A lot of people have posted very negative things about taking co-codamol but does anyone have the opposite view like me ?
Yes it is an opioid and yes it is potentially addictive but it is the only drug I’ve found that gives me a very definite ‘lift’ which does more for me than the actually pain relief that it also offers.
Fatigue and brain fog have always been my worst symptoms, then a variety of things eg MS hug, balance, co-ordination, cognitive stuff. As time has gone on (I’m approaching the wrong side of 50 now ) the ‘expected’ age related stuff eg. Menopause and arthritis has added to the MS.
I’ve been taking Modafinil to help with fatigue (which it does a bit) gabapentin (at night only as it makes me very sleepy) and Co-codamol 30/500 strength for several years now.
I find the co-codamol gives me a definite ‘lift’ 1/2 hr after taking it and this can last for about 4/5 hrs. This ‘lift’ makes me able to get going and do things (eg. put some washing on or peel some veg for tea). Without co-codamol I struggle so much, I’m in pain, just want to sleep/lie down and I’m so grumpy and have absolutely no interest or ability to do anything (not even something that I enjoy). I did ween myself off them totally a year ago but to be honest, I did not feel any better doe doing so, infact I felt worse.
My philosophy on life now is … if a tablet makes me feel better/more alive then bring it on ! Does that make me a drug addict ? to be honest the answer is probably yes but unless anyone has a better option I guess I will accept that label…
I’d be interested to know if others feel the same type of benefit from co-codamol as I do?
ps. yes constipation is an issue but Lactulose sorts that out.
if you are waiting for a LIFT then i would say you have addiction.
My husband took these like sweets. Yet he was always in pain. I actually said to him if you get addicted to them your brain will say you have pain so that you do take them. I am convinced of that. there was no cause for him to be in so much pain. He had COPD yes and suffered on going lung infections. but not pain as such. I thought he chonderitis but doctor said no.
but they still gave him these darn tablets. he even took paracetamol with them. he had no energy and would just fall alseep talking.
I know several people on them but never heard of them saying they gave them a lift just that they had to stop taking them as they made them feel sick and couldnt go to the loo.
A close family member got addicted , a horrible thing to watch, thankfully he’s now “clean” of them but it was a terrible time for him and his family.
I dont want to sound really negative, but I feel any post that lean towards condoning taking any type of drugs to just get a “lift” or a “high” and not generally for pain relief should be viewed with caution.
I think if you take a low dose of an opiate for pain and don’t find yourself needing to increase it to get the same effects it’s worth it. I take a bundle of drugs for different symptoms. Including Codeine and Oxycodone for pain, Baclofen and Cloneazepam for spasms and stiffness, Amitriptyline for the burning kind of pain and to help me sleep. Plus Zopiclone occasionally for times when I’m having a lot of trouble sleeping.
I haven’t needed to increase the dose of any of these drugs. If I don’t take pain killers (Oxycodone and Codeine plus Paracetamol), it hurts so much to stand. I need to retain the ability to stand for as long as possible and without painkillers it’s almost impossible. These drugs are relatively new to me, following breaking my femur/hip just over a year ago. One of the physiotherapists told me I’d never stand again and tried to persuade me that I’d need a hoist. I persevered and with pain relief I can stand, can transfer, can’t walk, but I can live without walking if I can manage to stand.
Drugs are my friend. If I overdo them, my GP surgery will stop me. I still have more than three quarters of a bottle of liquid Oxycodone for extreme pain relief on ad hoc basis. I don’t abuse my drugs but I take what I need.
I found co-codamol gave me a nasty headache when i took them, nothing to do with ms.
I see many people in my work who are addictive and its worrying they get prescribed them without getting help to come off.
Drugs shouldnt be taken to get a lift or high - unless you just feel a lift because you are not in pain,but saying that im not in need of painkillers so i may change my mind if/when the time comes
I love codeine / cocodamol. It makes me feel really nice. A little stoned. I try not to take it often and thankfully I don’t need to, as I would definitely become addicted. I absolutely love it. It makes the days more bearable. But then I really enjoyed cannabis in my youth ( too much ). I stopped as it wasn’t fun and made me paranoid, but codeine has a similar effect - minus the paranoia.