regular co-codomol users please advise, worried about being dependent on a prescription drug that I do actually need.

[embarassedandworried]

I suffer from a skeletal condition, its incredibly painful and affects my ribs, my shoulders and arms. the bones actually distort it is chronic and it is non-curable. it will only get worse as I get older. all the doctor can do is help me manage the pain. I have had physio and take painkillers regularly. specifically co-codomol (I can no longer take anti-inflamms due to stomach issues) 15/500. so not the highest, but not low dosage either.

I take them almost every day, because I am in pain every day. but I have noticed that on days I try to avoid taking them I feel shaky, sick and I have a headache. now, the headache could be attributed to the fact that my neck seizes up, but I am worried about this.

what should I do?

ps, I am a regular who has namechanged. but I have talked about my condition before on here.

Codeine is addictive, I'm not a medical professional but I think you should see your GP about it and ask for a referral to a pain management specialist if you get nowhere. Good luck.

It could be rebound headaches, on the days you are not taking painkillers. but there could be an element of withdrawal as well. Have you considered taking the paracetamol regularly, like clockwork rather than when needed, and then adding codeine when you need more?

Paracetamol is a very good painkiller but you may get more benefit taking it regularly rather than PRN for an ongoing condition. Maybe discuss it in more detail with the doctor next time?

Thank you. I'm worried because without pain relief I am bedbound for huge parts of the week. But I don't want to become addicted (esp since I have a history of mh issues) and I'm worried that I already am.

Thank you. I'm worried because without pain relief I am bedbound for huge parts of the week. But I don't want to become addicted (esp since I have a history of mh issues) and I'm worried that I already am.

I also take co-codamol every day die to migraines and also suffer rebound headaches when I stop. I have just started taking one co-codamol tablet and one paracetamol to try and wean myself off them

Swivelling, I have taken paracetamol by itself today to try to balance things and shift this headache (which has had me in tears) would over the counter paracetamol work? Its just that by itself it doesn't really touch the rib pain iykwim.

Swivelling, I have taken paracetamol by itself today to try to balance things and shift this headache (which has had me in tears) would over the counter paracetamol work? Its just that by itself it doesn't really touch the rib pain iykwim.

Effing, I haqve been trying that. Do you feel sick and shaky/dizzy too? What about your tummy? I've had diarrhoea too all bloody day

Effing, I haqve been trying that. Do you feel sick and shaky/dizzy too? What about your tummy? I've had diarrhoea too all bloody day

The advice I was given was to take regularly, rather than getting in pain and then hoping the painkillers will work.
FWIW I was taking 2x 500/30 cocodamol 4x daily when pregnant with SPD, for about 5 months, and when the pain lessened I could reduce it with no problem - but trying not to take the pills while in pain made it worse.

I'd talk to a pharmacist if you can't get to a GP who knows about pain, but taking some dose regularly and then topping up when needed (eg with codiene without paracetamol in it) might be helpful.
If your shoulder condition is likely to get worse and be non-curable sounds like you will need to discuss with an expert in pain at some point so might as well push to find one now!
Good luck!

I'm on long term codeine, 30/500 for lung disease related pain and yes if I have a day without I definitely get withdrawal symptoms including diarrhoea, headache, shivers and various others. I control it by sticking to a small dose on better days, ie 1 or 2 tablets which seems to be OK, then going up to the full dose on worse days. My doctor told me that as I cannot take anti inflammatories it is the best pain management for me and any effects of long term usage have to be balanced against the relief it gives me day to day.

Wish I didn't need it though - but it is addictive.

I'd go to see your GP and push for a referral to a pain clinic.

I also take co-codamols. I was also reliant on them for a time. At 17 I was first prescribed them by my consultant. I became addicted to them without me knowing until I stopped and went 'cold turkey'. I had severe headaches and cold sweats. When I asked my doctor they were not very helpful. I now take them when I am in pain instead of taking them incase I get pain.

I hope your on

• ok not on!!

Thank you all so much. I have given in and taken a couple. I will call my gp tomorrow though. Just another thing to feel shitty about

Just another thing to feel shitty about

Not at all. You're taking positive steps to improve your health and deal with a potential problem before it gets worse. That's something a lot of people can't face doing.

Someone I used to work with was involved with a support group called codeinefree.me, try googling them as they have a lot of info about this.

Good luck

Yes I get dizzy and lightheaded. My headaches get worse and I am pretty constipated all the time

Those are all common side effects of opiate type drugs. As is diarrhoea when you stop taking them.

If you have a need for long term pain relief - which you obviously do - and are having issues with your medication then you should be offered a referral to a pain management expert.

Please do what you need to control your pain first, and then think about whether it's the best pain killer for you (with the help of your doctor) second.

My mum was on long term co-codomol and worried about becoming addicted but her doctor stressed that pain control had to be her first concern. As she needed the pain killers every day because she was in pain all the time any withdrawal effects really were moot. As it happens, she came off them a couple of years ago with no trouble.

I have a friend who did have a problem with Solpadeine, but the difference was that she started taking it for occasional headaches and got to the point where she took it every day with increasing frequency, even though she had no pain (although she told herself she did, and there were probably some headache symptoms caused by the frequent use). Totally different situation to someone using it to control chronic pain.

There may well be other solutions, but please don't be in any more pain than you need to be by trying to cut down without getting something else - be kind to yourself!

Does it really matter?

Your condition is permenant, as long as the dose works for you then does it matter if you are dependent?

Why are you worrying about addiction when you need the painkillers?
Your number one priority is pain relief not preventing addiction.

There are thousands of people who need opiate drugs regularly, why worry about addiction? You could argue that insulin-dependent diabetics are 'addicted' to their medication. They HAVE to have them.

As a health-care professional I find so many patients with terminal illnesses are terrified of addiction. Why?

If it is appropriate to stop the pain-killers your 'addiction' can be dealt with then. Until then (or may never happen) take the pills!

Do get a referral to a pain specialist though. You will find reassurance from them.

Thank you all so much, that's v reassuring. I suppose, its the stigma attached to prescription drug dependence. People ask about my condition (the form I have is quite rare) and I tell them. Then they ask what I do on a daily basis. When I say "just pain relief" it makes me feel grubby. I know it doesn't make sense.

Have woken up in pain today and unable to move, so taken 2. But calling gp.

Arsing twatphone, so much for namechange!

Arsing twatphone, so much for namechange!