Anyone know if co dydramol is safe in pregnancy?

[zoella]

I'm just wanting to know if anyone has taken any pain killers stronger than paracetamol?

I'm getting TERRIBLE headaches every single night. They always start between 5-7 in the evening and paracetamol isn't touching them. I have a load of co dydramol in the cupboard but daren't take them so I'm really suffering I've got a doctors appointment next monday, but these headaches are really getting me down. It seems to be when I stop and relax, the headache starts.

If anyone can help, thank you.

xx

 

[miyu]

I don't know where you are but if you can phone a medical helpline to ask please do! You need some relief from this, get a lot of drink down you too it helps! When I was pregnant with my daughter i was given co-codamol, codiene on it's own, co-dydramol, and dihydrocodiene! But sometimes doctors have different opinions and it was over 6 years ago so medical advice may have changed, if you have nhs direct or simular they may be able to tell you, but definately check, I hope you feel better soon, hugs xxxxxxxx

Edit: or ask your doctor or a pharmacist, whichever is quicker or easier for you xxxx

 

[Sparklypants]

It says no here... https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000567.html

But I would ring my GP surgery and ask the receptionist to pass a message to your Dr asking if it's OK to take them. I do this all the time... I tell them I don't want to waste an appointment if I don't have to... they think I am great lol...

Ibuprofen is also a no too, that's a shame as that's the only thing that helps me with any kind of pain.

Really hope your headaches pass hun.... have you thought about acupuncture? I had it for horrendous migraines years ago and it really helped x

 

[Danii]

My midwife said to avoid anything with "co" in it, so i would guess no, but speak to your GP hun xxx hope they get beter xx

 

[GeorgiaMB]

I'd agree with the above, ring for help. If in the UK, NHS direct are awesome.

I've heard the opposite that anything beginning "Co..." had Codeine in it which is dangerous for bumps.

I WAS going to say (before my browser crashed) that in small, one-off doses not much will hurt a baby especially as you are now in the 2nd trimester and sometimes the benefits to mum do outweigh the risks to LO. However, as you are having headaches regularly and will prob need regular doses, I'm not sure you'd be safe just to dig in. Best check

Hope you feel better soon chick!

 

[Sparklypants]

I'd agree with the above, ring for help. If in the UK, NHS direct are awesome.

I've heard the opposite that anything beginning "Co..." had Codeine in it which is dangerous for bumps.

I WAS going to say (before my browser crashed) that in small, one-off doses not much will hurt a baby especially as you are now in the 2nd trimester and sometimes the benefits to mum do outweigh the risks to LO. However, as you are having headaches regularly and will prob need regular doses, I'm not sure you'd be safe just to dig in. Best check

Hope you feel better soon chick!

I have a bad reaction with codeine, chest pains, palpitations, pins and needles in my arms and chest etc.... I just think if it does that to me, what might it do to my little butterfly down there?

 

[zoella]

I'm in U.K, So I was thinking of ringing nhs direct, but have a feeling they will tell me I have to get a prescription from my G.P. I've been having a look on google and keep seeing they are ok in pregnancy (but not the full dose all day every day) and they are to be used with caution in the last trimester.

I don't know whether to risk it, but I'm in soooo much blooming pain

Thank you for the advice, I do think I might give nhs direct a call. They can only say no, see your G.P and i'll hang on til my appointment on mon.

xx

 

[zoella]

Thank you everyone

xx

 

[Sparklypants]

I'm in U.K, So I was thinking of ringing nhs direct, but have a feeling they will tell me I have to get a prescription from my G.P. I've been having a look on google and keep seeing they are ok in pregnancy (but not the full dose all day every day) and they are to be used with caution in the last trimester.

I don't know whether to risk it, but I'm in soooo much blooming pain

Thank you for the advice, I do think I might give nhs direct a call. They can only say no, see your G.P and i'll hang on til my appointment on mon.

xx

Ring your GP in the morning and leave a message for your dr to ring you... don't wait till Monday if you are in that much pain. x x

 

[Peril]

I have been to my gp and the hospital about my headaches, they have said that they do not recommend anything other than 2x paracetamol every 4 hours, take it at start of day even if no headache and do this for a few days see if it helps. They all said (and the pharmacist) that they do not recommend taking anything else. I am getting daily/nightly headaches, no amount of water, rest or anything else seems to affect whether i get them or not.

 

[GeorgiaMB]

Yep, sounds like a plan. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[miyu]

If you ring nhs direct though they may be able to give you some more options. I'm on codiene everyday, have been all my pregnancies, my dose is being gradually lowered as I am coming off them, takes so long though!! I am worried now, doc said they were ok xxxxx

 

[zoella]

Thanks everyone and thanks sparklypants, I think I will ring my docs in the morning and ask him to get back to me, seems like the quickest way to get an answer.

Miyu, if your doctor is prescribing them to you, I wouldn't worry hun. I'm sure he knows what he's doing! Like I said i've googled this and a lot of sites say it is fine in pregnancy, just to be cautious in the 3rd trimester and near delivery. I just don't want to self-prescribe them!!

xx

 

[Sparklypants]

You're welcome

Let us know how you get on x x

 

[miyu]

It may explain why I was breathless after my 2nd delivery, and I thought it was just because I was big with my second (I was a huge bag of water on legs!) Still got to see my midwife so can ask her. I wouldn't worry so much only I'm not on a low dose, argh! Anyway this isn't about me lol. I really hope you feel better soon and that they can give you some helpful advice, hugs xxxxx

 

[loopylollipop]

Codeine is a weak opioid ie at higher dose like a shot of morphine. The risk in the third trimester is the baby can go into withdrawl once born.

As someone said, it is risk vs benefit. If mum if suffering terribly it is not good for babe. Therefore would try all the non-pharmacological things first, if that doesnt work then look to the drugs...

Co-dydramol is stronger than the weakest dose of co-codamol. If you were to take these, it needs to be worked up in a step-wise fashion. No point jumping up three steps on the pain killer ladder if a lower dose drug will help. Ibuprofen and other non-steroidals are a def no as has been said. I suspect they will suggest a low dose co-codamol 8/500 (8mg codeine, 500mg paracetamol in one tablet) first on an as and when basis.

Note - codeine makes you CONSTIPATED!! If your anything like me this is already an issue so you will need to take extra precautions!

hope this helps and hope you feel better soon. Headaches are very common in pregnancy, all that nasty oestrogen floating around. On the positive side - it keeps bean healthy.