Painkiller Issues

[Merryoldgoat]

I have a few chronic issues and take medication for them. Two of the conditions and an additional injury cause pain which means I take paracetamol and ibuprofen or naproxen.

I used to take co-codamol 30/500 but worried about being addicted so stopped.

But I’m finding the pain hard to bear.

Would you risk addiction to be pain-free? Or would you try to put up with the pain to avoid opiate dependence?

YANBU - bear the pain
YABU - take the codeine

I would (and do) take the cocodamol.

@compromisedrambaldifluid

How long have you been taking them?

For me personally, I choose to take dihydrocodeine. Getting on the right level of painkillers made quite an impact for the better on my quality of life - constant pain is soul-destroying. I manage to take it no more than 4 days a week, because on the other days I don’t need to be able to be physically mobile. Addiction isn’t a forgone conclusion when needing to take opiates.

I've been taking co codamol for a long time - I only do when I need to though..not addicted yet.

It depends what the condition is and if it could be managed any other way
I was on the same for sciatica but stopped the rest when Amitryptaline worked for me
Don't underestimate the effect being in pain all the time has on your mental health, on balance I'd rather be pain free

Codeine doesn't work for me, so I don't bother with it. I have arthritis and the most effective pain relief for me has always been slow release Diclofenic.

I'd maybe book a GP consultation to discuss your current pain medication.

I’d take the codeine when you really need it, just try not to default to having it but use it for particularly bad pain.

I have similar as I had a slipped disc last year but the stomach issues caused by naproxen and cocodymol mean that I don’t enjoy them that much to be psychologically addicted, and so I just stopped taking them when the pain decreased. Still have sciatica occasionally so do use them when needed (& for period pains).

There may have been some side effects of withdrawal but nothing of note, I was more looking forward to coming out the other side of the side effects of using it and having a functioning digestive system so the trade off was easy for me to stop.

Hope you feel better soon - life is too short to be in pain that can be managed by medication though op ❤️

As a former addict I wish I'd never laid eyes on codeine it's a conundrum because that was the only thing that worked for me.

I was put on gabapentin/pregabalin, both of which are addictive apparently, but I never had any problems coming off it.

Have you been given any other options?

It's a touch decision for sure, chronic pain is horrendous 💐

Thank you all. This is very helpful.

Until my injury it was ok as I only needed it occasionally but I’d probably need it most days at the moment.

I’ll talk to my doctor about options.

Sorry for lack of punctuation!

I chose to do a pain management course that the doctor referred me to, and despite being sceptical now don't always need the painkillers as first choice for my long term pain issues. Wish I'd done it earlier.

But yes I would go for the cocodamol for short term. Our pharmacy will only sell a 3 day supply due to addiction issues now anyhow. Just take instead of the paracetamol.

@DonnieDark

I’ve not had any other options but the codeine dosage had just got higher and higher.

The injury is a knee one and as it’s not nerve related the options are limited I think.

Obviously I’m not expecting any stronger opiates - I have small children and I work too so need to be able to function day to day and drive etc.

I do need an operation but it’s likely I’ve got a long wait :(

I’ve been taking a strong cocktail of meds including pregablin, codeine and tramadol for ten years and I’m not convinced that I’m addicted even now. I’ve not needed to escalate my doses and I’m able to have the best possible quality of life whilst managing a serious pain issue. My GP actually encouraged me to take the doses regularly rather than when the pain was awful because it’s so much more effective at smoothing out the overall pain picture.

It means I’m more able to move around, do some exercise and have some social life. I’ve no desire that change things although I’d not turn my nose up at a magic wand. 😊

@Merryoldgoat I think at least 10 years, it's probably longer. I don't take it all the time, usually just at night. I also take naproxen, amitriptyline and gabapentin.

I got done by both GP and pain clinic for not taking it enough tbh.

smoothing out the overall pain picture

Yes this is what I wasn't doing very well!

Don’t try to manage this on your own, opiates don’t work long term for chronic pain, please ask your GP to be referred to a pain management clinic, there are much better options for chronic pain than codeine.

I have Cerebral Palsy, so muscle, joint and nerve pain
I layer painkillers depending on the strength of pain( obviously within prescribed limits)
Daily Anti inflammatory.. Diclofenac works better for me+ paracetamol OR cocodamol 500/30 if necessary
Sometimes adding in additional painkiller increases effect of the main one.
Over the years I have mix and match ed
Diclofenac Naproxen OR ibuprofen
Pregabilin Gabapentin and paracetamol
I now take Amitryptiline at night as I put on 3 stone with Pregabilin
Discuss options with your GP as maybe something like tramadol plus anti inflammatory plus paracetamol might work better
Hope I've explained that well enough!

Like what? I’d be interested to know what the better options are?

I have to disagree about better options than codeine
I've had it on repeat for 15 years
Pain management courses are purely for things like relaxation, breathing exercises which certainly won't work on the gnawing pain of severe arthritis and used correctly it is safe for long term use otherwise GP's wouldn't issue on repeat if they have concerns about addiction risk in a patient they know well
The only non medical device which can be effective is a remote mini tens machine

I agree with Elsiebear90 about a referral to a pain clinic. I went years ago, they tried various medications as well as things like a tens machine and a course on chronic pain.

I have been on tramadol now for over 10 years as too young for knee replacement and withoutit theres days I couldn't physically go out. I go from taking more when particularly active to less when I'm not doing as much. When being assessed by GP or pain clinic this always seemed to reassure them that I wasn't becoming addicted. If you are on something long term they should be monitoring you. So I would say take the cocodomal if it helps you function and provide better quality of life.

I took cocodamol for shingles pain but found the resulting constipation to be far worse than the original problem.

@ChinBristles

I do suffer with constipation too but find fybogel keeps the worst at bay.

Unfortunately GPs do prescribe without checking history, I was prescribed codeine indefinitely and I was already addicted.

Definitely ask for a referral to a pain clinic - opioids aren't suitable for every type of pain, and the addiction risk is very real.