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Paracetamol

(119 Posts)

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Stansgran Tue 14-Feb-23 07:29:00

The orthopaedic surgeon has told me to take six paracetamol a day. I don’t suppose I’m alone in this as my back is disintegrating. My question is how do I buy that many ? I don’t go shopping much more . If they will only allow two packs how do other people manage? A friend who has carers in gets them to buy for her but she has moved on to morphine.

cornergran Sat 18-Feb-23 22:03:21

dutchdoll may I suggest you take a look at the hip and knee replacement thread. Currently #3. In the health section. You’ll find lots of experiences discussed there. Could be reassuring.

Gabrielle56 Sat 18-Feb-23 13:55:41

Stansgran

I have a feeling that there is a pharmacy assistant newly appointed at our surgery so that might be a way forward. Also asking at the chemists when picking up a scrip. If they don’t prescribe I will try the online way suggested earlier except how to you guarantee the quality of on line medication? Rhetorical question really.

Order online from boots Lloyds etc click and collect?

DutchDoll Sat 18-Feb-23 12:47:46

Hi cornergran!
I was so pleased to read about your knee operation. My GP referred me in May but I've not received an appointment date yet. The GP says he's sure that I'll need the op.
We always hear that knee ops are worse than hip ops. My husband had a hip op about 5 years ago and has been fine.
I really need to grasp the nettle if offered a knee op as I'm becoming progressively less mobile and I'm only 73.
I had an accident in 2010 and since then I've had increasing levels of pain.
Your words have given me a light at the end of the tunnel! Thank you! 💐

DutchDoll Sat 18-Feb-23 12:32:00

I have bad reactions to anti inflammatories so I'm prescribed
Pregabalin for nerve pain and nerve damage, coproxamol and oramorph. These just deaden the pain in my neck, shoulders and left arm and knee but doesn't stop the pain which wakens me up during the night. The combination of these and other medications for PMR and other problems make me tired and drowsy. I sometimes fall asleep in my recliner chair.
Never mind, it's better than the alternative! 😉

Stansgran Sat 18-Feb-23 12:19:34

I have a feeling that there is a pharmacy assistant newly appointed at our surgery so that might be a way forward. Also asking at the chemists when picking up a scrip. If they don’t prescribe I will try the online way suggested earlier except how to you guarantee the quality of on line medication? Rhetorical question really.

Gabrielle56 Sat 18-Feb-23 11:55:25

Id ask about getting on proscription! It's bonkers that I can buy a couple of gallons of 60% alcohol booze that would definitely
see me off within an afternoon.... should I wish, no questions, but need a spotty Herbert at the supermarket to quiz me if I want 2 packs of paracetamol and a pack of ibuprofen for him indoors!!!

ExDancer Sat 18-Feb-23 11:13:33

I'm not enamoured with Pain Clinics.
I was referred to the pain clinic for back pain (had it most of my life but made worse by a wedge fracture) and was prescribed morphine patches, (which work - really well).
But I am now dependant on them and would like to be free. Tramadol makes me vomit so the only suggestion has been paracetamol which my gp is happy to prescribe in boxes of 100. But paracetamol is not strong enough.
I am not happy that I've become hooked on morphine and I wouldn't recommend Pain clinics for that reason - yes, the pain level is managed efficiently, though you do get break-through pain, but the cost of being addicted to morphine is too high in my opinion.
And I have never seen anyone face to face, I was diagnosed from xrays.
I am now discharged, and not inclined to go back.

biglouis Sat 18-Feb-23 09:34:46

My GP prescribes for me and I get a monthly delivery. I dont feel at all guilty about getting them prescribed. I just think of all that money that I (as someone who is child free) have paid out to subsidise others.

Luckygirl3 Sat 18-Feb-23 08:59:44

My GP prescribes for me. I take as little as I can manage. IT's never been a problem to get it prescribed.

Callistemon21 Fri 17-Feb-23 22:42:13

Thank you cornergran.

kaz59 Fri 17-Feb-23 22:33:20

Hi, I need paracetamol daily due to arthritis in my knees. If you can get someone to go to a chemists they can give the maximum amount. Supermarkets are only able to sell them in small amounts.

I pay for them as they are very cheap and don't like to use prescriptions for every day medicines. Hope this is helpful.

cornergran Fri 17-Feb-23 20:28:13

One of the best things I have ever had done calli. The pain from bone on bone disappeared immediately, all I experienced was the sort of discomfort to be expected after any surgery. PM me if I can help at all.

Callistemon21 Fri 17-Feb-23 18:13:08

Thank you cornergran.
I'm a scaredy cat!! but hope they'll be done soon.

cornergran Fri 17-Feb-23 18:10:41

Just got back to this. calli my knee replacement was a total success not a twinge from there. The pain I referred to was immediately post surgery which to be fair I didn’t find at all bad. By 6 weeks I was walking easily with no support. Result.

The rest of me still hurts from a mix of conditions. I’m currently being treated for severe spinal degeneration and subsequent chronic pain via a branch of the pain clinic. Next appointment is to sever some nerves. Acupuncture really helped a while back, also arranged by the pain clinic. They usually have a variety of expertise available, definitely worth a try for chronic pain.

growstuff Fri 17-Feb-23 16:44:09

I'm allergic to NSAIDS, including Ibuprofen - I come out in a rash. I tried amitriptyline, but I didn't get on with it and it's not really recommended for people for people who have had a heart attack anyway. I'm prescribed co-dydramol, which has slightly more codeine than can be bought over the counter. I'm not super-happy about taking so many painkillers, but there are times when my neuropathy in my feet and hands affects my sleep or I've overdone the walking and the tablets definitely take the edge of the pain. I have an annual medication review and nobody has ever suggested that I should buy my own. I couldn't anyway, but low strength co-codamol, which has nearly as much codeine, can be bought from a pharmacist.

It seems ridiculous that a doctor should recommend taking paracetamol long-term, but not prescribe it.

Callistemon21 Fri 17-Feb-23 15:32:38

Greciangirl

I think Paracetamol are fairly weak for treating back pain.

You might be better off trying Ibuprofen.
Or co-codamol from your doctor.

They only jut touch it don't they!

However, the GP says an absolute no to any anti-inflammatories and I don't get on with co-codamol.

MawtheMerrier Fri 17-Feb-23 15:32:37

Interesting thing on the radio last week about whether there is any difference between cheap supermarket analgesics and the posher brands. I’ll see if I can find it.
I can’t take NSAIDs because of my stomach so rely on the occasional paracetamol, but apparently they are not always the best depending on the type of pain.

Greciangirl Fri 17-Feb-23 15:29:38

I think Paracetamol are fairly weak for treating back pain.

You might be better off trying Ibuprofen.
Or co-codamol from your doctor.

jerseygirl Fri 17-Feb-23 15:25:29

My husband was told to take paracetomol 2 x 4 times a day and then refused to prescribe it as she said its cheap to buy but they dont realise you can only buy 2 packs at a time. We spent most of the day one saturday going from shop to shop buying 2 x packs each so he would have a stock of them. Not ideal though as he isn't very good on his feet and the paracetomol were prescribed for hip pain (along with tramadol )

Callistemon21 Fri 17-Feb-23 15:12:31

grandtanteJE65

The surgeon should provide the prescription for you, or your GP.

😂 The surgeon said "Keep taking the painkillers and keep walking"
No offer of a presription 🤔

NannyMags Fri 17-Feb-23 14:46:30

I take eight paracetamol a day and these are prescribed by my GP on a repeat prescription. I get two big boxes a month.

cc Fri 17-Feb-23 14:33:23

It is really annoying when you need paracetamol but can't buy as much as you need, though I obviously understand why they limit them. Recently both my DH and I had flu and we couldn't buy enough for both of us.
I have to confess that I tend to stock up now, and try to always have a bottle of Night Nurse and Day Nurse (or their generics) in stock.

grandtanteJE65 Fri 17-Feb-23 13:45:16

The surgeon should provide the prescription for you, or your GP.

growstuff Fri 17-Feb-23 13:43:14

Connor13

Go to different shops while out that's what I do

My goodness! I'd have to go traipsing round my small town almost every week, if I didn't have painkillers on prescription. I honestly have better things to do with my time and I'd have to pay 70p for parking each time. I suspect the pharmacist would notice me after a time too. I'd have to buy 13 packets of 16 and I only know of four outlets in town which sells them.

As it is, I order mine online with a repeat prescription. A couple of computer clicks every month and I pick them up a few days later. I honestly don't know where people keep all their stockpiled supplies. I have enough for a maximum of a month and if I haven't had to use that many, I leave them off my repeat prescription. Simple!

hilz Fri 17-Feb-23 13:29:46

Lots of prescribed drugs are available over the counter. Just because paracetamol is fairly cheap to buy doesn't mean you shouldn't be getting it on a regular prescription. The problems come with people stock piling drugs and not asking for items to be ommited from repeat prescritions. I bet if we all chatted with friends many would have things in the cupboard that they keep for 'just in case' or indeed give to friends and family.
As for paracetamol , taken on a regular basis can be really good for keeping severe pain manageable. It may also give GP vital information on your longer term management. Good luck whatever you decide to do. Or you could tell all you house guests they can only come in if they bring some paracetamol with them.!!