Co codomal prescribed. Please may I have some advice

[TheWanderingUterus]

So on Tuesday I was diagnosed with shingles above my left hip. I also fainted and came down hard on the bathroom door handle. I have aciclovir 800 and they helped but the patch has been growing bigger, redder and sorer. It is now about 5 inches by 8 inches. Went to see a doctor today, they said the nasty bruise next to the shingles is feeding into it. She said not infected and gave me cocodamal 15/500.

I have never taken cocodaml before, read the leaflet and am terrified of vomiting or fainting again as I am on my own. Given the location of the shingles I am certain a vomit would be excruciating, but the pain itself is pretty damn sore (cried in taxi, cried in hospital, cried in Asda getting script, cried in taxi). I am responsible for getting my own food etc so cannot be incapacitated (no help currently available). Is there a codeine thing that's lower that I can buy at a small sainsburys local (all I have access to today) to see how I get on? The only side effect that sounds good is the constipation as the aciclovir is giving me diarrhea.

So sorry if this doesn't make sense, tapping it out on tiny thing.

I'd take two tonight to try to ensure a good night's sleep. That will help you heal.

Take ibuprofen too if you need but not on an empty tummy.

I had 30/500s in the winter after a serious injury. Also prescribed naproxen and omeprazole with it to protect my tummy.

Had one morning when I was really woozy but hadn't eaten and I think the shock/fear was wearing off.

Eased myself off onto 15/500s then 8/500s. Was off them after about 4-6 weeks and worked hard to be as they are addictive.

Love a chart, have a lovely chart. I have been very confused and it has been a godsend.

Going to take first one in a minute, just eating a bit more

Bless your heart. Look after yourself wandering even if you can only manage bowls of cereal or toast and obviously lots of rest.

I take 2 x 30/500 cocoadamol, 3 times daily without any diffs.
Drink lots of water to help fight constipation.

Hi OP

Please try not to worry. I've been managing chronic pain on and off for years and thanks to the lovely NHS am an old hand at pain relief :)

Yes you can mix with ibuprofen, talk (phone) to GP or pharmacist if you are worried, but mainly just make sure you have eaten Before you take them.

Codeine is fab, but there are a couple of things to watch, one as mentioned is constipation and the other is that it can occasionally make you feel quite sick. Take with food and lie down if you are affected. The nausea only gets me one time in 10 butit is a bit crap if you aren't expecting it.

Hope you feel better soon

There seems to have been a recent thing about not giving nurofen to children for chickenpox....would that still stand for adults when singles is the same virus that causes chicken pox?

Also, codeine can take a few doses to get to a decent level of pain relief so don't worry if it doesn't seem to do much initially.

When I was taking it, I bought a little pill box and put in my one omeprazole, two naproxen and 8 cocodamol each morning. That way I couldn't take more than the dose in a day.

I don't think I took the whole 8 more than twice and tried hard to minimise. After the first week or so I got some 15/500 and reduced to 1 15 and one 30. Then got some 8's and tried to take the minimum.

I find naproxen better tbh.

If the pain of the shingles is localised you could ask your GP ( over the phone is necessary) to prescribe you some lidocaine patches. They are quite large and really quite effective with no impact on your cognition. Worth a try. Can, of course, be used in conjunction with all of the other meds. The main hard and fast rule is no more than the equivalent of 8 paracetamol in 24 hours.