Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take co-codamol again?

16 replies

FestiveDuvet · 15/12/2023 13:02

Posting for traffic and general views as well as specific advice.

I have a chronic pain condition. Currently quite well controlled, but which flares and causes significant pain if I am very active / busy.

I have been on prescription co-codamol for around three years. I realised about a year ago that I was taking it for the ‘buzz’ as well as the pin relief. Never more than prescribed, never more often than prescribed. I was only prescribed 50 per month, so generally around 2 per day.

In September, I quit them completely, realising I was taking them for the buzz as well as the pain relief. I just take paracetamol now instead.

this past week has been really busy and I am in pain. I would like to take a couple of co-codamol to take the edge off, but I am concerned it might be the start of daily use again.

what do you think, wise ones?
am I being unreasonable to take co-codamol again if I have pain?
YABU - Never take them again
YANBU - Take them but only if you really need to.

OP posts:
Original poster
FestiveDuvet · 15/12/2023 14:00

Anyone? Feels like it would be fine to take them again on an occasional basis, but concerned that might be an addiction talking.

OP posts:
NC2315 · 15/12/2023 14:03

The fact that you have the understanding of your behaviour is key here. I've been in a similar position previously with an opiate given to me by my gp, once I recognised what I was doing I was able to just use as needed but it depends on your personality. I wouldn't deny yourself pain relief though, if you recognised and stopped in September and are self aware I'd try and see how you go. But that's just my personal opinion and many others may feel totally different

Elfandwellbeing · 15/12/2023 14:12

Can you alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen instead

StandByMode · 15/12/2023 14:14

Talk to a GP. Maybe you'll be prescribed naproxen?

OldTinHat · 15/12/2023 14:19

Please don't be offended OP, but if an alcoholic posted that they hadn't had a drink for a few months but would be okay just to have a couple to take the edge off, what would you say?

I hear you. I have a chronic pain condition that medication just doesn't touch. Go back to the pain clinic or your GP for help and a medication review.

Reallybadidea · 15/12/2023 14:19

Were the prescription ones 500/30 paracetamol/codeine? You can get cocodamol over the counter which has only 8mg codeine, which I think would be unlikely to give you a buzz but might help with the pain. You could even try one low strength cocodamol and one normal paracetamol and see whether this helps and work up until you find the most effective dose.

And just take for the absolute minimum time you need it.

Vettrianofan · 15/12/2023 14:23

I have dihydrocodeine instead, and paracetamol to take separately. Could you speak to your GP about alternatives?

Vettrianofan · 15/12/2023 14:26

Elfandwellbeing · 15/12/2023 14:12

Can you alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen instead

Doubt that would do much. Ibuprofen is pretty useless if you have chronic pain.

dolorsit · 15/12/2023 14:31

A couple of things for you to consider.

How did you feel stopping the pills- was it hard to give up the "buzz" I've had to take a higher dosage in the past for an extended period of time and was able to taper off quite easily. If you found it relatively easy to stop I wouldn't worry too much about taking them again on an occasional basis.

The "buzz" - what was this like? I've occasionally felt a bit hyper/high after taking pain medication. TBH I've always felt that it's the sudden lifting of the weight of the pain making me feel that way rather than the drug.

Finally, depending on the nature of the pain issue I would recommend talking to your doctor about Naproxen. I now take that for one of the issues that causes me pain and I very rarely need to consider other pain relief.

Lilithlogic · 15/12/2023 14:32

dolorsit · 15/12/2023 14:31

A couple of things for you to consider.

How did you feel stopping the pills- was it hard to give up the "buzz" I've had to take a higher dosage in the past for an extended period of time and was able to taper off quite easily. If you found it relatively easy to stop I wouldn't worry too much about taking them again on an occasional basis.

The "buzz" - what was this like? I've occasionally felt a bit hyper/high after taking pain medication. TBH I've always felt that it's the sudden lifting of the weight of the pain making me feel that way rather than the drug.

Finally, depending on the nature of the pain issue I would recommend talking to your doctor about Naproxen. I now take that for one of the issues that causes me pain and I very rarely need to consider other pain relief.

I ended up with keto acidosis through taking naxopren, very nearly died

Silverbirch7 · 15/12/2023 14:33

OldTinHat · 15/12/2023 14:19

Please don't be offended OP, but if an alcoholic posted that they hadn't had a drink for a few months but would be okay just to have a couple to take the edge off, what would you say?

I hear you. I have a chronic pain condition that medication just doesn't touch. Go back to the pain clinic or your GP for help and a medication review.

This

dolorsit · 15/12/2023 14:42

"I ended up with keto acidosis through taking naxopren, very nearly died"

Which is why I said depending on the nature of the condition the op should talk to a doctor.

SophieinParis · 15/12/2023 14:49

Dont do it. Opiate addiction will 100%
ruin your life as it has done to many before toy.
And yeah, if you are wanting one to “take the edge off” you aren’t using them as prescribed. You are using them as an emotional crutch and not because paracetamol and neurofen aren’t controlling your pain.

Lilithlogic · 15/12/2023 14:50

dolorsit · 15/12/2023 14:42

"I ended up with keto acidosis through taking naxopren, very nearly died"

Which is why I said depending on the nature of the condition the op should talk to a doctor.

Yes sorry about that

Original poster
FestiveDuvet · 15/12/2023 14:51

Thanks all.

I didn’t take them.

I do have an addictive personality - quit alcohol 4 years ago as I found I was drinking to suppress feelings. Surprise! That is when I think the co codamol thing began.

It was fine to come off them, no withdrawal. But I ‘missed’ the zoning out thing, partly the pain relief, partly not caring about the pain they was still there.

I will stick to paracetamol. I have requested a pain review - done CBT and mindfulness to try to help.

Thanks all of you for your comments. Really helpful to get an external view. I suspect once I had taken one I would be back on the slippery slope to wanting them all the time. Probably feeling the need now as, alongside more pain, Christmas is stressful! Will try a hot bath instead.

OP posts:
Jean1190 · 04/11/2024 16:09

Old post but how many a day were you taking and for how long?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page