Cocodamol

[Labrado]

Has anyone experienced problems with cocodamol? I took over the counter strength which didn’t help my pain and gave me stomach problems. Went to gp and said anything else and came away with double stretch cocodamol which I didn’t want but tried. Only took 2 tablets but had high stomach pain for week and still get some mild pain when eating.

I’ve just been giving penicillin for something else which previously I’ve taken with no probs, but has made me vomit so went back to gp and now have doxycycline. I just find it strange that I’ve developed a low tolerance to some drugs and wondered if anyone else experienced anything similar? Thanks

[FRreedman]

Yes, I now have a low tolerance to some penicillin meds, which I didn't before. I would ask your GP or GI consultant about DF118 (Dihydrocodeine), I know that it does create constipation, but it is a really strong pain killer.

[Labrado]

Thank you, got tramadol next, but will ask about that one when I go back.

[hypercat54]

Yes I did to penicillan. i took it for many years with no problem then one time I suddenly got a bad reaction to it. I know this is common with penicillan but don't know about the other meds. x

[katieoxo60]

Hi there I have always had adverse reactions to some drugs including a serious reaction in the past, but I find some drugs I once could tolerate are worse now since getting older. I have had reactions with codeine. Sadly it leaves us with very little option for pain releif. I find some can be taken for a few weeks then the reactions kick in often stomach kind like you have experienced. Good luck with finding an alternative and don't be fobbed off with the doctor prescribing higher doses of the one that has made you ill. Report it to the yellow card scheme on line and ask if there are any other options. I take tramadol but it does not suit all and I only take a small dose.

[EOLHPC in reply to katieoxo60]

My experiences are similar katie. Am wondering: what sort of probs does low dose tramadol give you? All opiates give me obstipation...(i also have allergic reactions to codeine, NSAID, anti seizure etc analgesics & PPIs...have had spine surgery v recently & am stuck coping with nothing but self help + paracetamol + my immune dysfunction disease meds (which include daily oral steroids + various prescrip meds that reduce sort tissue & joint pain))

[katieoxo60 in reply to EOLHPC]

One of the side effects of Tramadol is sleepiness, nausea, memory lapses, but apparently this drug has the least side effects of the opiates. Codeine is another opiate but not controlled drug, Gabapentin is another one that has just been changed to a controlled drug. Before long paracetamol will be the only drug available and even that can have problems if used long term. I think we need more of the patch type drugs or gels like Voltarol that are not processed by the liver. Even injections seem to work better for many patients without the daily need for drug consumption and the worry of remembering them.

[EOLHPC in reply to katieoxo60]

Yep: that’s all as i understand it...the only NSAID gel that helps me at all is ibuleve 10% - thank goodness it’s available...am 65 and have been managing multisystem chronic pain all my life: i keep an open mind & i keep learning, am in care with v good consultants: immunology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, cornea team, pain clinic...what a life

[katieoxo60 in reply to EOLHPC]

sounds like you are like my freind , more time spent at clinics than you would like. I find if I see the GP for one thing I end up attending several clinics for my varied ailments. Only thing I worry about is the thought of changes in the future.

[EOLHPC in reply to katieoxo60]

Yes, but i do literally LOVE all my clinics cause they have improved & continue to improve my life immensely...my comorbidities are rare & incurable & cause relentless progressive multisystem debilitation: without the wonderful care i’m getting from my clinics i would definitely be much worse off now & in the future...for me, the key thing is that i understand my conditions & treatments well enough to help my clinicians instead of leaving things up to them, especially cause the nhs is on its knees and needs all the help it can get...

and, yes, the future is worrying eg i just attended one of my fav clinics this morning where we discussed the future enough to help me imagine how we’ll cope with the inevitable changes in my condition...now i feel more ready for whatever comes my way (this clinic is caring for an aspect of my Intestinal Failure (i’m on long term prescription Elemental Enteral Nutrition because i can no longer digest anything taken by mouth, even Sip Feeds)

[katieoxo60 in reply to EOLHPC]

It is difficult when your digestion is not working , how do you cope with that and knowing it won't get better. I know we have to accept many things in life but I am sure occassionally we all say why me. But one way to see it is we give info to the NHS as you say which helps them to do research ect and maybe one day discover a cure for future generations or even improvements in treatment. Take care have a nice evening.

[EOLHPC in reply to katieoxo60]

I love your attitude! This is mainly how i look at my stuff. It’s easier to accept it philosophically now i’m in my 60s and benefitting so much from all treatment plans. After all, i’ve eaten lots of food all my life, so giving it up isn’t such a hardship when the Elemental cartons help so much! It’s lovely to meet you, katie! 🍀❤️🍀❤️

[Karjade]

I suddenly got a severe reaction to Diclofenic which is an inflammatory medication. I have had it in the past and then suddenly I became allergic to it. I had an anaphylactic shock and ended up in hospital which was very frightening xx

[cyberbarn]

different people metabolise codeine in differently. Some are very rapid metabolisers so the codeine is converted very quickly and a low dose acts like a higher dose and also finishes quickly. Others metabolise too slowly so it feels like the codeine does very little for them.

Additionally codeine has an effect on the stomach lining and can cause ulcers. It sounds like that is what might be happening to you, and would explain the pain. The problem is NSIADS can do the same thing, especially if the stomach lining has already be breached by the codeine.

The solution for this is to take PPIs which lowers the stomach acid and helps it to heal. Often now when patients are given strong NSAIDs or codeine they are also given PPIs.

I didn't know I was a rapid metaboliser when I had surgery 6 years ago, and they had to get me on PPIs for a month and the GP told me to tell them to not give me codeine again. After that I had to be very careful about NSAIDs too, and only take a single dose if something was really bad. When I next had surgery I was given a strong NSAID and started the PPIs the week before but I still ended up with stomach pain so I stopped them as soon as I could.

Talk to your GP about the possibility that codeine is not a good match for you, and get something to make things better with your tummy. It might be that which is causing the problems with the antibiotics, or that could be something different. Bodies don't come with an instruction manual, we have to learn by trial and error.

[Labrado]

Thank you all for your helpful advice x