I havent had my usual gp lately, so i went to see a different one as i have been having problems with my stomach and acid. She put me on lansoprazole and said if it didnt calm down then i would go for a camera.
Well i was up all night sun with bad horrid sickly pains in my stomach and cramps, then the diaherria, sorry lol. Started. So i went to see her and she said that i will have a camera, but then went on to the subject of me being on cocodamol and i need to come off it.
I was shocked and she said that paracetamol would do. I was mortified. I only take three cocdamol on a normal day, so i am not over using them and she would be able to tell on how often i get them. I tried to fight my corner but she wouldnt listen. She said that being addicted to cocdamol is as bad as being on heroin.
So i have stopped the cocdamol since mon morning, i am in pain but not shaking and being anxious and needing the cocdamol. I just need them so i can get up and look after my kids, i do not get high as a kite like she said, that i liked the buzz.
I just dont know what to do as my other gp isnt back for two weeks.
Has anybody had this off their doctors?
Hugs and love, kel xxxxxx
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jazher
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I have both Co-Codamol and Co-Dydramol (not together, I hasten to add!), but as I was a nurse, my GP knows I wouldn't abuse them, I've seen what overdoses do to people!
I feel your GP may be over reacting somewhat, but they have to be very careful nowadays with tablets with addictive properties. If you drive, there can be problems if you are taking these tablets and have an accident. These tabs can make you unfit to drive (Under the influence of drugs). I know irt sounds crazy, but things are going this way.
I dont drive and i only take three a day, one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one a night. I struggle at most times as it is, but i am scared of not being able to walk up to school with my kids when they start back, i am just so confused as why she was so harsh with me.
Somewhere in your area there should be a walk-in practice that you can go to.
Yes codine is adictive - but going cold turkey is a bit cruel. Are you on the 30/500 or the 8/500 dosage? The 8/500 is available over the counter in any case.
I'm no doctor but it does sound a bit extreme to me.
Hi Jazher, i'm on 30/500 and take the maximum 8 a day every day, been on them for about 10 years, and when i've asked if i could try something else as i feel my body is used to them they never do. Also I take tramadol again the maximum dose and i take 2 in the morning and 2 at night, been on them for about 6 years since i had an op to remove some of my collar bone and had my shoulder joint shaved!!!
Bet that gp would have a fit if she met me lol!!!
Sharon xxx
Hi Jazher. That isn't good, yes cocodomol is addictive but surely you should come off it slowly and in a controlled manor. Can you see another doctor for a second opinion? I am on 6 a day and I don't get a rush or high, it just takes the edge of the pain and allows me to function. I am lucky enough to have a very caring doctor. I just wish all doctors were educated in the problems we have.
She was really adament that i did, so i am a person who thinks right i will show her lol. I am struggling with the paracetamol, i am going to phone the docs in the morning to see when my gp is back as she is usually very good with me.
I would see another doctor asap or continue as you were until your own GP comes back.
Codeine is NOT the same as heroin. It is the mildest opioid available afaik. It is also a recommended treatment for Fibro under the EULAR Evidence Based Guidelines for the Management of Fibromyalgia. And it is listed on both the FibroAction and NHS Choices websites as a treatment for Fibro:
I dont actually think she believes in fibro to be honest but i only wanted to see about my stomach, i didnt even mention about my fibro. She is the one at the very start a few years ago said everything was down to stress. I definatly wont be seeing her again and i will be telling my normal gp when she gets back.
I would have felt as devastated as you do if a doctor had said that to me. No way are you abusing the drug at all and like someone else said it is a very low level opiate. I am not advocating anyone end up like me on drugs but I have had two collapsed hips from OA as well as fibromyalgia and I have ended up needing at one stage 260mgs morphine a day and 8 paracetamols as well as an anti inflammatory tablet and diazepam for the muscle spasms. I would expect any doctor to say things to me but they are all very good about it. I have now managed to get down to 200mgs morphine sulphate (zomorph) per day and have stopped the diazepam since the anaesthestist told me I should not have been taking it as I have also got sleep apnoea and it makes you worse apparently. I had managed to reduce that to 1 tablet at night so I did not have to give up a high dose. I will go down as soon as I can on my morphine as I don't want to be up here on this but need to at the moment as the pain in my hip is terrible as is my knee and back. I would definitely go and see another doctor for advice and explain how you felt about being accused willy nilly like that by a gp who did not even know you. If the worse comes to the worse yes you can get the lower amount of codeine and paracetamol from the chemist which will give you a better painkiller than paracetamol alone. Good luck with sorting it out and I hope you are soon feeling much happier with your own gp back.
I know plenty of people who are on cocodamol and take more than me. I also take gabapentin and amitripyln and i asked about them and she said that they hadnt any eveidance that they are addictive. Honestly i was just that shocked and confused that i just walked out. My mam has gave me some lower strength cocdamol so i will be taking them for bed tonight as i hurt like hell in bed without cocdamol.
Plus .... max 30/500 allowed per day = 4 lots of 2 tablets = 240mg codine
you are taking 3 x 30/50 tablets = 90 mg codine
max 8/500 (over the counter) allowed per day = 4 lots of 2 tablets = 64mg of codine
so you can switch to two-thirds of your usual codine dose (but more and still safe paracetamol levels) until your own GP comes back to reinstate your prescription or else initiate a gentle weaning process as he/she sees fit.
I have no medical qualifications .... but it just seems like common sense to me.
I had to give in last night and take some for bed and i had a better sleep and i will see how i go today. The horrible gp has ordered my bloods to be done next fri and i know she will be checking to see if i have taken some, but i dont care now. She doesnt have to live in pain 24 7, does she.
A rebel lol, that sounds like me i am so stubborn lol. hugs, kel xxx
hi well i am on 8 and on bad days 10 coc odamol a day ahve been for fewyears i am not getting high on them at all i too am like other lady they take the edge off the pain but thats it i also have a 20 mg butrans pain patch that i have to put on every week so i would go back to your GP surgery as like the other member said you should never jsut stop these tablets you should ween yourself off them i know i have no medical quaifications either but it is common sense oh well hopefully you will get it sorted but def make a complaint love to you diddle xxx
I have managed without them again today, so i will see how i go. I know its not good for taking all these meds but its not good being in pain is it?
I will wait until my other gp comes back and i will be in to see her to see what she has to say. Until then if i need them i will be taking them. I should of said, well if you look after my kids then i will take no pain releif and stay in bed.
As a woman who was once addicted to cocodamols for back discomfort and went cold turkey i would advise lowering yr daily dosage weekly and coming off slowly ie maybe 1st of all swapping yr afternoon meds to 8/500 and so on untill yr off them but of course you would prob need other meds to help with your pain which are not addictive . I no its hard to do but try to percivere as in the long run it is better for you x
I know it will be good for me in the future, it was just such a shock when she came out with it. I have only taken one since she told me not to and i will see how i go until my other gp comes back, thankyou, hugs, kel xxxx
Complain to your practice manager and don't see that doc again. I am devastated with my doc after spending half an hour with her a month ago going through why I can't travel 25 miles to an ESA medical because of the extreme fatigue, chronic pain in my knees and back and how ill travelling makes me for days and days she said, what about a taxi (did she not hear me??) I said I can't afford a taxi and THIS IS ALL SHE WROTE IN THE LETTER TO ATOS THAT I CANNO ATTEND BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD A TAXI!!!!!!!!
I only found out on Monday when I rang to find out why my request for home medical was denied. I couldn't believe it. I hate her she's not sympathetic and is really short and firm with me when I see her. I was supposed to be put on the tramadol patch things then she refused to let another dr prescribe them. I moved 2 house months ago and my old GP was so understanding but this one is a cow. I rang the surgery immediately after ATOS told me and complained the receptionist said its unacceptable and I should write to the practice manager which I will when I have the energy. These people think they can play god with our lives but if it was them with fibro I bet they'd get the best docs and best treatment
That is utterly unforgivable, especially when you consider not only the financial impact, but also the additional stress that all of this has placed on you - stress which will inevitably make your fibro symptoms worse!
That is terrible, i just dont fully trust doctors. I actually have had two arguments with my gp and she still sees me lol.
I also had gp fill in my dla forms that had never seen me before in my life which i ended up getting refused for, so i understand how mad you are. Its just not fair is it?
I haven't had this off my GP, but the first rheumatologist that I saw told me never to take codeine-based drugs, 'paracetamol will be fine'. Having already told him twice that they didn't even begin to touch the pain, and having had the wonderful diagnosis of 'arthralgia' (not a disease, but a symptom of many), I opted to ignore him, as he was clearly doing so to me.
The last rheumy was fine with me taking them - like you - in limited doses, and so I have continued. I tend to go for Solpadeine Max in the day, if I need them, and Co-Dydramol at night. It works for me!
I think it depends on which doctor you get. I will definatly not see this one again, i am so eager to actually see what my own gp has to say. I was just wondering if this horrible gp knew that mine gp was off so she took her chance to be horrible. Who knows.
hugs, kel xxxx
It's all made worse by the fact that we trust and see these people to make us better yet some can be truly horrible why on earth some became docs is beyond me - hubby says my GP has the bedside manner of a house brick hahaha!! I could scream sometimes!! xx
From my experience some very clever youngsters with poor social skills often want to become doctors as it validates their sense of superiority over the rest of us. Wouldn't want to be treated by any of them 7+years down the line.
I do know very nice doctors socially as well as as a patient - thank goodness there are lots of good practical ones out there too!
Julie xx
Jazher, I was addicted to Co-codamol for about 12 years. I started taking them years ago for a sinus problem I had. I had 3 sinus operations and was still in horrific pain and having two babies at the time, I leant on this pain relief to keep me going. If I didn't take a dose I couldn't get by as the pain was so bad in my face and head. When I had another operation and my sinuses slowly became better, I tried to come off the painkillers but I felt so incredibly ill.
Once I had realised that the Co-codamol was now my problem, I knew I was hooked on them. Also I was buying the tablets over the counter by the hundred and using them so quickly. I went completely cold turkey as I didn't really have the time with two tiny ones to look after. I picked a time when Mum and Dad had the babies for a few days and that's how I did it. I was literally bouncing off the walls, the pain was immense, I was sick, had a banging headache, but after a few days in bed I felt more in control. I was so determined to come off these tablets particularly as I didn't need them any more.
I started to feel so much better, healthy and raring to go and enjoy my children so much more. I am still scared to this day when I think back to how many tablets I took and how much I leant on them to feel normal for so many years.
I take Co-codamol now as they were prescribed for my Fibro, but I only take a couple and leave it at that. There is no risk of the addiction coming back as I always remind myself what happened before.
The fact that people can buy Co-codamol over the counter without any questions being asked or without any mention of the risk of addiction, I find really unacceptable, so if we draw attention to the risk in our forum, at least hopefully it will pre-warn our members. Take care with this medication please folks.
Omg, that sounds awful. You must of been so ill especially when you have two kids to look after.
I honestly believe i am not addicted but it wouldnt suprise me as i have been taking them for years. Before i was given gabapentin i was taking max dose of the cocodamol, but since taking the gabas i dont need the cocdamol as much.
Yes it was very tough, but I made it! I didn't realise I was addicted until the children were poorly and I couldn't get to the chemist so I ran out of Co-codamol. It was three days before I managed to go. By this time withdrawal was kicking in, then I realised.
The worst thing was not realising it was possible to become so heavily addicted. It never occurred to me all those years ago that over the counter tablets could be so addictive. There wasn't the publicising back then that there is thankfully today. Opiates are to be taken with care, I can't stress that enough. Thank you Jazher!
I am struggling to know where to start with this, so I will tell you what happened to me in the hope that it will make sense to you... After being diagnosed with FMS, I was put on increasing doses of amyltriptaline which did nothing, increasing doses of pregabalin which did nothing and increasing doses of gabapentin which did nothing. I was then started in 500/30 co-codamol (Zapain) and Diclofenac, then they added tramadol at night (400mg slow release) and 300ml of Oramorph for 28 days (liquid morphine). Taking all this, I was still in pain but was so docile I could bearly function and was so depressed I nearly took my own life! I had to move to an adapted property as my brand new flat I was living in and loved, was on the first floor with no lift, so I was a recluse. Because of the move, I had to change GP's which was upsetting at first as my old GP had been very understanding and helpful, but my new GP who is an older gentleman, told me that I shouldn't have been on the opiate based meds for more than 3 months as I would be addicted - I had been on them for 2 years straight! Without weening, I stopped the opiate meds and the diclofenac and within 48 hours it was if a cloud had been lifted! Mentally I felt so much happier and alert and the pain was just the same, I had no withdrawal at all! I continue with my antidepressant and now an anti cholesterol (the diclofenac has affected my liver function) and I take one day at a time. Yes, I am still in pain, sometimes severe, but I will only use the medication when I have a bad flare up and that seems to take the edge off now, whereas it didn't before and I would end up in hospital worried about overdosing!! The long term use of all of the pain meds has given me other problems, with my liver as I have mentioned, but I am also having tests on my pancreas as my belly is bloated and previous blood tests have shown abnormalities. I have new blood tests in about a week, so fingers crossed for that..... For now, check out this video on youtube youtube.com/watch?v=jtc2JAR... it will explain how pain meds are ineffective on fibro and I think the fact that they make you so drowsy and docile means you a numb to the pain instead of them taking the pain away. Soft hugs for now.
Thats quite scarey, You have been through so much by the sound of it.
I have had no withdrawl symptoms so i know i am not addicted but i suppose she was trying to do me a favour. She was just so horrid with me. I am not sleeping properly without the codeine though which is getting to me at the minute. I have only taken 1 since she has told me to stop and i willl only take one if i really need it. I am eager to see what my own gp says. I just wish there was one pill that will take fibro away, we can only dream.
im like that with the tramodol i have to have them always around 2pm els i shake but once iv had them i can rest & carry on i have to have them too its like im addicted to them but there the only ones that dont give me any side affects hope you get sorted soon hugs your way x
Its horrible how many tablets i have to take, To be honest the gabapentin is the best. I just couldnt live without them so i do hope they dont take them away from me. My stomach is playing up so that could be because of my meds as i have never had bother with it before.
hi just thought i would explain my meds, i have fibro kidney trouble and cancer, i use to take cocodamol or co drydomol,for fibro pain, but my kidney specialist took me off them as they are not good with kidney problems, then i was vomiting for yrs and my cancer was diagnosed along with ulcers helicobactorpylori, an infection in the gut. been on lansaprosole for 2yrs, but gastroenteroligist also told me not to take cocodamol or codrydomol,as they cause constipation. i had to manage on paracetomol and paingel which helps a little but not always, my pain is much worse of late and even tramadol had no effect, so my doc has asked me to try a low dose of anti depressant for the fibro pain and sleepless nights, we all suffer in our own way, but for me the tramadol make me so nauseos, and zombie like lol... not funny really tc soma x
I am so sorry you are going through all that, I dont think i could take tramadol. I just cant get in a zombie way as i have two small girls to look after. I am constantly in pain but i think we just get used to the daily pain. Its the flare ups i cant handle. I take more cocdamol when that happens but to be honest i just wont touch it when it gets that bad. I take amitriplyn to help me go to sleep and it works but i have to keep upping it as my body gets used to it. The gabapentin is the best meds i have, i just hope they dont take me off them.
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why on earth some became docs is beyond me - hubby says my GP has the bedside manner of a house brick hahaha!! I could scream sometimes!! xx
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