What do you take for pain?

Marge · Feb 2, 2006

Aspirin is out if you are on coumadin. So are NSAIDs. I've been told to take Tylenol.
Problem is that, for whatever reason, Tylenol does me no good whatsoever; never has.
I have recurrent headaches (nothing to do with the coumadin, I think; have had them all my life). Lately I've been having back pain; when it's bad, pain shoots all down my leg.
What can I take?
A while back my PCP prescribed something called Ultram (also known as Tramadol) for my headaches. This takes care of the headaches pretty well. I've taken it a few times for the back/leg pain. It helps, but it makes me feel very fuzzy. Am looking for something I can take for pain that will not also mess up my mind; and that won't, of course, interfere with the coumadin.

Birky · Feb 2, 2006

pain meds

pain meds

I thoroughly agee with you on the Tylenol, it does absolutely nothing. I did take Ultram when I had my hand surgery and it really thinned my blood but it worked. I have also gotten Vicoden which has a narcotic in it and this could space you out. There doesn't seem to be many choices available.

Cooker · Feb 2, 2006

I am not on coumadin so I can not speak to that side of it but I have had great luck with Aleive. It has helped with a lot of aches and pains. My arthritis (sp?) has all but disapeared. I was on several anti-imflamatories and none worked. Seems to work for headaches too.

Georgia · Feb 2, 2006

Aleve's an NSAID and shouldn't be taken regularly with coumadin. Altho apparently it's the safest of the NSAID's to take with coumadin, you shouldn't rely on it regularly.

This was the biggest adjustment I had to make after getting the mechanical valve. I LOVED motrin and would sure like to be able to take it again.

I've been very happy with tylenol in general, altho I don't think it does much for headaches. I have a scrip for Darvocet that works for headaches. Fortunately my headaches have nearly disappeared since I had surgery.

This whole thing was horrid when I had a heriated lumbar disk that caused sciatic pain - there just wasn't much relief from anything. And I didn't want to ask for anything stronger.

Marge · Feb 3, 2006

Thanks, all, for the input.
But all I can say is: RATS!
Sounds like there's not much out there for coumadin users: a choice between Tylenol (ineffective in my experience), and prescription meds that are effective but make me way too spacey. Darvocet, Vicodin: been there, done that, don't want to.
I can deal with the headaches-but I guess I better hope that I don't get arthritis.

Georgia · Feb 3, 2006

Actually, for mild types of arthritis, I think that Tylenol Arthritis Formula is pretty good - if I take it regularly as suggested on the label (every 8 hours) I feel good. Don't know what will happen if I need something better long term in the future.

I use Aleve infrequently (ssh-h-h) when I have inflammation - my knee's a problem occasionally. It's great, and Al Lodwick said there's nothing in literature that shows problems with Aleve and Coumadin. But I'm suspicious, so I don't use it very often at all.

Sigh . . .

ccrawford · Feb 4, 2006

Al and I have had a long email debate re Aleve. I agree with him in that there is no definitive abstract in the National INstitute of Health that describes a serious bleed or death attributed to Aleve. There is one abstract that sorta hints at one. On the other hand, most of the data sheets for the drug indicate that Aleve can raise the INR . I would only say that if you are regularly taking Aleve, then be sure to test about four days after you start an Aleve regimen. My INR jumped to more than six after regular use of Aleve. I have also experienced the same thing with regular use of Tylenol. If I take 3 Tylenol a day (1500mg) I can expect my INR to jump to 6.0 or more in about four days. Maybe I'm an unusual case. Bottom line is to be careful any time you add anything new to your drug regimen.