To be a bit concerned about what the lady at the pharmacy said

[Lalalalas]

So My friend recommended co-codamol for period pains, since have had my coil put in, my periods have become so much more painful. I asked the lady behind the counter if they were good and she said "I don't know, I wouldn't take them if you paid me". What was the reason for this? now I dont know if I should take them.

I think the poster is not necessarily making a judgement on whether alcohol or codeine is ‘worse’ but rather expressing surprise that you ‘can’t believe’ codeine can be purchased because it can have such a negative impact on a person’s life, but you apparently don’t feel the same way about alcohol. You surely know that hundreds of thousands (probably more) of lives are hugely impacted by alcohol misuse?

i take Ibuprofen with Lysine and that works

That's cold water extraction. It is a real thing. But I think it's probably quite rare.

If you're addicted to OTC codeine, you're more likely taking overdoses of paracetamol on a regular basis. You'd think someone would die but the liver actually gets used to small overdoses if you do it regularly. I don't know the science much, but you're definitely more at risk of a paracetamol overdose if you don't take it regularly.

Ah OK so it's a passive thing - I suppose that is not so unlikely then.

I agree with posters saying you may need to rethink your birth control method; have you considered the hormonal coil?

Sorry I haven’t read the whole thread, but should a coil make periods painful? I’d look into that and make sure nothings wrong

They are a glorious and wonderful thing.

I think you are jumping the shark now

Alcohol addiction can be as bad as drug addiction and most adults know that

But just like the majority of people can have a glass of wine and not become addicted, most people can take a painkiller without becoming an addict

I wouldn't take them either... totally see where she's coming from

Addictive

If the pain is sufficiently bad, then they can be a godsend. If you're literally rolling around in pain.

However, they can be very quickly additive and that's horrendous to withdraw from, and potentially habit forming. Also they can cause really bad constipation and so should IMO only be taken alongside laxatives.

I guess if someone has come a cropper in the past they might prefer to avoid.

Apart from that they serve a purpose. Just proceed with caution.

Hardly professional.

I'm with the woman at the pharmacy. I took one dose because I had a tooth abcess. By the time I got to the dentist 30 minutes later, I couldn't remember having driven there. The dentist made me sit in the waiting room for 40 minutes until I began to feel and look normal. Never again.

That's not a guaranteed reaction though.

They shouldn't be telling people in a lot of pain that they shouldn't take painkillers. These could be a godsend to someone, but they end up being put off them because someone else had a bad reaction? That's not fair.

I take 30/500 every month for my periods. Have done for years. No addiction issues.

I always have a pack in the cupboard ( and a couple in my bag) in case I get a migraine. I take probably 2 a month if that. They work for short term pain relief.

They’ve got codeine in them which can be addictive. I hope you get sorted out, the coil shouldn’t really make periods more painful. Maybe check back with your gp 😙

I was prescribed cocodamol for my intense back pains that I get from time to time. It’s the only pain killer that eases my back pain. No addiction. I take only when needed. So one box can last me a few months. Only side affect is I do get drowsy so can only take it when I’m home and able to go to bed. It’s great. I only take this now. Normal paracetamol for headache but cocodamol when my back is playing up. Nothing to be scared about if you’re not taking everyday.

Like most powerful painkillers after a few days they can be addictive. U have to weigh up if they may give u some ease for a few days a month. For peace of mind ask a pharmacist, they should give u non judgmental information. Also period style painkillers are just ibrophen, paracetamol and caffeine. Cost a fortune. Nice tip from a professional was 2 ibrophen, 2 paracetamol and a strong coffee, same affect.

She didn’t, she said she wouldn't take them. I agree though, not very professional and she should have recommended another painkiller. I only posted because I was curious to see if anyone has had the same reaction as me. It was pretty scary.

They can be, but only if they are taken daily for some time. @Lalalalas if they are for period pain, they should relieve your pain and you won’t become addicted if you don’t take more than prescribed. The stupid woman shouldn’t have said that to you. Your GP prescribed them, knowing you and your symptoms. I can’t take non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) due to a stomach condition. They are the ‘go to’ for arthritis, which I have. Consequently, I take CoCodomol. I have been prescribed for years. 2 up to 4 times a day. I have very rarely needed that dose (only for a few days on two occasions over the years). I just take what I need - usually two a day, maybe three and not every day, probably more often than you will need for period pain though. Take the advice of your GP. Only take what you need up-to and including the maximum dose prescribed and don’t worry.

I definitely had a similar reaction when I first had them, but the GP gave me a couple of 30/500s to take after a procedure and she warned me to get home and into bed before taking them.

I had the best doze of my life but I'm glad she warned me to get home.

Instead of taking lots of pain meds, I’d get your coil removed. It really isn’t worth it, talking from experience. So many women are being gaslit and pushed down the coil route to their detriment. Get rid of the coil and find a good GP (they are as rare as rocking horse crap) who will find something more suitable for you.
There is a lot in the media at the moment about women not being given pain meds and undergoing painful procedures, told to suck it up basically, and told to take paracetamol whereas our male counterparts get a months worth of hospital strength prescribed pain meds for a cut finger and a vasectomy. My midwife told me this after a C-section when I wanted more than a blister pack of paracetamol to take home for the tremendous pain I was in, this was 9 years ago and my second caesarean. She recommended 3 paracetamol and 3 ibuprofen all at the same time after my plea for stronger pain medication fell on deaf ears. She honestly was a saviour. I still take this dosage every 4 hours for and endometrial condition and perimenopausal periods because yet again, they don’t want to know.

OTC co-codamol should only be taken for 3 days maximum without advice from a doctor, because codeine can be addictive. However, as long as they're taken as instructed (1-2 tablets, every 4-6 hours, no more than 8 in 24 hours, for no longer than 3 days), they are fine for most people.

It's also important to remember that people metabolise drugs differently - so I am absolutely fine on 2 x 8/500 co-codamol when necessary, can go about my life as normal, but if I take 30/500 (obviously prescribed at that dose, for muscle/joint pain that means I can barely move at times), it makes me drowsy and I can feel a bit 'out of it' at times. Some people - as have said in this thread - have that reaction to the OTC version.

Yes, constipation is a problem with codeine based medication, so be prepared with a laxative or food that induces laxative-type effects (I have IBS, so never an issue for me, but coffee is my go-to laxative effect).

Also - just because you mentioned it - alcohol is one of the most addictive drugs there is, yet it's readily available on practically every corner. It's one of only a couple of drugs you should never go cold-turkey from if you're addicted, as it can cause death. It's also has one of the biggest impacts on unborn babies (in comparison to other readily available drugs).

Basically - follow the dosage, and you should be fine, you're highly unlikely to get addicted from taking OTC co-codamol for a couple of days.

If you have an addictive personality (can easily become addicted to other things like cigarettes and alcohol) then these should be avoided.

If not, then they will be effective on your period pain.