Medication problems?

Question

i have had back spasms for the last 18 months...the doctor gave me cocodeine (otherwise known as kapake) to help with the pain.
The doctor said take 1 or 2 every 4 to 6 hours. i take 1 every 6 hours. For 1 day i am fine but after this i get very nauseous, dizzy and sometimes pass out. the spasms last about 48 hours and can come as close together as a couple of weeks and can sometimes go up to 6 months without a spasm
The doctor refused to send me to a physiotherapist to prevent the spasms, saying there was nothing i could do...
is there any other medication i could take without the side effects and is there anything i can do to attempt to stop the spasms?

Answer 1

Hi

the only thing to add from me is why have you not been prescribed something for the spasms?

you've been given attempted pain relief, but surely you need a muscle relaxant too?

some thing like Diazepam may be worth asking your Doc about.

Like the earlier answer without your history or a medical qualification, I can only base my advice on my own experiences and kapake was a waste of time, as it was not strong enough for me, and Clonazepam worked for me on easing spasms, though that is much stronger than Diazepam, so maybe your doc would like to try you on something like Diazepam first.

As usual careful with driving and drowsiness from "pams"

good luck

CRO xx

Answer 2

First off, as has been said by one, obviously intelligent, answerer before, all information obtained on this site should be accepted as being given by persons who have not taken a full history, or done an examination. That being said, here is my opinion:

Cocodamol, is a fine medication for moderate pain, but you have described the condition as "spasms". There are many other medications specific for spasms which would not have the side effects of codeine. Additionally, if you are having spastic back pain, physio therapy would seem to be indicated for both rehabilitation and modalities to ease the muscular spasms.

I would recommend discussing the issue with your physician again. If you are not satisfied with the new treatment plan, or the explanation of the reason for the current plan, then ask for a referral to specialist or seek another GP.

Answer 3

Think about all the cool things your going to do in the next 10 years (13-23 were my best).... Your going to drive, have your own place, get fresh with some girls, party, and learn alot about life. I was the same way when I was young. I had "ADD" and my brother had "ADHD". I took some meds for awhile but I don't remember their effect. When ever I get depressed I go somewhere that I tend to be involved with people, at your age I would say a basketball court or a teen center. Think about it this way, what have you seen in your 13 years? Now what are you going to see in the next 60? There is alot of living and learning ahead of you, enjoy it. I hope this helps you, I know that feels like and it can effect your life in many ways.

Answer 4

Ask for a second opinion. You are entitled to that if you are in the UK. Your GP should have referred you to a local community physio outlet anyway. We have a clinic near us and a physiotherapist comes in twice a week which means that our hospital isn't clogged up with minor cases. Failing this I would want to go and see a chiropractor as they could perhaps get to the bottom of why your back is having these spasms.

Answer 5

What medication he give you? KAPAKE is not known in the lists of drugs here in USA.

I would try to see another Doc if you can. Sounds like the very normal sorry I don't care...

Sorry made a mistake about Kapake 60mg codine sounds right but I stand on the doctor.

Answer 6

.....please consider standard warning re. medical advice from strangers without access to you personal medical history.....see another GP or at least talk to health-care professional..... etc......

.. that said...

As regards the meds. Kapake is co-codamol 30/500mg. The side effects you describe are due to the codeine content (30mg) per tab/cap and are quite common. In general if you do take these meds. regularly then you will quickly build up a tolerance to these S/E. If you just take them once in a while then you will never develop a tolerance.
Suggest try the lower strength co-codamol 8/500mg instead (which has only 8mg of codeine per tab/cap). Is available without prescription (in UK).


Lots and lots of options to choose from as regards other treatments and drugs..... lots...

Answer 7

Sometimes codeine can cause the nausea as well as your back pains making you feel nauseus. You may need to change the analgesia (pain relief) If the back spasm is nerve related, then you may benefit from amitriptilline 25mg. In the good olod days, people used to be prescribed amitriptilline as a mild antidepressant - hence the usage for nerve pain control. However the amitriptillyne may make you drowsy as may the codeine.

Answer 8

Get a second opinion, I have been fobbed off for years with painkillers, they don't cure the problem they just mask the pain, which means you could end up being even worse as the years go by.

Get it sorted, if they won't do anything, go to a back specialist yourself.

Answer 9

Side effects of Codeine (Kapake) can be from mild to strong and in your case i think you need to see your doctor and ask him to change Kapake for another medication.

I don't see why he won't let you go to physio though?

Answer 10

Yes, there are lots of other medications he can prescribe you.

Actually, I would see another doctor.