Pain meds

Anyone have any new ideas that will help for the head and neck pain we go through?  I have tried vicodin, gabapentin, nortryptyline (sp), and a myriad of over the counter stuff, like Alleve, Tylenol, etc.  I'm just not getting much relief at all!!!!  Thanks!

[jenshead]

Have you tried massage for the neck pain?  It helped me a lot.  A local dr works with a masseuse and was even able to get it covered by my insurance.

I also have found more relief from ice packs than from meds.

[cewilcox]

I have also been through tons of meds.I would try them for two months then be done cause the relief wasn't good enough to deal with side effects. Do not over due ibuprofen/tylenol etc. I would take up to 6 800 mg a day and then found out is was messing up some of my organs. When the pills don't work I usually just put a ice packs all over. ice packs have helped me more than anything at times.

[jenshead]

Have you tried massage for the neck pain?  It helped me a lot.  A local dr works with a masseuse and was even able to get it covered by my insurance.

I also have found more relief from ice packs than from meds.

[selmaS]

  Well I can not use Ice...it makes me hurt more the colder I am...heat helps me...so a soak in the tub or a warm wrap on the neck or shoulder area that is bothering me is more  helpful to me.....not everyone can tolerate ice as a means to help pain....so if it doesn't work do try heat...but always with either heat or ice....short periods of time only...no more then 15 mins.

  "selma"

[Abbydabby36]

Thanks...I will definitely check into that!!!!!!   Ahhhhh....Feels better already!!!!!!!!!!

[Abbydabby36]

I know...hot tub with hot towels draped all over my head....One of my favorite things!!!

[Abbydabby36]

WOW!  That's a lot of OTC stuff!!!!   I will try the ice!!!!  Thanks so much!!!!!!!

[Samanthab259]

i found a HoMedics Shiatsu Neck Massager with Heat at Walmart on sale for like 10 bucks. It works magic! I only use it for around 10-15 mins at a time. It is a loose massage with heat.

[ajunebug]

I can't do ice/cold either. I can do heat. A warm hot shower or a soak in a hot tub is amazing. I actually want to buy a hot tub. I know it sounds like a luxury, but I think it would help my pain sooooo much if I used it daily.

As it is, my med combo that works best is 400mg ibuprofen taken at the same time as 1.5 vicodin (5/325s). That gets me to a good place of pain relief, but not being groggy or out of it. :)

[cash242]

I noticed you said you take ibuprofen.  I just started taking it this week and found that it actually seems to help give some relief.  How long have you taken it.  I am also taking Ultram but as everyone else have been through them all.  That combination sounds like it would work well.  I also use ice when it is really bad but unfortunately can't always pack ice with me wherever I go.