I feel like a drug addict asking for pain killers

[Littlebug77]

My endo hasn’t improved much and I have the fear I’m going to become addicted to codeine. I used to be on tramadol but I asked to be taken off because it made everything feel like a dream. I’ve been trying not to take them but when I don’t I get these horrible flare ups and I also just had my period so the pain was deliberating but with the medication I am able to do things and the pain is manageable and maintainable. I am 21 and I feel like a drug addict phoning up every 2-3weeks for cocodamol it makes me feel guilty. I sometimes feel I am addicted and the pain is just made up in my head but I only do take them when I need it I am just scared and anxious and feel so depressed.

Does anyone have these feeling of anxiety and guilt?

[Lucob2]

Hi Mia, I understand exactly how you feel as I have been in the same boat, they are addictive and I found the best way to take them was to restrict them on easier days and just take the prescribed diclofenic and omeprozol with paracetamol; when the flare up got bad I'd take the diclofenic omeprozol and codine. This way I was in control of them rather than the other way around, sometimes I put up with a bit of pain when I could have taken the codine instead but I didn't like driving on them either so I restricted them as much as I possibly could until I really needed them. I hope you get it sorted soon, keep pestering if you're not getting anywhere. I only got taken seriously once I'd had a few trips to a&e with the pain. I was very lucky in someways as I got an op at 18, another at 27 but now I'm due for a full hysterectomy tomorrow at 42, I'm afraid it lived with me all my adult life with a few years in between ops of peace, so be careful you don't get dependent on the meds. Take care and good luck x

[Littlebug77 in reply to Lucob2]

Thank you for the reply will definitely try that good luck for your operation x

[TammyShrew]

Hello. I used to take lots of cocodamol and ibuprofen daily and was worried about it. Then about 3 months ago, massively improved my diet. Eating more veg and rarely eating wheat or dairy. It's massively reduced my pain so reduced my painkiller intake. Still taking cocodamol and ibuprofen during actual period, but rarely during rest of month. I know it can be hard to change diet but it is worth it . Good luck x

[TammyShrew]

Ooh, and I have been spending the money saved from cocodamol on avocados, 1 per day. 😋