Drugs have arrived: Asked for 1 months... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

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Drugs have arrived

37 Replies

Asked for 1 months supply and got 100 Solpadol 30/500 effervescent and 28 amitriptyline. Not taking any tonight because I have had no pain at all today and too late for the amitriptyline as thats simply to help me sleep. Feeling good:)

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37 Replies
Fibrofoggiest profile image
Fibrofoggiest

Hi there, I'm pleased you've got the meds you need, I'm just wondering though whether you might be better off to take the meds tonight and therefore have it in your system so that if you wake tomorrow and find you are in pain it will be harder to get on top of. My doctor always wants me to be on top of the pain and not stop it if I have a better day. Can I ask what strength of Amitriptyline you've got, I hope it's enough to help you with sleep, but you can probably go back and get it changed if you need too :-)

Foggy x

Fibrofoggiest profile image
Fibrofoggiest in reply to Fibrofoggiest

Btw the amitriptyline will also help with pain and mood, it isn't just a sleeping med., I hate to think you might be in more pain tomorrow for not having taken anything tonight :o

Foggy x

in reply to Fibrofoggiest

Don't know how to explain but these tabs will knock me out for hours. If another person took them probably wouldn't be any use but I am not able to take many drugs because they don't work the way they should. I know these 2 work for me. Really quite scared to try any new ones. I am a wimp when it comes to meds

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to

You're right to be cautious. The game has moved over to gins' post "get a hobby needs to move into a new chain. See you over there? Have you found us yet? :P

in reply to fenbadger

Yes but you were talking about food and I hadn't felt capable of making any today yet. Just have though and BBC4 now for all you steam engine lovers :)

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to

Actually greedy Ken started with his favourite hobby testing biscuits, then it got away from us. :)

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

in reply to fenbadger

on my wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy full tummy now :)

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to

Go girl go :P :P :P

in reply to Fibrofoggiest

Amitriptyline is only 10mg. Never taken the solpadol except in emergencies before. This is the first time ever I am going to try taking them every day. They will have me pain free within 2 mins. I don't want to take with no pain because I won't know if they are working.

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi whoamInow

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I am delighted that you have received your medications from your GP.

Your Amitriptyline is quite a low dose but many other members have started on a low dose and their GP's increase the dose every couple of weeks until you reach a maximum dose of 150mg. It is a question of ascertaining what is right for you. If you find that they make you sleepy or sleep too much there is an alternative that you could discuss with your GP, and this is Nortryptaline. It is the same as your medication but it does not contain the sedative, so it may well be worth remembering this in case you have any problems.

Your Solpadol is a Paracetamol and Codeine Phosphate combination, it is extremely effective, but taking the maximum dose can lead to constipation. Again, if you have any problems it may be something worth discussing with your GP.

If you are unfortunate enough to sustain any side effects, I would recommend that you have a consultation with your GP and relay your concerns, if for nothing more than putting your mind at ease.

I sincerely wish you good luck with your medications and I genuinely hope that you can live a wonderful, happy pain free life.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger

Ooh Ken. I'm munching my bacon butty as I read that. Codeine has no such affect on me. I took similar with my 40mg Ami last night. made me sleep but still flaring.

2 mins, you lucky gal. By the time my body realises it's had something it's too late. You may be right and able to take it at need. As Foggy says I'm one of those who has to have a pre existing level in the blood for the third dose to work. We're all different. One of us is on 100mg Ami without side effects. When I started mine it was 10mg ad put me out of kilter 3 weeks. Now 40 is about right and I'm reluctant to increase just yet. Have a review next month. Mentioned nortriptyline.

Have a good day all. :)

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply to fenbadger

Hello my friend

Strange coincidence here, I have just picked up some codeine from the chemist and I was given a dependency leaflet as it can be addictive. Not had anything like that given to me before. The leaflet says do not take for more than 3 days without consulting your GP. Blimey! I've been taking it for years for migraines!

Take care

Ken

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to TheAuthor

Hehehe. Likewise but as part of arthritis strategy. I like to point out it's not constant. I go weeks or months without then something gives me gyp. I have been warned of dependency - well it is a mild opiate. Don't get that, constipation - if only then I could stop the loperamide - or hallucinations. I want a refund :P Never been refused a repeat script or had a yellow card.

in reply to TheAuthor

One of the many excuses I made for not taking it Ken. I have solpadol 30/500 effervescent. I am starting on 1 every 4 hours as I am a lightweight at taking drugs. What is a normal dose for a regular taker ?

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply to

It is supposed to be no more than 8 solubles every 24 hours (if yours are standard) so it doesn't give much room for chronic pain attacks, if your pain levels increase I would talk to your GP about Ibuprofen, although this has some nasty side effects also. You can't take it on an empty stomach or if you have respiratory conditions!

When I have any pain problems that I cannot deal with I just ring my doctor!

in reply to TheAuthor

Ibuprofen is out but the fog prevents me from knowing why ! I phone my GP too, never ever been refused help. I think many are intimidated by GPs. I respect fully their hours of training and dedication but they are paid to look after us, that's their job :) Important to try and stay with one doctor though, that way they get to know you well x

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply to

You must be one of the unlucky ones who is allergic to it? I am not supposed to use it because of my asthma and COPD. I agree with you over your GP, it is so important that we get to know our GP and for them to know us. Then there is no intimidation in the equation x

in reply to fenbadger

Thats the way I was using it but now I intend to use every day if it helps. I was worried about becoming addicted but now that seems like the least of my worries. Took the amitriptyline at 3am,no effect at all. Took the codeine at 7:30 am and went to bed. Slept until 2:30 pm. Tried to rush my son off to college but he had been and come back :) No problems at all until I tried to speak, hahahaha I can now speak a new language ! Unfortunately I am the only one who understands it.

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to

Yeah. I think we discussed this. I take mine between 6 and 8 regardless or I get up with the ami hangover. If I find I need paracetamol and codeine it's rarely less that 4 hours before they take effect. What is a normal does. Anyone's guess. There are loads of guidelines. I'd be interested to know how big Lucy is. She's on 100mg. I'm on 40. Someone else is buzzing at 10.

Other drugs are more straightforward though even then there are contradictions. The paracetamol packet says 2 tabs each 4 hours. That's ok for my 7 stone gran but I'm twice her size (and a bit) and more than twice as active.

You've learned fibrofoggish then?

in reply to fenbadger

Fibrogibbery for the moment will progress to fibrofoggish after a lot more learning I expect. paracetamol alone do nothing at all to help me but combined with the codeine honestly takes no more than 2 to 3 mins to kick in. I am prepared for the side effects this time though, that makes a huge difference because I can try and counteract them before they start. Amitripythingy worked very well for me a couple of years ago and then stopped. With hindsight I should have seen GP and upped the dosage, instead, head in sand and stopped taking it.

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to

I've read somewhere that Ami's effective lifetime is limited anyway. It takes 6 to 8 weeks to settle down then 6 to 8 weeks later your body stops it working. I expect the times are flexible.

in reply to fenbadger

I was told not to expect too much from it as it just simply does not work for some people, so I expected nothing but just short of 3 weeks later my 2 year long headache disappeared and has never returned ( constantly I mean ). That was on either 5mg twice a day I think but could have been 10mg. I know it was the lowest dosage possible though.

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to

wow

in reply to fenbadger

on the positive side 2 years of frowning has given me an incredibly young looking forehead, hahaha

in reply to fenbadger

Acceptance is a big part of my problem but thankfully I seem to be getting there. Wonderful support from this group has made it so much easier and of course a very special thanks to you for your sense of humour my friendly badger chappy xxx

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to

You're welcome but it's not all me. I've been shaped influenced and inspired by other people especially a very close friend who died of breast cancer. Zany humour is part of my coping strategy as it releases endorphins. It's not to everyone's taste and I'm glad it helps sometimes :P :P

There's a great bunch out here.

in reply to fenbadger

Accept my minor compliment because pretty soon I will be back to taking the **** out of you again :)

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to

Hehehe. Sloping shoulders and thick skin :P :P

in reply to fenbadger

under-cover elephant in disguise then ! your secret is out now badger :)

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger in reply to

Badger shaped onesie

in reply to fenbadger

yeh yeh yeh of course you had the idea first !

Francesgoldwater profile image
Francesgoldwater

Hi Whoamlnow

After 9 years having Fibro I believe that it is not a good idea to not take your drugs when you are out of pain. Amitriptline is a brilliant drug, I take it every night at 10pm.

in reply to Francesgoldwater

I agree Frances. I have been in total denial for years about my condition, to the point that I existed rater than lived. I wish I had found this group a couple of years ago but why would I even look when I truly believed that one day I would wake up without it. It helps so very much to talk to people who truly understand. God bless you and all others who take the time to reply to people like me xxx

Francesgoldwater profile image
Francesgoldwater

I think we are a very special group of friends, I was so happy when I found this site. Fibro sucks I am on a stack of pills but there are days when I forget to take my afternoon pills because I have no pain, these are my whoopee days. One day I will get better and so will you.

in reply to Francesgoldwater

I have recruited my son to prompt me when to take them. I tend to forget or take more than once. Just a new routine that will take me a while to get used to. No biggy, I know life is going to be on the up at very least, a miracle cure comes later in the plan x

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger

Followed by Bombay railway. Peep peep said Thomas. What am I like? You'd think I hadn't read that other reply. Sorry. :(

Francesgoldwater profile image
Francesgoldwater

I am so pleased I would love a pain free day xxx

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