Non-Prescription Pain Relief

Posted by suzanne2 @suzanne2, Aug 16, 2020

There is always a lot of discussion about pain relief using prescription medication but I would like to know if there is anything anyone has found over the counter that really works on pain. I guess I am talking more about muscle pain, or as I have fibromyalgia pain. I just went through a difficult weekend and I have no prescription medication to turn to. If anyone has something they have found that is nonprescription and has helped them I would appreciate their sharing.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

@lioness

@suzanne2 I have had fibromyalgia for a long time and have tried meds OTC meds and for me know of them worked . I have Tramadol a perscription that is the only thing that works when the pain is intolerabol . I use heat and ice the TENS unit and different creams but the OTC meds didn't help me .

Jump to this post

@lioness I do have a tens unit and dug it out. It does seem to help. Had forgotten about having it! Thanks for jogging my memory.

REPLY
@gingerw

@suzanne2 This is a great question, and it will be interesting to hear how people work with over the counter remedies! If you have a bathtub, have you tried a warm soaking bath with epsom salts? While I cannot abide by a bath myself, my husband recently had a torn muscle and used epsom salts for several days to assist in pain relief. Tumeric is also a good anti-inflammatory, it is said, and can be taken orally. I have used arnica montana, a holistic compund that is for muscles and bruising, although it takes a few days to build up in your system. There is also arnica cream available. Sometimes a warm compress in the area of the worst pain is enough for me. I also deal with fibromyalgia, and never know when/where muscle discomfort may occur.

Will you report back to me, saying what you found works for you? I know everyone is different, and experiences things differently.
Ginger

Jump to this post

@gingerw I have been taking turmeric supplements for sometime. I thought they worked at the beginning but now not so sure. Maybe I need to change brands. I just found an Amish lotion. It seems to help but it is so greasy and smells to high. Maybe okay when I am home but not great if going out.

REPLY
@suzanne2

@sandytoes14 Thank you for the suggestion. I will definitely check out the Theraworks and hopefully it will help the fibromyalgia. Some days can be torture!

Jump to this post

@suzanne2 You are welcome! Yes, torture is right. I am now on medical marijuana with my pain doctors blessing. Low dose THC and CBD have helped muscle pain the most.

REPLY
@suzanne2

@gingerw I have been taking turmeric supplements for sometime. I thought they worked at the beginning but now not so sure. Maybe I need to change brands. I just found an Amish lotion. It seems to help but it is so greasy and smells to high. Maybe okay when I am home but not great if going out.

Jump to this post

@suzanne2 If you have something that works for you, don't let the smell stop you from using it. I use a capsaicin type ointment on my knee sometimes, and if people don't like it, too bad! ;))
Ginger

REPLY
@sandytoes14

@suzanne2 You are welcome! Yes, torture is right. I am now on medical marijuana with my pain doctors blessing. Low dose THC and CBD have helped muscle pain the most.

Jump to this post

@sandytoes14 I have considered medical marijuana but I don't know where to find a doctor who will listen. It is legal in Michigan so maybe I need to go purchase some myself and one of the stores. Problem is I don't really know what I am doing.

REPLY
@gingerw

@suzanne2 If you have something that works for you, don't let the smell stop you from using it. I use a capsaicin type ointment on my knee sometimes, and if people don't like it, too bad! ;))
Ginger

Jump to this post

@gingerw Love your attitude!

REPLY
@suzanne2

@sandytoes14 I have considered medical marijuana but I don't know where to find a doctor who will listen. It is legal in Michigan so maybe I need to go purchase some myself and one of the stores. Problem is I don't really know what I am doing.

Jump to this post

@suzanne2, @sandytoes14, Good evening. Michigan does have current laws about medical marijuana as well as recreational marijuana.

https://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/michigan-marijuana-laws/

Depending on where you live in Michigan you may have a dispensary near your home. You justifiably ask....how do I know what to buy. For pain control and management, I personally use only 2 medical cannabis products........tinctures and topicals. Flower and edibles are somewhat unpredictable in my experience. I follow a roughly predetermined dosage system that I have developed for myself over the last seven years based upon my activity and pain levels.

You may find a pharmacy specialist at the dispensary who can help with beginning dosages. Or, you may have a friend or acquaintance who can be your coach. If you have a local pain clinic that supports medical cannabis, that may be the place to start.
Here is a link to dispensaries in Michigan.

https://michigandispensaries.us/locations

At this time my pain from Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) is totally controlled by medical cannabis. I would be happy to assist you with your questions and decisions.

What is your greatest concern? What will medical cannabis replace in your current medication list?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

REPLY

@artscaping My biggest issue is my muscle pain. Some times it hurts and other times it aches to the bone. I could cry sometimes. It is a level 10 most days. My pain doctor at Mayo said it also could be caused by my hemochromatosis plus the fibromyalgia. It is very frustrating. I hurt so bad I can't do much at one so my husband is getting upset with me. So now I have stress too.

REPLY

@artscaping I am on 1800mg of neurontin and it does not seem to be helping.

REPLY
@artscaping

@suzanne2, @sandytoes14, Good evening. Michigan does have current laws about medical marijuana as well as recreational marijuana.

https://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/michigan-marijuana-laws/

Depending on where you live in Michigan you may have a dispensary near your home. You justifiably ask....how do I know what to buy. For pain control and management, I personally use only 2 medical cannabis products........tinctures and topicals. Flower and edibles are somewhat unpredictable in my experience. I follow a roughly predetermined dosage system that I have developed for myself over the last seven years based upon my activity and pain levels.

You may find a pharmacy specialist at the dispensary who can help with beginning dosages. Or, you may have a friend or acquaintance who can be your coach. If you have a local pain clinic that supports medical cannabis, that may be the place to start.
Here is a link to dispensaries in Michigan.

https://michigandispensaries.us/locations

At this time my pain from Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) is totally controlled by medical cannabis. I would be happy to assist you with your questions and decisions.

What is your greatest concern? What will medical cannabis replace in your current medication list?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Jump to this post

Hi and thanks for the post. I am a 76 year old male and I live in NC., always the last state to jump forward into new ways of living. I got tons of lower back pain and the only MJ I can get is from some dude on the street. 99% have no idea what strain it is there selling. Can you tell me what strain is best for pain ? I have disk degeneration and Osteo and have lost 6" in height. Do you know if I can go to another state where purchase is legal and buy without getting busted ? D.C. would probably be the nearest place.
Thanks loads,
Smitty1

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.