Thanks to all for responding. But isnt paracetamol the same as Tylenol? I thought that caused liver damage when taken for years?

Keep the suggestions coming please.

Thanks!!!!

Diclofenac
 

I have tried most of the meds listed in the previous posts. Right now I am not taking anything due to the ACDF surgery. I was taking Diclofenac 75 mg 1 tab 3x a day as an anti inflammatory. It seemed to help me more than the other meds. Wish I could start taking it again, but it prohibits bone growth. I need to wait until I am at least at the 6 month mark or there is a fair amount of bone growth.

**************************************** ********** **
12/9/2010 ACDF C5-6 C6-7 with plate, screws,
BMP & bone fragment filled cages
2/14/2011 trying to go back to work as a teacher
2/17/2011 starting PT
wearing bone stimulator 4 hours a day
DDD, arthritis, herniated disks, pinched nerves
3 months saw a little bit of bone growth (YEAH)
4/15/2011 Home Tens Unit

Paracetamol
 

My GP says it is the safest pain med to use.
Like any drug, overdosing can cause problems.

Found this in Pharmweb, and is typical of other entries that I found.

Q:If paracetamol products are used long term, is there a risk of liver damage?
A :Many people use paracetamol for extended periods under supervision of their GP. There is no evidence to show that, at recommended dosages, paracetamol causes liver injury when used for long periods (4).

I have many intolerance's so my issue may be different than others. Meloxicam made me very ill..caused panic/anxiety attacks, severe pain just under my ribs, vomiting, and I even passed out. I stopped the med that day and this was only 4 days into using it. I was sick every 2 or 3 days for 2 to 3 weeks afterwards and am just beginning to get over it. My rheumy still wants me to try other meds and I refused. I had to go back on Celexa for the panic, I just can't seem to overcome them now. I, like Mrs. D do ok with Aleve and told him I will use it.

I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteo arthritis.

Yes, and from what I've read, your dosage is pretty high. It's within limits for short-term daily use, but high (1330 mg) for single dose - 1000 mg. is the recommended maximum within a 6 hr. period. (Yes, I see it works out proportionally) For long-term use (longer than 2 weeks), the recommended maximum is now 2600 mg./day (which comes out to 2 - 325 mg tabs every 6 hrs.).

Something to look into is the supplement NAC (N-acetyl cystiene). It's what hospital ERs give patients for tylenol (acetaminophen/paracetamol) toxicity/overdose. Taken daily, it may reduce/avoid potential liver damage from paracetamol.
See: http://yarchive.net/med/tylenol.html

I've been taking acetaminophen/paracetamol with NAC for many years now. I just had my liver tested again this past week and it is well within normal.

Magnesium Oil
 

I am very interested in the magnesium oil. What is it and how do you take it? What quantities do you find give you relief? I have chronic sciatic pain and would like to find something that works for relieving it other than Anti-Inflammatories.

Magnesium oil
 

I use magnesium chloride, which is just concentrated seawater, rich in minerals. This is the one I use. In Australia, it is not allowed to be sold for internal use (just hasn't been looked at), but elsewhere it is.
http://www.echolife.com.au/products/...esium-oil.html

This is a good site to read about the benefits from a doctor's viewpoint.
http://drcarolyndean.com/2010/09/mag...e-for-muscles/

I take 1-2 teaspoons of it diluted in about 600 ml of water, which I then drink throughout the day. Best to drink it in small amounts to avoid upsetting the gut.
I found relief after just a week, and haven't looked back. It's the only thing that has given me relief from sore muscles.

You can also get a powder form, which you mix with water. It is a bit weaker so slower to work, but still OK.
The tablets are useless as they are too weak and you can't take higher doses. With the liquid one you can, and you know when to back off when you get loose bowels!
Definitely worth a try. This is a cure for muscle problems, and not just a treatment.
It may not stop the sciatic pain, but should certainly help with tight muscles which can be very painful as well, and which you probably have as you try to cope.

Magnesium Oil or Gel
 

Magnesium Oil is Magnesium Chloride and water. When mixed the solution feels like an oil but is not. It is transdermal which means enters the body through the skin. Magnesium oil or Magnesium gel is great for pain and also for increasing magnesium in the body.

Magnesium Oil can often feel sticky or sting a little.My husband has had great success with Magnesium Gel Forte from an Australian company.

This gel is more like a body lotion to use and is great for the ladies too.

Biofreeze
 

Try the Biofreeze spray. Its much stronger than the gel. I have found that it works well for my knee pain.

Best of luck!

Magnesium
 

I've changed to ReMag Solution. Just 4 drops under the tongue twice a day.

Nice and easy, and it works much more effectively as it gets straight into your system without going through the gut or skin.