anyone else react a bit oddly to codeine?

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

have been given codeine by gp to top up diclofenac and paracetemol. Tried it last night (30mg) after a long run of very uncomfortable nights.
it was really horrible. Didn't help with pain relief at all, just made my body very tired while my mind was fully awake. so even less sleep.

think I preferred the pain without the oddities.

Yes, it makes me feel worse, i had some after having dd2 (had a bad infection) and it made me really ill.

Yes, it makes me feel very spacey.

its horrible stuff isn't it. perhaps it is more effective for some kinds of pain rather than others. was useless.

Marne -

feel incredibly dopey today and I don't know if it is still in my system or whether it is sleep deprivation.

Dreadful stuff. I took it with diclofenic and paracetamol as well (on GP advice) and it felt like I was falling down a big tunnel - almost like an out of body experience. Very scary and I don't think I'd be happy to take it again. Got prescribed Tramadol instead - still a bit spacy but in a far nicer way. NB - this was all following childbirth, not just recreational use!

I get 'punch drunk' on it.

so much that the last time I took it I got sent home from work and the bus driver let me on for free as I wasn't making sense!

lol at not recreational use!!

Just read that some people can't convert codeine to useful stuff (think thats what it said, poor brain)

here

I'd rather just muddle through but I'm not even seeing the surgeon for first appt (torn rotator cuff) til April. and my poor back has come out in sympathy with it too.

blimey cloud - might wander into town and see what free stuff can get lol!!

Yup, it does that to me, too. So does Benelyn original - makes me dopey but can't sleep.

Poor you, BadKitten, whats up?

Ah, sorry, just seen your latest posts...back, ouch. Hope it gets better v v soon.

I'm the same. I get totally spaced out and feel really weird on it. Almost like an out of body experience!

Yes gives me terrible lightheaded feeling and palpitations! I feel WORSE after taking it so when I was given it for back pain I stopped after a couple of doses cos I felt so terrible!

Yes me - even one makes me feel really spaced out and 'drunk'. Also as if my brain and my body aren't connected. Horrid.

I stick to ibuprofen/paracetamol.

Yes. well it was co-dydramol. So I list that as something I am allergic to when in hospital etc. It's a pain, cos codeine is apparently great for some people. But not for me.

It knocks me out for six!! i took a couple of tablets that the doc when my back gave out and within 30mins I was out cold and slept for 3 hours!

Cant take it .. but actifed does the same thing!

It makes me feel terrible. Last time I took it was for a tooth abscess and I could barely stand up, I felt so woozy.

Hope your pain gets better soon badkitten

thanks Elibean and all.

reassuring in a funny sort of way that its not just me being an awkward bugger and that you all struggle with it too.

I'm going to have to find some alternative, can't keep walking round in a sleepless haze. osteopath should be able to help with back, not sure if theres anything he would be able to do with the shoulder (which is starting to really get me down)

Yes - I end up in A&E with anaphaltic shock!!! Mind you, I do that with paracetamol too

thanks doyouthink - wooziness and abscess, what a horrid combination!

blimey mistlethrush! thats more than a bit oddly!

Try the over the counter paracetamol plus codeine before you give up on it. its 8 mg not 30 mg

I'm not sure its worth it though mspotato, I didn't get any extra pain relief at all from 30mg. Seemed utterly ineffective. That was the worst bit about it, body was too dopey to move into more comfy positions, brain still awake and in a fair bit of discomfort.

aaah yes well that's no use is it! I think I have similar pain from earlier threads and its a bugger at night. I alternate the ibuprofen and paracetamol over 24 hrs (often woken in night).I can't tolerate diclofenac anymore. I very occasionally have the otc codeine but not often as I am breastfeeding.

They often offer a low dose anti-depressant for chronic pain, I have never been keen. Supposed to block pain pathways or something. A physio friend recommended regular use of a tens machine.

I'm hoping my local friendly surgeon might help just had an mri

Gave me panic attacks - very spaced out but wide awake, heart palpitations...was horrible. Was fine after my CS's but had the old tonsils whipped out and had v.bad reaction as described above....

ah - now a tens machine might be a thought. good idea. I could rent one to see if it helps.

not keen on thought of low dose a-d either...

When do you see your surgeon? Was the mri ok? I really really hope they have a nice simple solution for you.

Wouldnt it be fab if they did one stop shops where you go in in the morning, see the consultant. consultant says you need blahblah tests, off you go for them and come back at 5pm to see me for the results. Then by 5:30 pm you could have all your treatment booked in.

I know, that's dream world. would be nice though.

dozymare - seems like it doesnt agree with a lot of us (which makes sense I suppose given the thread title!)