Tablets

Bones, joints and muscles
1

When left hospital was told to have codeine separate to paracetamol but found it was not enough as a pain killer have gone back onto my conformal found it more effective what do others think

2

Should be cocodamol

3

Hi Marilyn

I took my cocodamol into hospital and I wouldn't take their separate ones.  The hospital were fine with this and I have continued with these, I'm almost 3 weeks post op.

Good luck x

4

I think what they mean is do not take a full dose of each together. Cocodamol on prescription is 500 paracetamol with 30 codeine. The strongest you can get over the counter is 500/8. Have been on cocodamol since 2011 dosage 2 four times daily. But advised to take 1 with a paracetamol if manageable

Good news since hip op 8 weeks ago I am drug free

5

At a recent physio visit at nearly 4 weeks post op was to told I should be able to Manage on paracetamol by now. I can't, i have been taking strong meds including tramadol for years, for hips, knees and back. I wouldn't be able do exercises without. I am trying 1 tablet but more like 6 times a day. Still less than max dose but gets me through.

I think you should clarify your doseage and make sure it is enough for comfort or it will affect your recovery.

6

Hi Marilyn

I was sent home with paracetamol and co-codamol, but to be fair my tummy cannot tolerate pain killers, so I took paracetamol for the first week, then (I am just about at week 5 now), only an odd paracetamol now and again.  I have to say I think I must have a quite high pain tolerance level though.

Hope you sort out your pain relief

Nadine x

7

I have been taking codeine 30 mg separate from paracetamol. Normal cocodamol you get without prescription only has 8mg codeine so 2 tablets would only be 16 mg. I think you can get stronger combined paracetamol and codeine on prescription but I am not sure of the level of codeine. I prefer it separate as you can take it as you need it. In hospital  I even had 2 codeine at one time. Now I am 3 weeks i'm taking between 6 and 8 paracetamol a day and 3 to 4 codeine. I try to have less during the day as I often find I need some in the middle of the night . you have to be careful not to overdose on the paracetamol.

The biggest problem is constipation - if i have any more prunes I'll start to look like  one!

Some people don't get on with codeine so you should try to find what's best for you.

Good luck with controlling your pain.

I've also learnt not to try to drop the pain killers too soon as you heal better when you are in less pain!

8

Hi Mary, on leaving hospital, I was sent home with codeine and paracetamol as my consultant said it was stronger than co-codomol but I didn't notice the difference, when it ran out, I had the rest of my co-codomol and then went on to paracetamol until didn't need any painkillers at all after a couple of weeks, so I am up just on anti inflammatory's which are really for my RSI but help with arthritis in my back and other hip.

9

When I left hospital I was on Co codamol 30mg / 500mg prescription only strength. I also have oramorph 10 mg / 5ml on prescription because of my right hip which still needs doing. I try not to take the pain killers unless I really have too and I have found fresh pineapple juce a lot nicer to drink than eating prunes to help with constipation.