Codeine

[EcclesCake]

Is codeine availabile OTC or is it prescription only?

[pixie374]

I'm surprised at codeine for this too. It is a side effect, but a bit of a hammer and walnut. I guess loperamide would have been tried first already though.

[Sqad]

I can't see what all the fuss is about....I would have thought that codeine would have been an ideal treatment for an acute exacerbation of IBS.

[pixie374]

Just because it's addictive... is it necessary?

[Togo]

My hardest fight after being ill, was to titrate myself off codeine phosphate. Very addictive, I was down to 30mg 4 times a day after halving my dosage because I knew that it was not going to make me better. It took me a further 4 months to stop taking it altogether. I was given codeine instead of morphine in hospital because the morphine had very adverse effects on me. I can remember the week I was free of it so clearly. I was on holiday in St Ives and just decided, I can stop now.

[EcclesCake]

Well haven't you all cheered me up :-(

I have taken Loperamide and will try the codeine and see how I get on and make a decision having sampled both recommended treatments.

[pixie374]

Good luck... Hope you feel better soon xx

[Smowball]

You can actually get loperamide from Poundland and its the same as the one in the chemist - thats what I buy. I also have co codamol 30/500 but on script only. Chemists do the 8/500 as has already been said (I fully sympathise as I've also had IBS for last two years)

[shaneystar2]

I've been taking Zapain 30/500 for a while now .I was taking them for a very painful leg ulcer( 8 a day) but have cut them down now to a couple at night .They did however, kill not only two but three birds with one stone. They stopped the IBS I suffer from and my insides soon settled down after the initial bungedupness and they've helped the joint pain I have from osteoarthritis.

[Togo]

Eccles, I am sure that no one was being negative with their answers, just sharing their experiences. I still take a 300mg of Gabapentin before bed, to ensure a nights sleep from the discomfort of the old "ward wound". Pain during the day I take as a reminder that I am still alive. Just be aware that codeine has horrible effects on you daily "movement", as a prior poster has already flagged up.

[woofgang]

Sqad, the history.....seen by consultant and codeine suggested but not prescribed....doesn’t sound like an acute exacerbation to me....
Sorry, Eccles, the intention wasn’t to worry or depress you but to help.

[EcclesCake]

No worries Woof. The Consultants in my area recommend but rarely issue scripts, the letter to GP states their recommendations, a rather daft and slow system to my mind.

All sorted now and Codeine prescribed as per Consultants advice.