Codeine

[Nonameme]

Sorry if this is wrong place but need some urgent advice. Diagnosed with ‘probable’ PA and b12 deficiency along with diverticular disease diabetes 2. Female 76. Due to spinal problems and sciatica I have a 10 mg morphine patch and co-codamil and gabapentin. On Thursday I was involved in a car accident taken to hospital but later released with cracked ribs and usual seatbelt bruising to neck shoulder and breast and told to contact GP for further pain relief which I did and he has given me codeine 30mg 4 times a day. This has totally confused me as I really don’t know what to take so have ended up taking nothing other than the patch.

I am alone at home no family but my sister who was driving in still in hospital and expecting visits with clothing requirements etc. She has injured her spine so is quite unwell so I have alot to do and cannot rest or take medication that ‘may make you sleepy’

Gp is of course closed for weekend so no advice there and I feel so alone and in pain.

Again apologies if in wrong place.

[jade_s]

I'm so sorry to hear about your accident and your sister. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I couldn't quite understand your question.

Are you worried about taking codeine because of low b12? I see in your last post they're not giving further injections. I've not heard of any interactions or warnings, but you could check what the codeine patient leaflet says. [I am not a medical doctor].

Could you go back the emergency room and ask them for advice?

Otherwise if you're worried about daytime grogginess perhaps just take it after you've done the day's driving around?

I hope you and your sister feel better soon x

[deniseinmilden in reply to jade_s]

I think the problem is codeine and morphine are both opiates and it would be increasing the amount of these beyond what's recommended.

[Nackapan]

You can phone a pharmacist at any chemist for advice ,I would do that.

111 out of hours for advice tedious and no quick reply, but there.

Co codamil is paracetamol and codeine.

So you are right not to take that and 30mg codeine I would guess.

As you unsure safest option take Co codamil OR latest prescription of 30mg

You need pain relief.

Hope you get through to a pharmacist very soon.

Also your b12 is being treated .

[Nonameme in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you my query was I did not want to take too much codeine if that would cause a bad reaction. Pharmacist said not to take coco damol and the codeine said could not understand why I was give extra codeine! There are more appropriate remedies. Unfortunately I am not mobile without my sister so this limits any help to phone calls and noone to collect anything prescribed. I leve in the country with the nearest town 6 miles away so no deliveries this far out. I have previously been told not to take anything when on the patch unless absolutely necessary so hence my confusion with the extra codeine so for safeties sake I will no use them shame as you say I need pain relief so will wait till Monday and hopefully get to speak with GP

[phoebesmum]

I’m so sorry about your accident. I hope you’ve been getting on OK with your Codeine.

I was prescribed a similar dosage - 30g, 4 times a day. However, if you’ve not already discovered, it can leave you very tired. My own personal experience is osteoarthritis in my joints. My GP prescribed Codeine on an ‘as needed’ basis. If I DO have to resort to Codeine for really bad pain, which is very rarely, I only ever take 1-2 tablets once a day. Even then, I can still be asleep almost 24 hours later! And the constipation! Well suffice to say it becomes very difficult.

In my own situation, I would much prefer ‘natural’, non-drug remedies (with my GPs approval) that do a similar job of relieving my pain without giving me severe constipation! I take ‘Over 50’ vitamins (I’m almost 70), Natural Cranberry, and Tumeric with Ginger for my joints, but I checked with my GP to make sure that they collectively don’t exceed recommended daily dosage. I also pay for them myself as GPs will not prescribe such natural remedies. What would we do without Amazon?

Have a look on Amazon to see if there are any natural remedies for your pain. The other purchase I have made, which also has my GPs approval, is something called Dynamint. It comes in various forms, I use the roll-on. Again, consult with your GP to see if they think it would help. Bearing in mind the state of the NHS, I’m happy to ‘do my bit’ to lower my prescribed medications and pay for myself, in this instance. I hope your GP can help you with this, if you’ve not already found an alternative to Codeine. 🙂