Amitriptyline and/or codiene?
Posted , 11 users are following.
Hi guys,
Last November I was diagnosed with fibro. Three months ago I was given two months worth of co-codamol (Codipar 15mg/500mg). One month ago I went back to the doctor and asked if I can have a slightly stronger pain killer as these ones weren't giving me much relief. She suggested amitriptyline but I was against that idea as I had heard and read about a lot of people who had such a bad time on it. She accepted my refusal but was hesitant and apprehensive about giving me a stronger pain killer. So she suggested I take more at a time. Before, I was instructed to take four a day. This time she suggested I take 8 a day. I said I'd try that. Still, it wasn't helping much and now I keep getting headaches. And she perscribed me 60 tablets which only lasted me a week!
So, today I went back to the doctor (not my usual doctor) and explained the situation. He suggested I try amitriptyline. I told him about what I had heard about it, and the concerning fact about having thoughts of suicide, and his response was "I don't know who you've been talking to but that's all rubbish. And people who DO have thoughts of suicide are people who are already clinically depressed anyway". I told him, regardless, I don't wanna risk it (mainly because of the other side effects, especially weight-gain as I already have an issue with that) and I asked very politely can I have a stronger pain killer. The co-codomol doesn't really do much for me. Again he was apprehensive too, and basically pushed for the amitriptyline. I relented and said ok. He did say though that if I have a bad time with it then I should come back and see what 'other options there are'.
This guy is new to me. I have never met him before. He also seemed unwilling to give me what I requested. And he seemed rather dismissive too. When I ask for the pain killers he asked me what were they for. Then when I told him about fibro he asked what pains was I experiencing and how often. Now, he could be asking these questions to ascertain which pain killers would suit me, but combined with his attitude and demeanour previously I got the impression he was sceptical of the fact I even had fibro! I found it all very insulting.
Why are these two doctors hesitant about giving me stronger pain killers when clearly the other ones arent working? Why are they not really accepting my right to refuse a medication that I'm too worried about taking?
But getting to my original question I was going to ask lol -
I'm willing to give amitriptyline a try. I've been prescribed 10mg and to take one tablet each night before bed time. But I'm apprehensive about leaving such a huge gap between pain relief right now, as I'm used to taking a co-codomol in the morning, afternoon, and before bed. Currently though in the last couple of weeks I've been taking over-the-counter Solpadeine Max (12mg codeine). So my question is can I take a pain killer, whether that be a Co or Solp, in the afternoon or something whilst having an Ami at night?
I know I seemed to have gone around the houses to get to my question but I figured for anyone who is awesome enough to reply it would be easier to give all the facts before hand lol.
Many thanks 😊
0 likes, 43 replies
Guest YasmineKD
Posted
Hi my daughter has had fibro for 10 yrs nw an we have walked this road.... its hard an you need to find what works for you.....wht I can tell you is pain pills taken everyday cause rebound pain which is a vicious circle.... she has been on Trepiline 25mg amitriptyline 1 at night if you take it early about 7pm you'll have no problem just don't drink alcohol with it.....Lyrica 75mg changed her life.... she now only takes pain pills if having a flare-up an stays away fm codeine as far as possible it the worst when giving rebound pain..... also myprocam a new antinflamitory pill work very well..... talk to your docter and don't read up too much about pills everyone is affected differently.... Goodluck
YasmineKD Guest
Posted
Thank you, Michelle. That's good advice 😊 It's really hard to know what works and what doesn't.
jillian41791 YasmineKD
Posted
Yasmin- you sound frustrated and do you know stress intensifies pain.
I've found that I needed to find a Dr who knows about fibro, and stick with them.
Do a pain diary, that gives Dr something to work with. Endo 10 mg (Amitryptaline) I was encouraged to take 3 times, 3 different doctors, before I agreed to give it a try. The small dose I have of that plus smallest dose I have of prevention for her- they both help with depression component- helps me a lot.
2 panadol osteo 3times a day works well for me as I have bit of hip bone on bone and other joint pain with AS symptoms as well as intermittent muscle and nerve pain, which intensifies the more I allow myself to get stressed. Cold weather also affects me also.
I also use diversional thought therapy, thinking positive and being around positive people, pets for therapy, planning in advance, simplifying life ( still working on that ) asking for help more often without feeling guilty, meditation, writing positive thoughts down, even if they make no sense, helping others as that helps me- doing things that make me happy ...
Dr devised me a care plan and I stick to it. We keep each other informed and my rheumatologist and I also do regular hydro and see counsellor when I need to.
I also take a few supplements as tests results said I needed them. I don't buy just anything without plenty of research and I still quizzed with my Dr, rheumatologist about if/how it might react with all other prescribed meds etc.
I'm doing a lot better this year, coping with it all much better and have been able to support others with same or similar.
Hope some of this helps Yasmin...
YasmineKD jillian41791
Posted
Thank you, Jillian.
I've been under a lot of stress in the last year or so, and in aware that stress and whatnot can play on pain symptoms. My mum is a counsellor/hypnotherapist/psychotherapist and has taught me a lot about how pain can manifest, and about certain pain managements. But I find it all hard.
What I find worse than the pain sometimes is this so-called 'fibro fog'. My mind has been all over the place lately. I keep forgetting even the simplest things, which to me is so frustrating because my memory has always been brilliant. I also have become rather 'ditzy', and acting like a simpleton sometimes!
jillian41791 YasmineKD
Posted
Yasmin, I can so relate to all you've said..brain fog, poor memory and concentration is hard work at times AND how lucky are you to have your mum and all her professional qualifications. At least she might be more understanding than most of us have in our circle...talk to me anytime you want to..
YasmineKD jillian41791
Posted
Yeah, I do consider myself lucky 😊 But sometimes when she and I are chatting generally I can tell she's trying to 'shrink' me lol. I know a lot of the signs and tactics she tries, and tactics that are generally used throughout that industry. It's pretty fascinating.
Thank you again for your kinds words 😊
jillian41791 YasmineKD
Posted
Yes, interesting area..I'm seriously considering studying in one of these areas..help myself so I can help others..trade the physical for the mental. I'll see how I am with the next stage of my AS treatment.
YasmineKD jillian41791
Posted
Do it, Jillian 😊 I studied in this area myself about 6 years ago. I won't lie, it is hard work, but very rewarding. But unfortunately I didn't finish the course because both my brother and grandmother passed away within two months of each other during my first year. Needless to say I couldn't concentrate, due to grief and whatnot. I never went back to it.
But anyway, if it's what you want to do then go for it. Life is short!
sarah40083 YasmineKD
Posted
I started off on amitriptyline and it did help for a while, not so much in releaiving the aches and pains but kept them at a consistent level. The only side effect i really suffered with was a very dry mouth.
After about a year or so they didnt seem to be working for me anymore so i changed to nortriptyline which is from the same family of drugs as amitriptyline.
ON these i had no issues not even the dry mouth.
I have now changed to citalopram, i still have god days and bad days but on the whole i feel like a different person.
i Have found all 3 drugs are best to take a couple of hours before you go to bed as this seems to reduce the groggy feeling the next morning - well it does for me anyway but once i have taken them most nights i do become tired.
Along with changing my meds ive also changed my diet which i also think has really helped.
On the subject of co-codamol i was prescribed these when i was first diagnosed and i thought they were great, helped loads but after awhile i started getting headaches which just seemed to get more frequent until i had one every day. I went back to the doctor to be told yhat long term use of co-codamol can cause headaches.
I now just take paracetamol which does not ease the aches and pains but dulls them.
On bad days i take ibroufen as well as paracetamol but i have to be cautious with the ibroufen as if i use it too often it caused tightness in my chest
YasmineKD sarah40083
Posted
Hi Sarah,
I'm on citalopram too. I was on 20mg till about two months ago. I'm now on 10mg, trying to wean myself off them. I feel I don't really need then anymore, plus, I can't stand the side effect I'm getting which is excessive sweating!
I don't sleep well at all, my body clock is all over the place so maybe amitriptyline might help on that score.
Also my eating habits are bad. But that's where I lack discipline. I love my food too much! Lol
juliect45 YasmineKD
Posted