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Codeine or tramadol for strong headaches - about the prescription painkillers

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/19/2007 9:33 AM (GMT -6)
Hi.

I'd like to ask you about the analgesic drugs (pain-killers), you take when having a strong headache. I used to use some paracetamol (acetaminophen), metamizole or naproxen, but the aches I get (probably due to the Remicade treatment) are too strong. Even tramadol seems to be pretty weak drug for them.

So, what do you take for strong headaches? I've read on some other forum, that codeine is pretty good for them. And it has less interactions than tramadol.

However, it's available (in its pure form) only for prescription. I'd willingly find out if it's helpful. It can make the bowel activity slower, in addition, but some leaflet I've read warns to keep careful when using it in the UC... confused

Cheers :-)
Posted 10/19/2007 10:42 AM (GMT -6)
Yes, you need to be careful with any narcotic pain relievers since it can slow down the colon too much. I personally can't take codeine because it causes me migraines but before I had that sensitivity, I was able to take it with no trouble at all to my UC. Headaches are the worse! It seems that anyone just can't function with a headache. Just be careful of any of the anti-inflammatory pain meds because it can cause you to flare.
Posted 10/19/2007 12:49 PM (GMT -6)
Are you sure your headaches are just headaches? Are they possibly migraines? Might be best to be evaluated by a doctor. That way you can look at meds that would work with your headaches and your UC.

My doc prescribed Midrin for my migraines. But I haven't needed it much since they fired the miserable project manager I had at work. I guess work was literally making me ill!
Posted 10/19/2007 1:01 PM (GMT -6)
As I posted here a week or so ago, I take actually Tylenol with Codeine to deal with UC flares. The constipating side effect of the drug is an absolute miracle for me and can stop a flare in about 2 weeks. I mention this because if you wind up sticking with Tylenol/Codeine, you may find that it helps more than just your headaches.

I know that others caution about codeine slowing the colon too much but I've discussed this with my doctor and apparently there's no worries for me. Perhaps that's not the case for everyone. I don't know.

Maybe you need to consult a neurologist for a better pain med for the headaches? But if you did that, I would try to get the neurologist to consult with your GI so that they aren't both treating you separately and in conflicting ways.

Good luck with this and let us know what works. I think we all go through a ton of trial and error with medications. And it's a pain in the ...
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