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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Advice re prescription

200 replies

poemontheocean · 20/02/2016 10:52

In here for traffic (sorry.)

I had a prescription for pain relief faxed through to a pharmacy 2 days ago and I've realised I'm not going to have enough to last after tomorrow.

Due in work first thing Monday - won't have a chance to see the doctor.

What do you think the best thing to do is? Should I call OOH today or tomorrow?

Appreciate advice :) thanks.

OP posts:
Marynary · 20/02/2016 16:34

I think that if you are in agony then you need to take time off to work. The tablets should last until Monday afternoon so you have time to get more on Monday morning.
I you are well enough to work then you should be okay with OTC pain relief. Once the co-dydramol run out, you could take paracetamol with ibuprofen until you get a chance to see the doctor.

kali110 · 20/02/2016 16:49

Smoking yes i have read a few things about that unfortunately. There are a lot of things on the list. I don't know how it affects people allready driving but it means ive now stopped looking for a blooding driving instructor.
Op you need to go to the docs.
If you're still in this much agony they may give you stronger dose.
I know what you're saying, all they can do for meis offer pain relief now.
You should try an acupatch( sell them in boots amd poss
Other pharmacies) they have actually nade a difference.( i'd tried pads, gels, creams,rubs and tens machibe).

GreatFuckability · 20/02/2016 16:57

You can drive whilst taking codeine, as long as it doesn't affect your driving.

OP- I don't understand why you don't just buy some paramol until you can see your GP?

Original poster
poemontheocean · 20/02/2016 16:59

We have been through this: that I have been discouraged from seeing my GP and that OTC meds have not been effective in managing the pain. Thank you.

OP posts:
Ameliablue · 20/02/2016 17:07

What OTC medicines did you previously try and has the pain lessened or increased since then?

NannyR · 20/02/2016 17:10

You may have been discouraged from seeing your gp in the first instance, but seeing as the prescription he gave you hasnt really improved things, it warrants an appt to get to the bottom of what's going on. He may be able to give you something more effective.

As other posters have pointed out, the OTC paramol is the same as the stuff you've been prescribed.

PourquoiPas · 20/02/2016 17:12

What the GP has prescribed you is not a magic special back pain medicine. As many other posters have said, you can buy almost exactly the same frog in a pharmacy.

Go to a pharmacy and ask them for co codamol and ibuprofen and take that tomorrow instead of the codydramol and see how it goes. There is no reason not to try it (unless you can't take ibuprofen of course) and it should be the same or better level of pain relief as you have now. If not, then go back to the codydramol for Monday and ring the GP on Monday to have a prescription sorted and collect Monday evening.

Original poster
poemontheocean · 20/02/2016 17:12

It did improve things, thank you :) The spasms stopped/reduced.

OP posts:
kali110 · 20/02/2016 17:21

Good but you need to get it sorted out. If it comes back get some solpadeine max as it contains more coedine, then get to the docs.

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 20/02/2016 17:27

This is crazy, the drug you are taking is NOT a strong painkiller, and as has been stated several times,you can buy the equivalent OTC very easily.

If you are in as much pain as you say you are, you need to see a doctor and get some real pain relief. Then you can go to work and crack on with your day.

Original poster
poemontheocean · 20/02/2016 17:31

I have been advised by two doctors not to see a doctor: thanks for the advice but it really might be best if this thread could be left.

OP posts:
LivingInMidnight · 20/02/2016 17:50

The thing is you asked for advice, it was given and you didn't like any of it!

You can't have tried every OTC medication. You may have tried some OTC medication that didn't work. Your prescription was for a weak pain killer and OTC versions are available. It's a little bit ridiculous to just ignore that fact.

Also, no doctor is infallible, you are quite entitled to question their advice.

Original poster
poemontheocean · 20/02/2016 17:52

Not at all: some was very helpful but now we are going round and round in circles.

OP posts:
LivingInMidnight · 20/02/2016 17:52

I thought that as long as you were within the prescribed amount of codeine and your driving wasn't impaired you were ok? Please say that's right!

Original poster
poemontheocean · 20/02/2016 17:57

I have no idea sorry.

OP posts:
LivingInMidnight · 20/02/2016 18:01

Sorry, that was aimed at the previous posters who also take the 30/500s regularly. I think I'm right, looking at the gov.uk thing anyway Smile

kali110 · 20/02/2016 18:05

Living really? I thought it was if you were on certain meds obv if you werestopped by the police (you would fail breath test ibv) and could be done for driving under the influence?

Marmitelover55 · 20/02/2016 18:12

I recently had a problem with my lower back and was in absolute agony and unable to move out of a dining chair. I phoned OOH but they wanted to see me and I really couldn't move. Luckily I had some 30mg codeine tablets and after two of those I was able to get to OOH.

The doctor prescribed me a couple of days more codeine and some diazepam for the spasms with instructions to get more from my GP if needed.

I do think you need to see your GP and you wouldn't be wasting his/her time. Thankfully my GP prescribed a much longer course of both meds. I'm not taking anything now and it's feeling much better (luckily I didn't become addicted to either medicine).

I also saw an osteopath which REALLY helped. The GP has referred me to the nhs physio and I'm starting that next week.

I totally sympathise with your back pain, it's awful. But you will probably need to take some time off to sort this out. Trying to stay active is good but I found that really hard until the pain had settled a bit. I'm now trying to take regular core strengthening exercise so that hopefully it won't happen again.

LivingInMidnight · 20/02/2016 18:16

kali that's how I read it anyway. It says:

You can drive after taking these drugs if:

*you’ve been prescribed them and followed advice on how to take them by a healthcare professional
*they aren’t causing you to be unfit to drive even if you’re above the specified limits

Marynary · 20/02/2016 18:32

We are going around in circles because you are being illogical You either are in agony and you need to see a doctor or you aren't and OTC medicines should be fine.
You may have been advised to not see a doctor on Thursday but that doesn't mean the advice would be the same a few days later if you really are in agony. I suspect that it isn't that bad if co-dydramol works because it isn't a strong pain killer. You should get similar pain relief from an OTC medicine.

bimandbam · 20/02/2016 18:41

Are you glad you started this thread op?

You poor bugger. I 100% empathise with needing to be in work. If I were you I would try and get to ooh tomorrow. You can hopefully then see a gp to rule out anything nasty, get a couple more days of painkillers and sort a gp appointment out.

My mum and my friend both suffer from back spasms. Have helped both of them in the past. Advice has been to stand or lie down. Don't sit as this can make it worse. Avoid caffine and keep hydrated as dehydration and caffine can apparently make things worse, take the meds regularly not just when the pain starts and keep walking around.

My mum was given a supply of pain meds and a physio appointment.

And you really haven't done anything wrong with regards to your use of the nhs I promise.

Cheby · 20/02/2016 18:48

Just read the thread. OP what OTC medication did you try previously? Because previous posters have told you where to buy painkillers OTC that are STRONGER than the ones you are currently prescribed. You are currently taking 10/500 (so 10mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol). You can buy 12.8/500 tablets over the counter; they contain 12.8mg codeine, and are stronger.

There are no muscle relaxants in co drydamol, it's not a particularly strong prescription medication.

You're going round in circles because you're seemingly ignoring the fact that you can buy stronger medication than the one you currently have OTC, which would solve your problem.

I completely sympathise, I know what it's like to be left without adequate pain medication over a weekend (I have recurrent dental infections and now thankfully have a stash of 30/500 cocodamol as well as 30mg codeine tablets just in case) but there really is an easy fix, you're just not listening.

YakTriangle · 20/02/2016 19:09

I was going to say that ^ too.
OP, don't fall into the trap of believing that only something prescribed to you will work, when it's been pointed out repeatedly that you can buy yourself something stronger for less than the cost of the prescribed tablets.

Becca19962014 · 20/02/2016 19:48

Co-dydramol is not codiene and paracetamol.
It is dihydrocodiene and paracetamol which is much stronger.

Only panamol is an option over the counter and that is slightly less.

Becca19962014 · 20/02/2016 19:53

Sorry that should say comparable over the counter.

It's stronger than 30/500 co-codomol.