The pharmacy wouldn't sell me codeine and now I'm upset.

[Pumpkinstace]

I'm not sure if I was wrong for wanting it.

A couple of weeks ago I slipped in the bath and damaged a tendon in the back of my knee. I can't bend my leg or lock my leg straight.

The pain varies day to day but it's slowly getting better. Last night I had a bad night. No matter what position I was in the pain was radiating up my thigh and down my calf and my ankle. I could only get comfy in one position which has now created a stiff neck.

I'm in work today and struggling. I took pain killers last night and this morning but they haven't had any effect.

I went to the pharmacy across the road and asked the woman behind the counter for some painkillers slightly stronger. She said she would need to check with the pharmacist. She went I've and whispered something to him and he came over and quite bluntly said 'I'm not selling you codeine'. He gave me deep heat and told me to rub it on the pain. Except the pain is all over my leg and in my neck where I can't reach.

I've not actually asked for codeine, just something stronger that paracetamol....I've not washed my hair either and I'm wearing dirty work clothes.

He thought I was an addict didn't he?

This pisses me off, either sell it or don't but don't decide who deserves it. It's either for sale or not.

I wasn't able to buy it when my dh was about to have an operation, the hospital told him to buy OTC medicine in case of pain.

The pharmacist said they could only sell it to him WHEN he's in pain not to buy it before hand.

On the way back from the hospital we went to the same pharmacist, dh showed him all his stitches, pharmacist looked a bit green and handed it over .

Codeine addicts come from all walks of life. There isn't a dress code. Codeine is very popular amongst the street sleeping community mixed with alcohol. People addicted to illegal drugs also frequently use codeine to take the edge off if they're unable to access their drug of choice.

There is a dress code if you want to try and look "respectable" in the hope people in the shop are more likely to not think you are an addict IME.

No, if you're in England or Wales you can't buy codeine over the counter. You can buy cocodamol or Solpadine Max. Not codeine. Don't know about Scotland or Ireland.

I was accused of being addicted to codeine by a midwife the first time she met me as I asked for some more. She decided that day 6 post csection with twins in scbu , so I was up every 2 hours feeding and changing 2 babies, I shouldn’t be in pain anymore. 24 hours later the swab results came back and my cs was infected. I knew I was in pain. She accused my from the entrance to our bay with 3 other mums and their partners. I will never forgive her for how she treated me. Head of midwifery got involved and got me codeine (which I only used for 2 more days). Twins are now 10 and I’m still pissed off it’s in my maternity notes. She couldn’t remove it as she no longer worked there after that day. Try not to take it to heart (easier said than done).

Great assumption there.

I'm not assuming anything. I said that it is more likely that they refused the sale because the counter assistant recognised you (or thought they did) than anything else. Maybe they made a mistake but that would be the reason for refusal rather than what you were wearing.

Not true, Paramol contains Dihydrocodiene which is available over the counter

I used to buy cocodamol from my local chemist for arthritis pain. The lady behind the counter always waved the box in the air shouting codeine when I asked for it. The pharmacist would always look up and decide if I could have it or not. You should see how they act when the methadone user drops in.

I was being sarcastic. I don't think people are giving good tips. The comment is regarding the fact that they are trying to help someone circumvent a pharmacist refusing a sale as if they refuse (and lose money) for the fun of it.

Co codamol and Solpadeine Max contain codeine...so technically you can buy codeine in England

All the best op

You can buy co codomol from a online pharmacy but maybe get 111 advice if they think you need something stronger and a knee support.

@tomatoandherbs A pharmacist isn’t a medical professional.
She didn’t specifically ask for codeine.
He could have refused her in a polite and kind way, instead of assuming she wanted codeine and being abrupt.

Is it Codeine week on here?
Or are the gutter press looking for some general moods regarding opiates?

I take cocodamol once a month for period pain, never had issue buying it in tesco

I know. Its a difficult one really because on one hand being able to take the strong meds might be really helpful to the OP if she is able to keep it short term, but codeine is such an insidious drug and people have no way of knowing if they're going to metabolise it in a way that makes them vulnerable to addiction or not until its too late. And because its OTC, people don't realise the dangers. I think its unfair on pharmacists to have to make the call as to whether its likely to be use or abuse. It should be prescription only like in a lot of other countries.

The NHS regard them as medical professionals!

The most likely thing is that you look like someone who regularly tries to purchase codeine there. All sales are at discretion of the pharmacist and they mustn’t sell it if they suspect you may be abusing codeine. Very unfortunate for you but you could go to another pharmacy or if it’s for that much worse after 2 weeks you probably need it looking at.

Perhaps other pharmacies have other criteria that they use for suspected abuse, and not just a person buying the product frequently.

Eh? What’s a pharmacist then?
codeine is a pharmacy only medication- same as a prescription onlhnit can only be supplied by the relevant health care professional

Has TomatoandHerbs just come here to insist that anyone who has ever been given codeine is a drug addict?

It’s pretty normal to be given codeine on prescription for severe pain conditions. I got sent home from hospital after surgery with 10 days’ worth. Unfortunately it makes me feel sick and gives me a rash so I barely took any of it.

Are you serious? Take a look at what it takes to become a Pharmacist before making comments like that..

I'm glad your colleague has given you some reassurance that it is them and not you.. glad also that the ibuleve has given some relief.. could you ask your colleague to put some on your neck.. might be awkward.. but maybe the relief in pain might be worth it... i don't know how well you know him or how sensitive he would be to your personal space. I would also consider whether a knee brace might help you at night... I have torn ligaments in my knee on 2 occasions and the knee brace at night helped. I hope you are in less pain soon.

That is the complete opposite of what op said.

Aren't there other options apart from Codeine as well? Naproxen or Diclofenac are both non-addictive pain killers. If you ask for a diclofenac suppository, the pharmacist can be pretty sure it's not for recreational purposes.