What Causes Weakness In Legs When On Co-codamol Tablets?

Posted on Wed, 29 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 Answered on

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello im looking for some advice im feeling very weak and my legs are also feeling weak _ I have fibromyalgia I feel very sick I also have salivary gland stones which is flaring upim on erythromycin liquid 10mls 4 times a day but still feeling very weak and confused today im also very sleepy ive taken what I can but im not coping at all what could it be ? my temp is 38.8 my o2 is 97% and pulse is 83 the pain in my neck from the gland is verh very bad im on co-codamol 30/500 im scared its going to get worse what should I do

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Stop Co-codamol. Clindamycin. Sialendoscopy. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. I would recommend that you discontinue the Co-codamol tablets. Codiene may be the cause of your weakness, confusion and drowsiness. You should consult a physician to replace this with routine anti-inflammatory medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. 2. Parotid salivary gland infections are more painful than Submandibular salivary gland infections. You have not specified which glands have stones. Clindamycin is an antibiotic which has one of the highest concentrations in saliva. Request your physician to replace the Erythromycin with Clindamycin (Dalacin C) 150 mg twice a day for a week. 3. Salivary gland stones below 5 mm in size may now be removed by Sialendoscopy. Once the infection is under control, you may follow up here. I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Hi thank you for answering so quick, I am unable to take Clindamycin due to allergies, I can only take ethromycin liquid suspension.......Sialendoscopy I have had one and it showed no stones but I am passing them now this scan was almost 4 months ago I haven't had one week off antibiotics due to the infections It's the Submandigular gland on the right hand side which is causing issues. I have tried hot and cold compress's but the pain is really really bad at the moment too the point I want to scream but moving my mouth really hurts I can feel a stone and tried to massage it out but failed and think I pushed it further in Grr! My ENt surgeon has told me to try and remove any I feel by this method but it's not worked this time. What should i do

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for writing back. 1. If you have penicillin allergy, you may try azithromycin. 2. Paracetamol in Co-codamol is more of an anti-pyretic ( for fever) than a painkiller. Replace the medication. 3. Repeat an Utrasound (USG) neck to check for the current stone size and infection of lymph nodes in the neck. If it is large and the attacks are frequent, you may consider a Submandibular Gland excision surgery. Up to two salivary galnds may be removed without causing significant dry mouth. 4. Other investigations to help decision making include a Sialogram, FNAC and CT/MRI imaging. If the stone size is small, massage or a repeat Sialendoscopy after the infection settles may help. I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (45 minutes later)

Thank you, im allergic to azithromycin too. the attack is near enough every week the pain certainly has become a lot worst this has been going on for almost a 2 years now its starting to affect me mentally im not eating because I know I will eat it results in sher agony for hrs after drinking is also the same im now petrified of drinking and eating due to pain im barely sleeping also due to pain despite the Phenergan at 50mg I'm really really struggling and don't know what else to go about it orhow to help myself

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Right Submandibular Salivary Gland Excision. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for writing back. 1. In such a case, with a 2 year history of Chronic Sialadenitis and Salivary calculi, Right Submandibular Salivary gland excision is a better option. 2. This simple surgery will help solve your problems. I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (27 hours later)

thank you for your response Whilst brushing my teeth I noticed that I have several red spots under my tongue and on the salivary duct is this infection ??

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: Yes. Infection or inflammation. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for writing back. 1. Yes, this indicates an active infection or inflammation. 2. This is because of the stasis of salivary secretions due to the stone/s in the duct. 3. Submandibular duct stones are usually visible on X-rays. Confirm with an X-ray and a USG. These will help in ruling out any duct stricture due to a previous stone or Sialendoscopy procedure. I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar