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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think I should be able to get co-codomol on presciption

90 replies

Ryderryder · 21/12/2018 09:18

It is likely that it will need to be taken day for up to a year. On the face of it it seem cheap. Between £1.70 and £3.00 a pack. However one pack last a 4 days. Also buying ibruphom (sp) which is 35p every 2 days.
Aibu

OP posts:

BeauEllie · 21/12/2018 23:55

There is not much evidence for the efficacy of co-codamol (8/500mg). It really doesn't work any better than paracetamol alone at that dose.

domton · 22/12/2018 00:00

Can't your GP ring the chemist on your behalf and explain? Online 100 for £16 in the 'independent pharmacy', can't link it it won't work for some reason.

If your gp won't prescribe it you'll have to find another solution. Referral to a pain clinic? Same drugs but they are much better at finding different ways.

You mention a steroid injection, have you got one booked? You could pay private perhaps for that perhaps? £190 for an ultrasound guided one around by us. Quick and effective for most people to different degrees.

I'm surprised your GP will keep you on then for a year. Naproxen, tramadol, codeine, nerve pain tablets like Gabapentin and amityrpataline are more usual suspects for long term pain relief.

CatchingBabies · 22/12/2018 00:16

Surely it’s more expensive to pay the prescription charges though? Or don’t you pay for your prescriptions so you’re happy for the already struggling and already cash strapped NHS to pay for something you can get for less than £1?

sofasleeps · 22/12/2018 00:17

OP.

8/500 cocodamol really isn't going to manage chronic pain that well. I have them in the house as well as 15 and 30mg tabs and a few other things but this is part of a pain management plan. Stuff like gabapentin is better for long-term pain relief with opiate drugs over and above when you need it.

However don't underestimate straight paracetamol, especially if taken on a routine basis regardless of pain or not.

You need a proper pain management plan, and trawling online pharmacies isn't part of it.

Singlenotsingle · 22/12/2018 00:20

A prescription is something in the region of 8 pounds

Stormy76 · 22/12/2018 00:21

You need to see a different GP, I get co codamol 30/500 and I take 2 3/4 times a day, they are prescribed. Naproxen would be good for that kind of pain as well. It is not acceptable for you to be left in pain. I have a prescription pre payment card and that costs me £10 a month, get one of those.

madcatladyforever · 22/12/2018 00:24

Depends what strength you need, I take 30/500mgs cocodamol which you can only get on prescription for a back injury and also go to the pain clinic. I have to pay for it as I work full time but I have a prepaid prescription card so I only pay £10 a month for all of my drugs.

civicxx · 22/12/2018 00:25

Go to GP.

& anybody who gets paracetamol on a prescription needs to re-evaluate their life is 19p.

NotCitrus · 22/12/2018 00:47

Paracetamol is 40p or more now in my local supermarkets. Still very cheap but means I'm spending £50 a year on the stuff. I have codeine tablets separate (prescription)

OP - sounds like you need a GP appt to discuss pain relief while waiting for surgery, esoecially if you haven't tried other meds. Pain clinic referrals can also be good (first one I did was incredibly helpful, though second just led to them telling the GP to keep giving me the opiates unless my usage more than doubled).

Bluebonnieblue · 22/12/2018 00:58

Be careful taking it every day. I did for back problems. It's addictive and can be very dangerous even if used correctly. Also can have some side effects of its own (I got horrible headaches and quite depressed)

sueelleker · 22/12/2018 01:00

My husband suffers severe headaches after having a seizure, Our GP prescribes Co-Codamol 15/500 in packs of 100.

Bettyspants · 22/12/2018 01:08

Otc co-codamol dose i avaliable s 12.5 mg with 500mg paracetamol in each tablet. Codeine on its own or the higher strength of 30/500 is prescription only. As others have said it's an odd choice for long term treatment. There's been a few meds re recomendations here however you need a prescriber to advise you , obviously your full medical history, bloods etc are needed. However, i would ask for another GP appointment to discuss your options. E.g. there may be a concern regarding nsaids (such as volterol) which would contraindicate this. I hope you get the pain sorted effectively!

Original poster

Ryderryder · 22/12/2018 06:47

12.75 a month for cheapest locally available ones so more than prescription charge. I also have a prepayment certificate as on other meds. Agree though this is not a long term solution though.
Can currently afford it but not sure how long for.It is more the inconvenience.

OP posts:

Dotty1970 · 22/12/2018 11:03

If your on pre pay it won't cost more getting it from gp.
Just go to the doctor and get the proper strength prescribed, I don't know why your doing all this when you should just ask gp.

agentdaisy · 22/12/2018 16:38

Definitely go back to the doctor. If you need 2 tablets 4 times a day then they should prescribe it in boxes of 100.

I've been on 30/500 co-codamol for years and get 2 100 boxes per month. The NHS is bloody fantastic until it comes to long term pain and then it's a hell of a fight to get decent treatment. The co-codamol I'm on barely takes the edge off the pain but it's better than nothing for now.

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