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Suggest Medication For Constant Arthritic Discomfort While On Meloxicam
Question: What pain medication is safe to take with Meloxicam as I just stopped my Hydrocodone two weeks ago and don't know what to take for my constant arthritic discomfort? I've had steroid shots into my T4T5 area but now I have right hip pain diagnosed as arthritis, also.
Brief Answer:
paracetamol or hydrocodone
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
there are not many choices left. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a weak painkiller but it may potentiate the effects of other painkillers, so trying it sounds reasonable. It is a safe drug to take if you take it according to instructions (not more than 1000mg per 6 hours, less may be more appropriate). If you still have hydrocodone you can try taking it again in smaller doses on an "as needed" basis. Taking a second NSAID (besides meloxicam that is) is not recommended.
Please also note that meloxicam is not safe when taken for prolonged periods of time as it may hurt the kidneys (chronic kidney disease), the stomach and duodenum (ulcers), your blood pressure (hypertension), the liver (increase liver function tests), etc. In cases like this the doctor has to weigh the potential harm (side effects) with the expected benefit (pain relief).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
paracetamol or hydrocodone
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
there are not many choices left. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a weak painkiller but it may potentiate the effects of other painkillers, so trying it sounds reasonable. It is a safe drug to take if you take it according to instructions (not more than 1000mg per 6 hours, less may be more appropriate). If you still have hydrocodone you can try taking it again in smaller doses on an "as needed" basis. Taking a second NSAID (besides meloxicam that is) is not recommended.
Please also note that meloxicam is not safe when taken for prolonged periods of time as it may hurt the kidneys (chronic kidney disease), the stomach and duodenum (ulcers), your blood pressure (hypertension), the liver (increase liver function tests), etc. In cases like this the doctor has to weigh the potential harm (side effects) with the expected benefit (pain relief).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I've been on Meloxicam for years so should I ask my own GP if it's still ok to take it? I don't know what is giving me the vertigo every day lately. Thought it may have been the opiate but I've been off that for two weeks already with no change noted. My arthritis is osteo and not rheumatoid and my old injury of fracured ribs is back to haunt me, also.
Brief Answer:
you may take it if the pain is unbearable
Detailed Answer:
As I've said in my previous answer NSAIDs can be taken for as long as the expected benefit exceeds the dangers involved with their use. If the pain is unbearable then you can't avoid to take it. You should always talk with your doctor about every drug you take. Your doctor knows your medical history, recent tests, etc and can decide about your treatment options.
I can't say much about your vertigo. Vertigo requires clinical examination for complete investigation. If your symptoms are very brief (usually less than a minute) and follow head movements (like when you stand up or when you look up, etc) with a very short lag initially (few seconds) then benign postural vertigo is a very likely diagnosis. This is a very common cause of vertigo and a fairly easy to treat but it requires a visit to the ENT specialist, as it is treated with a sequence of head an body movements and positions, not with drugs that is.
I doubt the vertigo is caused by the drugs since you're using meloxicam for too long and hydrocodone has been stopped for long enough for your body to get rid of it.
So in conclusion, meloxicam can be used if required for unbearable daily pain but you'd better let your doctor know about it. Regarding your vertigo problem, you'd better visit either your primary care physician or an ENT specialist for further investigation.
Kind regards!
you may take it if the pain is unbearable
Detailed Answer:
As I've said in my previous answer NSAIDs can be taken for as long as the expected benefit exceeds the dangers involved with their use. If the pain is unbearable then you can't avoid to take it. You should always talk with your doctor about every drug you take. Your doctor knows your medical history, recent tests, etc and can decide about your treatment options.
I can't say much about your vertigo. Vertigo requires clinical examination for complete investigation. If your symptoms are very brief (usually less than a minute) and follow head movements (like when you stand up or when you look up, etc) with a very short lag initially (few seconds) then benign postural vertigo is a very likely diagnosis. This is a very common cause of vertigo and a fairly easy to treat but it requires a visit to the ENT specialist, as it is treated with a sequence of head an body movements and positions, not with drugs that is.
I doubt the vertigo is caused by the drugs since you're using meloxicam for too long and hydrocodone has been stopped for long enough for your body to get rid of it.
So in conclusion, meloxicam can be used if required for unbearable daily pain but you'd better let your doctor know about it. Regarding your vertigo problem, you'd better visit either your primary care physician or an ENT specialist for further investigation.
Kind regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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