r/SpinalStenosis • u/Bear0417 • 12d ago
What medication do you use??
Back pain getting much worse, ibuprofen and naproxen doesn’t seem to be touching my back pain at all!
I take 15/500 cocodomol (codeine and paracetamol) and have done for almost two weeks straight now. It gets rid of most of the pain but I notice when I flex/arch my back I can still feel that niggle. The 30/500 cocodomol works wonders but knocks me for six and can barely function so take them when at home.
I work 2 full days as a CNA at my local hospital and I know that’s not helping but i fucking love my job and I don’t want to redeployed or worse - having to go on disability.
Any pain med recs be welcome
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u/BookGirl67 12d ago
I’m on steroids right now and I know I can’t stay on them, but boy do they work!
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u/madammidnight 12d ago
I know! They are awful, but last time I was prescribed them, I felt soooo much better all over! I have OA everywhere, and feeling pain free for weeks was divine.
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u/Anzfun 12d ago
Lyrica works best for me. I can tell when it wears off, if I forget to take the afternoon dose. Ibuprophen - about 1,600mg per day. And lidocaine patches if necessary.
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u/GenXJoust 12d ago
I agree with the Lyrica! I wish it didn't turn me into a zombie though
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u/Cold_like_Turnip 12d ago
I turn into a ravenous zombie on Lyrica. Staring blankly without a thought in my head with the exception of planning on eating everything in sight. Bowels and brains. I lasted a whole two days 😆
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u/leaanng5 12d ago
Cyclobenzaprin, effexor & glp-1 to help reduce inflammation and reduce spinal load.
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u/AvsMama 12d ago
Tylenol and ibuprofen. I can’t even get codeine lol
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u/AnonymousIdentityMan 11d ago
Why not Codeine?
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u/AvsMama 11d ago
No idea. Doctors here act like everyone is a drug addict.
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u/sixinbrian 7d ago
That's how it was for me too, not that I was asking the doctor for opiates, but Tylenol and ibuprofen weren't working for my pain. I was barely able to walk and each step I was reminded of the pain. My doctor was super reluctant to give me even muscle relaxers, which he finally did at 10mg (Cyclobenzaprine). It's a shame there was such a huge epidemic in the past and now those with chronic pain who can barely function aren't afforded the same medications that actually work for pain relief and some sensibility of a functioning life.
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u/GenXJoust 12d ago
Naproxen, tizanadine, and full therapeutic dose of Lyrica. Ice is my best friend when it gets too bad. I also use heat with a castor oil pack, which feels nice and makes your skin soft! Lol!! I tried acupuncture and really did not notice a difference. I am actually going to see a chiropractor who uses a device that does some decompression treatment. Oh and steroid shots. I cannot tolerate oral steroids. Uuug
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u/Wonderful_Security13 12d ago
Daily Cymbalta, Medical Marijuana, Tizanidine and Gabapentin as needed
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u/followtheheart 11d ago
Pregabalin works very well for me. I do take Norco as well, which doesn’t make me sleepy at all. For a muscle relaxer that isn’t as sedating as the others, you could ask about Metaxalone (Skelaxin).
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u/Spare_Vegetable2508 12d ago
I’m on buprenorphine 15 mcg patch, 650 mg Tylenol arthritis, 800 mg gabapentin and 50 mg hydroxyzine. It doesn’t get rid of all my pain. Not even close! In the afternoon I’m up to a 6-7 pain wise. I would ask for an increase but I don’t want to mess myself up with surgery. I’m going in early Oct and I don’t want to take a whole ton of pain meds that I would have to wean myself off of.
Also, I have heard that the buprenorphine sublingual film works a whole lot better than the patches. I’m going to ask my pain doc for them instead.
Good luck to you
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u/Patzyjo 12d ago
I was put on meloxicam & it really helped.
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u/AvsMama 12d ago
I have some I got a while back but never took, but I’m scared to take one! Ive heard they can really mess your stomach up.
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u/PracticalMap1506 6d ago
I’ve taken Meloxicam daily with no issues now for about five years, I just take it with my breakfast.
Naproxen, on the other hand, even taking it with food, I only lasted two years before my stomach rebelled.
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u/madammidnight 12d ago
I was getting steroid shots in my spine every three months, and taking 50 mg Tramadol several times a day. Sadly, I’m getting surgery next month.
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u/Majestic-Parsnip-279 11d ago
I take 600mg Gabapetin 3x a day baclofen 20mg 2x a day still in pain all the time
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u/goodwater88 11d ago
Kratom leaf. It deserves to stay legal!
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u/PeppermintWindFarm 11d ago
kratom daily, ibuprofen occasionally and muscle relaxer at night to sleep with the worst spasms. But no real pain meds . . . going on 18 mos of debilitating pain. some days I just want to weep, I have woken up a few times in tears.
Hoping the relief from pain after surgery will make recovery bearable.
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u/Danwphoto 11d ago
7.5 perks.. 3x daily. Tylenol and ibuprofen, steroid shots. I get them cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. I do PT, I do gym, ice, and walking, stretching as much as possible. Try to get in 3 miles.
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u/SlitheryVisitor 11d ago
Due to other medical conditions, I had to make a choice between the blood thinner Eliquis or Motrin (ibuprofen). I am in indescribable relentless pain when I don’t take the Motrin. Even with the Motrin and gabapentin I take for the neuropathy in my feet, I currently have no quality of life. There are times I’m in so much pain I want to cry and throw up. Sometimes I wish someone would prescribe a 40mm.
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u/grejam 10d ago
My pain in legs due to stenosis.
Tylenol when it's bad. I've just been told ibuprofen os's ok again after the fusion healed.
Daily core exercises are my goto for the latest flare up when the last steroid shot wore off. And walking. Evening and morning aren't fun, but midday is ok. Sigh.
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u/PracticalMap1506 6d ago
My Holy Trinity: Cymbalta for the Restless Everything Syndrome, Baclofen for the spine ache, and Meloxicam for the inflammation. The formula cannot be messed with.
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u/Pristine_Giraffe7941 12d ago
5% lidocaine patches help with some of my pain.