Any problems with Co-dydramol

grampyal
grampyal Member Posts: 81
edited 24. Aug 2010, 14:01 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, Just over two years ago I had a TKR which has not been too good, in fact my new knee is still far more painful than my old one. As a painkiller I take Co-dydramol which is supposed to be safe. On Tuesday I woke with very stiff and painful knees. My own knee had swollen quite a lot. As the day went on I felt worse although knees went down but I now had a severe pain behind my eyes. Of course I took Co-dyd. both for head pain and legs. Eventually I gave up and went to bed, now feeling sick as well. Towards evening, over 10 hours since food I was able to vomit some white frothy liquid and did feel a little better. Very little sleep all night and continued to bring up what appeared to be saliva. Managed to get a house call and doc said thought I had a virus and take Paracetamol. I told her I had been taking the combined Paracetamol and Codeine but she said that the Codeine could actually make the headache worse. On checking side-effects leaflet I find I have many of the symptoms shown. Anyone else noticed this? Al

Comments

  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi grampyal...nice to meet you. :D

    sounds like you are going through quite a rough time with the TKR pain and now the headaches and sickness. :? :(

    I've been taking co-dydramol 10/500 for a few years now but not had the symptoms you describe.
    I am careful not to take it on an empty stomach (the med leaflet warns you about that..... as codeine is hard on the stomach lining.)

    So I always take co-dyd with a glass of milk to avoid getting a stomach ache.

    ...so maybe you need to review how you are taking this med? best speak to the pharmacist or your own doc when surgery re-opens on Monday.

    hope you feel better soon. :wink:

    Iris x
  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes, I have had problems with the 10/500 Co-Dydramol, feeling whoozy and sleepy, stomach upsets and instant blockage problems to name a few. GP decided to try me on 8/500 which, apparently, is a different type of codeine and seems OK so I can take them more often than the others. I did have some 30/500's and the affects were horrible!

    So, back to yer GP for a review?

    8)Its a grin, honest!
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Grampyal :)

    Lovely to hear from you after such a long time, seems ages, a year or so perhaps? I am so sorry to hear that you have not fared well with your TKR op. Did your surgeon throw any light on why it was not a success? I had my other knee done this January.

    I cannot help you with the Co-drydamol question because I take Co-codamols if necessary. They make me constipated and whoosy. I am sorry you are feeling so cr**p on them. Perhaps it would be advisable to have a chat with your gp.

    I do hope you will not leave it anywhere near as long before you call in again. You have been missed. How are the grandchildren? :wink::)

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi again grampya :D

    just wondered how you are feeling this morning?

    Iris x
  • grampyal
    grampyal Member Posts: 81
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    'morning,
    Thanks all for help and good wishes. Feeling lot better today which is just as well as we have baby for 1st full day on our own. Sun am picked up a few leaves in gdn and some beans then felt washed out-cold and sweaty so rested. Its a grin is it? few weeks back was out walking dog (very old Dane) and neighbour not much younger than me who was walking in to work remarked about the two old cripples she could see coming towards her. Said she didnt know who was worse. Gifts I now get include sticks and folding chairs for me to rest---- got to grin haven't you. Iris- good point, I always take meds with food but this time kept on even when not eating-silly old fool. Elna- Yes a long time. Just been very busy, had extension to house which will provide downstairs bedroom if needed and of course grand children. One was full time job but now have five. Son and ptnr produced twins (15months) also baby now 13 weeks. Lewys is now 4 1/2 and Rowan will be 2 in December. We only have them 3 days a week and love having them but as you know they are hard work and SO FAST. By the time I get up they are out of sight ( only the walking ones). Will keep in touch now. Best wishes, Al
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Grampyal

    I'm sorry to hear that your new knee is so painful. I had a TKR in February and was sent out with co-dydramol. It didn't help me one bit so they put me on Tramadol. I'm still on Tramadol and this deals with the pain very well. It meant that I got through the day and managed the physio. The co-dydramol didn't even touch the pain.
    Co-dydramol made my skin very itchy and dry and it also made me constipated so I had to take a laxative every day. I have found that I don't have these symptoms with Tramadol.

    I will be having a second TKR because my other knee is also very bad. I am still on tramadol but I'm trying to decrease it from 5 a day to 3 a day. If I'm in real pain I can take paracetamol alongside the tramadol. I suspect that Tramadol makes me hot but as I take other medication my GP is trying me on new meds for my blood pressure to see if it is those first. I get on so well with Tramadol. In fact if I didn't take Tramadol I don't think I could walk as well as I do now. However, if it is the Tramadol that is making me hot I've been told I can try patches.

    May I suggest that you go back to your GP? Do you take amytriptiline? I find these are wonderful and help me sleep. They relax your muscles and without these especially as my other leg is bad I wouldn't sleep as well as I do. I take 2 of these at night.

    All the best.

    Sharmaine

    PS I just wanted to see that my new knee is doing very well and I rely on it to get me about. The only thing I get is tenderness under my foot if I overdo things. I find that wearing well padded shoes nothing flat - and no flip flops helps.
  • amboritic
    amboritic Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Co-Dydramol has dihydrocodeine in it whereas the Cocodomol has plain old codeine, apparently dihydrocodeine is a stronger medication to codeine hence the lower dosage.

    Haven't seen CoDydramol in any other dose than 10/500, but have seen several different dosages of CoCodamol, such as 8/500, the 8/500's aren't even regarded as a POM. So can be bought without prescription.
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi grampyal

    glad you're feeling better......you'll have to with all those little ones to be chasing :lol: sounds like a very busy house at times. :wink:

    you must have a good sense of humour too judging by your 'great dane' & neighbour story... !

    look forward to reading more of your posts :mrgreen:


    Iris x

    ps... answered your thread Sue. lots to think about eh?

    ambariotic.... great to see you posting !

    Iris xx

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