Codeine

[JRTfan]

Anyone been on codeine long term in pregnancy?
I'm 34+4 and been suffering with horrible pains in my side, diagnosed as having an inflamed gallbladder that is apparently full of sludge (nice!) nothing that can be done but manage the pain apparently. Doctor at triage Sunday prescribed codeine which has massively helped alongside a hot water bottle..but they only gave me 5 days supply. I am seeing my midwife today so will ask how I can get some more but obviously dont want to if it will have an effect on the baby (the leaflet is a bit scary when it comes to taking it in pregnancy!)

I took it through my pregnancy, 60mg daily and baby is absolutely fine. I did speak to the doctor about it who said it wouldn’t be a problem, but the midwives said to not take it. Unfortunately if I don’t, life becomes a lot harder so it was a choice I made but ultimately it was all okay x

@WhatsUnderneathTheClothesBrookeDavis thanks I know they wouldn't have prescribed it if it wasn't safe but I'm wondering why I was only given 5 days worth and if I'll struggle to get more.
I'm on 30mg every 6 hours it's making me a bit sleepy and the pain hasn't completely gone but it's a lot better. Last night I woke up once, the previous few it was every 1-2 hours because of the pain.

I'm not pregnant . I was given a prescription for cocodamol [paracetamol and codeine] for a frozen shoulder and both the GP and the Pharmacist specified that I should take it for no longer than three days running as codeine can cause addiction . It's also stated on the packet and that it contains opoid. I only take it sporadically when I can't sleep due to the pain .

The same thing was reiterated by the Pharmacist when I bought a low dose cocodamol over the counter but was fine when I said it's occasional use [had the frozen shoulder for over a year , now having physiotherapy] .

I would ask your GP if he can provide some alternative medication .

Thanks @butterpuffed I'll ask, seems weird they would prescribe it knowing this issue isn't going away until baby comes in 6 weeks.

as per pp, codeine is addictive so at least in the first instance is usually only prescribed short term. Regular use in late pregnancy would mean that they need to think about monitoring/treating for withdrawal after delivery. People do sometimes need to take it regularly in pregnancy and that's fine so long as there's a longer term plan for a) looking after the baby safely, b) hopefully fixing the problem causing the pain. I'd imagine the prescribing doctor you saw was also hoping that 5 days worth might be enough to break the cycle of pain and that the inflammation might settle down a bit so you wouldn't need any more. (Codeine also isn't recommended if you plan to breastfeed so if you do still need pain killers after delivery make sure you get something safer.)

I've been on 10mg of codeine a day throughout my pregnancy - I have psoriatic arthritis and need painkillers to function. Rheumatology said the benefits outweigh the risk in my case. I've also had to stay on all my other meds - immune suppressants, amitryptyline and asthma inhalers etc.

Before I was TTC I was on cocodamol but my Rheumy swapped me to codeine when I said I wanted to TTC.

I'm now 37 weeks and so far haven't had any issues.

I've also seen 4 obstetricians and 3 midwives and they've all been happy for me to take it in my circumstances.

I did with dd. I had to take it as I had severe SPD. She’s perfectly fine.

Thanks all this gallbladder issue 'should' resolve itself as soon as baby is born apparently I bloody hope so anyway.
I obviously don't want to harm her in anyway or have her born an addict 😨 but I can't actually function day to day with the pain at the level it was. The codeine makes me a bit spaced out and tired but takes the edge off I've still got a few weeks of work left so just trying to do whatever I can to get through!

I had gallbladder problems in pregnancy i had cocodamol short term following a flare up that landed me in hospital for 10 days, also took buscopan (an anti spasm) and omeprazole both helped the symptom massively.

Get booked to have it out after the birth, gallbladder problems don't tend to go away, i've just had mine out 4 years later and it got to the point where i was having an attack every week.

Also try avoiding fatty food

30mg is quite a high dose to be taking regularly every day, you could try half a tablet for your daytime doses and then just take the 30mg for your evening dose?
That would also help with the tired spaced out feeling and at least mean you can focus on work.
Avoiding foods high in fat can also really help gallbladder associated pain.

Really hope you are feeling better soon!

The doctor prescribed it. He wouldn’t have done it if it was safe to take

@Sugarcube84 I never had an issue before I was pregnant and they have assured me it's common in pregnancy caused by hormones so should go away when baby out..fingers crossed!
I will ask if they can prescribe anything else as an alternative. She did mention Omeprazole but said if I don't have heartburn or sickness it may not help it literally is just the pain.
@SouthwestSis that's the dose they gave me so I took as advised id rather feel groggy than have the pain tbh. I've been watching my diet since diagnosed not sure if it's made a difference but can't do any harm!

I never had a problem either and that was my second pregnancy. My consultant (went private in the end) said that once they start to misbehave its better to take them out. After having mine removed its been quite a revelation to realise just how crappy i was feeling on a daily basis and just coping with it. I only had one major problem during pregnancy an attack of cholecystitis, after pregnancy i had regular attacks so mine got worse, the same is true for my mum as well and a couple of the midwives i met on the ward. I hated the idea of an op, never had one before and put up with it for 4 years before i decided enough was enough.

I didn't particularly have heartburn but the omeprazole eased the gallbladder symptoms and it was definitely the gallbladder as they ruled out ulcers etc.

@Sugarcube84 ah ok that must have been horrible. The doctor who came to see me in triage said it will resolve itself after the baby comes and hormones and the digestive system return to normal. If it doesn't I'll definitely do something about it- I've been pretty fit and healthy through life including pregnancy until now which I'm grateful for but its a bit of a shock suddenly having to deal with daily pain. I will ask about alternative medication aswell.

It's addictive I wouldn't take it through your pregnancy the baby may come out withdrawing.

@Leah5678 pretty sure they wouldn't prescribe it to a pregnant person if there was a real chance of this!

It's an opiate so there definitely is a chance of that. Not to scare you but it's in the same group of drugs as heroin and morphine, it's a lot milder though. Maybe the doctors decided the benefits of you not being in pain outweigh the risks? I think it's best to speak to your doctor

Babies really do need monitoring for withdrawal if women are taking regular opioids late in pregnancy. Sometimes the balance of risk and benefit is in favour of staying on the codeine and making sure the paediatricians are involved to support the baby if needed, but ideally it’s better to be off them. But that will be part of the rationale behind the short script they’ve given you. If you’re running low and still need them then best to chat to your obstetrician.

The. Doctor. Gave. Them. To. Her. In. The. First. Place.

I've no experience taking it in pregnancy but it's not a drug I particularly like as it is addictive, I'm curious as to why they didn't prescribe antibiotics for you though ? Might be worth asking about that ? My dads just out of hospital same problem
Only they had him on IV antibiotics and then sent him home on amoxicillin as well.

Doctors have a lot of patients to deal with and can make mistakes. They're only human after all. The baby is definitely at risk of withdrawal if codeine has been take long term during pregnancy. So op should speak to her doctor about this for her mind to be put at ease. A lot of y'all don't know what you're talking about and give shit advice, that probably goes for me too though🤷🏻‍♀️

Thanks for the replies I trust the doctor knows what she is doing and will follow her advice on next steps.
@LizzeyBenett I don't know why they would prescribe antibiotics I don't have an infection.