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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Panicked about paracetomal overdose

54 replies

shouldnthavesaid · 17/11/2017 05:48

I'm confused...

I take cocodamol 30/500 for pain management.

Wed night I took a dose about bedtime (before 10) , and potentially around about lunchtime, can't remember.

Yesterday (bad day) I took 1 tablet at 2pm, 2 at 6 and 2 at 10.15pm . I don't think I took any tablets in the morning. Doesn't seem likely as I was sore in class.

This morning I've taken 1 at 5am as still sore but need to be able to function.

I'm petrified that I've overdosed somehow over the last couple of days. Just off the phone to NHS 24 who said I've nothing to worry about but maybe they aren't quite understanding what I meant?

They said if I had OD'd accidentally its in all likelihood ever so slightly and would be harmless - and just to take nothing from now until bed?

Should I try to vomit up the 5am tablet? Cant sleep as so worried.

If it helps I'm tall (5 ft 9), quite overweight (105 kg) and non alcohol drinker..

OP posts:
WhoWants2Know · 17/11/2017 05:53

Nope, don’t try to vomit. NHS direct are right, it’s unlikely that you have overdosed. It won’t cause you any harm.

Snap8TheCat · 17/11/2017 05:54

I don’t understand why you think you’ve overdosed? Nothing you’ve written is too much. Could you explain?

HicDraconis · 17/11/2017 05:55

You are safe (assuming no major medical issues) to take up to 4g of paracetamol in any 24h period. That would be up to 8 of your cocodamol.

Looking at your timeline it doesn’t seem like you have exceeded this so it’s unlikely you have overdosed.

Feliciaxxx · 17/11/2017 05:56

You'll be fine - just mega constipated!!

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 17/11/2017 05:56

In fact I'm 99% convinced I didn't take a tablet yesterday morning as I was so tired in my lecture and kept saying it must still be cocodamol from night before.

But when I took those doses yesterday I didn't factor in the day before and I should have - probably a dose at 12.30 so that's cancelled out but then a dose before bed plus the 3 others.. suppose if before bed can ignore the 2pm? So that's OK. Even if I had 2 when I got home at 4 and I don't think I did it would be OK wouldnt it?

OP posts:
Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 17/11/2017 05:57

I don't know why I think I have. I used to be terrified of taking medication but no choice now as so sore constantly.

OP posts:
Callamia · 17/11/2017 06:01

I did once ‘overdose’ on cocodamol. In my pain-addled state, I misread the prescription label and took something like 4 every two hours instead of two every four hours. It was only for one day, and I was fine afterwards. I just remember feeling a bit absent and floaty at work.

It sounds like you’re within guidelines. Please don’t make yourself sick. If it helps, count out how many you’re allowed within a 24hr period and put them somewhere separate, so you know exactly where the limit is.

KimmySchmidt1 · 17/11/2017 06:02

I think you are flipping out and being crazy. Just try and be logical and listen to what you are told by the qualified and experienced propel, at NHS 24.

The number of pills you are describing is not an overdose.

Move your brain on to something else.

CredulousThickos · 17/11/2017 06:19

I’ve taken 64 before and I’m still here to tell the tale.

Not trying to be flippant, just trying to reassure you.

Original poster
shouldnthavesaid · 17/11/2017 06:30

Kimmy you're probably right! I have a diagnosis of OCD and if I think of something that might have a bad consequence I can ruminate for hours... back to bed maybe, I've been up worried since 4am.

OP posts:
Didntcomeheretofuckspiders · 17/11/2017 06:31

You’re overthinking it. Yes the maximum dose is 4g in 24 hours but you’d have to either massively exceed that or be taking a significantly higher dose for a prolonged period of time to do any real damage.

shakingmyhead1 · 17/11/2017 06:34

2 every 4 hours is a normal does and no more than 8 in a 24 hour period i think the regs say, please ensure you are drinking lots of water to help your kidneys and liver (more so if you think you may have taken one or two too many) and fiber to help keep you regular as codeine can kind of bung you up a bit

SelmaAndJubjub · 17/11/2017 06:34

Would it help to start making a note on your phone (or take a photo) every time you take a dose? That way, you can never be confused about how many you have taken.

Agree with everyone saying that - from what you have written - you haven't exceeded the safe dose of 4g (8 tablets) of paracetamol in 24 h and - more importantly - you have double-checked with NHS 111 and not just a bunch of randomers online Wink

shakingmyhead1 · 17/11/2017 06:36

it should say on the pill bottle also what the maximum dosages are, have a look

sueelleker · 17/11/2017 06:43

Just make sure that if you take anything else (cold remedies etc) that they don't also contain paracetamol. It's one of the commonest reasons for an overdose.

SD1978 · 17/11/2017 07:09

An overdose is more than 4gms of paracetamol- the code one is irrelevant. If you are below that you have not taken too much. Would suggest maybe getting a fridge magnet, or something near your medicine box you can tick when you take one so that you don’t end up wondering this and worrying about it again.

DameDaffodil · 17/11/2017 07:31

Please don't worry, it's fine. I take co codamol daily for back problems and have got myself in a state many times, panicking that I have overdosed when I haven't. I suffer from health anxiety too which makes it worse. As pp have said, make a note from now on. It's really helped me. I just jot it down in my diary when I've taken some and at what time. Take care.

treeofhearts · 17/11/2017 07:37

You haven't overdosed honestly. Even if you had, that isn't anywhere near enough to do damage. It's actually quite hard to kill yourself with paracetamol even if you're actively trying.

failagainfailbetter · 17/11/2017 07:50

Lots of dangerous mis-information on here.

I am sure op will be fine as she has sought medical advice but paracetamol is dangerous because overdose is often symptomless until too late to treat. Someone who had taken 60 would most likely need immediate treatment with an antidote or might die.

Please be aware of this. If in doubt consult a doctor immediately - do not rely on strangers online for advice on possible paracetamol overdose!

SelmaAndJubjub · 17/11/2017 07:51

It's actually quite hard to kill yourself with paracetamol even if you're actively trying

That is absolute bollocks. Unfortunately it is very easy to kill yourself with paracetamol. I am sorry OP, as I don't want to add to your anxiety and you have not overdosed. But I can't let tree's irresponsible and inaccurate post go uncorrected. I have had the misfortune of caring for a number of people who have died or required liver transplants due to small accidental overdoses.

OP you are absolutely right to be careful not to take more than the recommended dose.

Kitsharrington · 17/11/2017 07:55

That's helpful on this thread, Selma.

OP you're fine, go back to bed and get some rest.

DemolitionLover · 17/11/2017 07:57

It's actually quite hard to kill yourself with paracetamol even if you're actively trying

Utter crap. And very dangerous to be giving out incorrect information like this.

SelmaAndJubjub · 17/11/2017 08:02

That's helpful on this thread, Selma

So you think I should leave misinformation that could easily kill someone unchallenged? Hmm Perhaps your irritation should be directed at the people who posted the misinformation, not those of us correcting it?

Iruka · 17/11/2017 08:04

My understanding (via uncle who got into serious trouble with paracetamol) is that you can dangerously overdose with paracetamol in two ways. Massive overdose in short period of time or regular small overdoses over a long period of time (which my uncle did).
It sounds like if you did overdose, it was a small one time thing. You did the right thing by calling for advice, but if they have said it is ok then I would believe them.

Mustbesilverlining · 17/11/2017 08:06

I've just had surgery and am taking paracetamol, codine and ibuprofen regularly. I did sa,e as you when I was so stressed with pain and insomnia. I have written a grid of the medication and the times to ensure that it doesn't happen again. Hope you ok OP