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Original poster

About doctors prescription

53 replies

Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 13:58

Got given two different tablets on prescription just before Christmas for my periods. 4 weeks ago the gynaecologist gave me some codine for the pain to. I’ve had Surgery for my periods since then so the codines almost gone and I’m out of all the other tablets. I ran out just before the surgery but as it was a canceltion it came around quickly and I forgot to order some more. I’ve never had to order any more before so didn’t no what to do. Phoned the surgery this morning and they told me to phone the pharmacy and I could come pick it up pharmacy said I needed to fill out a form. Got the bus all the way to the doctors which I find so hard after having stitches in my tummy and I’ve just started my period 2 days ago so my endometriosis is killing me I was almost crying. I get there and they tell me I won’t be able to pick it up for 3 days I told them I was almost out and having to take less pain medication than I need. The receptionist said she could try speed it up and get it to me at the end of the day which is pointless as I can’t stay in town all day as in to much pain. I can’t even pick it up this week as I’m meant to be working if I feel better. I just want to cry no one can pick it up for me my mums been away for months and isn’t back for a while. My partner finishes work after they close. Sorry for the rant I no I’m probably being unreasonable just in pain over tired and grumpy.

OP posts:
LemonShark · 19/02/2018 15:53

How long have you been on Codeine and how many do you have left?

I would taper your last doses rather than take them as normal and suddenly have to stop them, as you're in for a nasty shock if you've developed a dependency on them (which can happen in a week) and never experienced opiate withdrawal before.

Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 17:49

No the pain does taking paracetamol and ibroprufen dosnt cover the pain. Partner said he would go pick it up but it wasn’t ready had no phone call. I’ve got 4 left some taken one now will slowly cut down with the last few otherwise I get a withdrawal migraine. I’m just so fed up of all this pain since I was 14 I’ve had bad periods they’ve slowly got worse and after years of doctors and gynaecologist I finally had surgery and they found tons of endometosis and removed it all I hope. It’s ruined my social life and ruins my relationship hurts to have sex sometimes I don’t want cuddles when I’m in pain I just want to be left alone I’m always tired just fed up

OP posts:
Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 17:52

The codine dosnt even really fully help I take 12 tablets a day when on my period for 10 days that’s before any vitimans for iron deficiency and evening primrose. Then when I’m not on my period I take some of the tablets in the week leading up. I’ve just left the family buisness to earn more money but I’m worried about taking days off due to pain and doctors.

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PotatoesOfTheCarribean · 19/02/2018 17:58

There is a stronger cocodamol that you can buy over the counter, thing its 12mg codeine with 500mg paracetamol. You could take 8 of those a day, which might help in the short term

ChocFudgeLover · 19/02/2018 18:13

If they've just removed all the endometriosis should your period it still be causing you so much pain? I'd be worried about laparoscopy stitches causing so much pain after 5 days too tbh. Are you unusually sensitive to pain?

If you made it in today I'm sure you can get in tomorrow to collect them?

Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 18:28

It dosnt always remove the pain and the first period after the surgery is always normally bad but then it gets better. I’ve got work tomorrow so can’t partners going to get them for me if they’re ready it’s 30 mins out of his lunch break but appeantly I’m worth it although I suspect he wants an excuse to go to the Greg’s next door. Pain threshold is high had my tonsils out needed hardly any pain medication didn’t need any after my lap really was back to normal pretty soon it’s now the periods that’s killing me I was sick from the pain after my nap

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Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 19:50

Still in pain got heat pack on :(

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selftitledalbum · 19/02/2018 20:17

I think it’s a physical dependence you need to worry about

Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 20:30

What do you mean physical dependence

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ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 19/02/2018 20:40

It sounds like you have an addition to the codine. It really shouldn’t be taken long term.

BothersomeCrow · 19/02/2018 21:00

Needing pain relief for pain does not mean someone is dependent ffs!

I find the GP can't do a 'repeat prescription' for codeine but will write a scrip to keep me going when I tell them the next routine appt wasn't for 6 weeks.

Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 21:08

The doctors recommend I take it monthly for the pain I take It for 4 days a month and that’s it even if I need it other days I don’t take it due to not wanting to be addicted

OP posts:
Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 21:09

When I’m crying in pain being sick or passing out and doctors recomend taking codine I will

OP posts:
Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 21:16

I’ve asked for better pain relief it’s all I’m offered they told me to take two tablets 3 times a day for 4 days

OP posts:
Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 21:17

I mean 4 times a day

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Katyb1310 · 19/02/2018 21:30

You poor soul, I really feel for you. I get horrendous period pain and it has made me pass out before. It's so hard to function without decent pain relief and I think a few people have been a bit harsh, when that's the last thing you need. Yes 23 is an adult, but you've just had surgery and you're in horrendous pain which makes you feel a bit vulnerable. I need cocodamol 30/500mg to get me through period pain, I can't cope without it for that but I'm not addicted. Needing strong painkillers for pain doesn't mean you're addicted. I hope you get them sorted tomorrow. Our surgery is great, they send it electronically to Tesco and it's usually ready the same day, failing that then the next day. Hugs for you, hope you get some sleep tonight xx

Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 21:45

Thank god for Argos same day delivery ordered a new hot water bottle. Now got a microwave heat bag on my back and two hot water bottles on my stomach. Buckets in position and I’m trying not to cry.

OP posts:
mirime · 19/02/2018 22:55

I was taking codeine regularly in 2016 while I waited for an operation over nine months and was worried about addiction. Chatted with a pharmacist and he was very reassuring. Don't think we need to assume the OP is addicted, obviously long term daily high doses can put you at risk, or using them for headaches, but taking them four or five days a month should be fine.

PotatoesOfTheCarribean · 19/02/2018 22:59

I've taken codeine for over two years, I'm not addicted in the slightest. Have random days off when pain is reduced and have no issues.
If you continue to take when you don't need if as a painkiller, then it's much more likely that you will become addicted

Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 19/02/2018 23:02

I’m defiantly not addicted in the bath now with the water boiling to help with the pain x

OP posts:
beansonbread · 19/02/2018 23:14

So sorry to hear you're in pain and what I'm going to say isn't going to help you right now but may in the long term. I have endometriosis too so I know what you're going through. I've had two laparoscopies to sort out large ovarian cysts and I was told in November that my pelvis is full of endo scarring, I'm now on injections to put me into early menopause (I'm only 30!). I was given codeine for the pain several years ago and practically ate them like sweets when my pain was bad, nothing else touched it. However, my pain started getting worse even with codeine (I was rushed to hospital by ambulance twice and had to be given morphine instead!) so I did some research and found that codeine can have detrimental effects on endometriosis so I switched to Diclofenac and I've rarely had to take it as without the codeine my pain has settled loads! Perhaps it's something to look into - obviously different drugs work differently for different people but I wish I'd know how bad codeine can affect endo years ago!

PotatoesOfTheCarribean · 19/02/2018 23:50

You can of course build up a tolerance to codeine, which is why is stops working and you end up taking more.
You really need different pain meds, diclofenac is amazing if you can persuade your GP to prescribe. It's generally off limits now, but any risks need to be balanced out

steff13 · 19/02/2018 23:57

A repeat normally takes three working days.

So even if there are refills on the prescription it takes three days? Interesting.

Original poster
Pickledonion24 · 20/02/2018 08:54

Thanks I know I can build up a tollerence I’ve read all about it doctors just won’t give me anything else it took me crying in the gynaecologists office and then being sick from the pain for her to give me codine it’s taken 12 years to be taken seriously

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BothersomeCrow · 20/02/2018 09:22

Have you been referred to a pain clinic OP? You should be. If nothing else they can tell your GPs to chill out and keep prescription the opiates if that's the best available.

A pain management course can also be useful for all the psychological aspects of pain (this is not saying the pain is all in your head, but that dealing with chronic pain has psychological effects). I did one that was six afternoons a couple weeks apart and it was very helpful.