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 really do think you're over-reacting. I was discussing different pain killers with my consultant at the pain clinic just last week. I've been taking 30mg codeine (much higher than the over the counter dose), paracetamol, and until very recently, naproxen for two years now for a slipped disc. She was very clear that the likelihood of becoming addicted to codeine depends very much on how it's metabolised by each individual and many people don't get addicted to it. From my own experience, I have been able to decrease and increase the amount of codeine I take, and even miss doses for a day or two without any withdrawal symptoms at all. I vary the amount I take depending on my level of pain. I've been taking the maximum dose of paracetamol for two years as well and again have no withdrawal symptoms. I've just stopped taking naproxen, after tapering it off, because I've got a hiatus hernia and have had a couple of gastritis flare ups now.

If you read the leaflet for any medication, everything has loads of worrying side effects listed, but it doesn't mean you WILL get them, just that they have been reported by some people, and the drug companies have to make people aware that these things could happen to them. Everyone reacts differently to different medication - for example, I was prescribed amitriptylene when I first slipped my disc, but I stopped taking it because I didn't find it very effective at helping with my pain and also because I didn't like how it made me feel. In contrast, I have no side effects from codeine, just blessed relief from the worst of my pain. It did cause constipation at first , but I used to have a dose of lactulose at night which solved the problem.

I really think you are being daft to not try taking co-codamol for your period pains. Presumably it's only going to be a problem for you for three of four days in each cycle, and you're not going to get addicted in such a short time.

They are. You don't get addicted if you take them only when you need them for pain. If you don't take them every day, or for mild pain when just paracetamol would do, there's no problem.

Was he really addicted to the co-codamol which is available OTC? Or was he addicted to a much higher level of codeine or something stronger? The OP shouldn't be put off taking an OTC painkiller because of an alcoholic getting addicted to painkillers.

Because some drugs may fall into the category of Class A/B/C, but they also fall into one of the schedules for legitimate medicinal use. i.e. morphine, codeine ect, which means when they are possessed, stored and administered legally (i.e. for proper medical use) they can be provided in different ways. It’s a bit confusing really.

The dosage you get over the counter is much lower than the amount you would get on prescription.

I use them monthly as I tend to get a migraine when I'm on my period. They are great and much better at getting rid of a headache than standard paracetamol.

The advice is to not take them for longer than 3 days as your body could start to rely on them after that timeframe and increase the risk of addiction.

It's sold over the counter so you can receive advice when you purchase it. It's not sold openly on the shelf like for example paracetamol. A lot of drugs which can be harmful are sold this way. I live in Germany and you can't buy paracetamol off the shelf, only over the counter, and codeine is prescription-only. Some people think that ought to be the case in the UK.

Lots of things are harmful when taken in an inadvised way. You could get addicted to alcohol or cigarettes, both of which you can buy from your local supermarket or corner shop. A lot of people who drink a constant supply of tea all day every day are mildly addicted to caffeine and get withdrawal symptoms if they stop. Not all addictive drugs are illegal.

Always read the leaflet of any medication you take and don't deviate from the instructions there unless you've been specifically told to by a doctor or pharmacist.

Addiction isn't just a random chance after taking something once though - it usually happens when you start taking more than advised or taking something habitually which is advised to be used occasionally.

I always thought that if you tried Heroin once you were addicted.

It’s a good painkiller. Opioids generally are. They do also come with risk of constipation, and addiction if taking long-term. And if you take more than your body is used to you can feel a bit spaced out on codeine. If you’re only using it for when you are having period pains (I’m assuming a few days of the month?) then addiction isn’t very likely to be an issue for you.

I have chronic pain and wouldn’t be without, but also I don’t take them every day. Only as and when needed!

I've never used heroin, but I think that might have been a myth/oversimplification said by drugs education programmes in schools.

Certainly morphine is used medically and most of the time that doesn't make people addicted to it forever.

You can get strong forms of ibruprofen prescribed for bad period pain.

codine is in that drug which is in the opiate family so addictive. They make you constipated too. Lots of things are addictive and for sale eg alcohol and cigarettes. Bit surprised you are shocked by this.

with every medical intervention you need to decide whether the risk outweighs the benefit. Including your coil. Is it worth the change in your periods. Only you can decide what is worth it.

I take zappain which is paracetamol and coedine higher strength than the otc ones. I have them prescribed monthly and have taken them for years. I only take them when pain is bad and I'm fine.

I would ask about your coil though as I had one put in 4 years ago to help with heavy bleeding and pain and it's been amazing. I'm not sure if you get any periods with the coil as my understanding was it stops periods. Maybe ask your nurse. X

I always thought that if you tried Heroin once you were addicted please go to a medical doctor, OP, neither you or the pharmacy assistant are remotely informed enough to decide what to take, and you need sensible advice from a medical professional.

I had horrendous period pains for years. Have you tried taking the fast-acting versions of ibuprofen and / or paracetamol? The key thing is to get the medication working as quickly as possibly IME.

I would not take anything with codeine in it personally, but as PPs have said, there is a big difference between taking OTC medication a few days per month and being prescribed a higher dose to take on a daily basis, as some people with constant extreme pain unfortunately have to do sometimes.

OP, you know nothing about addiction, nothing about painkillers and are working yourself into a spin over something about which you should have shrugged and moved on.

To become addicted to something you have to take it more than once. It's not like pregnancy, a you are/you aren't, black and white situation.

You don't smoke one cigarette and become addicted, you don't drink one cocktail and become addicted.

I suggest muting this thread and asking to speak to an actual pharmacist for advice on managing period pain.

It's unprofessional but to be fair to her she will deal with addicts chasing all the time, and they are incredibly manipulative and devious, she will be worn down.

Got a addict relative who demands (and gets) as much prescription meds as possible. She hasn't had a medicine review in years. GP seems to chuck pills at her to stop her complaining. She also takes lots of paracetamol on top of everything. She takes more drugs to counteract the side effects of the drugs. Her issues are all lifestyle-caused.

People seem to think that prescription medication is just 'good'. Like the lady in the pharmacy, I wouldn't touch that stuff either. Some here say she was unprofessional. Well, maybe she sees a lot of people who she knows are clearly utterly addicted to the stuff. Maybe she knows better than most the problems caused.

It's a tiny dose, my gp has been prescribing me 4x the maximum dose of the OTC for the last 15 years, never done a checkup of any sort on me. Clearly I don't take anything like the maximum I'm allowed. You may only need a couple of lots a day for 2 or 3 days, you will be fine. Just keep an eye out for being a bit drowsy when you first start them and eat plenty of veggies

Whoever said that the opioid crisis in America isn't driven by small quantities of codeine mixed with paracetemol is spot on. It's a very interesting and sad thing that has happened, but the type of thing that was issued was new strong formulations of morphine type drugs, over long-term, sometimes in clinics offering nothing else. Dopesick and the programmes show this.

Knowledge is power OP. Take an ‘intro to pharmacy’ course or something. Read a book. Educate yourself out of the anxiety which is being fed by ignorance.

I take them when I have a dry cough and they banned Pholocodiene syrup.

Op you said that you have been told that if you take heroin once you will be addicted.

Heroin is processed morphine.

Anyone who has an operation in hospital has probably had morphine as it is a standard post op painkiller.

It is not the case that everyone who has had an operation is addicted to morphine.

So that is clearly bullshit.

Try naproxen op - much better for period pain.

I find co-codimol made me really constipated which just added to the pain in my stomach. Double whammy!!

I wouldn't give it too much thought OP! Just take them as recommended, no more than 3 consecutive days.

I always have a box in the house and take them max 1 or 2 days a month for the worst days of my period. Never had any problems!

I got addicted to cocodamol, i had major tooth pain. they took away the pain but i did get addicted a little bit

what did you do?