Doctor can’t prescribe my codeine early for holiday as it’s a controlled drug?

[Emz2019]

Iv been on codeine for almost 2 years, 8 per day, (I have galllstones) I order my codeine and other medication to help with my stomach around every 10 days so they are ready to collect on day 14 as I get 14days worth at a time, we are going away for a week so I ordered yesterday so I can take them with me, the doctor called me and said I can’t get them until 17th whihc is Tuesday, I said I am going away, he said best he can do is print out my perscription and I can take it with me and find a nearby pharmacy on Tuesday, I told him I have no transport once I’m there and I will be in the middle of nowhere in a camping field, he checked the location and it’s 17 miles to the nearest pharmacy, he told me I can get a taxi there, I said I have a disabled child! Which of course he knows I’m sure it’s on my record that would have been on the screen at the time but he said he simply can’t prescribe it early because it’s a controlled drug….. I’m so confused I ordered early one time last year because I went away and there was no issue then, what’s all this controlled drug stuff all of a sudden? Is anyone else having the same issue?

I think thats dreadful. NHS at its best computer says no mode. Its a poor show that you have had to rely on codeine for two years. And only 14 days at a time. Its a disgrace.

Viv I think you'll find the Advanced Search process helpful, here.

@viviennemary op has openly said she is prescribed 8 tablets a day but takes in excess of 20 and mixes over the counter medications when she has run out. The gp is doing nothing other than being bloody responsible!

Op have you been referred to a pain clinic? 2 years for stones stuck in the bile duct is an awfully long time. How many hospital visits have you had for them? You’re bordering on addiction if not addicted so need to sort the operation for getting rid of them and cutting down the codeine.

@Viviennemary

I think thats dreadful. NHS at its best computer says no mode. Its a poor show that you have had to rely on codeine for two years. And only 14 days at a time. Its a disgrace.

I hate it when people post such emphatic statements about things they know nothing about

It does seem odd that there isn’t any flexibility…even people requiring pain relief enjoy a holiday! Have you had a problem with codeine addiction or overdose…am not asking to be judgemental but trying to work out why you only get two weeks at a time. I had co codamol 30/500 prescribed yesterday for back pain and I have been given a month supply even though I am only taking half the dose. I hope you have a lovely holiday.

Sorry I missed that bit where OP says she takes 20 a day. but I still think her problem should be addressed surgically or whatever it takes so she doesn't need that level of painkillers.

@olidora63

It does seem odd that there isn’t any flexibility…even people requiring pain relief enjoy a holiday! Have you had a problem with codeine addiction or overdose…am not asking to be judgemental but trying to work out why you only get two weeks at a time. I had co codamol 30/500 prescribed yesterday for back pain and I have been given a month supply even though I am only taking half the dose. I hope you have a lovely holiday.

RTFT

@Viviennemary

Sorry I missed that bit where OP says she takes 20 a day. but I still think her problem should be addressed surgically or whatever it takes so she doesn't need that level of painkillers.

She already said she had her gallbladder out

I hope you are able to reduce the codeine in September, it will be a struggle having been on such a high dose for a long time.
Sometimes agreeing a slow reduction regime with GP can help.

Lots of evidence now that opiates don’t help long term pain, you may be getting pain from the tablets, as the brain is used to them, when they wear off they can cause you to feel pain, it can be all over your body.

If you get off them, avoid them at all costs in future.

Good luck with holiday.

I'm amazed the GP hasn't raised concerns about a child with severe SEN being cared for by a mother off her face on codeine. Hmmm.

Weird

My DH is prescribed 3 times 30mg per day for his arthritis

He gets a month at a time - so 3 boxes of 28

Doesn’t always take them so we, ahem, have a stockpile

Comes in handy for my severe period pain which they refuse to give me anything stronger than 8mg co codamol for despite me crying and passingmout

I think you should be more focused on how to beat your addiction than being annoyed at the gp op. Your gp is not giving you early medication as they are probably aware you are taking more than you should.

@FlatteredFool

I'm amazed the GP hasn't raised concerns about a child with severe SEN being cared for by a mother off her face on codeine. Hmmm.

She might not be - I was on the same dose, 60mg x 4 a day plus diazepam plus naproxen and paracetomol and oramorph and I was perfectly lucid and working FT

How on earth are you planning to enjoy camping when you're on that much codeine? People who require that level of painkillers usually aren't in any fit state to go camping for 10 days with no transport and a child with additional needs. How are you expecting to get food and essentials for those 10 days if your son can't go into shops?

Put in your order on monday morning first thing, if it's not ready by tuesday afternoon you'll have to plan to go camping the day after. And as soon as you're back home speak to your GP about your addiction. Don't go on holiday without it- withdrawing from codeine is not fun and you need to be at home and nearer to a pharmacy/hospital than 17 miles.

@NotMyCat I'm referring to the amount she admits to taking not what the GP prescribes. AS is very helpful here.

@FlatteredFool

I'm amazed the GP hasn't raised concerns about a child with severe SEN being cared for by a mother off her face on codeine. Hmmm.

This is a really unfair comment. Lots of people - like me- manage their conditions by taking painkillers within their recommended limits and this is the only way they can function as parents / workers / people etc etc. Being on Codeine or even tramadol (in my case) doesn’t make someone “off their face” necessarily. I don’t feel out of it at all, I take tramadol to manage the crippling pain of lupus, kidney issues and a pituitary tumour. We have no family support at all (just me and dh who works full time) and we have a severely disabled son who has autism and learning disabilities. My medication enables me to function and look after him- not the other way round.

Yes op shouldn’t be taking more than she should but there’s a huge amount of ignorance and lack of common empathy on this thread.

@Bagelsandbrie she admits to taking 20 a day on another thread or two. She also takes OTC codeine products. She is highly addicted and needs help.

[quote FlatteredFool]@Bagelsandbrie she admits to taking 20 a day on another thread or two. She also takes OTC codeine products. She is highly addicted and needs help. [/quote]
I see.

Well the GP isn’t going to be aware of that. They are prescribing within the limits of what it’s okay to take so why would they have any safeguarding concerns if they have no knowledge of how else op is sourcing these extra meds?

I agree - for the record - that op clearly needs help!

111 may not be able to help, as your GP can put a note on your records asking them not to issue further supplies of your medication due to it being managed by them. Unfortunately it seems the best option is for you to visit a pharmacy where you are staying on the day that your post dated script is valid from, as a previous poster noted, a pharmacist will check the date on the prescription, and will highlight it if it's presented before the due date to avoid other pharmacies issuing it early if you try and go at a busy/inconvenient time (it's amazing how many prescriptions get presented at 3.55 on a Sunday that shouldn't be issued that day).

The nurse managing my pain post major surgery said that taking full dose 30/500 cocodamol alternating with a full dose nsaid such as ibuprofen was recognised as being as strong as taking morphine alone.

I know you can only get 8/500 cocodamol otc. But I would do this now and save your codeine for holiday, spreading the dose evenly until you get home.

If you have any gut issues, you will need to take omeprazole (this needs a prescription). Nb you can also get proton pump inhibitors otc. I just don’t get on with them.

If this works, it would also be a great way to reduce your dependence on codeine whilst you are awaiting surgery. Just remember that because you’re taking less codeine, this may affect your bowels and if you are taking a stool softener, you should take less.

God I have just realised this is in addiction support.