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Cocodamol and cervical spondylosis

Posted , 3 users are following.

max58634
max58634

Was diagnosed with cervical spondylosis 2 months ago and prescribed tramadol and amittryptallne but found the tramadol did not help the pain so was changed to cocodamol 30/500 which definitely helped.  Have now been told that I cannot get more cocodamol as they are addictive. At the age of 72 am not really worried about that but have been offered no alternative. Was taking 4/6 cocodamol per day. Can anyone recommend an alternative. 

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Jan999
    Jan999 max58634

    Posted

    Hello Max. If you read other posts re co codamol you'll see how different GP's are regarding the prescribing of these tablets. Many GP's don't seem too concerned about the risk of addiction (mine included). They are an effective analgesic as you have found so I think he is very unfair stopping your prescription. They are also an inexpensive form of treatment. GP's are there to ensure patients are kept well and able to live a normal day to day life. I find there's no other effective drug and agree with you regarding Tramadol as well. Cervical Spondylosis is very painful so I would try and see another GP in the practice and see if he/she will prescribe them for you. Failing that ask for a referral to the pain clinic at your local hospital and in the mean time see if they will prescribe co codamol until you are seen. If the clinic recommended cocodamol your GP would be on a very sticky wicket not going along with them. Hope that helps
    • max58634
      max58634 Jan999

      Posted

      Thanks, will do as you reccomend and try and see a different doctor at the practice. Am suffering quite severe pain at present. So am buying th lower dose cocodamol from the chemist but not much help.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 max58634

      Posted

      Hello again Max. The lower dose co codamol will be of no use. Good luck at the doctors and remember if you want a referral the GP has no right to refuse. Not many people realise they are entitled to a 2nd opinion on the NHS. Let us know how you get on. Good luck
  • Benggo
    Benggo max58634

    Posted

    Max,

           I am 68 and suffering the same as you,my doctor said they can become addictive but as they have made my pain bearable has continued to prescribe them,there was a seditive mentioned but as I also have suffer from angina I was not prescribed that.

       As "Matron" suggests,try to see another Doctor at the practice,good luck and I hope you get pain relief.

    • max58634
      max58634 Benggo

      Posted

      Thanks very much for taking the time to reply to my post. Without wishing to be too personal what sort of usage do you find sufficient I only ask because my doctor has now given me 56 to last a month and I do not find that is enough. I don't think the doctors realise just how painful this condition can be. 

      Hope your managing ok.

    • Benggo
      Benggo max58634

      Posted

      Max,

              I have 100 per month,I try not take them until absolutely necessary,as constipation is a bugbear.The thing I find is that if I am busy doing something it tends to take my mind off the pain,driving is bad as looking to the left is especially painful and some bad tempered drivers in cars behind toot their horn when I take longer than normal,I wish my neck on them every time.

        I am sure doctors don't realise how painful the condition is,I asked my doctor about the big collars people used to wear and he said the way now was to keep the muscles in the neck supple by gentle movement,I wish he could sample a bit of neck pain.When I first started with it I had phisio on it but I called a halt to that as it was doing me no use at all and each session was akin to torture.

        Last year I saw an article in a newspaper about injections into the discs,which caused them to swell and expand to their normal size,however I can't remember which newspaper.

        Still,at least its not life threatening.

    • max58634
      max58634 Benggo

      Posted

      Thanks for replying, I too have the difficulty driving and get my wife to give me the "clear left".

      Still as you say its not life threatening, just a bloody pain in the neck.

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