Any Ideas To Cut the Pain?

[SixStringer]

Most days I have bad lower back pain upon waking in the morning, and it often wakes me up at night.  If it is so severe, it often leads to a headache.  Some days my joints ache due to arthritis and/or weather changes.  Several years ago, I discovered Excedrin Migraine (acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine) really helped out.  Now I find that I am sensitive to it along with just aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.  My physician prescribed Tramadol to try, but that also makes me feel bum.  Does anyone know of any medication that might work?  I don't really want to go into the heavy-duty meds, as I've never liked feeling "medicated".  Otherwise, the heating pad, ice pack, and self-massage help.  Accupuncture?  

[SixStringer]

Many thanks for all your input.  More than side effects, I find that I am sensitive (I won't say allergic) to the OTC pain relievers.  I will follow up on these leads.  

[sandee1818]

Lodine is the drug I was tryng to think of.

[missywv]

Hello, have you ever tried any physical therapy in the past and learned the core muscle stretching exercises?  I truly have never been an athletic person, but I started therapy about 6 weeks ago 2 times a week and have really noticed a decrease in my morning pain (mornings until about noon are my worst times also).  If I miss a day stretching at home, I can tell a huge difference the next morning.  It doesn't cut all the pain, but I am able to get out of bed and stand upright within about 15 minutes where it used to take me about 1 1/2 hours.  There are many websites out there that show pictures and describe these light stretching exercises - the biggest help so far has been the abdominal bracing and hamstring stretching.   Everybody with joint and back pain could benefit from stretching (those are my therapist's words) and I'm becoming a huge convert!

Good luck, if you want to look at the exercises and can't find them online - please message me and I'll get them for you - or copy the ones I have for home use and send them to you.

[sandee1818]

I used to take robaxin and it worked for awhile. Also there is another non narcotic I used to take it started with an (L) now it is driving me crazy I cant remember the name, but I will and I will let ya know.
I know there are several you could try. Look into it at web md/pain management drugs.
I hope you find something that works for you.

[Mollyrae]

What i have found in the past was a medication called Imitrex. It is non-addictive and for me worked wonders. What it does is open the blood vessels in your head to let more blood flow. Most causes of migrains are due to blood vessels becoming restricted and the Imitrex opens those vessels letting the blood flow easily. It is worth a try. It should be an easy prescription to obtain since it is not a controlled substance. Good luck, Mollyrae

[mcclos10]

Unfortunately there is usually a trade off in order to get the type of pain relief you want.  Most people experience at least some type of side effect from most medications.  Some side effects are more bothersome than others of course.  Over the counter it seems like there are hundreds of different options but in reality they contain the same handful of drugs in different combinations and/or strengths.  From what you said in your post it looks like you have tried them all.  My suggestion from personal experience would be to use what gives you the most relief and then give your body a chance to get used to the drug.  I often find that mild side effects go away after I take a drug for awhile.  So even though something might make you feel “bum” or medicated at first it may go away once you develop a little tolerance for it.  Good Luck!!