cocodamol: Hi, Just over a week ago I went to... - Thyroid UK

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cocodamol

appy45 profile image
35 Replies

Hi, Just over a week ago I went to Dr, as neck was really painful. Have arthritis ( as well as under active thyroid ) Anyway, he arranged for me to go physio , and also gave me cocodamol. Said it was ok to take while on Naproxen. Within an hour of taking it, I had stomach pains, nausea, and then I passed out, on kitchen floor. When I came to, hubby was ringing for medics, but they sent ambulance as not sure if I banged my head. My blood pressure was high, nose bleed. They stayed till blood pressure normal. Told hubby to ring Drs. The duty Dr phoned back, said I should have just been told to take paracetamol. Checked on-line next day, found out that cocodamol should not be taken by people with under active thyroid. Fine now, though still got sore coccyx lol.

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appy45
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35 Replies
Matt8394Alien profile image
Matt8394Alien

First time news about not taking codein products with hypothyroid. I've got spinal condition and been on 30/500 solpodol for 6 years now along with Fentanyl and not had any issues.

Glad you're ok. That must have been terrifying for both of you.

swtjamie profile image
swtjamie in reply toMatt8394Alien

Im on oxycodone (percacet) 5 mg have been for atleast 6 years and am on levothioxine (mispelled) and dont have any complications that i know of any ways!!!

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Appy45,

I was given co-codamol in hospital after thyroidectomy and to take home. I hope you're okay now.

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply toClutter

Thanks Clutter. Fine now, though neck still painful . Took tablets back to pharmacy.

soppysokes profile image
soppysokes

I also take cocodamol, but with no other pain meds and also have no problems with it. Bit scary huh? Glad you ok now

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply tosoppysokes

Thanks soppysokes. What are you taking cocodamol for? Have you an under active thyroid?

soppysokes profile image
soppysokes in reply toappy45

Hello apply, love that name! Yes underactive -neck pain hence cocodamol.slight nerve impingement due to degeneration/arthritis/Spurs.I was fortunate enough to get mri-perhaps your GP would refer you if your pain doesn't ease?

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply tosoppysokes

Hi again, Neck not so bad now. Have to go physio next week. But the back of my neck, left side, gets very itchy, and feels a bit numb. Wish I knew why. Thank you for your response. Joan

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply tosoppysokes

Hi soppysokes - sounds like you have a neck like mine !

XXX

🐥

keeta profile image
keeta

I read that aswell .but thought docs know what they are doing .but i.m the same as you .???

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply tokeeta

Our small surgery has amalgamated with a larger one, so never know which Dr I will see. Don't think my Dr would have given me the cocodamol, she doesn't even like me taking naproxen.

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply toappy45

About the Naproxen. That's possibly because of Asthma ???

Make sure you have kidney bloods done from time to time also, if taking Naproxen long term.

I only take paracetamol then food then one, two or three x 200mg Ibuprofen for pain on rare occassion. Sadly some have unmanageable extreme pain constantly and have to take pain meds most of the time.

X🐥

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply toMary-intussuception

Hi, Naproxen is for arthritis. I don't take it a lot, re Drs warning. But been taking it this time for about a month, after knee gave way coming down the stairs. Fell backwards, had a lot of pain in knee and hip. Have stopped it now, as don't need it.

Me2U profile image
Me2U

my goodness I didn't know that co-codamol hasn't to be taken by those with hypothyroid..was it explained why? Hope you're ok now

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply toMe2U

Sorry, it said to consult Dr , but as Dr prescribed it, I took it for granted that it was ok. I'm fine now, thank you, just waiting to see physio. Joan

Hi

What strength codeine were the cocodamol?

Pharmacy over-the-counter (which can also be prescribed ) are 8mg. Marked 8/500. Doctors can presribe stronger up to 30mg ie 30/500. The stronger, the more severe the side effects eg drowsiness, constipation

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply toMary-intussuception

Hi, They were 30mg. As they say, you learn something new every day, lol. I will never take them again. Joan

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply toappy45

That's a high dose. Given for EXTREME pain.

The lower doses wouldn't have had such an extreme side effect! I read once that the high dose can make you feel 'spaced out' !!

X

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply toMary-intussuception

It certainly did. I remember standing at the kitchen sink, next thing my hubby was saying " wake up, Joan, can you hear me, open your eyes " Then he told me off for getting of the sofa and going into the kitchen.

silverfox7 profile image
silverfox7

Thanks for posting. Not been happy when taking things with Codeine in for years so that will be the reason!

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply tosilverfox7

Hi silverfox, Have you ever had any actual problems with taking codeine? I wish my Dr had said just to take one to begin with, might have been ok .

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply toappy45

Might have been ok appy45 or even 2 x 8/500 might have been!

🐥x

silverfox7 profile image
silverfox7 in reply toappy45

Sick and I think I might have had a rash at some stage. Not always easy to pin something wrong when you aren't feeling well anyway so I cut it out and it worked! I was once on holiday in Guernsey and got a hacking cough which I was more upset about keeping others awake so went down to Boots for some cough mixture. I was trying to look st the cough medicines behind the counter but couldn't remember what I normally got and didn't recognise the packaging so I said I could t spot what I wanted but what could she suggest that didn't have codeine in it so she passed me one that looked to be just a linctus so declined that one but then she said new one just come in and been recommended so took that. Got back to hotel but not to waste time got in the car and thought I would take a swig out of the bottle. I spotted it had codeine so I took it back. Well Medicines cannot be exchanged but she did as her fault and knew codeine doesn't suit all.

Zephyrbear profile image
Zephyrbear

I take co-codamol when I need it for arthritic pain in my hips at night, but instead of taking two (prescribed) tablets I just take one and a normal paracetamol tablet and that does it nicely. Taking 2 co-codamol tablets used to make my head swim as though I was drunk. I have never heard of not taking it as a hypothyroid...

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply toZephyrbear

I think it was more a warning to consult GP before taking it, but he gave them to me, so I thought it was ok. Not my usual Dr.

elaine2447 profile image
elaine2447

You poor thing and how scary. I would be careful with the Naproxen, it's as bad as Diclofenic and over a period of time can cause awful stomach bleed type problems. I would be interested to know why one cannot take codeine with an underactive thyroid, I know it can suppress cortisol. Unfortunately I live on the damned stuff as I have a crushed T5 (osteoporosis) not that it does a great deal for pain now. Anyway, glad you are feeling better.

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply toelaine2447

Thanks Elaine, I feel a lot better now. I don't take Naproxen very often, only when really need it. My usual Dr warns me about it. Re your other reply, as the Dr never mentioned any side effects, I took 2 cocodamol. Never again. Took them back to pharmacy.

elaine2447 profile image
elaine2447

There doesn't seem to be any info as to exactly what cocodomol does with being hypo, just to be cautious in this article, also includes adrenal insufficiency. I imagine it is to do with suppressing the respiratory system netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/a...

Tanyaking profile image
Tanyaking

I take up too six a day and my daughter has to take 8 a day both 30/500 I don't have a thyroid and my daughter has severe fibromyalgia ,no problems accept constipation from it.

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply toTanyaking

Then it wouldn't have been any good for me anyway, had problems with constipation for years due to thyroid, but improving since started taking magnesium. Thank you for your reply. Take care both of you x

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply toappy45

With cocodamol it is wise to also take Lactulose medicine to prevent the constipation. I don't understand why doctors don't automatically presribe the Lactulose at the same time when they prescribe any strength of cocodamol.

X🐥

Tanyaking profile image
Tanyaking in reply toappy45

That's fantastic,what type of magnesium are you using? There are so many so I end up not trying any ,if that makes sense? Lol.x

appy45 profile image
appy45 in reply toTanyaking

I take magnesium Citrate. It works for me . Wish I'd found out about it years ago lol.

Tanyaking profile image
Tanyaking in reply toappy45

Which brand do you take and how much? Thank you so much for sharing,appy45.x

appy45 profile image
appy45

I take magnesium citrate on-line from Nu U. I after breakfast, I after evening meal. But just saw another reply you had, about Calm Vitality magnesium powder. That looks good to me. Wish I'd seen it before.

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