What do you guys do for pain if you take blood thinners?

[nolabear]

Some of you know I had a pulmonary embolism about a month ago. I don’t recommend it; I damn near died. I’m okay, but now on Eliquis, a blood thinner.

NOW I can’t take any of the benign things I was on for pretty bad joint pain. No NSAIDS, but also no turmeric, no fish oil, no resveretrol, none of the benign stuff that helped me move and sleep.

Now, of course, I have a Vicodin prescription, which I am extremely resistant to taking. But sometimes I HURT, and it’s wearing me down and making getting exercise even harder—which I imagine might have led to the DVT and embolism in the first place.

I do take CBD oil which helps some, but man, I’m tired! I fear COVID life has impacted my health far too much and I have fantasies of reclaiming it.

Ideas? (Thanks for the venting opportunity!)

[Lunabell]

1. Can you take acetaminophen? Are you in a cannabis legal state?

My wife has fibromyalgia, several orthopedic issues and severe stomach ulcers. She uses a combination of cannabis edibles and tylenol for her pain.

[hlthe2b]

2. yes. Tylenol (acetaminophen, paracetamol) should not be contraindicated

unless you have liver/severe renal disease.

I am not a personal fan of tylenol, but it does have its place, though it does not have anti-inflammatory effects so it may not be all that useful.

If finances permit, hot-tub or a jetted bathtub can be helpful as can massage and physical therapy.

[nolabear]

7. Massage is my friend for sure. I'm considering physical therapy.

[SCantiGOP]

17. Same here, acetaminophen

is what my Doctor recommended. She told me to definitely quit the baby aspirin and any other aspirin, which is what I used to take for headaches; or naproxen, which is what I took for general aches and pains.
She warned me about excessive drinking with Tylenol, which I told her was not an issue for the past 30 years or so, since hangovers at 30 seemed to be 10 times more severe and long-lasting that they had been at 20.

[nolabear]

4. Yes and yes.

Acetaminophen helps a bit. Cannabis helps but I’m not up for being high unless I want to be. I do use a CBD/THC tincture to help me sleep.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Have you tried talking to your doctor, or your pharmacist?

The pharmacist should be able to advise you. They know their drugs!

And then, of course, the MD could order it for you.

I sure hope you'll find something wonderful, dear nolabear!

[nolabear]

5. Boy have I talked to them. That's who told me I can't take those.

I’ve got a hematologist and a pharmacist who were happy to tell me what I can’t take but don’t have much inspiration about anything I can except acetaminophen and opioids. You know me. The last thing I want is not to be able to be alert and write and work well. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. I am sorry to hear that! I know what your writing means to you, dear nolabear.

There's got to be an answer out there.

Is there a support group for people who also can't take those drugs, who have the same diagnosis that you do?

[nolabear]

10. I hate to admit this but I hate support groups.

Even when I was a practicing therapist I didn’t like doing groups.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Oh, that's hilarious! You made me laugh out loud!

You may hate them, but if the pain's bad enough, you might just find them what you need!

[davsand]

6. Weed.

Medical Cannabis works very well for pain for me. I do feel compelled to say, however, that I have a medical use card here in Illinois where recreational use is legal as well. If you opt for that route, I would encourage you to look into an edible rather than smoking flower. Edibles work and they tend to stay in the system longer. I have terrible arthritis pain from a broken shoulder a few years ago. I can take an edible at bedtime and usually make it through the night.

Good luck. There is nothing fun about pain, and I want to assure you my answer is not intended to be funny. Here in Illinois, they actually have a medical cannabis program for folks who can't/won't/shouldn't take opiates because the risk of addiction in pain management is a very real thing.


Laura

[nolabear]

8. I'm in WA so it's legal and I do use it for sleep.

I’ve found a CBD/THC tincture that does help me sleep but I have days when I’d KILL for some ibuprofen, which really helped.

[davsand]

12. The creams and patches they sell in dispensaries are supposed to be very good.

I have not used them yet (was just looking at them last night on my dispensary web page, however...) but the reports in one of my medical cannabis online groups seems to be pretty positive. With a topical use, like that, there isn't supposed to be a buzz, just relief. I think I'll try it out the next time I go in to pick up my supplies.

Feel better!


Laura

[nolabear]

13. Thanks. I do use topicals sometimes. They're hit and miss I find.

Seems like the worse they smell the better they are.

[Pobeka]

14. I was thinking fish oil, but it's a no-no for you too.

Dang that's a tough spot. It's out of the box, but you could consider things like meditation, tai chi, yoga, qigong. Some have demonstrated capabilty to lower pain, I believe in controlled studies, but I may have that confused.

I hope you can find some relief!

[Tanuki]

15. What about TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)?

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323632

"A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit is a battery-operated device that some people use to treat pain.

TENS units work by delivering small electrical impulses through electrodes that have adhesive pads to attach them to a person’s skin.

These electrical impulses flood the nervous system, reducing its ability to transmit pain signals to the spinal cord and brain.

The same electrical impulses also stimulate the body to produce natural pain relievers called endorphins.

In this article, learn more about the uses of a TENS machine and the research on its effectiveness."...(more)

[nolabear]

16. I may look into those. Don't know if it's appropriate

but hell, it shouldn’t be hard to find out. Thanks! I’d forgotten about those.

[dweller]

18. I take it

Acupuncture is out ...

I got nothin ...

✌🏻

[Kali]

19. take the vikes

remember MFM's motto - take the drugs!

by the way, vicoden has tylenol in it so you should be good for that if you only need something OTC

[nolabear]

20. Hey girl. LOL!

Where’s that old bugger when you need him?

[Marthe48]

21. I use ice packs pretty often

for low back pain. Keep a towel handy to wrap them. I inflamed my sciatica recently, so I bought a heating pad. I am almost better already, but I forgot how nice a heating pad feels.

You could talk to your doctor about a TENS unit. You can buy them pretty reasonably. My sister used one for a long time. Hypnosis? Bio-feedback and other techniques?

Hope you feel better.