Pain relief - again

Codeine phosphate is an opioid I have been prescribed. But it ends up making one feel worse because after a while your body stops using its own built in pain relief and so other parts of you start to be more painful. There is even a syndrome called codeine headache. I suffered from that too.
Opiates shouldn’t be used for chronic pain for these reasons. I was a registered nurse so I knew this but I was desperate.
Now I’m trying to do relaxation and music therapy.

Homeopathic remedies don’t have side effects. You would need to consult a registered homeopath.

You say opioids work for you but are addictive. Well does that matter? If they work then you will be taking them for ever anyway, you won't be coming off them and won't need to worry about withdrawal symptoms

Most doctors will only prescribe opioids for a limited time.

I skipped ahead so missed your pain clinic referral.
Apologies.
I usually do read the whole thread.
Sorry.
My excuse - on the way to bed.

When my arthritis was bad I found acupuncture helpful - I was referred via my GP to the pain clinic and had it done there.

Have you had a pain clinic referral?
It might be helpful.

The medicinal cannabis isn't just for neuropathic pain but for lots of conditions, see here: releaf.co.uk/patient-stories

You say opioids work for you but are addictive. Well does that matter? If they work then you will be taking them for ever anyway, you won't be coming off them and won't need to worry about withdrawal symptoms.

This looks worth a try, medicinal cannabis:
releaf.co.uk/education/medical/pain/neuropathic-pain/medicinal-cannabis-for-nerve-pain

Re actual cannabis, as a last resort you could always grow a plant for your own medicinal use. I doubt you'd be arrested for that if you had a medical condition.

Sago

I am a huge believer in acupuncture.
Click the link and put your postcode in to see if there is anyone nearer to you.

acupuncture.org.uk/

Have you anyone that could procure you some cannabis?
I know someone with MS who takes it, not sure how she comes by it though.

Many years ago I gave someone a lift who had MS and I casually asked her if she’d tried cannabis to which she replied of course I use it. So it just crossed my mind that it might help me with my arthritis but I wouldn’t know how to get any and, if I could would worry that it wasn’t pure.

Had acupuncture for impinged shoulder pain. The nurse who administered it was brilliant at hitting the right spot that it would make me cry.
That nurse went off on holiday & the replacement nurse kept hitting a nerve. I didn’t return for anymore treatment after that.
Worth a shot though as I didn’t need to go through surgery.

Tried the ‘oil’ only once as it belonged to a friend- funnily enough I had a really good nights sleep. I don’t think I had knee trouble at the time, so couldn’t say if it’s good for pain relief

Samsara1

Has anyone tried CBD - I would be interested in that? Other than that pain relief relies on me taking my meds (Pregabalin and Co Codamol) at regular intervals with the odd gin and tonic thrown in,

😩😂

Thanks.
Most of those I've tried already. I have oramorph, fentanyl patches, paracetamol (which is useless) naproxen (which gives me the gripes and damages the liver), co-codamol (which you can't take if you're already using an opioid), CBD(which had no effect), gabapentin and pregabalin..... oh I could go on and on ..... and I think the kind people at the pain clinic are convinced I'm being deliberately dismissive.

I used the acupuncture app which is how I found that my nearest practitioner was so far away.

Each drug has to be tried for 3 months in order to give it the chance to show results, so I have spent the last few years experimenting - all with negative results and I'm there must be hundreds of people iin the same boat.

It seems to be a case of 'put up and shut up' as my gran used to say.

Have you discussed a pain patch with your pain team? Yes they are opioids but they largely by pass the stomach so less irritating.
You have to be used to opioid meds first I think as they are not for the opioid naive.
I have one and it takes the edge off my pain. All the best.

I am a huge believer in acupuncture.
Click the link and put your postcode in to see if there is anyone nearer to you.

acupuncture.org.uk/

Have you anyone that could procure you some cannabis?
I know someone with MS who takes it, not sure how she comes by it though.

Has anyone tried CBD - I would be interested in that? Other than that pain relief relies on me taking my meds (Pregabalin and Co Codamol) at regular intervals with the odd gin and tonic thrown in,

I find being in cold water (sea dipping) and a bit of walking makes me pain free (easy when you are away on holiday)
This week back at home - I’m just back to being stiff, immobile and crippled up.
I think there really is something about our UK climate, I feel like two different people be ause the change is always so stark
Always feel like an old lady when I’m at home…

I’m rubbish with most pills!

So I’ll be watching this thread too.

Have you tried a TENS machine? Works for a lot of people.

I can't help you but I will be following this thread as I'd be interested to hear what helps others.

I have tried acupuncture with no success.

Paracetamol is a good, relatively safe drug but not really strong enough for me.