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My story and some advice needed

Posted , 5 users are following.

Lulu80
Lulu80

Hi everyone, brand new newbie here although have lurked around for a while! So my story probably starts like a lot of the rest of you, prescribed co-codamol for a bad back 4 years ago on a repeat prescription that was always filled! To be honest the cocodamol we're never an issue, I was always too scared of the paracetamol to take more than I should have! Then for reasons only known to herself my gp changed my prescription to just codeine 30mg tablets, this happened at a time when my husband was deployed and as usual during a deployment loads of stuff started happening at home I couldn't deal with, I'm sure not many of you here need me to go into much detail about what happened next! My codeine use got out of control and I started having to supplement my repeat with nurofen plus and codeine bought online, crazy! I did go to my gp one time around 2 years ago as I knew something had to give, she was hugely understanding and put me on a taper. The fact I wasn't honest with her about how much I was actually using meant the taper was never going to work anyway, especially when she sent me away with a prescription for a 3 month taper all in one go, hell I had more codeine than I had ever had! So when my 'taper' was successfully not done I had no more codeine from the docs, so the next 2 years were spent on nurofen plus, 48 tablets a day I was taking up until the 31st of January this year. I dont know what triggered in my head but that day even though I had money I decided that was it, I HAD to stop! That night I told my husband, scariest moment of my life!! I wasn't even brave enough to tell him to his face but sent a text while he was out with the kids, so wrong I know! That panic when you send a text and then do everything in your power to make it xome back haha! But as it goes telling him was the best thing I.could have done, believe it or not he was actually relieved!!! He said he had known for a couple of years something was wrong, he didn't know if I was having an affair, or just didn't love him anymore, the guilt I felt for that was awful. Anyway he tried to convince me to go to theddoctors, I didn't as I knew I would walk out of there with another taper plan that I wouldn't stick to, cold turkey was my only option! He took two weeks compassionate leave from work and basically took over everything including looking after me. After a week I did go to the docs, I was a bit of a mess emotionally once the majority of physical withdrawals had calmed down, seen an amazing doc who prescribed me a short course of stuff to calm me down and some sleepers, but I guess more importantly he let me talk and told me I had done good! We discussed the fact that opiate pain killers will never ever be an option for me again, I told him I want it written in huge red writing on my notes!! Around 3 weeks ago I was back at the docs again as my sleeping is still non existant, and by this point the lack of sleep was making me feel wired, so again a very short course of sleepers were given. Again we had a huge discussion on my addiction/withdrawal which I know was typed in my notes.

So fast forward to yesterday and my back goes, its happened numerous times over the past 5 years and the old treatment was codeine and diazepam to relax the muscle spasm which leaves me bent over at an almost 90° angle, call the doctors and cant get into see my own doctor so have to have a call bavk from the duty doctor. Explain the problem to him but straight away explain to him I can not have any opiate based painkillers and embarrassingly over the phone have to explain to him why, after explaining why he asks me do I want him to prescribe me codeiene as he can if I want agghhhh no no are you not listening to me! He eventually agrees to see me at the surgery where I again explain to him that opiates are not an option for me, and tell him that all he has to do is look at my notes on the screen which even I can see clearly explain this! So he reads my notes (coz people always pretend to be an addict just for a laugh I guess?!) Then comes at me with the most gobsmacking suggestion.......will I give you a prescription for tramadol?! Now its only because of forums like this one I know it's opiate based, anyone else could have trusted that doctors suggestion and walked out of there with pills that would have put them back at square one, remember I have only been clean for days over 2 months, my body would have done a song and dance as soon as that tramadol hit it! What has angered me the most is that me and this doctor then spent the next 10 minutes arguing, him. telling me that I should take the tramadol and me fighting back tears telling him why I absolutely can not and will not risk it! Now I was lucky yesterday, I was strong enough to say no, strong enough to argue with him and but what if I hadn't been? What if someone else in the same position as me sees that doctor and isn't strong enough to say no? The very first thing I said to him was "I cant have opiates" which then got repeated to him so many times I lost count! I feel like he acted totally unprofessionally yesterday and completely failed in his duty of care to me. So my question is this, should I put in a complaint about this? If it happened to you would you complain? If I do complain who do I do it to? I have such a good relationship with my own GP which I guess I dont want to jepordise by complaining about her colleague! I just cant get over the anger that someone else in my position that has been through the hell I have and got out the other side could have been put back at square one by someone who didn't seem to listen or care!

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Lulu80
    Lulu80

    Posted

    Ooops so sorry for this post being so long, high five if you got to the end of it! First time I have written it all done so got a bit carried away!
  • Lawyer
    Lawyer Lulu80

    Posted

    Thoughts:

    1. Do not get involved with complaint about GP2: it will stress you. See GP1.

    2. Do not take Tramadol.

    3. Beware Neurofen as in large quantity it will damage your stomach.

    4. This leaves how do you treat the current back pain. Start by identifying the cause. Insist on referral to specialist rheumatologist.

    5. Pain relief: hard as everything is opiate based. Consider - only if doctor says it is suitable - BuTrans patches. Slow release means you do not get a 'high' and cannot abuse them.

    But take advice.

    • Lulu80
      Lulu80 Lawyer

      Posted

      Thanks for replying, and for reading my epic!

      I hear you about not complaining about the GP, I guess its just made me so mad that he was trying to actually push the tramadol on to me, I'm just grateful I have the strength (and the cold turkey memory!) to say no, other people may not be and that what makes me want to make damn sure he knows what he did was wrong, maybe thats not my responsibility or fight to take on though?

      Tramadol will not happen, I know 100% I can never ever take anything opiate based again, I wont take the slightest chance for my family and more importantly for me smile The old me that hasn't been around for far too many years is back and I like that, feel like a newly wed again rather than on the brink of divorce!

      I was lucky with the nurofen, no stomach problems and the other issue they can cause is kidney damage but thats all been checked and somehow I got away with it!

      I got told yesterday about a back pain clinic I could be referred to, awesome that it has only been now suggested after 3 years at that gp practice! Unfortunately there is an 8 month wait list by which time we will have moved due to my hubby being on a promotion course and us moving straight after. A good friend of mine has suggested a chiropractor which I'm going to give a shot, yesterday I got given diazepam which is the usual for when my back spasms, I know they are addictive but there never something that has had that affect on me, I can take them for the few days it takes for my back to sort itself then they sit in a cupboard until the next time it happens which could be months later, I just dont like the sluggish feeling I get from them, lucky in that sense I guess as I know a lot of people have big problems with them. I do have naproxen prescribed but it doesn't really seem to help, but like you say I am pretty limited now but I can deal with that smile

      Thanks again for replying! First time posting on a forum about this but have been reading lots

    • jo57386
      jo57386 Lulu80

      Posted

      One more thing be careful going to the chiro until you have a proper diagnosis. Eg in my case one of my si joints is hyper mobile so chiro would make it worse. Dont get ne wrong I'm a huge believer in chiro and have been going for years just not since I found that out.
  • leigh19761
    leigh19761 Lulu80

    Posted

    Hi ya,I've had five prolapsed discs and 3 operations but still got nerve damage so in lot of pain always,I'm on patches though so I just stick one on every 3 days that way I can't abuse tablets of any kind,I also get diazepam for like you say spasms in my back..but what I'm tryin to say is if your pain ever gets so bad maybe an idea to ask for patches it's morphine called fentanyl..also apparently in America cos I'm in England they have invented a new drug that has the same effects as morphine but with no withdrawal ??? Don't ask me how but so they say.anyway take care
    • jo57386
      jo57386 leigh19761

      Posted

      Yes so they say I had the patches as part of my codeine withdrawal and the withdrawal from the patches was hell for me and everyone around me. I'm leaving now. Sorry to gabble
  • kellyzboyz
    kellyzboyz Lulu80

    Posted

    I really don't understand some doctor's! I was put on oxycontin for a pain condition about six years ago. I ended up becoming extremely depressed and took way more one afternoon. In fact, I took the entire bottle and ended up in the hospital. My depression was so bad, nothing had really helped over the years so I agreed to shock treatments. I did feel better after a few months but still had my pain condition. Saw a Dr. that specialized in my disorder and he put me on 100 mg. of Methadone and 2mg. of Xanax. I haven't had a problem as far as abusing this medication goes, however, I was surprised with my past history that any doctor would put me on these meds. It's been over four years and I decided to start tapering myself off. I'm down to 30mg. of Methadone and 1mg. of xanax. The doctor you dealt with was so irresponsible as are far too many!!! You are very strong to stand up to him and say NO. it's so easy to agree to the meds when you're in pain and desperate for relief! I give you a lot of credit! It's so hard to get off of these drugs. Methadone is the hardest for me but I will get off of it and when I do...never again will I put myself in this situation! Thank God I have such an understanding and supportive husband that has stood by me through all this craziness! I wish you the best and I hope the doctor can come up with a plan to relieve your back pain!!! I'm really not sure whom you would report this doctor to, perhaps your pharmacist would be able to tell you?
  • jo57386
    jo57386 Lulu80

    Posted

    She would've done it to keep the paracetamol from ruining your liver. However, codeine by itself isn't a very good pain reliever at all so if you were in pain that's just bizarre!
  • jo57386
    jo57386 Lulu80

    Posted

    Now I have read the rest.... After being addicted to codeine and knocking it eventually in the head I will never take codeine. My doctor who got me through my addiction I trust my life with. I have SI joint issues and he has me on tramadol I don't get high from it I don't go over prescribed dose etc. The pain worsened and I was so close to going and buying panadeine extra. I spoke to him and we agreed on oxycodone for breakthrough pain. He can see exactly what amount I am going through and I have no need for the panadeine extra. Everyone's different but for me I wont touch codeine but tramadol etc I have no issue and have not become addicted. In saying that zI recently was referred to a rheumotologist. The letter stated at very top under past medical conditions CODEINE ADDICTION. He looked at me and said have you tried panadeine forte! So each to their own you just need to know what your limits are. Jo xx
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