The ME Association's Release About Co-proxamol Prescriptions

Hello,

I have been prescribed Co-Proxamol for years now. I am still getting it as a repeat prescription. I recently attended the pain clinic and they were astonished that I was surviving on Co-Proxamol and Paracetamol for pain relief. I have recently been diagnosed as having Peripheral Neuropathy. I find that my G.Ps are totally uninterested in my pain.

I have taken coproxamol for several years for severe osteo-arthritis of the spine and fibromyalgia. My GP prescribed it as long as he could but now the chemist cannot get further supplies. I have been without this drug for six weeks. I have tried 500mg paracetamol (8 per day), tramadol and naproxen to supplement this and I am in severe pain. This is affecting my day to day activities - they were poor enough before but now I am in constant pain. People can commit suicide with paracetamol or anything they choose. So why have the MHRA taken away the only drug that relieved pain for millions of patients for many many years. Please please can someone take up our case now that supplies are no longer available ?

I have been on co-proxamol for nearly 34 years with no side effects whatever only now to be advised of the arbitery decision by nice that it is no longer available.

I am allergic to codeine and cannot take anti-imflammatories, tried 3 or 4 other alternatives with disastrous side effects.

I suffer from long term back pain and post operative back pain.

Removal of co-proxamol has made my life hell.

I too have been taking coproxamol for years and years and years….

I only take it at night - it definitely is a better painkiller than just paracetamol alone. It relaxes the muscles and stops me thrashing around the bed all night in spasms (fibromyalgia + restless legs syndrome)

I'm allergic to codeine etc. My GP has me on Ropinirole (for parkinsons) for the restless legs but it makes me throw up and only lasts for about 4 hrs - then I'm thrashing around the bed again or mooching round the house to get relief. My husband sleeps in another room - life is just hell without this wonderfull drug!

I've been prescribed Co-proxamol for 15 years; I have fibromyalgia & interstitial cystitis in addition to M.E. It's the only pain killer that works for me & I've always used it responsibly. Like Gerald, I am allergic to codeine. I've tried Tramadol & it does nothing. Anti- inflammatories are much too acidic for my IC.

Two months ago I found my repeat prescription contained paracetamol instead of Co-proxamol; this had not been discussed with me. Paracetamol is as useful for my chronic pain as Smarties. When I went to discuss pain relief with my GP she refused to give me any more Co-proxamol & said she was not allowed to prescribe it.

People who are desperate enough to commit suicide will always find a way. I wonder if there will be any studies to see if there are more suicides of people with chronic pain,rather than less, after Co-proxamol has been withdrawn. So many chronic sufferers depend on it to be able to live their lives.

Many, many more people are killed by the misuse of alcohol each year than by the misuse of Co-proxamol. Is the government going to ban alcohol too, or is the government's concern over death due to misuse solely targeted at people in chronic pain who have been using the only prescribed drug that actually works for them?

I really feel for you - being in constant pain is like having your head shoved in an oven permanently.

When I first developed Fibromyalgia, it was extremely severe. I had to take co-codamol - it was the only thing that worked. I have repeat prescriptions and I'm supposed to take eight per day. I will only take them if absolutely necessary as even one affects me so much that I will not drive my car.

I've never had Fibromyalgia in winter and am absolutely dreading it. Totally agree with the paracetamol being like smarties. I find the best pain killer for me is doing things that make me happy and walking away from what makes me unhappy. Doesn't stop the pain, I know, but I find mental pain is worse for me than the Fibromyalgia.

Take care of you

I have suffered from Interstitial Cystitis for the past 14 years I also have asthma - the only medication I can safely take is co-proxamol. I have tried everything else. I do not know how I am going to cope with the pain when I can no longer have co-proxamol. For the last year I have written to my MP, MHRA and my local PCT trust. They are very good at photocopying letters to send to me but not able to solve this problem regarding becoming a named patient.

I have lost all trust in the NHS and the government - they are abandoning those who truly need pain relief for their medical conditions. A doctors comment to me was that the withdrawal of co-proxamol has left a very large hole for those who need pain relief prescriptions.

My nan has suffered with pain with oesto-arthritis for many years and has recently been put on co-codamol. I do try to help as much as I can but my mother seems to be taking the brunt as my nan is in a lot more pain since the doctor prescribed my nan with this other drug.

I have put my detective hat on to help my nan and my mum and found co-proxamol is still available.

I have found out that there is a company called clinigen that will be supplying this to pharmasists on prescription from GP's. It has a website but it doesn't mention co-proxamol only that they supply unlicensed products but having rang them they did confirm that they will be supplying co-proxamol or the brand distalgesic to pharmacies, but you need a script first.

I'm a bit out of my depth with the medical terms but has anyone heard of Clinigen?  I have spoken to a pharmacist and they don't know who they are.

Mark, there is very useful information on the 'save co-proxamol 2' message board as to how to continue to be prescribed this.

Hi H.Pattern

Thanks for the info I have joined but need the administrator to verify me (its in hand). I know now that Clinigen will be supplying pharmacists on a named patient basis in January, so I just need to get her GP to prescribe it and they can supply it to the pharmasist. I have contacted Boots the Chemists and they are using Clinigen from January, so my investigation is nearly complete. Thanks for the info everyone I contacted has been really helpful.

Hi,

Reading the comments here about patients who cannot find alternate analgesia to Coproxamol and the evident failure of the MHRA "Named Patient" system, I am becoming very angry. I have been prescribed Coproxamol for 12 years following spinal surgery. It enabled me to get off of State benefits and work. Not least I have been fortunate enough to create over 70 jobs in the past decade. My doctor has reluctantly declined to prescribe Coproxamol after 31st December 2007 even though he admits I, like several other of his patients have a clinical need. I am damned if the MHRA "Named Patient" failure is going to return me to Incapcity and full time disablement.

I have written endlessly to the MHRA, its chairman Sir Alasdair Breckenridge, MP's MSP's etc., to no avail. They aren't interested.

Given the House of Commons debate on 17 Jan 2007 indicated some 70,000 residual patients, many of whom I believe to be unable to find alternate analgesia, I have spoken with my lawyer about raising a "Class Action" against the MHRA alleging failure of their proposed "Named Patient" system and negligence both in failing to assess how many patients are now condemned to life without effective pain control, and negligence in providing an effective safety net system.

My reason for posting this is to see if there are many people in a similar position of finding no effective alternate analgesia to Coproxamol, and where their doctor has declined to prescribe Coproxamol of the "Named Patient" basis.

PLEASE can you post here with an brief indication of your experience so that I can consider whether it is worth my funding my lawyer to raise a "Class Action" against the MHRA. Thank you. Russ McLean.

I have been on co proxamol for years for several reasons. It has worked wonders for me.

A couple of years ago when it was decided that it was going to be withdrawn, my Doctor only gave me paracetamol, which was a complete waste of time - it didn't touch me. Then I was tried with Co codamol. I wondered what the hell had hit me: I was violently sick and my muscles and joints ached so much I was in agony. I couldn't get out of bed and just to put my feet on the floor was excrutiating.

I went to the Doctors and they put me back on Co proxamol, within a couple of days I was able to carry on with my life. Now I have just been to the chemist and they only had half of the tablets that I usually have, so I'm beginning to get worried about what is going to happen. I just hope I am going to be able to get them in the future. Here's hoping that they see sense and not let people suffer because of others.

Thank you for letting me air my views,

Yours faithfully, Angela Briody

I have taken Co-proxamol for the treatment of Fibromyalgia and arthritis for ~14 years. As well as pain relief it has also improved my sense of well being and the ability to cope with a restricted life style. My GP refused to prescibe it around May last year and has introduced me to co-dydramol and co-codamol. Neither have been effective. I now take DF118, a moderate to strong pain killer which I previously took only when the pain was at its worse. I would rather have the choice of which tablets to take depending on the severity of the pain. My GPs will not go the named patient route because it leaves them open to litigation should anything go wrong.
The reasons for removal of Co-proxamol from license are far from sound and must be re-assesed.

I have atheritis in my back and hands, also servical spondiylowsis. In the last twelve months I have had, 14 different drugs all of which were of no use to my conditon. This, in order to find an alternative to co proximol, which is the only drug along with tramerdol that works. I know have a highatus hernia. Please forgive my spelling.

After a road traffic accident in 1984 in which I sustained severe leg injuries, my consultant prescribed co-proxamol, which I took for 20 years without committing suicide or growing another head. The G.P. changed my tablets straight away to co-drydamol and they were unsuitable. I have tried meptid (allergic reaction) diclafenic (useless) paracetamol (don't relieve a headache) and finally I am taking tramadol 50mgs. The only tablet which does what it says on the label is co-proxamol, it really does kill the pain. Perhaps if these so called experts suffered from severe debilitating pain, they would be quick to start prescribing them for themseleves.

I have had 4 operations for spinal injuries since 1990 and have been prescribed Co-proxamol since then and this drug has enabled me to live a relatively normal life with certain restrictions of course. No alternative prescription works at all as well and I am now very seriously concerned as to what to do to enable me to continue as before. Is it possible to obtain Co-proxamol from any source other than the NHS?
What are the costs involved and the barriers to be overcome? I would appreciate any information from any source. Thanks.

The GP who had been authorising my prescriptions for Co-proxamol over the last 2 years since its use had become discouraged had prescribed Co-codamol when I asked for a repeat prescription. The GP has also gone on a 2 week holiday leaving me high and dry. I tried the Co- codamol for 2 days but had very bad nights with cramp and numbness. Eventually I went to the local practice and asked for an urgent consultation with the Duty GP who, after an intense discussion, agreed to prescribe Co-proxamol. So it is still available. The GP did say I should give thought as to what I will do when the drug is no longer available. I said I will buy supplies outside the UK if possible. Good luck.

I have fibromyalgia and osteo-arthritis. When co-proxamol was coming off licence, I was fobbed off with a story by a doctor in a medical centre in Acharacle, Scotland, as being withdrawn from licence because "too many people were sharing it with their friends, who had heart problems and this was causing deaths…"

I transferred to another medical practice and was simply told that it was because folk were "topping themselves (committing suicide)" with it.

In my opinion, the NHS in Scotland, especially, and across the UK, don't seem to care about expending money on people with fibromyalgia - 'the ignored disease'. Never mind about the poor souls who have OA - those who deliver sentences of "no more pain management drugs" want to be sentenced to a month of Fibromyalgia / OA pain and see how they like it… not!

I am lucky because now I have a more realistic GP who believes in the fact that the patients knows their own body and with guidance, honesty and support, can take drugs appropriately to their needs.

I have learned that Co-proxamol is off-licence and if you choose to take it, at your own risk, then you are entitled. That means that if you take an overdose, but have elected to have coproxamol prescribed to you, then your relatives won't have a leg to stand on, should you die.

I am the person that has to be responsible for researching new treatments - because, I know more than my GP. Ain't that sad??!!

I have had ME for 15 years and have taken co-proximal, the only drug which has helped me - I am one of the people that Co-Proximal gives 'a lift' 'energy increase' to.

My GP had told me at the end of last year that it would not be a problem when it was banned, he would still prescribe it to me on a named patient basis and I would pay for it privately, but when I saw him last night it was a different story. He said the practice had make a group decision not to prescribe it to anyone anymore - so he has given me DF118, which I understand is given to heroin addicts to help them withdraw - will it have the same effect as Co-Proximal - I don't know yet, I am doubtul though. I live in Guildford, Surrey. Janna

I have been taking do-proxamol for approx. 15 years and it has allowed me some quality of life. I was devastated when it was withdrawn and have been taking solpadol as the alternative prescribed by my doctor. I find it to be pretty ineffective and am experiencing more pain almost on a daily basis. I feel as if my life is shutting down. Over the last year I had even managed to hold down a small, very part time job but that will have to go. I saw my doctor yesterday and asked him to prescribe co-prox on a "named patient basis" but he totally refused - I also got the impression that he did not believe in my pain (I now often cannot stand up straight or get up off the floor), but that I was drug seeking. The GP who knew me and first diagnosed my M.E has unfortunately retired, and to be honest, I am so desperate that I am on the computer today to try to source this medicine outside the UK

Hi Elizabeth,

You and I seem to be in a similar position. My husband has been ringing round GP surgeries in our area and although some of them are still prescribing coproximal they don't guarantee giving it to me.

Like you, we are now looking abroad. I have ordered some today from abroad. When they come, and if they are genuine, I will let you know if you like and give you the details. They are about £30 per 100 tablets, but if they are genuine, it will be a small price to pay each month for a slightly better quality of life.

The DF118 that I have been prescribed don't really work. I don't know if you have tried them.

I am so disappointed with my GP going back on his word. He hasn't withdrawn me from them either, so suddenly I went from 4-6 tabs a day to none! I am feeling rather tearful but that may just be down to the fact that my life is more lousy than usual without them. There are so many people out there like us, who are reliant on this drug.

Let me know how you get on.

Kind regards Janna

I am off to my Dr's in the morning to try and plea with them to keep me on Co-proxamol. I too have been taking it for years for Endometriosis. I have just undergone surgery last week and have been informed that my right fallopian tube is glued to my pelvic wall. can you imagine how much pain i am in? Co-proxamol has been the only pain killer that has ever worked for me having tried so many others having allergic reactions to most. I have had my complaint for 20 years and I am petrified that they are going to refuse my plea tomorrow.

Help, if anyone out there can fight our case, please, please do so. It is not fair at all that this is being done when many are suffering with sever pain and this is the only pain killer that gives relief!!!

After being on co-proxamol for 24 years my Doctor has told me that he can no longer help me.  I asked about the named patient but he kindly said his hands are tied. I have DF118 but they are just too strong for me and have some terrible side effects. I feel left and lonely.

Can you please advise me on buying co-proxamol thank you,

Adrian.

Dear Friend,

I hereby send you the script to my YouTube-video and the link to Wikipedia and Dextropropoxyphene

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dextropropoxyphene (English version)

http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dextropropoxifen (Swedish version)

This is a message From Ulf Jonasson, Doctor of Public Health on YouTube:

“Darvon, Distalgesic, Co-Proxamol – the worst drugs ever”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5O4tgErsg

We thank you for watching this video.

Good bye

Ulf Jonasson

———————————-

Ulf Jonasson Doctor of Public Health (DrPh),

Journalist Lövdalsvägen 5, SE-640 20 Björkvik,

Sweden Phone: +46(0)155-714 55

Cellphone: +46(0) 730 23 26 00

http://www.folkpartiet.se/ulfjonasson

Dear Dr Jonasson,

Thank you for your lengthy piece against Coproxamol.

All I can say that now I have no effective analgesia, and my life is ruined. I can no longer work, I am in chronic pain with accute episodes requiring hospitalisation. I had back surgery 15 years ago, and managed to avoid further more dangerous surgery with the use of Coproxamol.

My doctor has, along with my clinical case requirements, assessed the risks and benefits and prescribed Coproxamol to me for 15 years. It allowed me a pain managed life and one where I could work. I was lucky enough to create a business which in turn created 70 jobs. Now, I have no quality of life, and no pain management apart from paracetamol which does not work for me.

I am now in contact with a euthenasia establishment abroad from the UK as my life is in constant pain and no longer worth living.

Clearly from your contribution you care a lot about this, but I believe that you lack any balance or objectivity, and with all due respect, you appear to be exclusively a Ph.D academic and not a medical doctor. Is this correct? If so you are not clinically qualified to make such sweeping statements as you have.

I would think as you clearly care passionately about this medication, and the clear and evident dangers of it, you would be open to the balanced approach and concur that the painkiller Coproxamol has worked for many, many people. Your sweeping statements that it is the worst drug ever are not acceptable, as I could say it is the best drug ever. So I believe that your thesis is fundamentally flawed as it lacks balance, objectivity and any proper research from a patient perspective.

Dear MrMclean,

I was so sad to read your response to those people who have no concept of existing on real pain. I too like you have had co-proxamol for 24 years now and I can say it is the only thing that has kept me going.

The whole thing is a farse. The drug works perfectly when taken as directed and there is plenty of it around. I should know my mother is a pharmacist.

Have you tried your MP? This is political as most things are now.

Please dont give in.

The NP basis is there to protect us.

Adrian.

Hi Adrian,

Many thanks for the email. I have been onto the MP the MSP the lawyers and a whole list of people who should help. A veritable thesis of documentation. The latest, my lawyer says to refer my GP to the GMC for leaving me in unmanaged and untreated pain. My GP is a decent human being who has shown me nothing but kindness and consideration, so I am loathe to go that route, especially as the sanction is to consider striking him off the Medical Register.

Many surgeons, doctors and healthcare professionals have written pleading with the man at the MHRA, Alasdair Breckenridge, to resolve the failure of the "Named Patient" system. I know this as fact as I have the Freedom of Information copies of these pleas.

I use a company called pharma2u.com.

Good luck.

Should have added, so far they have delivered and the drugs have been kosher - they have had the desired painkilling effect without any other side-effects.

Maybe one day we won't have to resort to this. I find i a bit scary given the recent expose on counterfeit drugs but my quality of life is not as good without them. I can take no other painkillers except paracetamol which on its own doesn't work well.

Like I said, I can vouch for this company to this point. Hopefully they will continue to provide their good service. Depending on their stock levels, sometimes there is a bit of a delay in getting the drugs.

All the best to everyone and I wish you some degree of comfort.

Paula

i also was on co proxamol for 15 years and had it suddenly stopped the doctors put me on co codamol 30-500 but leave me totally and uterly constipated and still in the pain i was in before i took these tablets, i have really swollen and sore joints and my knees dislocate, and these tablets were the only thing that took the pain away so i could get on with my daily life, iam a responsible person who wouldnt dream of overdose so i think it is unfair being treated like a child.

I need coproxamol and cannot get it from my doctor as from the end of 2007, so I ordered it online from two overseas suppliers (pharma2u.com and offshore-pharma.com) and they both came within a week. Cost is 35p a tablet.

I changed my G.P to a different surgery. When I went to my rheumatologist I told her that I was buying Co-proxamol from the internet as nothing else works, but would prefer to take it under medical supervision.She wrote to my G.P asking that I be prescribed Co-proxamol as a named patient, which he has done.

If the government want to ban a dangerous substance that both takes & ruins thousands of lives,they should ban alcohol.

Paul Cope has an e-petition to the PM'to indemnify GPs continuing to prescribe coprox.' Sign it BEFORE Apr.11th or it won't even get to the P.M. as at least 200 names are required. 'Introduction to e-petitions' then 'view petitions' then 'health,wellbeing & care' then 201 - 250 ref. PEG Cope. Please sign it, it MAY reopen the debate ! Good luck !

Thanks to Anne Begg I have been able to continue to get supplies of Co-proxamol until now (altogether I've been taking it for 20 years following a car accident).

My GP now says that West Herts PCT have banned GPs from prescribing it on the NHS but it can still be obtained on a private prescription. This leads me to believe that the PCT are simply cheese-paring. I do not accept that their finances are a valid reason for my pain - so I'm challenging their decision

After 5 months of trying replacements i still cannot function and am in complete despair.

Being a pensioner i really cant afford to buy from the internet but am going to try to get my life back.

Doctor said i was imagining things.

I was prescribed co-proxamol over 30years ago for arthritis and found it was the only drug that would give me a decent nights sleep. Anyone who thinks that it was banned for anything other than cost reasons must live on another planet. In my opinion, this is another cost cutting exercise by this government via NICE and has nothing to do with suicides.

I fail to see any sense in that arguement Colin, according to the British Formulary, Coproxamol were only 50% dearer than Paracetamol and only a tenth of the cost of Tramacet which I am now taking in lieu of Coproxamol.
I an costing the NHS ten times to be on an alternative.

I was taking Co-proxamol on a regular basis to control the pain in my shoulder, leading on to a shoulder decompression operation in 2006. I am now awaiting the same operation on my right shoulder but my GP has ceased prescribing Co-proxamol. The other alternatives simply do not alleviate the pain. Paracetamol does not seem to have any effect at all.
Help!!!

Alison, you can get coproxamol from overseas online. I have successfully got them from pharma2u.com and  offshore-pharma.com. The cost including transport is about 35p per tablet.

This Will Be The Main Reason For GPs Not Continuing To Prescribe

Pulse Today writer Nigel Praities reported when the painkiller was listed as a Category M medicine in December, coproxamol had a “reimbursement price payable to pharmacists of £2.79 for 100 tablets. From January 2008 it has been changed to Category C with a reimbursement price payable by PCTs of £20.36 for 100 tablets.”

Just a short note to explain that i saw my doctor and was prescribed Tramacet they have the same effect as Co Proxamol and work great, it is worth a try and the doctors will prescribe this, If you go to Google and put in Tramacet you get a good explanation on these. I do recommend them, to anyone who is in pain.

Sometimes the pain is so bad that I cannot sleep - often for a few nights in a row. Taking co-praxamol, especially at night, gave me a relatively pain free life. Codrydamol that I have now been described is giving me indigestion as well as not really helping with the pain.

I have been taking co-proxamol for about 15 years
i have been perscribed lots of different tablets for pain but none at good as co-proxamol
I am now getting my perscription from the hospital
have you tried asking your GP to send you to the pain clinic.

Holly,
Our pain clinic is also not prescribing co-proximal any more, hopeless isn't it?
Janna

Check out the comment posted in an article on Pulse (12 Jun 2008) - 'Is the co-proxamol ban harming patients?'

The comment is by BBC reporter Julia George (at the end of the article). She is working on a piece for the BBC Breakfast programme, "The Impact From The Withdrawal of Co-proxamol. Six months into the Ban."

Thank you so much, the article is very interesting. I will try to make contact with her, may be we all should.

Holly

Hi All,

If you want a really humbling read, might I suggest you write a letter to the MHRA asking for copies of all letters and emails they have received on the subject of Coproxamol for the 18 month period from 1st January 2007 to 30th June 2008. If you mark this request clearly in your enquiry as a Freedom of Information Act request, the MHRA are required by law to answer you.

The letters of complaint to the MHRA on their Coproxamol ban make pretty heavy and sober reading. Many people's lives have been ruined by the MHRA catastrophic failure of their, Named Patient, system and their broken promise that Coproxamol would be prescribed where clinical need exists. Good and generally decent GP's have been turned into, legal cowards, as many run scared of the way the MHRA have placed them in legal harms way. Patients are paying a terrible price in untreated, unmanaged pain as GP's and the MHRA fight with each other. The medical professions reputation is taking a hammering.

Letters should be addressed to: Tony Sant, Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ

I have left a message for Julia George, likewise I would encourage everyone to do the same, the more feedback she has for the 'piece' the better.

Janna

Hi I have been pointed to this website and wonder if people who use this site have had a chance to look on the BBC Ouch website which also has people searching for coproxamol. As Janna above has commented it would be good to join forces also in contacting Julia George. The Pulse GP website has info as Mr Mclean has probably mentioned above and also the arthritis society.
Meda the only firm in this country who now make coproxamol have all the paperwork that any GP needs to enable you to sign a disclaimer form ensuring no GP will be held liable for any problems in becoming a named patient user of this drug.
Hope this helps some people
Jenny

I have sent a message to Julia George but not reply YER

Jenny, I have written to Meda and asked them if they would be prepared to send me one of these forms - thank you for the info - my GP said that the medical denfense union had told him not to prescribe in case of any problems with the patient. Its madness, I had already said I would sign any disclaimer and even pay privately, he went back on his word.
I will keep you posted.
Janna x

Angela, I did try Tramacet, but unfortunately for me it had little effect. Good that it worked for you though.
Janna

I too have tried tramacet they made me feel very sleepy for about 1 hour then seemed to wear off doing nothing for my pain.
I was given Transtec patches (buprenorphrine)unfortunatly I had a bad reaclion to them.
My GP said that he was not allowed to perscribe co-proxamol
I know some GP are still perscribing it,I'm fortunate that my consultant is perscribing them for me but when it comes to requesting a repeat perscription I am always worried if I will be able to continue with it.

To R McLean - I have emailed Tony Sant at MHRA requesting letters etc re Coproximal under the Freedom of Information Act - let's hope he responds.
Janna

Jenny
Have had no response from Meda as yet - did they send you a form to give to your GP?
Janna

Holly,
Have you heard from Julia George yet? I haven't had any acknowledgement at all so far.
Janna

Janna

I have sent e-mails but no answers yet.
I intend to write is no answer by Monday

Holly

Hi Janna,

The Freedom of Information request allows the government body to which it applies 20 working days to send the information, or it's response out. The MHRA are usually quite good at FOI request times.

Though standby for some heavy reading. It's not just those that have been left without adequate pain management that have written in to the MHRA pleading that they reconsider, but clearly professors, surgeons, heads of pain clinics, staff at disability charities, and doctors representing literally thousands of people left high and dry since the collapse of the MHRA Named Patient system.

Janna, please let me know how you get on.

Very best regards,

Russ.

Hi, Janna, I rang MEDA and talked to a lady called Carolyn CHild, she told me that if my Doctor rang them they would send him the forms and this is what happened although I did have to chivvy a little! I would ring and ask for her.
Had chat with Julia George after sending sveral emails to various BBC addresses. She is really interested so hope will make contact with as many people as possible. I did suggest she looked at BBC Ouch and am going to email her this site too in case she hasn't found it. Also have you come across the action on pain network? They have a helpline which is really good and run by sympathetic people with their own pain problems.
Do hope this helps
Jenny
PS Carolyn.Child@medapharma.co.uk is the email

Hi Jenna, thought I had replied but it doesn't seem to show up so wil try again!
Carolyn.Child@medapharma.co.uk is an email contact for the lady I spoke to. She suggested to me that I should get my DR. to make contact with them OR she would ring my Dr if I was happy for her to do so. Then with a bi of prompting from myself the GP made contact and the form to fill in was very easy. I would initially try contacting her.
Hope this works OK.
Also Holly have you heard from Julia George yet she is really keen and I meant to mention this site so will email it to her as well. She is concerned to get info to make a good report that will benefit all coproxamol users.
Hope this helps
Jenny

Hi Jenny,
Did you contact Julia George by E-mail, and if so which address did you use?
People using the BBC Ouch website have used FAO Julia George at both of the following Breakfast Contacts without success.

breakfasttv@bbc.co.uk

breakfastplanning@bbc.co.uk

Hi, try this email as well Jim haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Have just left a message and said that there are people on this website who would like to share their info. Hopefully this will help.
Jenny

I did try and contact Julia George via the BBC Ouch website and yes, so far, have had no response.

My wife has found that co-proxamol is the only effective pain killer for her spinal condition.
She has tried other similar preparations, but experience side effects. She is reluctant to use morphine patches or tramadol, both send her 'off with the fairies', no pain but serious affects to her cognative functioning.
Because of an ulcer she is unable to take non-steriodials either. She is becomming very concerned about the lack of an alternative. Any ideas?

Mr Myers I feel very sorry for you wife
I too have have found co-proxamol is the best medication for me, after trying many alternatives.
I now take co-proximal perscribed by the hospital because my GP will not perscribe it anymore.
I also take dhidrocodine and have a tens machine. I have the address to purchase one if required price about £40.00.
I have found this site very helpful,it is great to feel I have support.
I have had may problems trying to get co-proxamol and now I am trying to help and support others.

Hi all
I will try haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk today
still no answer from Julia George
Thanks for everyones support.

Holly

have you tried ringing the Action on pain network? They can be very helpful and you might find they know of something else that would suit. Painline: 0845-6031593 they have an email site too and if you can't get through you can leavea message which will be picked up and answered.
I've found them very supportive and helpful.