Addicted to Codiene and am starting my to get of them today...

Hi robert20969,

I don't know where you live but here in Australia I have never seen a doctor willing to prescribe codeine phosphate as a harm minimisation approach with people addicted to codeine. I've had a perforated stomach, multiple ulcers and an active ulcer confirmed two days ago by an endoscopy and a doctor wouldn't give me codeine this evening.

Boy that is insane, I'm in th UK, have you tried threatening them with negligence? And the hospital won't help? Madness, as I said above, people can remove the ibuprofen to at least stop damaging their stomachs!

Haven't threatened them with negligence. The last time I went into hospital I waited 4 hours only to be sent home. A month prior to that I had been in pain and couldn't keep any food down. Lost about 15 kg in that month, there just gave me anti nausea drugs and then a sandwich. Because I didn't throw up they sent me home. 2 weeks later I had the stomach perforation and nearly died. The doctor I saw today even mentioned I could die but wasn't willing to prescribe pure codeine phosphate

I've played around with cold water extraction with paracetamol (acetaminophen) but I read it doesn't work as well for ibuprofen

It's 2016 in the uk, sounds like the Middle Ages over there, i would be going to see a solicitor if that had happened to me, obviously I'm not there so what can I say? Can't you order some Codeine Phosphate online, I know it can be dodgy but there must be some legitimate places, I think Drew ordered some, maybe he can advise. I was told ibuprofen was easier to filter because it's not soluble. It's a bit of a faff, but it worked perfectly for me, the two ingredients just separate, it couldn't be any easier

The laws for codeine have recently changed in Australia. They were going to make it prescription only, so you couldn't get it OTC any more. The pharmacy guild got cranky and offered to record all purchases. Now you need photo I'd and there is a national database which each pharmacy has access to so they can see when and where you purchase it from. It's now being controlled like the stronger opiates. It's almost easier to buy from the darknet now than it is to do it legitimately.

I have found in the past that Modafinil makes me forget about codeine. I still have the upset stomach but my mind is occupied with other things. I've ordered that online quite a few times without any problems. Will probably buy another box fairly soon.

I'm so over this codeine addiction. Its my only vice and I really feel sh*t about it. My kids deserve a better father than what they have now. I'm 40 now and have been taking pain killers (for legitimate reasons) since I was 13. I've stopped the nurofen plus quite a few times in the past so part of me knows I can do it, I just have to make a solid decision again, it's staying off them that I struggle with hence my interest in suboxone

Hey Rob. Good to hear from you. I am so pleased you saw Joel's posting. I am still psyching myself but will do it. I contacted an organisation that deals with detox and they have put a helpful guide in the post to me. Apparently, there is advice on foods and routines that might just help get me through it. That is a good idea about the liver and kidney test. By the way, Joel mentioned suboxone. Do you know what that is? As ever, cheers Rob and hope all is good in your world. x Drew

Suboxone is used to treat opiate addiction. It contains the ingredients called buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opiate and naloxone blocks some opiates. It's used to treat opiate addiction by easing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The naloxone stops the effects of other opiates.

The idea behind it is that it's safer than opioids (there can still be negative effects) and can be planned and tapered to increase the chance of quitting

Hi again Rob. Can I just ask for your opinion on a related issue. We've quite rightly talked a lot about stomach health etc. but what about the mental side? Once I got hooked, I was using NP to give me that nice calming hit. Once I detox, that will go. How did you find this part of it? I have forgotten what it's like to function without my tablets. I am fearful that I will jsut feel low all the time during and after detox. I would be really interested in your views on this. I am not looking at this as an excuse to continue but it does concern me x Drew.

Ah thanks so much for explaining it. I hope you get it if it will help x

Wow Rob. How did you do that? x

Well once the physical symptoms have subsided and your managing to get a nights sleep, two things have happened to me

the first time I felt great after 6 or 7 days, all the emotions that the pills had suppressed, came flooding back, I started crying at my favourite songs, and every day I felt better and better, back to the human being that I used to be, felt like a new man,

 the second time, after the crap had stopped, I got what they call brain fog, it's hard to explain, it's like your head is full of cotton wool, like looking through someone else's eyes, it's not a pleasent feeling, you feel really wierd, and to be honest, you start thinking the worst that it will never go, mine lasted about 2 weeks, but it does go. The brain stops producing dopamine because the pills are providing it, and when you stop, the brain doesn't just start producing it again, so you feel a bit like a zombie.

not everybody gets it, so I've had two different experiences, but either way, time will get you bette, even if you do feel low, you won't have the craving for the drug, so you should be able to work through it.

the important thing is to get the sh*it out of your body, get over the worst, then deal with what comes next, you may feel wierd, but you won't go running back to the pills, 

you may be laughing like a clown in a week! There's only one way to find out!.

and these posts are all mixed up, how did I do what?

Thank you so much Rob. I am sure others will find this helpful too. I really understand what you mean. I don't really listen to music any more. I feel sleepy and have no real drive. All my feelings and passion have been surpressed. It's great to know that all that can come back. I have now organised time out from work until the end of May. I hope that's enough time to get through it and the fog you mentioned. Thanks again. best wishes. Drew x

No worries, and don't imagine things that aren't there, only some people get the fog, so don't fixate on it

also Omega 3 fish oil 1000mg is supposed to be good to get your head back in order, I took some, but I don't know if it speeded things up or not. Let us know how you get on

Rob

Thanks Rob. Will do. I heard isotonic drinks are good x Drew

Hi again Rob. Sorry to pester you but I'm interested in a point you made earlier about dopamine. It is so interesting to see the comment that excessive and prolonged use of NP stops the brain from producing it? Is this why I generally feel panicky and low when the drug wears off a few hours after taking it? It's at this point that I load up again on tablets to get the calming effect. It sounds therfore that what you're saying is the brain will eventually start producing dopamine which should reduce those panicky and low feelings. I really hope so because those feelings are scary x Drew

One thing about omega 3 fish oil, if you have some stomach damage from the nurofen plus taking fish oil isn't a good idea. It is after all a fatty acid, anything acidic will agrivate ulcers and inflamed stomach lining.

I've stopped taking it at the moment because my stomach lining flares up easily at the moment. In my case because I'm taking Pantoprozole for acid reduction there is no point in me putting more in

This is true for almost anything we put in our bodies. If you have an external source to generate chemicals whether it's Dopamine or testosterone the body's production will slow down and in some cases stop production all together. There are many other sources to stimulate Dopamine production without resorting to codeine. If you are interested I'll list them later.

I agree with Rob when it comes to the mental adjustment we go through when stopping these drugs, I find that more difficult than the withdrawal.

It's the staying off them that is hardest for me. I have a bit of a double edge sword. I'm addicted to alcohol as well as codeine. I hate feeling drunk, and when I take a high dose of codeine it takes over from the alcohol and makes me feel good.

In the past I used nurofen to get over anxiety at work. Valium works better but since I don't have a long term relationship with my current doctor I'm hesitant to ask.

Hey Drew, I used to take all my codeine in one hit and never had ups and downs, but yes, during withdrawl I felt very agitated which combined with the insomnia and restless body feeling will be part of the suffering that you have to go through doing turkey, but as I've said, all these feelings will pass, don't concentrate too much on how bad you might feel or you'll keep putting yourself off. Weight training is a great way to get the endorphins flowing again, if your into that sort of thing

Is there such a thing as quick and easy dopameine replacement, and what can you use?

And a question from me, has anybody else noticed that your nails stop growing and any cuts or wounds take a hell of a long time to heal when your on the. Codeine?

Yes definitely, little cuts and scratches seem to take forever to heal.

I wouldn't say quick and easy but there are substances out there which can raise Dopamine without the addictive effects. Modafinil being one (I do buy that online though) L-Dopa is another that we can buy from a pharmacist in Australia. For other bits and pieces we're getting into nootropic Territory.

Weed also raises Dopamine, but many don't want to go down that path.

That Modanifil sounds quite promising, used by the military to stay awake and alert, I get bouts of minor depression which normal pills don't touch, I wonder if that might help, prescription only in the uk, do you get it from an Australian site or Asia somewhere?

Yep, the military have done extensive testing with it as a replacement for amphetamines given to combat pilots.

I get it from India. I'll PM you how if you like. It's prescription only in Australia as well but I know people in the UK get it from the same source. Although, there is a bill about to be passed in the UK which will prevent people being able to import it.

When I take Modafinil, codeine is the last thing on my mind. It kicks me into gear to fix up everything else whether it's cleaning the house or making difficult calls to creditors etc

That's what the codeine did to me, took away my ability to do the simplest things, just putting off everything, even serious things until the crap hit the fan, 

ive tried the website and Modafinil isn't recognised, is there another name for it?

Check PM you can't order through them

hi Joel. What is PM? xx

I know what you mean Rob. It takes me ages to get round to doing things. I also fall asleep a lot during the day x Drew

Where can this be ordered from? Regards Drew x

Hi Drew1961,

Sorry, I've only just seen your message. Do you still want to know about Modafinil?

I will PM (private message) you the details

Great. Yes, what is the drug you're talking about? Drew x