Like many people I was a HUGE taker of ibuprophen. I haven't taken it since a few weeks before surgery. So probably since the end of May last year. But when the time comes when I have a headache/knee pain, etc I'll take a Tyleno or two but we all know how useless that is. So most of the time I don't even bother. Anyways, my sister in law posted something on Facebook (and we know if we see it on Facebook, it must be legit LOL) about taking a Vitamin called Tumeric/Curcumin. Claims to be a pain reliver and took away this persons migraine plus has many other health benefits.

Does anyone take this? Do you take it daily or just when you have aches/pains? Are the pills big? I used to be able to take monsterous sized pills but since surgery, not so much.

I used to take a lot of painkillers before surgery due to migraines and also the fact I had four discs in my neck which had the habit of popping out and squeezing the hell out of my nerves. I never in a million years thought that paracetomol and tramadol alone would do anything but actually they do if taken together.

I know this isn't what you asked but just thought I would mention it. It's worth trying anything !! ?

The theory with tumeric is that it reduces inflammation - so if you pain is due to inflammation (e.g. arthritis) it may help, if you take it for 4-6 weeks and keep taking it -- like glucosamine. There is no hard science.

I'm bone on bone in both knees and need to have them both replaced. I was switched from RX strength NSAIDs to Mobic - which is a Cox2 inhibitor - same class of drug as celebrex. For the most part it controls my pain. I still use Vicodin for breakthrough really bad pain. (I used to use a lot more Vicodin, but 82 pounds will fix part of that.)

Talk to your doc about alternatives to Tylenol for occasional pain. There are some out there.