Taking paracetamol long term

[buffymad]

I have bad sciatica. Doc told me to take paracetamol (2 tablets 4 times a day) on a regular basis, ie every day to help with this which I've been doing. The jury is out on whether it helps or not but now I'm getting worried about taking it long term as I keep reading stories about it damaging your liver, kidneys etc, even though this is what my doc told me to do! Any comments??

[daffy654]

As long as you don't take above the recommended daily amount you will be fine. I have to take paracetamol alongside my stronger painkillers to control chest pain and have had no side effects at all.

[Bathsheba]

Has the doc ever suggested trying to find out why you have sciatica? I always thought it came from a problem with the spine.

[terambulan]

The reason paracetamol is taken instead of regular pain-killers is because they don't burn the stomach lining which can cause bowel bleed.....so am told (am not a medic).

[buffymad]

Nope, the doc wasn't that interested when I went back to see him! Saw the physio too but the exercises she gave me didn't help much. Paid for a session with a chiropracter last week & felt the best I had in ages! She explained the how, why, when and where to me so now I know what's going on & why the pain is there!

[Panic Button]

I don't think paracetomol can touch sciatic pain myself.

Ibuprofen has some effect, but even that is pretty ineffective.

[Bathsheba]

Did the chiropractor suggest any exercises for you to do buffy?

[Prudentia]

aspirin may in some cases causes a mild stomach bleed but only in about 8% of the population, taken with a lot of water it reduces this risk even further, follow this advice and you should have no problem

[buffymad]

Yes the new exercises I'm doing feel like they're actually doing something to my back. Worst pain of all is bottom half of my leg, I hate it. If I could just have "normal" back pain instead of that I wouldn't complain so much! Lots of herbal remedies out there but have a feeling i'd end up spending money on things that don't work either! Although someone mentioned Devil's Claw - but then also said it can upset your stomach! I feel old before my time!!

[Bathsheba]

Keep at it buffy. When i had back trouble my leg was half numb for months, but the exercises certainly helped. Keep moving. Good luck xxx

[Panic Button]

How old and worn is your mattress?

Does your car seat have really good lumbar support, or does it resemble a deck chair? Do you slouch in a settee in the evening, or sit up in a firm chair?

Things like this can have a massive effect on your spine.

[buffymad]

Mattress still nice and firm, I don't drive and have had the "chair lady" out at work to make sure my chair is right for me and my desk is at the right height etc. At home I always make sure I've got cushion rolled up in my back. I've been on a million websites (feels like it!) so know all the do's and don't's! Can't remember what it's like to feel normal! I swear if I get rid if this I'll never complain about pain again!!

[Eve]

If the pain relief is not effective from paracetamol then ask for a medication review with your doctor (or see another one) to see if you need something stronger like something codine based or muscle relaxants - they can be habit forming though so are prescribed with caution.

There has been some use of anti-convulsant drugs as well.

If the condition is chronic then some long term antidepressants can help with long term pain relief.

As well as medication and physical therapy, you could look into options like acupuncture and TENS therapy.

[Panic Button]

I hope the mattress isn't too firm!

It's a fallacy that bad backs need firm beds.

[buffymad]

Nah, mattress isn't rock hard but doesn't sag either. I was prescribed Diclofenic at first but when I went back after a month (expecting to get another prescription), I said that it was helping my back but not the leg pain so the doc decided to take me off it altogether! I don't think he likes prescribing things full stop (hubby hasn't had much luck with him in the past either)! He did mention injections at first but then never mentioned it again. I think the fact I'm not crawling around and can actually move ok-ish makes him think I'm not that bad!

[spammylou]

PILATES PILATES PILATES

I had sciatica but not any more.

PILATES PILATES PILATES

[daffy654]

Go back to your GP and insist on a referral to your local pain management clinic at the hospital,GP's are not necessarily the best people to prescribe the most effective pain relief. You may be offered steroid injections or even botox injections to relieve your pain at the pain clinic.

[coccinelle]

I know what pain you're going through and that horrible feeling that somebody is grabbing the bottom of your leg all the time. I suffered for 8 months (was going through a stressful time which is often the cause) went to chiropractor for 6 sessions and though it eased when I came out it didn't solve the problem. Then I was advised to see an osteopath, after the session (painless) he told me to drink plenty of water and within the week I was pain free!
Hope you've got a good one near you.

[buffymad]

Yep, I feel like my leg is going to snap in half sometimes, the pain is that bad (although I know it won't!). What's the difference between a chiropracter and an osteopath?

[coccinelle]

My chiropractor had me laid on a strange table which had bits that dropped suddenly to jump something in my spine. It was 30 minutes of being manipulated and muscles stretched. My osteopath used his fingers to get my spine lined up straight again, used fingers on certain pressure points all in a very relaxed atmosphere.