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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Pain After Soft Tissue Injury
Question: I have a soft tissue injury to my shoulder and have been talking ibuprofen for a couple of days and am still in a lot of pain but I can't take anything with codeine in
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I'm sorry you are in so much pain.
I see that you wrote you have been taking ibuprofen but it isn't holding the pain. I don't know how much or how often you have been taking it so I'll say this: As long as you don't have stomach problems from it and have normal kidney and heart function (which most people your age do), you can take 600 mg of ibuprofen 3 times/day. (Some recommend 800 mg but I prefer to play it safer with 600 mg as I don't think 800 mg provides much more benefit.) Always take NSAIDs such as ibuprofen after you have some food in your stomach so that there is less risk of stomach irritation.
If that doesn't work, then consider switching to acetaminophen (called paracetamol in some places). Don't drink alcohol while using acetaminophen as that puts extra strain on the liver.
Now about the codeine, some people are sensitive or allergic to codeine specifically but not to all opiates, so it's possible there might be some other options for you.
Another thing to consider is acupuncture treatments can be helpful for neuromuscular pain. At least in the US, I believe the best acupuncturist are usually Chinese, trained in the traditional way in China. If there is no benefit after 3 sessions (occurring within 2 weeks span), then you are not likely to get benefit.
I hope this information helps.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I'm sorry you are in so much pain.
I see that you wrote you have been taking ibuprofen but it isn't holding the pain. I don't know how much or how often you have been taking it so I'll say this: As long as you don't have stomach problems from it and have normal kidney and heart function (which most people your age do), you can take 600 mg of ibuprofen 3 times/day. (Some recommend 800 mg but I prefer to play it safer with 600 mg as I don't think 800 mg provides much more benefit.) Always take NSAIDs such as ibuprofen after you have some food in your stomach so that there is less risk of stomach irritation.
If that doesn't work, then consider switching to acetaminophen (called paracetamol in some places). Don't drink alcohol while using acetaminophen as that puts extra strain on the liver.
Now about the codeine, some people are sensitive or allergic to codeine specifically but not to all opiates, so it's possible there might be some other options for you.
Another thing to consider is acupuncture treatments can be helpful for neuromuscular pain. At least in the US, I believe the best acupuncturist are usually Chinese, trained in the traditional way in China. If there is no benefit after 3 sessions (occurring within 2 weeks span), then you are not likely to get benefit.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Also at night I'm finding it hard to sleep as my shoulder is in a lot of pain
Brief Answer:
Need a pain management plan.
Detailed Answer:
Can you talk with your doctor to come up with a pain management plan such as for bedtime?
Need a pain management plan.
Detailed Answer:
Can you talk with your doctor to come up with a pain management plan such as for bedtime?
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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