Many years ago, when I found paracetamol was not always sufficient to give me relief from pain, my GP prescribed codeine. To be taken as and when required with a maximum of 4 a day. Since then my GP has changed and he seems to be telling me to take 4 each day at regular intervals, as the previous instructions would lead me to became addicted.
I believe taking regular tablets when I don't need the relief is more dangerous than taking them when I need them.
Any thoughts, please?
did you ask the GP why to take them at regular intervals? i cant take codeine but i do have paracetamol every day at regular intervals.
i guess it depends on how often you take codeine? maybe its more productive at keeping pain low if you take it regular than just once in a while.
I would ask the GP the reasons why. 🙂
His comment was just to read the paper with the tablets! I have tried taking the tablets several days at a time but the relief does not seem to build up.
I will try to get an explanation from him at my next appointment.
are you in pain quite a bit? could it be he’s seeing if it makes a difference and if it doesnt then he might then look to something else to give?
sometimes we never fully understand the logic.
I'm in pain when I leave the house. So I am replacing tablets with chocolates to take my mind off it!
I think it depends upon the strength of the codeine. I try to take as few medicines as possible, but you do need some clarification. if you can't speak with a GP then try your pharmacist.
I would go to another GP to get a second opinion, because if you follow this latter instruction you will be overdosing and seriously addicted.
See reply below.
I was told something similar for cancer pain. I took the medication regularly and it did prove to be a more effective way of controlling it. I took it for quite a long time and didn't become addicted. I think I might have read or heard somewhere (so this isn't necessarily reliable info! 🙂) that, with chronic pain, if you wait until you're in a lot of pain it's more difficult to control. The brain is a funny thing!
Also - in case this helps - distraction is a surprisingly effective way of gaining some temporary relief from pain. If you try (emphasis on "try" 🙂) to do something that really focuses your attention away from the pain, or something you really enjoy, it might help.
I've now had a friendly chat with another medical person. She had more times to spend with me. I understand the logic now and will try talking tablets regularly.
I'm glad - it's hard to find people who will spend time with you these days (everyone's so rushed). I hope it was reassuring. 🙂
Why don't doctors listen?
Going on all the medias to tell the truth about how we are treated ! 
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