Is it possible to take codienne for pain while on steriods - blood pressure and stomach tablets

Hi Blubberbabe I am taking steroids MTX Bisoprolol and other drugs. I have taken Codidramol which has codeine in it. The docs worry about addiction with codeine. It did bump up one of my liver enzymes but the MTX doesn't help there. But codeine is ok apart from the addiction part

Thank you mrs mop for your quick reply I'm ever so grateful I have Taken codienne have in the past and it helped I think I can manage not to get addicted to it I just want some relief from pain I would only take one night and morning to help me a bit better do you think this is a good idea I will ask my reumy when I go back but that is three weeks away yet ! Thank you Blubberbabe2

I'm prescribed co-codamol (codeine and paracetamol) for pain and have been for many years, but I'm definitely not addicted yet as I tend to take them as needed and not on a regular basis. I'm currently on a steroid dose of 5mg, but I have been much higher in the past. It gets a bit difficult to know what to take as ibuprofen shouldn't really be taken with steroids.

Hope this helps.

Hi Blubberbabe.

I've recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was temporarily talen off steroids.Unfortunately my PMR symptoms returned plus pain from an athritic shoulder.My diabetes is now responding well to medication and a change in diet, and my eyesight has improved considerably( deterioration in my eyesight was due to my diabetes not GCA ) I have returned to my GP because of my shoulder pain and have now resumed taking steroids at 15mg daily. My doctor has advised 2 paracetamol up to 4 times a day in addition to all my medication and this is helping my arthritis

I am currently taken a betablocker, ace inhibitor,and a calcium channel blocker for high blood pressure which I have been taking for a number of years,

Medication to protect my stomach, a statin, calcium and vitamin D to protect my bones,15mg steroids for PMR and Metformin for my diabetes.

I tried taking ibuprofen and codeine instead of paracetamol and begun to fall over and became giddy.My GP has now put it on my file not to prescribe anything with Codeine in it.

My advice would be, stick with the paracetamol and see how you go.

As for your GCA I'm not able to comment since I'm lucky enough not to have it.

Best of luck,Blodwyn

Well ,I would see what the doc.says before taking anything , then google side afects , only pain killer I take is 2panamax and 4 hours apart , on a full stomach , I never mix myuedicines too , sorry can't help , ask a chemist

Hi Everyone !thank you so much for quick replies ,much appreciated I have taken in all your comments and will speak with the pharmacist today before taking anything else ! For the time being I will stick with paracetomol I wish you all well and good luck Blubberbabe2

Hi

I was prescribed codeine as an alternative to Paracetamol by my Hospital - but you should check with your doctors.

Good Luck

Sarah

I'm not quite clear what you mean by "pain in my arms from GCA". If you have pain in your arms that isn't responding to the dose of pred used for GCA (which after 3 months should still be well over 20mg) there is probably something else going on.

However, codeine is something that is individual in terms of many people simply don't tolerate it and feel ill. Used regularly it can lead to chronic constipation - as can any medication containing it. And used over very long periods at higher doses it has the potential to be addictive and it becomes difficult to stop using it. As Nefret says - for occasional use there shouldn't be a problem.

Ibuprofen and aspirin as a pain killer as well as other NSAIDs are a no-no with pred.

As has already been said - always ask your pharmacist for advice and that means the PHARMACIST on duty, NOT the counter staff! They know more than anyone else.

I'm also on pred, bisoprolol, losartan and an antiarrythmic and the local hospital consultant said that really there is a very narrow selection of pain medications I should use, especially on a regular basis! Charming I thought! However, it meant they were a bit more helpful about dealing with the issue and I immediately got cortisone injections for bursitis. Which worked - so it wasn't all bad.

Eileen

Short term codeine taken when needed, with regular paracetamol is fine. Perhaps start at one tablet (assume it's 30mg ?) up to four times a day maximum and see how you get on. Constipation is one of the main problems but can be countered by making sure you're drinking plenty and getting enough fibre from fruit/veg.

Tarun (hospital pharmacist)

Hello Tarun thank you so much for your advice it is nice know there is someone out there that listens and cares my doc only prescribed 15 mg codienne last time i went to him after straining my arm muscles and i have a few left so I am gong to try it tonight and in the morning to see if it makes a difference so grateful for advice thank you Blubberbabe2