Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Dihydrocodeine after general anaesthetic?

4 replies

WolfMother326 · 21/09/2023 19:51

Hello,
I had a surgical management of miscarriage this morning around 9am. The hospital gave me liquid morphine after the procedure and sent me home, saying to take cocodamol. I can't take ibuprofen due to some health issues (Crohn's disease, mainly). Anyway, the cocodamol is really not cutting it for my pain. I'm using a heating pad too but the cramping is horrible right now. I have some dihydrocodeine that is still in date from a c section two years ago, but it says on the packet not to mix with anesthesia. I've got my husband looking after our son and I'm no longer breastfeeding- is it safe to take one? Or should just tough it out?
Please be kind as I'm feeling really rough emotionally and physically.
Thank you.

OP posts:
Whataretheodds · 21/09/2023 19:53

Sorry you're going through this. I'm afraid I don't know whether it would be safe to take the dihydracodeine in this time period after the morphine.

Have you tried calling 111 to see what other pain options they can offer you?

LittleMrsPretty · 21/09/2023 20:02

I was given codeine to take home after my MC surgery. Dihydrocodiene is similar so it is fine to take after anaesthesia if extra pain relief is needed, I’m also a Pharmacist.

What dose is your co-codamol - if it’s the low dose (500mg/8mg) that you can buy from a pharmacy you definitely need a higher dose.

But if its the 500mg/30mg higher dose given to you by the hospital on discharge then you need to speak to them as that dose should be enough.

If you do take the dihydrocodine you all ready have make sure you don't take it as well as the co codamol. Leave 4 - 6 hours between doses.

Original poster
WolfMother326 · 21/09/2023 22:27

LittleMrsPretty · 21/09/2023 20:02

I was given codeine to take home after my MC surgery. Dihydrocodiene is similar so it is fine to take after anaesthesia if extra pain relief is needed, I’m also a Pharmacist.

What dose is your co-codamol - if it’s the low dose (500mg/8mg) that you can buy from a pharmacy you definitely need a higher dose.

But if its the 500mg/30mg higher dose given to you by the hospital on discharge then you need to speak to them as that dose should be enough.

If you do take the dihydrocodine you all ready have make sure you don't take it as well as the co codamol. Leave 4 - 6 hours between doses.

Thank you @LittleMrsPretty - that's so helpful. The codeine is from a pharmacy, it's 500mg/8mg. I will try calling the hospital tomorrow. I really only want to take the dihydrocodeine tonight/early tomorrow til I can sort something out. I will leave a gap of 4-6 hours, thanks.

The hospital has been pretty dreadful at helping me, I know they're overstretched but wish they had provided me with the higher dose as I had no idea and mentioned that I can't take ibuprofen.

OP posts:
Original poster
WolfMother326 · 21/09/2023 22:27

Thanks @Whataretheodds - that's a good idea too.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page