Medication

Does codeine help with severe back pain

[Smarticus]

Hi there, the short answer is - it depends.

Have you spoken to your GP about it? Is it muscular or skeletal? does it come and go or do you have it all the time?

Honestly your GP is your best port of call, possibly speak to them about physiotherapy (once this covid thing ends).

I have been on pain killers for years including codeine, they dont like you to be on it for a long time these days. Try and rest and adjust your lifestyle/posture, hot baths, water bottles etc... all help. Sorry, probably not the answer you were looking for.

[Hidden in reply to Smarticus]

Hello thank you so much for your response. I have been a back sufferer for a long time. I've tried literally everything . The pain now is the worst it's ever been lower back . I will do as you suggest if I can get through now and speak to my doctor. Take care

[RobbieT in reply to Hidden]

I'm in Australia & have Durogesic (Fentanyl) patch which really helps with both my chronic back pain & fibromyalgia (although some medical 'specialists' proclaim that it does nothing for fibromyalgia. They obviously have not suffered from it.) But it is a continual battle to stay on Durogesic as doctor's hate prescribing it. I'm allergic to codeine - & many other meds they have shoved me on. I also find gentle watet aerobics a great help. But not in winter!!!! Hang in there. xx

[Hidden in reply to RobbieT]

Hello from England Robbie, I will look into your suggestion. . Thanks so much for your help. I too have had Fibro myalgia about 8 years ago but no longer have the same symptoms. Take care xxx

[PainConcernHelpline Moderator Community Champion Pain Concern]

Hi Hidden ,

Thank you for your post. As others suggested, it is best to speak to your doctor about trying any kind of new medication.

To make sure you ask all the questions you want to, our leaflet about planning your doctor's visit can come in handy. You can find it here: painconcern.org.uk/managing...

Also, if you are interested in reading up on the various pain medications available, you can browse Pain Concern's resources. This one has information about codeine : painconcern.org.uk/opioids/

Hope this helps and good luck with finding the right treatment for you!

Best wishes,

Moderator 3 on behalf of Pain Concern

[Hidden in reply to PainConcernHelpline]

Thank you very much, I will do as you suggest. It's nasty at this time to have so very many problems health wise , nothing life threatening but it's difficult to live with just now. Take care.

[Konagirl60]

If you do try codeine, start at a low dose. I was given 30 mg pills and after taking one I was in the ER with a severe allergic reaction to it.

[Hidden in reply to Konagirl60]

Thanks for your response, I already take cocodamol which has 30mg of codeine and 500 mg paracetamol but the pain is so severe just now and as I know fortunately I'm not alergic to codeine I have to try as right now walking after 2 or 3 minutes is ghastly. Hopefully they will help . The doctor said just one before I go out should help and if they do help I may be able to get moving without so much pain . Take care.

[Labrat80]

Paramol is available from larger pharmacies and contains dihydrocodiene. Much stronger so lower doses are possible with less codeine like side effects. At least that's my experience. But always combined with stretching or hot/cold compresses or something to mechanically ease the root cause if possible.

I've done a lot of harm by masking thr pain and pressing on.

[Hidden]

Thanks for your response. I will look into the paramol , I do hate taking pills to mask the pain but the only time I'm in pain is when I'm walking. I have other pain issues cts is bad just now but waiting for hospital appointment. Best wishes and take care

[7774]

Hi Tanty, it depends what's causing you're back pain. Codeine can make pain worse and is very addictive. I've got transverse myelitis and take neuropathic medication and muscle relaxers. Have you had any tests on you're back x

[Hidden]

Thanks very much for your response, I'm not sure what you have but it sounds nasty. I have suffered with a bad back almost all of my long life,and have been through so many doctors and osteopaths and ciropractors etc etc . Just now it's low down on my spine. It's quite difficult to see a doctor and I also have Carpal tunnel syndrome and a horrid thing called tinnitus so it's all very difficult to know what to deal with first. I feel that with this dreadful life threatening virus the doctors must have alot to deal with. Sorry for going on a bit but I don't have many people to talk to. Xx

[7774 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tanty, lower back pain can come from upper back, it's called referred pain from another area. Taking medication isn't always the answer as it just masks the cause. I've now upper back pain from weak core. Has anyone mentioned strengthening core which is very important with back pain. I'm in England and unable to see dr , they do telephone appointments but they can't assess properly over the phone. Sorry but can't think of anything else to suggest to help as you've seen many health professionals. Drs have a lot to deal with but you're important too x

[Hidden in reply to 7774]

Thanks for your suggestion, I'm in England too . I will certainly look into strengthening the core , never heard of it before. I am grateful for your help. Take care

[shooter007]

It does with mine but it all depends what the cause is

[mhamzikhan92]

hi tanty

i just read it. if u know about kratom it will help to get rid from your pain if you don't know about kratom just check the given link below hope it will helpful for you.

jpronline.info/kratom/best-...

[Hidden in reply to mhamzikhan92]

Thanks for your response, I have tried so very many things to help with the pain including the cannabis oil . I will certainly look into your recommendation. Take care.

[mhamzikhan92 in reply to Hidden]

okhay hope so you it will be so helpful for you.

[7774 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tanty, I've seen the post on Kratom which is another opoid so be careful as it has a lot of side affects.. It may get rid of your pain for a while but is not treating the cause . You didn't say if you'd had any tests only seen chiropractors etc . X

[Hidden in reply to 7774]

Hello, thanks for the advice, I haven't seen anyone about the pain , the chiropractic I mentioned etc etc were all long long ago. It is very difficult just now to know where to go for help. The people I saw and there were many were not really able to help at all. Now this many years later is a new flare up of pain. I don't really have alot of faith in alternative practice as they all let me down. Thanks again for your help. My doctor after a phone call has arranged for my pharmacy to deliver some new meds .When I get them I will if I may tell you the name I know it's probably another strong pain killer but at least they may help short term . I feel that if I can get out the exercise can only be helpful, however I may be living in cloud cuckoo land as my father used to say.

[7774 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tanty, I know what you mean , I don't know where some get their training . Gps just fob you off with medication, they are biggest legal drug pushers. Some meds are life savers as I have myelitis of spine and take lyrica and muscle relaxers. I get frequent sciatica flares but take paracetamol as given tramadol years ago, which gave me blackouts and body coldness. No meds are going to correct posture and core strength which creeps up without you realising. I'm going to accupuncture today as she's opened again, mostly for sciatica and neck pain which radiates down arm and wrist. I'm working on core strength but find it hard as left side is stiff and other isweak from myelitis. Have you tried accupuncture if not you could give it a try , if in simply health get half back. Let me know what dr gives you x

[Hidden in reply to 7774]

Hello again, yes I have tried acupuncture in the past about 12 years ago for very bad sciatica, it was helpful for a time but sadly not the answer . I'm honestly not sure what exactly core strength is! I know I can't lay on the floor to do any exercise as I'd never be able to get up again . I will look online to see if there is a possibility of a chair or bed exercise. Thanks again for keeping in touch.

[7774 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tanty, just seen this message about core strength. It involves all your middle front and back muscle , buttocks and legs. You can sit on a chair as don't have to be on the floor. Google core strength and it will explain about it, but start slow at own pace. X

[Hidden in reply to 7774]

Thanks that's very kind of you . Xx

[Hidden in reply to 7774]

Oh my goodness, I just looked up your problem with the spine. I wish you well and hope you don't suffer alot. Just exchanging posts with you is helping me , it's almost as good as you being in the room with me talking.

[Hidden in reply to 7774]

Hello me again, the med just came it's patches called transdermal patch of Buprenorphine. I said I would let you know. They last a week and the doctor is calling me on Friday. 5 microgram an hour it says on the box.

[7774 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tanty, so glad to help and you've got your patches. I'm sure the pain clinic gave me these and got severe migraines. I'm going back almost 20 years but you've got the lowest dose somay have few problems. It was trial and error with me as initially diagnosed with hydromyelia C2-T1 so that was they was treating. I got ill health retirement as registered general nurse , but took another 2-3 years to get diagnosed with transverse myelitis. After demanding more tests , I had lumbar puncture which showed high protein levels and olicolonal bands consistent with inflammation. It's a long story so back to you love, let me know how you get on as it's trial and error. X

[Hidden in reply to 7774]

Hi, just a catch up, I have been using the patches for 5 days and my doctor phoned to see how I was. I told her the pain was still very bad so she told me to put another patch next to the first so doubling the dose. She is coming to see me on Tuesday which is very kind of her so I will see what she thinks. I have only been in my present flat for about 8 month's so it's hard as everything is strange. I had a lovely retired midwife friend who I used to shop with and I miss all her knowledge and understanding. Take care of yourself. Xx

[7774 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tanty, thanks for getting back to me. You sound to have a lovely doctor as not many come out to see you. It would be good if you could find out what’s causing you’re back pain instead of just treating the symptoms. Let me know how you get on love . Take care x

[Hidden in reply to 7774]

Hello, I am going to have surgery on my right hand for cts , it's a bit scary. May I please take advantage of your knowledge! ! The pain in my lower back is horrid and the pain patches are not working. I had a hip replacement op about 15 years ago . When I wake up I have a bad pain in the replacement area. It hurts alot getting out of bed but vanishes once I'm up. Is it possible that the bad back could be to do with my hip?..sorry it's maybe not something you would know about.

[Hidden]

Hi tanty5949, I'm like you I take cocodomol for pain I used to take codeine phosphate but it gave my bowel movements sluggish . Also you can get pain in lumbar region but it can come from your neck .

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello thanks for your message. I have no idea where the pain I have emanates from. If I could have x rays it may help but at this time I doubt whether this would happen soon. My doctor just phoned and is arranging a prescription for me to try . So I will try again. All I want to do is go to the very local shops without a crippling pain in my back. Maybe the new meds will help. Take care.

[Hidden]

Yes but you need to know where the Pain.is coming from and taking medication to mask it

as it could get worse . Good luck.

[Hidden]

Thanks but when the pain is so bad until I can fathom out where it's coming from this is a last resort.