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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder how to get prescribed painkillers

78 replies

Jellyjumpers · 18/10/2018 19:41

I have been in pain for months with what the gp thinks is ibs and I think is a return of endometriosis. While a&e gave me cocodamol when I was previously sent by the ooh I have not been able to get painkillers from my gp. The gp is arguing I should take antispasmodics and herbal tea. However, I am struggling to sleep with pain can not get an emergency gp appointment and have fainted and been sick with pain.

Wondering how people have managed to get pain reliefc and if this is acceptable.

OP posts:
Orangeblossom1976 · 18/10/2018 19:50

I know some people find a referral to a pain clinic helpful

Madein1995 · 18/10/2018 19:50

Maybe try and see your GP adajn and explsin how bad the pain is?

If you did a bit of research there are certainly ways to get prescribed painkillers from someone other than your GP. That's due to a loop hole in the law and is not a good idea.

It's horrible to be in pain but self medicating isn't the answer really. Without a Dr managing your dose, reviewing and tapering you off of controlled drugs, you are risking becoming dependant on any medication if not addicted

InspectorIkmen · 18/10/2018 19:52

I had to go private eventually as my GP wouldn’t prescribe Tramadol for me even though I knew that that was the only thing that would work and so it proved to be. Right fuckabout and expensive too but I got them, used them until I didn’t need to any more and emerged better and completely not addicted to Tramadol.

Is that an option for you?

Soubriquet · 18/10/2018 19:53

I think you’ve got to be quite pushy

It took me 4 different appointments, with weeks in between before I was finally given decent painkillers.

Even then, it was only when my dh came and stood up for me.

SwarmOfCats · 18/10/2018 19:57

Keep going back, tell them what you’ve already tried and what has helped/what has done nothing, absolutely don’t minimise the pain you’re experiencing.

It took me a long time, and I think it was luck of the draw that last time I went to my GP because I just couldn’t handle the pain I got a doctor who was sympathetic and understood, so prescribed something that actually made a difference.

I’m so sorry you’re having to fight to get some help!

TheHobbitMum · 18/10/2018 19:57

That sounds bizarre, clearly you need something. I've never had an issue having prescribed painkillers (although I have severe RA & Fibro) such as Tramadol & oramorph so I'd suggest seeing a different GP and pushing for a referral to a pain clinic if the new GP doesn't help,

Good luck, being in constant pain is awful Flowers

kitkatsky · 18/10/2018 19:59

Codeine not great for IBS as can exacerbate bloatimg and comstipation. Anti spasmodics are prob way more sensible, but that being said your pain does sound severe so might be worth a revisit

Endofthelinefinally · 18/10/2018 20:03

Antispasmodics are great for IBS. Painkillers tend not to work.
My friend has IBS and carries injectable buscopan which works instantly.
Once you sort the IBS pain out you might be able to find out what works for the endometriosis.

Original poster
Jellyjumpers · 18/10/2018 20:04

Thanks its awful that in a civilised society people are needing to either go private or have a male come and back them up in the appointment.

Private could be an option but I am also wanting the nhs to take the cause of pain seriously to get a referral to a private consultant to discuss treatment.

I am trying to be percistamt but can't get an emergency gp appointment as they get hooked instantly and I have not been the right place in the queue. 😀

OP posts:
Hidillyho · 18/10/2018 20:07

Honestly, I just kept going back appointment after appointment after appointment. Outcome was that I have RA but getting the ‘good stuff’ took months

Hidillyho · 18/10/2018 20:08

to get a referral to a private consultant to discuss treatment

You can speak to GP and ask them to refer you to a private specialist

yunalis · 18/10/2018 20:11

Like Hobbit I've never had an issue, they prescribe me whatever I need. Have you tried the antispasmodics?

Original poster
Jellyjumpers · 18/10/2018 20:12

Thanks I don't actually think I have ibs. I had endometriosis removed from my bowel and this can give a lot of similar symptoms to ibs

Prior to my surgery I had codeine which I used on my period and the constipation was actually useful as if controlled diarrhea.

I don't think injectable buscipan would be something I would want outside hospital as having it iv for an mri it had a wierd effect on my murderer's heart rate and I had to wait a couple of hours before going home.

OP posts:
yunalis · 18/10/2018 20:15

You do need to make an effort to try the drs treatment plan so you can tell them if it doesn't work and THEN get pain medication if you need it.

Original poster
Jellyjumpers · 18/10/2018 20:16

I asked for a referral to have a follow-up with the gynae but the gp would not do this as she said that they would probably want to do another l operation and that would not be in my interests if I have ibs.

OP posts:
tiredacademic · 18/10/2018 20:22

Sorry OP to step away from the thread, but what did you mean to say instead of ‘your murderer’s heart rate’?!

yunalis · 18/10/2018 20:22

So why not try the antispasmodics and see what happens? If they make no difference I'm sure the next step would be to look for other causes.

Original poster
Jellyjumpers · 18/10/2018 20:22

I trying the Dr's treatment plan but it is not working.
A&d thought I had endometriosis on the sciatic nerve. However, the gps plan of physieo has helped with this.
However the antispasmodics are not doing anything, and I fainted with pain while on a high dose. The gp says I only need to be seen again after three months and their never seen to be emergency appointments available.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jellyjumpers · 18/10/2018 20:29

Sorry I am just so tired and struggling with pain meaning my messages don't make sense. I meant that my heart rate and blood pressure were affected by iv buscipan. The nurse said that any future mri should be attempted with out buscipan.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jellyjumpers · 18/10/2018 20:33

I would like something like anitriptiline to help me sleep and mannage th pain but tbhe gp did not think this was needed

OP posts:
Thisnamechanger · 18/10/2018 20:35

Do nooooot take codiene or any opiates for IBS, they give you constipation and make it worse!!

I was once hospitalised with excruciating pain for IBS and the wallies gave me tramadol. Never been in so much pain in my life!!

FascinatingCarrot · 18/10/2018 20:36

You can buy co-codamol over the counter?

SpitefulMidLifeAnimal · 18/10/2018 20:40

You certainly can, I think the strongest co-codamol you can buy is Solpadeine Max, which has almost 13 mg of codeine and 500 mg of para. There's also generic co-codamol which is 8 mg codeine to 500 mg para and costs between 2-3 quid.

Original poster
Jellyjumpers · 18/10/2018 20:45

Otc cocodamol is not very effective for me.

Firstly cocodamol means I end up taking more codeine because I can not try paracetanol first and add stronger medication if needed. Secondly I do not find it an effective painkiller. When I have been admitted to hospital they have given iv paracetanol, which is fantastic and morphine when in severe pain at night.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 18/10/2018 20:46

It seems that you don't want to do what your doctor has advised. I'm not sure why you think that's a good idea.
On Radio 4 today a doctor was being interviewed who gave some patients with severe pain a placebo pain killer, and guess what? Their pain disappeared! Some times it really IS psychological!