[Closed] Pain killers and riding?

I take them for my knees when they are bad and I am going out with some fast riders. No probs here - Paracetamol and tiny bit of codiene (8mg) - I just take one 20 mins before teh ride and lets me enjoy it more. However my knees arnt great a the best of times but have both been worked up fully. It shouldn't be a substitute for a proper diagnosis. Pain killers will coverup the pain but this may lead to exacerbation of the underlying problem (as its less painful) IMHO 😉

I have taken them in the past, and carry some in my back pack. I've only used them when really needed (sore shoulder or lower back), seem to work well with no noticable side affects. Keep hydrated of course.

wouldn't it make more sense to fix what's causing the pain?

You would be better of dealing with the cause of the pain. what sort of arm pain?

After my knee op my surgeon advised me not use painkillers as it makes you think everything is ok and put too much strain on the joint. If you have pain while riding I would suggest you look into why you are having pain rather than covering it up. You may be doing yourself more damage in the long run. Plus some pain killers (ie aspirin) can reek havoc with your stomach especially if your body is under duress giving you stomach ulcers amongst other things.

The pain in my arm is related to a occasionally reoccurring tennis elbow problem I had after rock climbing for years, comes a goes, just feels like someone is jabbing a screw driver in there and also locks solid when real bad. I had it properly diagnosed a few years back through the docs, they couldn't really offer much solution apart from stretching and rehabilitation exercises, well apart from stop doing whatever is making it hurt which can be just about anything 🙁