like it was pot luck but has side effects that may or may not affect your lifestyle. Alcohol in the evening at weekends as you take it early evening would not be sensible or enjoyable, or getting up at 5.30am to be on my bike by 6.15am was probably not wise although I may get used to it and not feel too mushy or fuzzy in the morning.
Nortriptyline works on 19 receptors so less likely to find the right one but potentially less side effects that may or may not effect my lifestyle.
He said the two above if I didn't get any reduction within 6/8 weeks he would advise one increment up, if no success come off them. If they did work to stay on them for a year to 18 months and then taper off and there is a chance that the nerve pain (if it is) would not return or the benefits you did get would stay. If it did return to go back on it. Don't expect it to make you pain free.
They are no longer using Pregabalin due to it being now classified as a Class C drug with the problems of selling on your prescription and or addiction and side effect problems. Not proved to remove all types of nerve pain mainly Diabetic neuropathy. He seemed to think Gabapentin would follow suit soon. It also seemed like I would have had to have begged for any of these now where as in the last 3 years they have thrown this stuff at me and actively encouraged me to use it, including my GP writing a Prescription for 3 boxes of Gabapentin in April this year and telling me to just take them (not my regular GP)
I genuinely feel a lot of these subdue the side effect of being in Chronic pain, I also think as it has happened to me with Cortisone tablets the mind-set of its bloody farking painful now whilst I am taking this lot no way could I cope with more I am staying on them, in fact give me more!
The most bizarre thing is I had almost talked myself in to taking them out of a bit of desperation. Just about reflects how my relationship with the medical system has gone to be honest.
This what gets me, although not this actual Dr at least 3 Registrars and the Consultant have sold the Pregabalin as almost a utopia for pain relief, that is genuinely how they delivered the message, yet this time he more or less said it didn't work for nerve pain. Bunch of tossers really!
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