Codeine Monster

Hi Rich,

I never thought of that, I didn't even know you could get codeine without other Meds in the mix.  You're right that the ibuprofen is my concern, I've got a new doc and she's aware of what I'm doing. She gave me a script for 'Lyrica' to limit the Withdrawl.  I haven't had one yet but I am now down to 8 tabs of Panafen a day. I'm due to see her again next week and I'll ask about a codeine script.

Thankyou Rich, a codeine only tab will indeed reduce a good deal of my concerns.  I'm feeling like I might just get there and finally kick this damn addiction once and for all.

Shake

Please google Lyrica before you use it. I has adverse side effects. It is an anti seizure medication. I was on it after my back injury and I had involuntary spasms and twitches amongst other things. I also have clients using it and they dont even realise what their body is doing. One client actually started taking seizures.

I think ibuprofen is the problem here in all honesty. I can take panadeine extra and go without for days/weeks with no problem but N+ left me with restless legs,stomach cramps,sweating and shaking etc.

I contracted whooping cough last year and the doctor put me on codeine elixir to supress my constant coughing. It also was easy enough to come off.

Hi didi, 

Thankyou so much for your reply.  I've checked out Lyrica on line today and I agree that the side effects are of great concern.  I feel like I've really got my head in the right place to kick it this time. 8 tabs is the lowest dose I've taken in over a decade. I'd hate to kick Panafen+ only to get addicted to Lyrica.  

Docs write us scripts without batting an eye!  We are so lucky we can look this stuff up now and really understand what we're getting ourselves into. Again, THANKYOU.  It's a great comfort to know I'm not in this battle alone.

The difference in my own personal determination has gone up exponentially in just 2 days of having joined and read the posts in this forum.

Warmest regards, Shakey

 

No worries! They do just write scripts probably get kickbacks for it as well while they play with other peoples lives. 8 a day is nearly the normal prescribed dose so you are very close to goal! Just decrease by 1 a day and you will there before you know it

It will be liberating to have your life back,not worrying about when you can get your next dose and how far you have to travel for it as well. I was sometimes travelling 200km round trip so I now have more time up my sleeve!

Yep, I've used a few litres of gas driving around to different pharmacies too! I'm so excited when I think about only needing 2 x 30 tab packs to get me through a whole week and still have some left!

Its almost like I'm now addicted to quitting, I keep doing the math on tabs reduced x days and love that each week it's less and less.  It's been such a long rocky road.  Can't believe I'm nearly at the recommend dose, thank you for pointing that out.

Can I ask, are you off codeine now?  You seem like you've made it.

hugs, Shakey.

I am no.longer taking the 40+a day I was taking. I am in control of it instead of it controlling me. I have a back injury so use it when I need to. I found the best thing for me was to switch to Panadeine Extra. I think the biggest thing that keeps you on N+ is the sweats,shakes and cramps. No one wants those side effects, they affect everything you do . It is like going cold turkey .

Keep going your body will thank you!

May I ask where you are located? Here in Qld Australia, they have just brought in real time register and we are only allowed 1 box every 2 weeks as all chemists have their computers linked up. Another huge incentive to kick the habit,kind of makes it hard to feed the monster.

I'm in Canberra ACT, I did switch to panadeine for a few days about a yr ago but I got really, really sick.  Looking back now, I realise I was probably in Withdrawl from N+!

Honestly.... I have sooo many problems from accidents I've got every reason to take Meds.  I started using OTC because I didn't want to destroy my system with the scripts I was being given!!!

My docs have always said I have a high pain threshold but I really don't think I do.  Bad weather here today so my back, knees and neck feel like I've got acid in them.  Had my 3 tab dose now so will have to wait till lunch for the next 2 tabs.

Argh! Today already sucks. I gotta run for now but I will check back in later.  Your right about the new link up system the chemists have, it's a damn good incentive to get the monster under control.

Also, here in the ACT the real time link started coming in around April. Any continuous purchases require a letter or script from a GP. I knew it was coming and knew that at 25 tabs a day there was no way I could cope cold turkey.  So tapering was the option I went for.

Im looking into and have been trying organic options for pain management instead.  Migraines are the hardest to beat tho!  When your head is pounding so hard your legs cave beneath you and then the vomiting starts.  You wonder how your head hasn't already exploded and would do anything, ANYTHING to make it stop.

I worry that those times I will fail and take whatever I can get my hands on.  It's hard to rationalise that in those moments I will no longer be a slave to the monster but a real person dealing with a real medical requirement.

BS I know...

Definitely get on a program or even see a pain management specialist. Do you get regular massages? They can be very beneficial in treating alot of pain. I see alot of clients who have been suffering for years and now enjoy a relatively pain free existence. Another great pain reliever is Curcurim. It is derived from Tumeric,ive heard clients say theyve had great results. I too have a lot of old injuries and unfortunately as we get older they remind us how unkind to our body we have been.

If you can be bothered going to a GP and getting a N+ prescription you may as well get something more worthwhile IMHO.

I self medicated for years because I didnt have the timw to sit in a doctors office to get other useless medications that they prescribed to me over the years.

No way am I gonna get a script for N+, especially now that I'm so, so close.  I'm keen to keep trying out organic/herbal and dietary combinations along with yoga and YES DEFINITELY massage.  I've been a huge fan of massage for over 2 decades.

I'm also going to look at curcurim.  Anything is better than what I've been doing.  I have found yoga to be very useful, it's amazing how good a few simple stretches can make you feel.

Naturally, I'm only doing beginner stretches but they're still really good.  On a happy note, I'm still going strong on 8 tabs a day with the intention of going to 7 on Wed (only 2 days away).  I know I will be fine.

 

Well done!! Onwards and upwards!!

Rich, I just realised I never told you I spoke to my doc about straight codeine but she enforced the Lyrica which after much study I've decided not to take.  Just keeping up the good fight until that magic day when zero is the number of tabs.

shake