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Original poster

I took some codeine

45 replies

cjt110 · 20/01/2020 09:32

I've started with awful hip pain that the GP thinks may be the start of arthritis. I think it may be sciatica but either way, it's very sore and uncomfortable and radiates from my hip/bum cheek all the way to my knee.

GP won't refer me for an xray as she says it is the same management with OA or not.

She prescribed naproxen. They gave done nothing and all I have had from them was stomach ache when i didnt eat when I had took them. I stayed off them for a day or two and the pain felt no different them when i was taking them.

I had some codeine in my cupboard from when I had a mastitis infection and took 2 last night at 8.30pm. Slept like bliss and didn't wake once with pain. No real pain now either.

But I feel a bit drunk.... Like when you've had too much to drink and deep breathe. My legs feel nicely numb and pain free. I don't think I should take anymore do you?

I took them as a last resort after weeks of shit sleep and pain. I took 2 x 30mg

OP posts:
IHeartKingThistle · 20/01/2020 09:35

I don't take codeine if I can help it because I like it a bit too much! Also, it bungs you up...

Great that you got a good night's sleep though.

Mrsjayy · 20/01/2020 09:35

Yes it might take a while for the wooze to wear off especially if you took 2 I normally just take 1.

PurpleDaisies · 20/01/2020 09:36

Codeine can make you feel like that.

It sounds like you need to go back to the GP to talk about more effective pain relief.

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Original poster
cjt110 · 20/01/2020 09:38

I can't get to her til Friday (my day off). The naproxen just felt like it didn't do anything.

My GP surgery doesn't do telephone consultations which is a pain.

I know they have steps/procedures to take but surely it goes to show if I need something as strong as codeine to take the pain away it needs treating, not just dosing me up.

OP posts:
britnay · 20/01/2020 09:45

how many naproxen did you take? They really work most effectively if you are taking them regularly, so keep on with it and you should notice a difference from day 3.

You really need to eat them on a full stomach, otherwise they will cause stomach pain.

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/01/2020 09:48

The box says to take 1 twice a day. Which I have taken. And found no effect at all. I will have been on them for about 6 days

OP posts:
thrree · 20/01/2020 09:53

Naproxen doesn't work for me either. Maybe try 1 codeine tonight/when the effects wear off.

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/01/2020 09:54

Historically, I was given double doses as a child when in hospital and as such, i tend to need stronger pain relief.

OP posts:
MySonThePotato · 20/01/2020 09:54

Your GP is absolutely right that X-rays are unlikely to change the management of either sciatica (X-rays are just not useful at all for sciatica) or hip OA. X-ray findings in OA don't correlate very well with patients' reported symptoms so increasingly GPs treat based on symptoms, not X-ray results.

There's no point irradiating you if it won't change the management plan.

gamerwidow · 20/01/2020 09:56

I find the 30mg cocodamol are the only things that work when my arthritis is really bad. I wouldn’t take two at once if I have to go anywhere though because they do make me noticeably high.

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/01/2020 10:01

It feels shit that at 33 I may have OA and am likely to just have to take pain relief for life :(

OP posts:
Strawberrycreamsundae · 20/01/2020 10:02

Cocodamol nearly wiped out my low blood pressure completely, I seriously thought I was dying it was so awful. I only took one after the pharmacist suggested it for neck pain (arthritis).
I struggle to find effective analgesics, Diclofenac was the only one that actually worked and it's no longer prescribed or available over the counter.

goldfinchfan · 20/01/2020 10:04

GP's are very tight about pain relief these days.

As a person living in constant pain I agree with you that you need pain relief that works.
The less you sleep the less you can cope with the pain.
But doctors tend to behave as if we all want to be drug addicts!
Based on USA which is a different country with different issues.

Try and explain calmly to GP that you need something to relieve the pain.....
Paracetamol never does anything to help no matter how much the GP says it does.
I end up wondering if the doctors have been in any real pain?

I avoid codeine though because it causes severe constipation and also because it feels too nice....

goldfinchfan · 20/01/2020 10:07

OP once you get a proper diagnosis you can look for more natural pain relief which might help.

I think you should have x rays done. It might not be OA. which would be good news.

1Wanda1 · 20/01/2020 10:07

I'm sorry you are in such pain, that sounds very difficult.

Codeine is great for relief of acute pain, but is not good for chronic pain relief because you build up a tolerance to it quickly and it is addictive. As a result, I think doctors are reluctant to prescribe it (as is the case with any addictive medication).

I would imagine there are other things to try though, if the Naproxen isn't working. Best to speak to the doctor.

NomDeQwerty · 20/01/2020 10:09

Have you tried taking the maximum dose of both paracetamol and ibuprofen? If you go to see a pharmacist they can help you plan the timings etc. It takes about 2 days into the routine but it's been effective for me.

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/01/2020 10:10

because it feels too nice.... Yes, I feel drunk. Like I've had far too much to drink and it's like a warm cosy hug...

Currently on the 5th call to get through to my GP. On hold for 8 mins so far....

OP posts:
ClientListQueen · 20/01/2020 10:11

Take naproxen and paracetamol
Thermacare lower hip and back wraps

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/01/2020 10:11

The thing is, I'd rather know what it is before I start rattling with god knows what pain relief....

OP posts:
Original poster
cjt110 · 20/01/2020 10:12

The pain I have is like deep in my bum cheek and radiates down to my knee making my thigh numb. Sitting aggravates it. Laying completely flat eases it.

OP posts:
ClientListQueen · 20/01/2020 10:14

It can take a while for diagnosis - take the painkillers! I was on them January - May before they operated

lborgia · 20/01/2020 10:16

From your very brief description it seems just as likely to be sciatica - why did she jump straight to OA?

Don't take 2 again without talking to the doctor, codeine depresses breathing, so unless they've given you express instructions, and knows the rest of your history, it's not a good idea (eg if you have had a cold or cough recently).

Have a look for some simple sciatica exercises, and give them a go, gently.

Meanwhile, did you change shoes, car, or handbag recently?

All of those have triggered my sciatica in recent yearsConfused

SpamChaudFroid · 20/01/2020 10:18

If it is sciatica you need something prescribed for nerve pain such as gabapentin or pregabalin. An MRI will be helpful to ascertain what's causing it. Not an X-ray

Perhaps take the codeine at a halved dose to what you had last night - if it's making you buzzed the next day you're probably over-doing it.

Stillfunny · 20/01/2020 10:19

Funny how different people react to drugs. I have written all over my medical notes ..No Codeine....I have severe reactions . First I get high as a kite then I vomit my guts. And no pain relief. Also any kind of opiates
The reason GP don't like to prescribe it for long term issues is that it is addictive and the longer you are on it , the dosages might need to be increased to be effective.
My DH went to pain clinic and they recommend all sorts of alternatives ,like ADs and physio .
It really is a minefield trying to control pain while avoiding any opiate dependency.
I am sorry for you- constant pain is so debilitating . I really hope that your GP will work better for you to try and find a solution.

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/01/2020 10:21

17 minutes on hold....

OP posts:
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