Cocodamol in pregnancy?

[babyt2020]

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and suffering with horrific back pain. I had the same pain last year when pregnant with my son and ended up with a zimmer gene. I've now spoken to 2 GPS who are refusing to give me cocodamol because it's apparently not safe for baby. My argument is I was prescribed it for the same pain last year when pregnant and my son suffered no ill effects. I'm really frustrated and upset as I can't lift my 11 month old or look after him properly with this horrendous pain and it's making me really low.

I explained to the GP that after suffering severe postnatal depression last year and psychosis I'm trying desperately to protect my mental health and am becoming increasingly depressed as I struggle with this pain and looking after my son whilst my partner is at work but he won't budge. I obviously understand the potential effects on the baby but I'm not thinking of taking them all day every day and I believe me being out of pain is important.

Has anyone else been on cocodamol whilst pregnant? It doesn't help that all the appointments are over the phone, if the doctor could see how poor my mobility is and the level of pain I'm in he would react differently. I asked for an alternative and he said there isn't one. If he mentioned paracetamol once more I'd have screamed, it is NOT a paracetamol pain!!

It should be fine as long as you follow the doctors advice about it, I have took it around the same time when I was pregnant x

Oh just read the doctor didn't prescribe it, maybe speak to midwife and see if they know an alternative way, you can buy weaker cocodamol x

I've been prescribed morphine for pain in my pregnancy. I'd try and get an appointment with another doctor , you do get some doctors who believe that no medicines should be taken in pregnancy.

I have had cocodomal before in pregnancy for spd but theyve always wanted me off it by around 35 weeks

Thanks for replies, I've tried 2 doctors now, I've also had 15/500 of cocodamol but they don't touch the pain, I have a really high tolerance of painkillers due to years of disc issues. It's so frustrating as I feel it should be my choice! I went in with a gallstone attack 2 weeks ago which I've never had before and it was excruciating and they gave me oramorph without batting an eye! 🙄🙄

It’s fine. But its probably better to take paracetamol and dihydrocodeine separately rather than the combined co-codamol. Gives you more control of the analgesia. I have seen one morphine addicted baby from overuse of codeine during pregnancy but she was taking a huge amount. 30mg 4 times a day is fine.
Ask about gabapentine and amitryptline too - they can be better for nerve pain than morphine based drugs.
As you probably know about diclofenac/ibuprofen at this stage of pregnancy.

Sorry that last sentence was meant to read avoid ibuprofen at this stage of pregnancy

www.nhs.uk/medicines/co-codamol-adults/

It can cause problems for babies so I think you will be refused a prescription for it from most doctors.
There will be other medicines you can take which are better than paracetamol, you just need to find a doctor who will 0rescribe them for you. Definitely seek another opinion.
May be worth trying a bump support and using heat patches or hot water bottles until you can get more help.

I'm not sure if it's safe to take it but on another note can your partner take some time off to support you? It sounds so difficult. Also could you try tens machine?

I suffer from migraines and they became worse for me around 11 weeks.
Paracetamol doesnt touch it and that coupled with hyperemesis honestly almost finished me off!
The GP told me I can take cocodamol to reduce the migraine and then switch to plain paracetamol to keep it under control.
I was advised to take the over the counter 8mg/500mg and just be careful with how many i take.
I have been taking it and had a scan last week. Baby was fine.