managing maximum dose of paracetamol ...
Wonkylegs
Member Posts: 3,504
HI all,
well as many of you know I take co-codamol, but not usually need the maximum dose. However, since my run of infections and subsequently missing 7 weeks of MTX and some of my Leflunomide, the wheels are slowing and the joints are shouting out in distress.
I have been taking two co-coadamol 8/500 at breakfast and in the afternoon, and then two 30/500 at night to help me sleep. I left the 4th dose as an emergency dose so never really ahd to consider the no more than 8 in any 24 hour period rule very carefullly.
Now I am finding that this is not enough, and have realised that unless I get myself into a routine, it would be easy to take more than I should. I had assumed that 'per day' meant just that, but apparantly not. :roll:
I popped in to see the pharmacist this afternoon, and she suggested that I try to take them every 6 hours, so I'm going to try that tomorrow - 7am when hubby goes to work,, 1, 7 & midnight before bed. That seems to be the best idea, although I am NOT going to get up at 7 so will ahve to go back to sleep for a bit Shew also sggested that I might be better taking the stronger ones in teh morning too, but I am not sure about that yet. We'll see.
I just wondered how any of you manage taking the maximum dose regularly without getting hung up on times etc?
well as many of you know I take co-codamol, but not usually need the maximum dose. However, since my run of infections and subsequently missing 7 weeks of MTX and some of my Leflunomide, the wheels are slowing and the joints are shouting out in distress.
I have been taking two co-coadamol 8/500 at breakfast and in the afternoon, and then two 30/500 at night to help me sleep. I left the 4th dose as an emergency dose so never really ahd to consider the no more than 8 in any 24 hour period rule very carefullly.
Now I am finding that this is not enough, and have realised that unless I get myself into a routine, it would be easy to take more than I should. I had assumed that 'per day' meant just that, but apparantly not. :roll:
I popped in to see the pharmacist this afternoon, and she suggested that I try to take them every 6 hours, so I'm going to try that tomorrow - 7am when hubby goes to work,, 1, 7 & midnight before bed. That seems to be the best idea, although I am NOT going to get up at 7 so will ahve to go back to sleep for a bit Shew also sggested that I might be better taking the stronger ones in teh morning too, but I am not sure about that yet. We'll see.
I just wondered how any of you manage taking the maximum dose regularly without getting hung up on times etc?
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Comments
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Hi Wonky,
I take paracetamol every 6 hours in times of need and it's easier to remember the dose because it's at the same times of the day i.e. first dose 8 a.m. next 2p.m., next 8 p.m., last 2 a.m. and if I manage to sleep through I miss the 2 a.m. This way you can't overdose. You also know when you're feeling better because you forget to take them instead of living for the next dose.
Hope this helps and that you start to feel better very soon.
Luv LegsLove, Legs x
'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'0 -
thanks legs ... you prove what the pharmacist says is right!
have asked hubby to wake me when he is up in the morning and force feed me if I refuse to take them! (I do like my snuggly duvet and am rather less than keen to give it up in a morning )
will let you know how I get on0 -
Please do let me know how you go on - I swear by paracetamol, I think it's a very underestimated drug just because you can buy it over the counter, I think it's a brilliant painkiller.
I'll think of you at 7 a.m. tomorrow - well I might not if I'm still snoring
Take care.
Luv Legs XLove, Legs x
'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'0 -
lindalegs wrote:Hi Wonky,
I take paracetamol every 6 hours in times of need and it's easier to remember the dose because it's at the same times of the day i.e. first dose 8 a.m. next 2p.m., next 8 p.m., last 2 a.m. and if I manage to sleep through I miss the 2 a.m. This way you can't overdose. You also know when you're feeling better because you forget to take them instead of living for the next dose.
Hope this helps and that you start to feel better very soon.
Luv Legs
Thats exactly how I take my dihydrocodeine.....
I stick to 8 - 2 - 8...........and only take the 2am if I wake in pain..
Been on it for a while now, and have tried to do without it a few times............just get bad dose of 'the shakes' if I miss it for more than 24 hours.......
I understand its addictive, so I guess I'm 'hooked' on the stuff.....
I know it 'hits the spot' for me, so once again........put up with the side effects eh??
Rob xRob0 -
Hi, Thats the rule that I followed when taking them. I always woke up to take the night time dose, as the pain in my spine gets worse in bed! I don't know if some of the wakeing up at 2am became a habit, but I only looked at the clock as I was in pain, but our bodies do funny things to us.
When I changed to the tramadol slow release tablets, I take them at 9am and 9pm, I tought that I would still want to take something in the night as it was a habit, but I didn't, I slept through which is great! I am allowed to take paracetamol if needed, but so far its not very often happened. Once when I had a cold, and several times with migrane headaches.
Oh, sorry I'm going on a bit!! :oops: I do hope that you settle down soon and can go back on your other meds. At least you know they are helping you. I don't know about you, but sometimes I look at the pillls and think, are they really doning any good? Then I run out or something and boy, do I find out!
Love Sue ps Sorry to go on a bit!0 -
OH Sue I know what you mean!!!
I wonder the same and then I find that I really did need them when I miss a dose.
I have been good and taken two doses of the 8/500 so far, but I am having a bad day ... been trying to contact the delivery firm to arrange a delivery. They had a memo but that isn't enough apparently, but they forgot to say that to the hospital it seems, so no injection tomorrow I am desperate to get some delivered on Friday or Monday or I will not get a jab next week. either.
why is it always so hard? I wish they could communicate with each other. I end up feeling so low about it, and it is worse cos I hurt today and am sooooooooooo tired.
might try some of the stronger ones later .... anything.
sorry to moan, feeling that way today.0 -
Hi Wonky,
Are you talking about MTX or Anti TNF injections? If so I can't believe they would leave you without anything to take! That's horrible!
I wonder if it has to do with where you live etc. The people who give me mine always call and check that I have about 8 injections left just in case!
I hope you feel better soon Wonky
A xWonkylegs wrote:OH Sue I know what you mean!!!
I wonder the same and then I find that I really did need them when I miss a dose.
I have been good and taken two doses of the 8/500 so far, but I am having a bad day ... been trying to contact the delivery firm to arrange a delivery. They had a memo but that isn't enough apparently, but they forgot to say that to the hospital it seems, so no injection tomorrow I am desperate to get some delivered on Friday or Monday or I will not get a jab next week. either.
why is it always so hard? I wish they could communicate with each other. I end up feeling so low about it, and it is worse cos I hurt today and am sooooooooooo tired.
might try some of the stronger ones later .... anything.
sorry to moan, feeling that way today.0 -
Hi GG
it is my MTX injections. I stalled them when they wanted to deliver in October, as I had missed several and had plenty in stock. since then the hospital arranged a lowering of dose, but their memo to the delivery company was apparently not enough ...... pity they just left it rather than asking the hospital to send a new prescription. apparently they have been onto the hospital now .... waiting for a phone call tomorrow to arrange delivery.
fed up with this happening after every dose change.0 -
Oh no Wonky
NO JABS?!!
that is just wicked.
I am unimpressed. I take paracetamol just as you said when I take it all day, but I worry then that it'll give me a headache as it says not to take over a prolonged period of time....
Maybe if you need to take em over too long a poeriod of time you need to get something else? Oh I just don't know :?
Hope the jabs arrive Wonky
Love
Toni x0 -
ta toni,
I have taken more co-codamol in the past month than in the past year all together, but the GP says it is better to take it than to suffer with the pain, and I am being careful how much I take. Can't manage without for now, but am hoping when they get me the MTX that, together with the leflunomide it will start to work again. Never missed so many MTX injections - 7 of the last 8 have been missed. :x Batteries are running low.
Yesterday found out that the psychological assessment appointment I had in August (I was referred for CBT in April 2008) has to be done again as they want me to see someone else. I feel like they are just playing with me, and no help after you've dredged up your soul and bared it all to them. Got to do it all again when I get another appointment. Hope they will see me after that or I will throw the towel in and say get lost. It's not worth the waiting and the worrying. God bless the NHS eh? :roll:0 -
It sounds like your having a bit off a nightmare all round at the mo.
hope you get your jabs and are ok to take it this week.
take care0 -
Gosh Wonky, poor poor you! You have been through the mill haven't you.
I really hope you get your inj's asap and the NHS and delivery company actually decide to communicate with each other properly.
Hang in there and take care but don't give up just yet x
Arna x0 -
Hello, Seems they've taken their time in telling you about seeing someone else, but I hope it does you lots of good.
As for the tablets, I think doctors tend to go with keeping you as comfortable as possible, because its easier for them to help you stay that way than to stop taking the medication and find you'r in a heck of a lot of pain, and need heavy doses of strong painkillers to do any good. Thats what I think they said to me, if I remember correctly, which isn't always the case these days!!! :oops:
Love Sue0 -
Oh Wonky, sympathy, sympathy.............
As one who's been on co-codamol 30/500 for years (off and on - I do try to go without whenever possible) I've just been given Tramadol to mix n' match with it in an effort to cut it down.
Like others, when on the max dose I do the 6 hours, too, but the Tramdol is currently working well and I have been able to reduce the cocos to 2 x 2 daily. Hoping to be able to cut out one of those soon, as well.
I'm finding (well, today at any rate) that I am less fuzzy headed with this current mix.
I agree that when you need it, it's best to keep it going. I've suffered too many times trying to cut down too quickly.
Hope you get your injections sorted soon and that you begin to feel better -
((((()))))
Annie0 -
Would you be allowed to take MTX tablets instead of the injection while you wait?
I had a long period without the Humira injections because of my THR and they kept telling me I could restart taking them but I felt so well I wanted to see how long I could last.
I am always over doing the paracetemol...I usually take 10 in one go if I get a headache cos anything less just does not work.I am still alive!!!Suppose I should say dont try this at home folks.
ElizabethNever be bullied into silence.
Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
Accept no ones definition of your life
Define yourself........
Harvey Fierstein0 -
frogmorton wrote:Oh no Wonky
NO JABS?!!
that is just wicked.
I am unimpressed. I take paracetamol just as you said when I take it all day, but I worry then that it'll give me a headache as it says not to take over a prolonged period of time....
Maybe if you need to take em over too long a poeriod of time you need to get something else? Oh I just don't know :?
Hope the jabs arrive Wonky
Love
Toni x
Just to add that I think when it says not to take anything over a long period of time without seeking medical advice, it's just precautionary for people who are taking over-the-counter medicenes. This is because they could be masking a problem that a GP should know about.
The main thing paracetamol may cause over a long period of continual use (as far as I know but am happy to be corrected) is nose bleeds.
Luv LegsLove, Legs x
'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'0 -
I know what you all mean about long term paracetamol use, but I have the 'benefit' of monthly and sometimes forthnightly blood tests, so in theory they should spot any problems before they get to be a problem, if that makes sense?
As far as the MTX tablets go ... I had thought about asking my GP, to prescripbe some. I was ill on them before they switched me, but if it was just the nausea etc that i could maybe cope with, but the tablets didn't really do much for the arthritis either, so I think it wouldn't be worth the hassle. :roll:
I forgot to take the co-codamol at 7pm. Hubby was home and I was cooking and felt ok, by the time I realised it was too late to be able to take one dose and then get another one in before bed, so I have not had the four doses today ..... tomorrow is another day eh?! :roll:0 -
Hi
I go along with Annie on this one too. Perhaps you need to contact your GP and discuss Tramadol Slow release. I have just gone on to these from taking ordinary Tramadol for nearly 6 months. Must say, I have not touched my Co-codomol box at all in that time.
Also on Pregabelin though.
Despite having a bad flare up of PMR at the moment, have only taken the odd 2 paracetamols from time to time. I may have to take 2 tonight. Keep putting it off. The one good thing about not relying on Co Cos is that I do not seem to get need the laxatives so much. That must be good for the old colon.
I would certainly contact your GP and ask about Tramadols. They could help you if your GP agrees that they would beok for you
good night
joy0 -
thanks JOy,
I'll see how I get on with the co-codamol higher dose first, but will keep tramadol in mind.
I'm hoping that now they have finally organised my meds to be delivered on Friday, that I will be able to get back to a more 'normal' existence and be able to cut down on the co-codamol again.
hugs from a slightly chirpier wonky today ((((((()))))))))))))0 -
I am hving a problem remembering the 7pm dose :roll: :roll: usually remember about 8.30 when it is too late for that dose and too early for the other!
will ahve to get a reminder alarm or something
hubby is not good at helping me to remember but always relies on me to remind him :roll:0 -
Hi Wonky
Sorry you still strugging. Could you set an alarm on your mobile phone? Sending hugs
Chris xx0 -
mmmmm ..... good idea!
first find mobile phone...... and make sure it is on .... not always the case but I can learn can't i!
I have to say that when I take the full four doses it does help .... so will be trying hard to remember tomorrow0 -
Wonkylegs wrote:I am hving a problem remembering the 7pm dose :roll: :roll: usually remember about 8.30 when it is too late for that dose and too early for the other!
will ahve to get a reminder alarm or something
hubby is not good at helping me to remember but always relies on me to remind him :roll:
If I were you Wonky I would take the late dose at 8:30 a.m. and then just adjust your next doses accordingly - e.g next dose 2:30p.m., next dose 8:30 p.m., next 2:30 a.m. - you can always make a note of when you took your waking up dose - then you don't have to wake specially at 7 a.m. just to take meds - unless you're taking them whilst in bed so getting up is easier. :?
Or .... you could make it 4 hours between your evening and your in-the-night tablets so you can still safely take the 7 a.m. dose and get back into a routine again.
Are you confused - I think I know what I mean:?
Luv LegsLove, Legs x
'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'0 -
linda it is both of us confused then :?
It is not easy remembering all the times as well as everything else but we are getting there. It reallydoes help taking the extra dose.
Hubby is up at 6.30 weekday mornings so he brings me a cuppa and a glass of water, I take tablets then go back to sleep when he goes out. When I get up I can do so much easier than when I don't take the tablets, so am going to carry on doing that.
At weekends I will have to vary the times a bit, but will have to be careful to watch the 24 hour rule.
Arthur is hating all these tablets - he will hate it even more when I get my MTX on wednesday0
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