Co-dydramol

[milia]

I have just been changed from co-codamol/paracetamol (not at the same time, of course) to this for a while as co-coda was making me drowsy (more than the usual exhaustion!).

Does anyone has any experience with co-dydramol as a pain med for HMS?

Ta.

And again apologies for double posts, if that's the case

[Rosie]

Hi

My experience of Dihydrocodeine (the opioid in codydramol) was that it sent me away with the faries! I think all opioids can have side-effects like nausea, drowsiness, highs etc. I did find them effective as pain relief for toothache (root pain, horrendous) but I have not tried them for HMS pain. I have to stay away from all the codeine type meds as they cause constiaption in me and as I have IBS it can make this worse as well.
From my own experience with a variety of pain meds, those that cause drowsiness (or other side effects for that matter) can vary dependiing on how and when you take them. For me, the side effects were worse when I was taking them 'as needed'. Once i changed to taking them regularly they were more effective and the side effects lessened after about a week, presumably as my body became used to them.
Sorry I can't help more.

Rosie

[Eloise]

Probably going to repeat what Rosie said

Co-dydramol has dihydrocodiene in it as well as the paracetamol, compared to the codeine in co-codamol. Some people tolerate one better than the other - but you have to really try it to find out whether it is better for you. The dihydrocodeine does stay in the system slightly longer - more 6-8 hours rather than 4-6 hours, which is better for pain relief but for side-effects (which is the same list as all opioids) it can mean that they are less of a peak and more tolerable - or can last longer - so really depends on how it works for you.

We can't mention doses on here - but there are multiple doses of co-codamol and of dihydrocodeine. mg for mg, dihydrocodeine is just slightly more potent that codeine. PM me if you want to know about equivalent doses.

[milia]

Ok, so far two doses and the pain relief is much more noticible than the past meds I have tried. Do feel a little spaced out though.

However, was able to walk to the bus today with only mild knee pain. Awesome improvement! Will see how these go and keep you updated

[Stone]

Glad to hear it's working for you! A friend also advised me dihydrocodeine is also less likely to lead to addiction than with codeine (he got moved onto it after having to give codeine up) but I've personally not had any problems. Do consider having the odd painkiller 'holiday' to allow your system to reset itself - I find it helps me manage without getting too many side-effects from tolerance etc.

Stone

[nemonie]

Is this supposed to work straight away? Or does the effect become more noticeable after a few regular doses? I'm 4 days in and havn't noticed any pain relief at all. I might as well be taking tic tacs. Nasty tasting, hard to swallow tic tacs

[DeeNJai]

This is another med I am allergic too.
Dee

[anna]

Co dydramol comes in several strengths, nemonie, so I guess the effect would depend on what you'd previously been on. My GP said to me that some people find it more effective than co-codamol, depending on their bodies particular response. I actually have both (not together of course) with the top strength co-dyd for emergencies. I personally find I'm getting some effect within an hour but I don't take that particular med too often. I also find the side effects somewhat trying!

[nemonie]

Ta for the info Anna, just had a scoot round the interwebs for some more info and it seems I am on the lowest prescription dose . Co-codamol does nothing for me either, neither did tramadol (even at the highest allowable dose) apart from interact with my other meds to give me serotonin syndrome. I havn't been taking any pain meds at all for a few months, since coming off the tramadol. So I can say that in comparison to nothing co-dydramol at a lowish dose is pants

[anna]

Just read your previous post - I like it - hard to swallow nasty tasting tic tacs- I shall remember that! The other problem with co dyd is that they are so flipping well BIG!! I'm not a giant, Doctor!

[nemonie]

I know - I have to chop them in half with my pill cutter just to be able to swallow them or they get stuck in my throat

[Stone]

For easier pill-swallowing, there's a sneaky technique. Have a mouthful of water, tip your head back, open your mouth just enough that you don't spray water everywhere and drop the pill into the water, then swallow (and then have some more water if you want). Very good success rate, you don't taste the pills (great for icky codeine!) and over a few months you'll retrain your throat so it's gradually easier to swallow pills. Once you're used to it it becomes second nature.

Give it a go!

Stone

[anna]

I tried that, Stone and I actually agree it works, but you should have seen my cat's face when I got it wrong and sprayed water all over the kitchen!!