Well I wasn't recommending it. The pharmacy staff also say don't use for more than three days, I use it occasionally for odd aches and headaches but not more than four a day. I think the op said she is on five at the moment and will go down to four next week.
Solpadeine Max have 10mg codeine as does syndol. There was a thread on here a while back saying that Syndol was once again being produced and sold after a big gap, people were rejoicing because they had found it so effective - I first used it around 2003 for tension headaches & it was great for that purpose.
Moderation in all things of course, I've never 'overdone' it or beoome addicted.
Yes you are right about paracetamol, should be taken with care but a couple here and there are OK, even children have that sometimes. For me, when I've been given paracetamol on its own, for any pain, it has not had much effect. My husband used to take it in the morning (he had some arthritic problems), and always said it helped. So everyone is different. I can honestly say I've never had a 'codeine hit' & would probably worry if I did.
Zapain is a blend of para and codeine with a stronger concentrate of codeine.
I've never been prescribed codeine so really only know about the lower doses.
Please don't think I am advocating the op buys this, she needs to follow her doctor's advice, but sometimes it is good to know there is something you can buy for an emergency. A bit like a person trying to give up smoking or drinking, they keep a pack of cigarettes or a bottle in a cupboard as a sort of security even though they might never use.
I remember seeing a documentary some years ago with Mel Smith and he admitted to taking loads of them - like60 a day. No way could I even think of doing that, I'd be really ill. At that time I had no idea people used so much of an over the counter analgesic. He seems to have survived though, gave it up eventually. One would imagine he rattled!