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?

@FlibbertyGiblets

Hi there, you are only just back from this week's camping trip, if I recall correctly? Withdrawing in a field won't be easy and with 3 children to manage, one with complex needs, no, not a good idea.

This! You posted about being on a camping holiday last week. Just be honest, you were using a " camping holiday" to try to get your prescription early. Addiction is a nasty disease and you have my sympathy.

Look it's easy to develop a codeine addiction and I think your doctor has been irresponsible to prescribe you a high dose for two years. Of course you would end up hooked, anyone would if taking opiates for that period of time.

You'll also have developed a tolerance which explains why you've upped your dose and are buying extra over the counter codeine on top.

You will not be reported to social services if you speak honestly with your gp. You can be helped to gradually lower your dose, and you can avoid the awful withdrawal symptoms by doing this in a measured way.

I would recommend posting on the Addiction support section on here too. Codeine addiction is very common and many people find themselves in your position after being prescribed opiates for on going pain. You will receive non judgemental advice and support.

Please don't be ashamed. Just start being honest with yourself and the people who can support you.

I also recommend SMART recovery online. Particularly if you can't face admitting a habit to your doctor just yet.

You don't have to speak or turn your Mic on but there are sessions of SMART every evening which you can join . It's CBT based and lots of people have successfully come off codeine (or other drugs) using this therapy. Good luck.

I'm so sorry you're in this situation. I think you need to start talking to your GP.

I strongly suspect the GP knows the issue as OP will probably have tried requesting early on many occasions for many reasons...hence the strictly controlled supplies.

Does the codeine actually help or just trigger more pain making you take more?

After I had my gallbladder out I developed post cholecystectomy syndrome where painkillers like codeine cause gallstone-like pain - took me a long time to figure out the link though.

No more codeine - no more pain.

DH gets prescribed 100 at a time for his arthritis, and he's been allowed to have them early for a holiday every time he's asked. Normally 100 lasts a month and he's had them after 3 weeks a few times and even after 2 weeks when we've been going away for longer i

It's because it's a controlled drug. There is a maximum limit of 8 per day (maximum strength) that cannot be exceeded. In your husband's case, Glitterblue his prescribed amount is nowhere near that. 100 pills per month is about 3 per day. He's not going over the controlled dosage even if he orders them 2 weeks early. (200 pills in a month equates to 6 per day.)

OP, you need to put the energy into weaning off the meds and acknowledging the issue and accepting help.

Don't put your energy into beating the system and getting more prescribed.

Posters encouraging you to find work arounds are doing it in good faith but their suggestions are not being made in the context of your addiction.

Your GP clearly has concerns about prescribing you these drugs. Make an appointment and talk it through.

Dangerous tablets and should only be taken for a short while, not constantly
you will be addicted bigtime :(

It's all very well to say you'll be addicted don't take the tablets. But the NHS does fuck all for long term pain.

I'm also on cocodamol for severe back pain and slipped discs. I take 4 tablets a day.

I got referred to advanced phyio. He said no operation will help, it will make my back worse keep taking the cocodamol. Therefore no MRI

What exactly do you smart arses think people like us should do who are in constant pain when nobody can help the pain get better?

Physio*

@Itsnotover

It's all very well to say you'll be addicted don't take the tablets. But the NHS does fuck all for long term pain.

I'm also on cocodamol for severe back pain and slipped discs. I take 4 tablets a day.

I got referred to advanced phyio. He said no operation will help, it will make my back worse keep taking the cocodamol. Therefore no MRI

What exactly do you smart arses think people like us should do who are in constant pain when nobody can help the pain get better?

Why don't you RTFT before calling people smartarses, eh? 🤣

I did read the thread, thanks. How do you think the OP became addicted to codeine?

Think she's been and gone camping by now.....

@Needtostopfretting

Think she's been and gone camping by now.....

I've only just realised this was a zombie thread. However, it was resurrected by someone wanting to be sanctimonious.

My point was, that it's not surprising that people become addicted to codeine when the advice from professionals is to keep on giving it.