Have I done lasting damage to myself with this?

[badpandas]

Hello,

For the last 7 or 8 years I've been taking over the counter co-codamol (Solpadiene Plus) almost every day relentlessly.

Each day I would take the maximum recommended dose (8 tablets, 500mg paracetamol, 8mg Codiene). Sometimes I may have exceeded these number but not often or by more than. 2 extra tablets a day.

At first I took them because of bad migraine like headaches but in the last while I've only been taking them out of habit, obviously some form of addiction.

This week I decided to stop taking them, which I've been able to do so far. I've not suffered any of the withdrawal type symptoms that people often mention.

What I want to find out is if I've done any lasting damage to my body after being so stupid, and if there's anything I can do to try and reverse any damage that has been done?

Thanks in advance,

BP

[picklemepopcorn]

You are doing well to have stopped taking them without feeling pain. Hopefully someone knowledgeable will come along who can tell you about any longer term problems.

[Heratnumber7]

Cocodamol contains paracetamol.
Excessive use of paracetamol can damage the liver.
Might be worth checking with your GP

Well done though.

[badpandas]

Thanks for the kind words I looked up the symptoms for lover damage none of them are things I have had problems with. I just feel like I have been very stupid.

[picklemepopcorn]

Not at all stupid. We all tend to take these things too lightly.

[Redblankets]

Well done OP.

I would say long lasting damage is unlikely, because you've not exceeded the maximum daily dose.
Remember some people have to take these doses daily for the rest of their lives, for chronic conditions e.g. Arthritis.

To set your mind at rest, visit your GP, who can arrange bloods-liver function tests.

[badpandas]

Thank you! I'm worried about telling GP as I've read that they would record this information and could use it to withhold painkillers in hospital etc, does anyone know if this is true?

[MichaelSheensNextDW]

No that's not true.