what to take for mild pain relief

[Pam P]

I've been on oxycodon from the surgery - helps the pain but it's starting to make me goofy. I won't take any more. My onc,told me a while ago not to take tylenol because of my liver enzymes. The nurses here at rehab said not to take ibuprofin because it inhibits bone growth. What else could I take that's not a narcotic?

[Becky]

They probably won't let you take aspirin but you can ask. There is also the active that is in the OTC product Aleve. It is Naproxen. OTC is Aleve but there are prescription versions that might have more drug active. They are Anaprox or Naprosyn. You should see if you can have this active ingredient or if that will also be a problem.

Then, you still have Celebrex. It is still on the market and ironically, has some anticancer effects. This is all I can think of right now.

Hugs and kisses to you.

[Debbie L.]

Pam, I'd never heard the ibuprofen (or any anti inflammatory) inhibits bone growth. So I googled it, of course (smile).

It seems controversial, showing some inhibition of growth in a highly-controlled and weird study in rabbits, but not in rat femurs, etc. I didn't spend a lot of time looking so there may be human studies I didn't find, but there were articles arguing that the anti inflammatory effects were more important and that it was okay to use.

I have friends who use Tramadol or Ultram, which is described as "narcotic-like". Apparently (from what I've heard from others), it works really well for some and not at all for others (something to do with individual differences in metabolism). So that might be worth a try.

As for the same pain meds making you "increasingly goofy", that is odd. More typically, people adjust to the effects of narcotics over time and also build up tolerances so they need higher doses to get the same effects.

If your surgeon doesn't have help to offer, you could also ask for referral to a pain specialist who would have a lot more ideas.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Debbie Laxague

[Debbie L.]

The Cox2 inhibitors (naprosyn, celebrex) were mentioned in the same articles that implicated ibuprofen and other nsaids, although as I said, there seems to be some controversy about the importance of this, both in degree of inhibition, and in application to humans.

[Mary L]

Pam, Ultram works well for me. I take it rarely but when my neuropathy in my feet is so bad that I can't sleep, I take one and the pain is buffered in less than 20 minutes. My onc recommened it to me and said it had very few side effects. How are you doing? I think of you often. Hope you are healing well and will be out and about by Spring. Best Wishes, Mary L

[ElaineM]

I never heard that Motrin and Asprin affect bones.
I know we are supposed to stop Asprin before surgery, because it is a blood thinner.
Would something topical help?
1. Lydocaine patches and creams. Available by prescription.
2. Salonpas patches contain menthol, eucalyptus and campor. Available over ther counter at pharmacies.
I think there are other patches made by different companies
3. Herb Pharm St. John's Wort oil. Available over the counter at health food stores.
4. I use Vicks rub that has been cooled in the refrigerator when I don't have anything else. It has the same ingredients as Salonpas.
5. Would either a warm compress or an ice pack help pain?
Good luck with the pain.

[Chelee]

Hi Pam,
I have never heard that ibuprofin inhibits bone growth either? After my femur surgery I was taking norco and hydrocodone--I also took ibuprofin daily to help reduce pain and inflammation. My Ortho onc from City of Hope had no problem with me taking ibuprofin.

Most nurses are very knowledgeable about things like this...but I would put a call into my Ortho onc's office and ask them what you could take? Would a lower dose of the oxycodone make you less goofy. :) (Just a thought) Sure hope all is going well and your close to going home? Sending warm healing thoughts and prayers your way.

Chelee

[Laurel]

Oxycodone made me goofy too, Pam. Knocked me out for an hour and then I would awaken in pain. Didn't like the stuff at all. Gave up and took Aleve. Still, good old fashioned aspirin works wonderfully for pain, but I am supposing the good docs are adverse to you taking it?

[TriciaK]

I am taking hydrcodone, 5 + 325, for the severe shoulder and arm pain I am having with the chemo gemzar. It takes the edge off the pain, but I try to take only 2 a day, morning and night. I am prescribed 1 every 6 hours. It makes me sleepy, which is especially good at night. It also makes me dizzy so I am really careful when I take it, since I am so dizzy anyway. I am allergic to morphine and get really strange reactions to anything else except plain tylenol. Good luck--I avoid narcotics as much as possible. Sometimes the pain is easier to handle than the side effects.

[Pam P]

Thanks everyone for all your help. I asked the onc. yesterday and he said go ahead and take ibuprofin and okay to alternate with tylenol for awhile as needed. Or just take the ibuprofin. He said the bone growth issue with ibuprofin was contraversial.

I left rehab Thurs. but everyone in my house is sick with fever/cold/vomiting (son, dil, 2 grandkids) so I'm staying at my other son's for a couple days to hopefully avoid all that stuff.

I saw the onc. yesterday & he will start me on halaven on Monday. He will take me off herceptin for now to monitor how just the halaven does. He doesn't think herceptin is helping me now anyway. But he will add it back later if makes sense. Scary - herceptin is ,my security blanket -- but emotionally - i don't know what it's actually doing for me.

[PinkGirl]

Welcome home Pam ... I seem to have some kind of problem
with most pain meds, maybe because I'm allergic to codeine. My
preferred cocktail is two extra strength tylenol and two extra strength
advil at the same time ... works for me.

[Mary L]

Hi Pam, I'm sorry you were unable to go home to your own home, but I guess you just glad to get our of the rehab. I know what you mean about Herceptin. It was my security blanket and I didn't want to go off of it. I had no choice because it was hard on my heart. How are you feeling as far a getting around? I'm glad to hear that this time was easier on you than the last surgery. Hope you are doing well and I am praying for you. Best wishes, Mary L

[ElaineM]

I am so glad you can take ibuprofin. If it helps control the pain I see no reason why a person has to take heavy duty painkillers which can cause other issues.
In addition to the my other suggestions you can try an ice pack if you have swelling to reduce pain. Warm compresses or a heating pad turned on low or medium work okay if there is no swelling. Heat helps circulation get going and helps to reduce pain.
Good luck with the Halaven !!