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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:
Namenic · 09/12/2022 07:39

Please be aware that co-codamol contains paracetamol - so taking both co-codamol and paracetamol may result in you receiving too much paracetamol - which can be harmful (it’s NOT an issue if it is just 1 single dose extra, but you need to be careful and seek pharmacist advice if taking the co-codamol multiple times or on a daily basis).

Original poster
onestepps · 09/12/2022 07:45

Thanks all. I managed to drift off and feel a little better this morning. Trying to drag myself out of bed to go to work as I'm the only one in the office today. I feel terrible.

I had 2 paracetamol at my friends (was there for dinner) im not sure on the strength.. but yes I did then have the 2 cocodamol within an hour of taking the paracetamol. God im stupid. Blush I wasn't thinking straight! Just wanted the pain to go.

I will never ever take cocodamol again, that's for sure.

OP posts:
user1471505356 · 09/12/2022 08:21

Maybe try Ibuprofen instead.

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General health
alasangne · 09/12/2022 08:26

If you're ill you're ill. The office can cope.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 09/12/2022 08:42

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

I am a medical professional and I can assure you that 2g of paracetamol which is the dose you have taken with two paracetamol and two co-codamol does not constitute a dangerous level of paracetamol in an adult as a one-off event. She may well feel odd because of the codeine which is not that uncommon. Of course she should consult her GP if she is concerned but she hasn’t taken toxic levels of paracetamol.

C8H10N4O2 · 09/12/2022 08:48

onestepps · 09/12/2022 07:45

Thanks all. I managed to drift off and feel a little better this morning. Trying to drag myself out of bed to go to work as I'm the only one in the office today. I feel terrible.

I had 2 paracetamol at my friends (was there for dinner) im not sure on the strength.. but yes I did then have the 2 cocodamol within an hour of taking the paracetamol. God im stupid. Blush I wasn't thinking straight! Just wanted the pain to go.

I will never ever take cocodamol again, that's for sure.

You don't know for sure that this was the problem. What strength was the cocodamol?

Cocodamol usually comes combined paracetamol and so can be combined with some other painkillers but not advised with paracetamol. However even if you took two standard paracetamol and two cocodamol you are still within the paracetamol guidelines for the day.

Your reaction isn't typical and could be something else but you should discuss with your doctor who may be able to give you a lower dose or advise different combinations. It can be very effective so its worth a discussion before giving up on it.

AnyFucker · 09/12/2022 08:52

Codeine is evil stuff

Farawayfromhere · 09/12/2022 08:56

The codeine can make you feel very spacey. But more importantly, and I’m sure someone else has said this, do not take paracetamol and Co-codamol together!! It’s a double dose of paracetamol.
Please be very careful about this, it’s easy to overdose and cause liver damage with a relatively small amount of paracetamol over a 24 hour period.

AriettyHomily · 09/12/2022 09:02

They gave me codeine when I was in labour and I felt just like you describe. I will never touch it again.

Eselch · 09/12/2022 09:16

Codeine and cocodamol have exactly the same effect on me - then I’ll throw it back up after less than an hour! It made me very ill.

my Gp switched me to naproxen which is much better and no side effects.

LeakyTapTap · 09/12/2022 09:21

Some paracetamol comes with caffeine added - could you have taken those at your friend's? Would also explain the racing heart and such too!

notangelinajolie · 09/12/2022 09:30

LeakyTapTap · 09/12/2022 09:21

Some paracetamol comes with caffeine added - could you have taken those at your friend's? Would also explain the racing heart and such too!

I was just about to say this too.
I can’t take any type of painkillers with caffeine in because they give me all the symptoms the OP described.

ohsotired2022 · 09/12/2022 09:37

I've been prescribed Co-codamol when I hurt my back. It definitely helped with the pain but I hate how they made me feel.
I very rarely take them as find it a horrible feeling. It also makes me really constipated the next day.
Hope you get on ok today

louderthan · 09/12/2022 11:24

Co-codamol is evil stuff. I can't take it, it makes me so nauseous and dizzy I can barely move.
I have Naproxen prescribed for bad period pain, it's an anti-inflammatory. I did also take it when I had a bad ear infection during lockdown and couldn't see a doctor, and have taken it when I had tonsillitis. Never had side effect from it and it's a more hefty painkiller than anything you get over the counter.

smileandsing · 09/12/2022 11:43

I don't get on with cocodamaol either, ask your GP for an alternative

Dittosaw · 09/12/2022 11:52

Sorry OP. I took them once and they freaked me out so much I decided the pain was better than the cure. I’ve stuck to otc medications since. Hope you feel better soon.

user573010482911233445559002281818484 · 09/12/2022 12:53

You're having what I call a codeine cuddle op. Not everyone likes it.

You won't need stomach protectors for cocodamol, that's more for non steroidal anti inflammatories.

I would phone your gp for proper prescribed pain relief for your condition.

LilyRose88 · 09/12/2022 12:55

I had an awful reaction to co-codamol when I took it after a knee operation. I had a massive panic attack and felt as though my head wasn't connected to my body. I got the shakes and my heart rate went crazy. I now refuse to take it as it just doesn't agree with me.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/12/2022 12:57

louderthan · 09/12/2022 11:24

Co-codamol is evil stuff. I can't take it, it makes me so nauseous and dizzy I can barely move.
I have Naproxen prescribed for bad period pain, it's an anti-inflammatory. I did also take it when I had a bad ear infection during lockdown and couldn't see a doctor, and have taken it when I had tonsillitis. Never had side effect from it and it's a more hefty painkiller than anything you get over the counter.

Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory med not painkiller and you can't take it for long periods without something like omerprozole. As it's terrible for your stomach

endofthelinefinally · 09/12/2022 15:32

MissMaple82 · 09/12/2022 01:29

You must be medically trained Hmm

Show quote history

Qualified nurse, midwife, 5 years research into safety of various medications in pregnancy and lead nurse on patient safety committee in a teaching hospital. Amongst other things. I am not sure why you have commented on my post. Other posters are mentioning some helpful suggestions, some less so, but you haven't made any sarcastic remarks on their posts.

Crikeyalmighty · 09/12/2022 15:45

Only took something once a couple of years ago involving codeine and thought I would pass out on the street. My legs literally went from under me- not a nice sensation at all . Definitely didn't suit me

Crikeyalmighty · 09/12/2022 15:46

@LilyRose88 Yep- identical experience to me.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/12/2022 15:48

endofthelinefinally · 09/12/2022 15:32

Qualified nurse, midwife, 5 years research into safety of various medications in pregnancy and lead nurse on patient safety committee in a teaching hospital. Amongst other things. I am not sure why you have commented on my post. Other posters are mentioning some helpful suggestions, some less so, but you haven't made any sarcastic remarks on their posts.

Show quote history

Burnnnnn!

Orangesandlemons77 · 09/12/2022 16:14

I find cocodamol helpful with pain and don't mind the spacey feeling.

pinneddownbytabbies · 09/12/2022 16:16

Codeine has a very strange effect on me. My system can't tolerate it at all, so maybe something similar happened to you? Just one tablet was enough to put me in an ambulance last time. I'd steer clear of it for a while until you've managed to speak to a doctor about it.