Co-codomol advice please

harleyquin
harleyquin Member Posts: 66
edited 3. Jul 2012, 10:09 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone and thank you again for your warm welcome yesterday.

Having discovered that I should be taking my co-codomol regularly as pain management, rather than just pain relief when things get really bad, I thought I had better start doing that last night.
Well to be frank I feel like I am under a medical kosh ...totally knocked me out today.
I am on 30/500, 2 tablets 4-6 hourly.
Will this feeling of being drugged get better as they settle into my system?
I couldn't cope with feeling like this all the time, I'm not sure which is worse really, the pain or feeling like this!!!

Hopefully someone will be able to reassure me on this.

Many thanks
Harley X

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,789
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Harley

    Mmmm..... they knock me silly too!

    When I am in agony I dont really care as I am likely lying down anyway :?

    Could you 'build up'?? Start on a lower dose??? You can get them 8/500 and 16/500. Just be careful of course not to overdose on the paracetamol part!

    I think you DO develop a tolerance to these medications because i used to be able to take tramadols max dose all day, but now one makes me sick all day :oops:

    Now I am on bu-trans patches...a constant dose of pain meds all day no sudden boosts/lulls in the drug.

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • sbolam
    sbolam Member Posts: 374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    i know what you mean about the cocods knocking the normality out of you. my partner just sits there and laughs ar me when I take them...but now I only take them at night and first thing in the morning then i switch to the tramadol, even they they send me silly I can find the kitchen on them. :lol
    04_pain.jpg
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I don't have that sort of trouble with them harleyquin, but when I need to get 'ahead' of the pain I start with two, then after two to three hours I take another pill, and carry on topping up at regular intervals with just a single pill then two at bedtime. I find this works for me. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    until recently I was taking 3 doses of 30/500 co-codamol a day plus one dose of Tramadol.

    It was recently changed so that I took the max dose of paracetamol every 24 hours, and added in codeine OR tramadol inbetween as needed.

    For me this has led to me taking less codeine (the habit-forming if overused part of the co-codamol drug) and having the pain more in check.

    please do remember though that it is really important not to take more than 8 paracetamol products in total through any 24 hour period - and always keep to the recommended dosing pattern (ie - at least 4 hours between doses unless you have been told otherwise by your GP) as I found out not long ago, it is easy to lose track, and always best to err on the side of caution in my book.

    wonky xxx
  • Colin1
    Colin1 Member Posts: 1,769
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Harley they have taht effect on me to i have read your replies and see it effects lots of people. I went to paracetamol. 2 X 500mg capsuls every 4 hours no more than in 24 hours it was ok. It may be worth talking to the GP to see if there is anything you can take that doesent sonk you.
    Colin
    WHEN GOD GIVES YOU LEMONS MAKE LEMONADE
  • succotash
    succotash Member Posts: 83
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    Sorry I cant give you any advice regarding your medication, speaking to your GP would be best.
    But I can say I take codeine, I can take anything from 15mg to 60mg depending on how bad the pain is. However the effects upon me are not good so I try not to take it too often.
    My gp told me to only take it when I need to as taking it long term can cause addiction.... If I need it for more than a couple of days I get the collywobbles when I stop!
    How come I'm over the hill and rapidly going down it, when I don't even recall reaching the summit?
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello harleyquin, how are you feeling today? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • harleyquin
    harleyquin Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi everyone and thank you all so much for taking the time to reply and advise me on this.
    I'm going to check with my doctor to see if she wants me to be taking the tablets regularly or only when i need them, as the first port of call would be to clarify that with her.
    Meanwhile I have cut down to 1 tablet to see if if takes the edge of the pain as opposed to knocking me senseless like yesterday lol.
    I did ask her about addiction when she raised the dose from 8/500 to 30/500 but she didn't think it would be a problem.
    I do have an addictive personality but only where FOOD is concerned lol.

    Thank you all again for caring enough to reply, and also for the condolences I have received too, it means so much.

    Harley X
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Obviously checking with the doc is the right thing to do (I'm mentally kicking myself for not suggesting it) and please let us know what they say. I know that the dullers have a cumulative effect so a constant drip-drip is better than a blast when the pain is well-established, but finding out what suits you is a time consuming process. Good luck harley, I'm thinking of you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • justinbarrow
    justinbarrow Member Posts: 338
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am also on codeine 30/500 mg and was advised to take them when needed, the main problem I have is they make me feel tired and I suffer with bad constipation which is a common side effect of this medication.

    I hope you feel better soon :)
  • Karen293
    Karen293 Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI, I just wanted to add that I have the same problem with the co-codamel at 30/500 and had to reduce down to 15/500.

    The pain relief isn't so good but I can take them more often and got a better control on the pain.

    Again you need to discuss this with your GP but hope this may help

    Karen
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Constipation (or blocked drains :wink: ) is a common side-effect of the cocos and I have Docusate capsules (from my GP) to help with that. As I have had to increase the cocos to help with my ribs I have also re-started the Docusate and I'm swigging about two pints of water per day too. That also helps to keep things 'moving'. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Heather65
    Heather65 Member Posts: 262
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Harleyquin,
    like you im on cocos the same dose ,i work nights so have to time them carefully,i take two when i get to work at 8,, 2 at midnight and 2 before i go to bed in the morning and thats how it goes every day i also take 2 napraxsin a day and my amytriptoline before i go to bed it sounds like a lot but it keeps me going and im able to work full time ,
    The tablets do make me a little tired but my body seems to be getting used to it (not sure thst is good ) and i dont know what will happen long term ,you have to do whats best for you its a bit hit and miss ,
    Heather65 :)