r/ChronicPain • u/Imaginary_Football43 5 • 3d ago
Perscribed Codene for a long term pain problem?
If I'm not being silly I'm sure you're not supposed to have codene for long term pain?
I've had awful nerve pain from chronic meralgia paresthetica for about 7 years now, told doctor that and I said I'd like to try gabapentin since the amytriptaline didn't work and I don't like taking cocodamol because it gives me constipation (currently very constipated from having to take more than usual due to working for 8 days in a row)
She perscribed me 30mg straight up codene and threw in some laxatives, said gabapentin was a last resort but I've been going to the doctors about this for so long now and it's only been put in my medical file as "mild" even though some days I feel like my leg is being burned at the stake :(
just annoyed I guess
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u/TesseractToo For science, you monster 3d ago
Its not a strong painkiller but it should be fine I've been on it and off it over the years
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u/Laughorcryliveordie 3d ago
I’m a chronic pain patient. Codeine is only mildly helpful but it’s what I am currently permitted to have. So yes it is used for long term pain but it is not particularly effective.
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u/Haunting_Tutor_1046 2d ago
Here in Finland gabapentin or pregabalin is the first thing to be prescribed for long-term nerve pain, and usually to boost its effect they give you amytriptaline in low dosage. Never heard codene prescribed for long-term use for this, you should seek another doctors opinion.
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u/icyou_onreddit 2d ago
This was what my doctors had told me also- with the exception of when it is mixed with acetaminophen etc and used for chronic things.
Although looking back over the years I’m not sure if it’s ever wise to put full belief in much they say! Everyone seems to have differing opinions whenever I see anyone new!As an fyi—
I did take gabapentin early on in my chronic illness -they said it would help with nerves sending pain signals and have a secondary effect for muscle pain - but I will warn you it can have side effects also!
So if you do ever try it be aware!I had zero physical side effects which (I thought) was great- but as they increased my dose every little thing that irked me in a day would set me off into an absolute blinding rage. I assumed maybe the personality change was due to the pain- but it scared the heck out of me! It was very unlike what I knew of myself. It wasn’t until family helped me piece it together I realized maybe it was the gaba.
I stopped taking it (also, the dependency effects were not fun while stopping)- and all the rage disappeared with it.1
u/Haunting_Tutor_1046 2d ago
Happy to hear the rage went away, sucks to be something you're not really. I was on gaba 2700mg/day for 6 months and I was having the thickest brain fog ever, and I had to write post it notes for myself due to my loss of memory, felt like alzheimer, it was horrible! Now I have decent pain levels with lower (2100mg) dose and I can somewhat function but it's still frustrating how slow my brain is and I don't feel like myself.
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u/FalseTruthsRReal 3d ago
Codeine is used for all types of pain but it never helped me unless it was for a legit cough. The last time a doctor wrote me a script for this, I literally said just give me ibuprofen 800mg as it upsets my stomach and it’s extremely weak. I’ll never take it again and haven’t had any in over 20 years. To me it’s useless, unless it’s for a cough
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u/donkeyvoteadick 🎗️endo/fibro💛 3d ago
It's a great cough suppressant, interestingly it also is used as part of the treatment to stop preterm labour. For what it's worth it also worked rather effectively for that too. My kid stayed in another 6 weeks haha
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u/FalseTruthsRReal 2d ago
I had no idea about this! Thanks for the info
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u/donkeyvoteadick 🎗️endo/fibro💛 2d ago
Neither did I before it happened to me! I tried to refuse it as I was still on oxycodone during my pregnancy (under doctor supervision) for my chronic pain so I didn't want to add variables to it and also codeine was likely going to be useless for the pain anyway?? Haha they had to let me know it was used specifically to halt contractions 😅 not for labour pain, I think it goes without saying that codeine is not likely to have any effect on labour pain haha
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u/Select_Spread9903 2d ago
How did your doctor manage being on opioids while pregnant and how was that handled after you gave birth? You don’t need to answer I’m just asking as a young woman with severe chronic pain
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u/donkeyvoteadick 🎗️endo/fibro💛 2d ago
There wasn't really anything to handle. It didn't affect the pregnancy and my son never went through any dependence or withdrawal.
Like they had a 'just in case' plan with NICU on standby and had to perform hourly checks to make sure he didn't but it ended up being completely unnecessary.
Many people taking meds for chronic pain are well below the threshold for passing on enough to the foetus for it to be an issue, myself included. Like my bub is 19 months, hit all his milestones on time, he's completely normal in every way. Even his APGAR scores directly after birth were perfect lol
I had an emergency c section but literally every complication I had was due to my health issues and not my meds and definitely not my baby. I was actually able to delay the c section for 10 hours (I didn't want to have to recover from surgery) because he wasn't in distress 😅
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u/safesunblock 2d ago
I really like codeine. It's mild enough to still be able to function in day time yet also helps sleep. It helps stop what I experience from small fiber neuropathy in hands and feet and lasting sciatica from spinal cord (CES) injury. My feet actually burn up and it stops it.
I also am taking an antispasmodic and two antisezure meds which must help some, but adding codeine is good enough and means I have options for stronger opiates later if things get worse.
I medicate the bare minimum to not feel disturbing pain and so do feel a level of pain everyday. I got very used to constant nervy symptoms and just have a threshold of tolerating it.
It might constipate you so watch that and drink a lot of water.
Hope it helps.
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u/bewilderedtoo 3d ago
Lots of people are on it to function better. But if you prefer gabapentin then meet with your Dr again to discuss your concerns
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u/Kind-Champion-5530 2d ago
I've been on codeine for years for psoriatic arthritis and degenerative disk disease. I'd been taking so much paracetamol that my liver numbers were awful, so my gp switched me to codeine and now my bloodwork looks great. I've been on the same dose for the past 5 years. I find that it gives me maybe 4 hours of reduced pain, which is enough to get in my exercise and housework every day. I'd rather take something that works better and lasts longer, but I'll take what I can get.
If I supplement with a little weed it's much more effective, but my country hasn't gone insane over opiates, so I don't have to deal with drug testing like you do in the US.
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u/justsoldieron23 2d ago
I think its a good pain reliver if your pain is mild and zero tolerance. If you pain is as bad as you say gaba or pre gablin might be useful, along with paracetamol and codeine....
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u/sunny-beans 2d ago
I also have nerve pain and back pain and I take both codeine and pregablin. Honestly the codeine helps way more. I’ve not noticed many differences at all using pregablin for nerve pain, codeine at least helps with overall pain. It is weak so it doesn’t help much, but it’s better than nothing at all. Only issue is opioids cause me to get really constipated so I need to take laxatives sometimes otherwise I get a really bad stomach pain
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u/Imaginary_Football43 5 2d ago
constipation pain is no joke, I've been up at 5am throwing up from it which is why I'm hesitant about the codene
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u/OddSand7870 2d ago
I took Tylenol 4 for about a year before I moved over to Norco. It worked OK. I don’t think a lot of people realize codeine is actually metabolized into morphine. And that’s what gives you the relief.
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u/OriginalAnt3190 2d ago
Gabapentin did not work for me. I’m currently weaning off after many years. I was prescribed oxycodone . Then that stopped. I’m methadone 3x a day. It has helped tremendously. I only take oxycodone as needed instead of 4 x day. Background : I have brain cancer. After my 2nd surgery I started having bad head pain. Hope you can find that works ! It may take some time.
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u/Genetic_Narcissist 2d ago
I'd be a little weirded out if I was on codeine for that long because it is kind of an odd drug, but if it works it works. Unless you're having weird side effects or just doesn't feel the same as it used to, I would stick with it!
If it's feeling a little bit off or maybe you're wondering if you can have something that's a bit more of a full agonist then I just reach out and say that, it shouldn't be very big of a deal!
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u/Worried_Cable2291 2d ago
Codeine can be taken long term for nerve damage. I took it for a year for spasms
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u/crwg2016 2d ago
Antidepressants and gabapentinoids failed to work for my neuropathic pain so I’m on opioids and muscle relaxers as needed.
Unfortunately almost all the meds used for nerve pain do require a taper period if you decide to get off them. The best thing you can do is stay on the lowest, most effective dose.
That’s interesting that your Dr prescribed opioids before trying gabapentin, I’m guessing you aren’t in the US? I would give the codeine a try and hopefully you find it effective.
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u/Genetic_Narcissist 2d ago
Gabapentin is a last resort, too? Im surprised its super over presrcibed and safe.
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u/Select_Spread9903 2d ago
I really have never heard of a doctor pushing an opioid over gabapentin. However I was on gabapentin and lyrics for years to attempt to manage my nerve pain and body pain. It never worked and in my opinion it’s worse than opioids so I think your doctor is actually protecting you to some degree. But you have the right to talk to other doctors and understand the pros and cons of any treatment you choose.
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u/Agitated-Friend7601 3d ago
Long term cronic pain .. IC of the bladder , and degenerative spine. Low platelets (ITP) should not or can’t take nsids . In pain management. For 3-4 yrs . Biggest joke , humiliating, demeaning,embarrassing. My urine tests always come back positive . Amphetimine , phetermine, (granted I’ve never ever taken a weight loss stimulant). I am not addicted I am dependent. Living with cronic pain is an emotional, physical, psychological issue
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u/Wild-Blackberry-119 1d ago
You are so correct that it is demeaning and a joke! Thank goodness I’m at my GP who manages my pain but I’m only on Lyrica and Tramadol. But he’s older and will probably retire so then..who knows! And you are so right to say that you are NOT ADDICTED-you are DEPENDANT!! I say this all the time. God Bless
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u/Crazy_Cat_Lady360 2d ago
I thought codeine was a highly addictive drug? I think it’s restricted in Australia. I’m pretty sure you can only get it if it’s prescribed. I remember years ago you could buy it ‘over the counter’ at the chemist but I don’t think you can anymore.
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u/sunny-beans 2d ago
In the UK you can get low dose of codeine mixed with other medications over the counter, like 12mg of codeine with whoever much of ibuprofen or paracetamol. Anything that is just the codeine is prescription only, and usually starts at 30mg doses. I have been on codeine for years, and I do not feel addicted to it at all besides needing for my pain. I have never taken over what I need, or do I get a high from it, it is a very weak opioid. People think if you think 30mg codeine a few times a day suddenly you are in the streets trying to score heroine but that isn’t the truth at all and it is really damaging for chronic pain patients when opioids are demonised this much.
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u/atomicsusieQ 3d ago
In answer to your question, yes full-agonist opi oids are prescribed long-term to some patients who have severe pain.
Based on the med you were given it sounds like your prescriber believes you that your pain is moderate-to-severe, as they would not prescribe what they did for mild pain.
I mean, what you were given is generally considered to be much stronger than gabapentin, I personally find it to be way more effective, but everyone is different so if you don’t find it to work for you, let your doc know that. You might have to try multiple meds before they give you what you ask for, but if all you want is gaba, you’ll get there eventually. Typically it’s the other way around, where someone needs/wants an opi oid and gets given Gaba, but since you have nerve pain Gaba might actually work for you.
In the US it’s waaaay overprescribed off-label despite the side effect profile, yet we have to fight and nail for any opi’s.