Pain Killers

[Littlefinger]

So, after doing some yard work this weekend I've now acquired a lovely bunch of pain lancing through my back and shoulders. It is becoming a bit of a nuisance and since a doctor visit is not possible any time soon, I was wondering if anyone can recommend some intense over the counter painkillers. I do not normally suffer pain of any kind and the Tylenol I had in the house isn't working as well as I would hope. If you take a lot of something does it work more or longer?

 

[LadyVer]

Ibuprophen and alternating heat with cold paks... Good luck!

 

[BeachMomma]

You can alternate Ibuprofen and Paracetamol, 4 hourly, as they are different medications. So your'e effectively taking a pain killer every 2 hours.

That's the most effective trick. Paracetamol is Tylenol here in the US.

Alternating ice/heat packs works well too, as does a massage. If the pain persists more than a few days, you really should get it checked out.

Feel better!

 

[OnceFuturePoly]

Aleve aka naproxen is another effective OTC. Start with (2) 220 mg tabs . You can take up to 5, spread out over a 24 hour day.

Ibuprofen can also be taken 800 mg (4 tabs) every 8 hours (as opposed to the standard 400 every 4 hours). The higher initial dose can knock pain down a little more.

If you're going to work again, try pretreating before you first start laboring.

 

[akatrex]

RICE:

Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation.

No Heat "Hot" pads for 72 hours.

ICE, ICE and more ICE....

 

[GorgeousGeekGirl]

With ibuprofen and naproxen, they aren't pain killers, they are anti inflammatory with a bit of muscle relaxer. This is why you need to take them in the scheduled increments, so they can build in your system.

Heat and cold is good. Soaking in hot bath with Epsom salt is better than heating pad.

Also, keep moving and gently stretching so muscles don't stiffen and spasm or cramp

Ibuprofen can usually safely be mixed with a small dose of alcohol, like say a glass of wine. Don't do more than that