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Original poster

Taken cocodamol for pain.. feel strange

58 replies

onestepps · 09/12/2022 01:21

I've had an absolutely terrible gallstone attack this evening, the worst I've ever had by FAR.

I was out at the time, so I took two paracetamol (all I had at the time) before DH rushed me back home, grabbed me a hot water bottle etc and put me to bed.

I had some Co-codamol in the cupboards (newly described for ovary pain) so I also took two of these, and a lansoprazole tablet to try and reduce the stomach acid.

Well fast forward to now and I feel awful. The gallstone pains have gone / subsided.. but I feel:

  • massively anxious
  • paranoid
  • hyper aware of my breathing
  • faster heartbeat
  • scared, but can't pinpoint why..
  • dizzy
  • very spaced out

I'm absolutely terrified. I tried to get up from my bed not long ago as I felt really spaced out and as though I needed some fresh air. I stood by the window and felt on the verge of a huge panic attack. My vision felt funny and I felt super aware of my body and breathing etc.

I am absolutely HATING the effects of what I assume to be the co-Codamol. Does anybody know how long it takes to come out of your system?

I keep drifting off to sleep but waking up with a pounding heart and feeling massively panicky.

OP posts:
Original poster
onestepps · 09/12/2022 01:21

Thank you in advance

OP posts:
Nat6999 · 09/12/2022 01:25

Speak to your GP tomorrow & ask for a prescription for pain relief for your gallstones, I was given dihydracodeine, something for the sickness & buscopan to try & help the waves of pain. Are you on the waiting list to have your gallbladder out?

endofthelinefinally · 09/12/2022 01:26

Co-codamol is an opiate and is quite strong. Some people react badly to opiates. I have taken it once and had a similar sort of experience. I was drowsy but hallucinating and felt very spaced out. It did wear off after a few hours and i have never touched the stuff again. It did nothing for my pain anyway.
I am not sure that opiates are the best thing for gall bladder pain. You should speak to your doctor about something more suitable. Are you waiting for gall bladder surgery?

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Original poster
onestepps · 09/12/2022 01:27

@Nat6999 I will definitely be on the phone to them first thing in the morning. I am in the NHS waiting list for removal!

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 09/12/2022 01:28

I agree that buscopan would probably be a better choice for gall bladder pain. Are you careful with your diet OP? I hope you get it sorted soon.

Original poster
onestepps · 09/12/2022 01:29

I'm exhausted but so scared to go to sleep, as I then suddenly wake up not long after in a huge panic, shaking etc with a racing heart.

I've got work in 4.5 hours 😔

OP posts:
MissMaple82 · 09/12/2022 01:29

endofthelinefinally · 09/12/2022 01:26

Co-codamol is an opiate and is quite strong. Some people react badly to opiates. I have taken it once and had a similar sort of experience. I was drowsy but hallucinating and felt very spaced out. It did wear off after a few hours and i have never touched the stuff again. It did nothing for my pain anyway.
I am not sure that opiates are the best thing for gall bladder pain. You should speak to your doctor about something more suitable. Are you waiting for gall bladder surgery?

You must be medically trained Hmm

Nat6999 · 09/12/2022 03:12

Opiates are often the only thing that work for the pain. I got to the stage even a glass of water brought on the pain & being sick was the only thing that stopped it completely. I got my op fairly quickly due to going choose & book but I still lost over a stone while I was waiting due to restrictions in my diet.

User93993993 · 09/12/2022 03:16

I'd be careful about taking paracetamol and co-codamol together. I thought they also contain paracetamol?

Spartak · 09/12/2022 03:17

I'd be ringing NHS direct for advice if the symptoms haven't eased.

Co-codamol contains paracetamol, and shouldn't be taken at the same time as just paracetamol. You may have inadvertently overdosed on it.

Tangerineartichoke · 09/12/2022 06:30

I take cocodomol all the time I usually start to feel them wear off after 4 hours but I guess they are still in my system. I still occasionally get dizzy and feel spaced out. Sometimes stomach cramps which get better after I eat. I don't get any of your other symptoms. I did with my previous medication. I forget its name but I could barely function. I also used to have an anti inflammatory that affected my breathing. Stop taking this medication and speak to your doctor there will be other options for you.

alasangne · 09/12/2022 06:33

Did you take the cocodomol within 4 hours of the paracetamol? It has paracetamol in so you might have overdosed if so.

I react strongly to cocodomol so only take 1 of the lowest strength they sell and it still makes me sleepy.

eurochick · 09/12/2022 06:35

I took Co-codamol once when I was miscarrying and felt like you do. It passed after a few hours. I never touched it again!

megletthesecond · 09/12/2022 06:48

It's not just you. Codeine based medicines make me quite poorly too, I don't touch the stuff now after trying it a couple of times.
Hope it's out of your system now.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 09/12/2022 06:51

alasangne · 09/12/2022 06:33

Did you take the cocodomol within 4 hours of the paracetamol? It has paracetamol in so you might have overdosed if so.

I react strongly to cocodomol so only take 1 of the lowest strength they sell and it still makes me sleepy.

You shouldn’t take both together but two paracetamol and two co-codamol do not amount to a paracetamol overdose.

PAFMO · 09/12/2022 06:56

It does sound like you took inadvertently a double dose of paracetamol.
Codeine sometimes gives me the exact effects you describe, dizzy, faint, head all weird, heart racing. In fact I've just got some for the first time in about 15 years because I don't like the effects even though the pain goes!

I also have gallbladder issues, and second the Buscopan. (obviously speak to your doctor) at the first sign of an attack I take it. Other things which really help me are digestive enzymes before each meal (not had a full blown attack since I started taking these) and peppermint oil tea/capsules. Apple cider vinegar is also good.

Hope you feel better soon.

Tomatopasta · 09/12/2022 07:01

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 09/12/2022 06:51

You shouldn’t take both together but two paracetamol and two co-codamol do not amount to a paracetamol overdose.

Show quote history

If the OP is not feeling well, she needs to speak to a medical professional for advice. It’s entirely relevant that she may have taken more paracetamol than allowed in a 4 hour period.

alasangne · 09/12/2022 07:11

Tomatopasta · 09/12/2022 07:01

If the OP is not feeling well, she needs to speak to a medical professional for advice. It’s entirely relevant that she may have taken more paracetamol than allowed in a 4 hour period.

Show quote history

Agreed.

Hope you manage to speak to your GP OP

cosmiccosmos · 09/12/2022 07:17

Another who experienced this after codeine. Felt absolutely awful, sick, dizzy etc. haven't touched it since.

Mummyme87 · 09/12/2022 07:22

Yup, that’s a codeine reaction. Definitely speak to GP for something different, do you take ibuprofen? The other option is a lower dose of co-codamol, so one tablet instead of two.
also yeah, co-codamol contains paracetamol so be mindful of when you’re taking it, although taking 2g paracetamol in less than 4hrs is unlikely to have caused this feeling.
hope it’s passed now OP

fedupofthiscoldffs · 09/12/2022 07:24

I find I get this if my pain wasn't bad enough for 2. So I take one Cc and one paracetamol to take the edge off.
They both have paracetamol in do he careful

girlmom21 · 09/12/2022 07:26

You might be allergic to codeine. Definitely speak to your GP. I hope things get sorted soon x

loislovesstewie · 09/12/2022 07:26

I can't take co-codomol because it just makes me go to sleep for 4 hours( yes, it really is exactly 4 hours!). Nice if I want a good nap but not if I have anything to do, like work. I don't take them at all because of that. Speak to your GP and get something else.

Bumpsadaisie · 09/12/2022 07:27

You should not take coco at same time as paracetamol - you've had a double dose of paracetamol which will be what makes you feel unwell.

shinnnypin44 · 09/12/2022 07:31

I had my gallbladder removed in May- was given cocodamol for the pain but had a terrible reaction to it, tight chest, stomach cramps couldn’t breathe 😩. Too scared to take it again!