Longer term alternative to codeine

[Mamamamasaurus]

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2017 and prescribed Amitriptyline at the time. This was done privately as I'd fought for almost 20 years to get an answer for my pain, to no avail.

Anyway, I've been getting on with Amitriptyline and have gradually increased my dosage to 60mg, taken at approx 6pm.

These past few months I've been in agony and I was prescribed (standalone) codeine a few months back but when I last ordered them, the internal pharmacist (within my GP surgery) called me and advised that they wouldn't prescribe any more after those and that I'd need to speak to a GP about pain relief that isn't addictive. I get it, I don't want to be addicted to a prescription medication.

My main question here is what alternatives would there be? There isn't 'a cause' for my pain, but the pain is there nonetheless. I believe that the use of Gabapentin or Pregablin has massively reduced but I need something to manage my pain more effectively. My GP practice, from my understanding, isn't keen on prescribing either or these but I'm trying to 'go in prepared' as it were so I can try to not be fobbed off again.

I'm really struggling but dreading speaking to a GP because they've historically been very much using the line 'just take 8 paracetamol a day, that will help' - it isn't or I wouldn't be where I am. Does anyone have any advice re medications? I appreciate that (most of) you aren't doctors but any guidance would be massively appreciated

Thanks for reading!

You definitely need to go back to your GP. There are lots of other pain medications you can try and if it’s mostly joint pain you could even push for something like methotrexate which is used for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. And - if Codeine is the only reasonable option then they should prescribe this.

I have lupus (and lots of other things!) and I take methotrexate injections weekly and steroids (for lupus and Addison’s) and Cocodamol 30/500 - I have never been questioned when requesting this on repeat prescription. I think it’s because I have asthma and cannot take a lot of the other pain meds.

There is a push (understandably to some extent) to get people off pain medication but this doesn’t allow for chronic conditions where there is severe pain that is not helped by things like yoga / walking / blah blah!!

Definitely push for more. More help. Better meds etc.