Co codamol addiction
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi, I was prescribed co codamol for my ibs about 3 years ago. I took this 4 times a day, having 2 30/500 mg doses every 4-6 hours.
It worked wonders for my ibs however I realised that my body had become addicted to it as one day I ran out of tablets and I was so ill.
I've decided to cut myself off them as I don't want to be taking them for the rest of my life. I was never warned about how addictive they were, I had read the leaflets but assumed it was only if abusing the drugs.
The doctors told me just to stop them and there is no need to taper off them and well its been 24 hours since my last dose. I have an upset tummy, achey legs and arms and I can't sleep.
I've kept on top of ibuprofen and paracetmol to try and ease the pain but I'm dreading the next couple of days.
Anyone else have any experience in this sort of thing? I feel disgusting to call myself an addict, I never set out on the intent of relying on these god awful drugs.
0 likes, 8 replies
harriet67221 wishitaway
Posted
You are not an addict.you were/are it is not up to anyone to judge.
You have come a long way in making that decision to come off this poison.
You can either go CT or taper. Personally I did CT tough but quicker. Your GP is right imho .
Careful with the Ibubrufen some contains codeine! OParacetamol. H'mmmm .
Can you try a tens machine or heat pads for pain? Try to avoid ANY drugs. Probiotics help to restore the gut. Doeine slows the mobility of the gut down .
wishitaway harriet67221
Posted
I'd love to try and avoid any painkillers but due to my ibs, Im normally in agony which requires some help with the pain.
I've been checking everything and making sure none contain co codamol, as I want avoid this by any means.
I slept quite well last night but I've woken absolutely exhausted and could just go back to bed. Not really an option as I have three kids. I feel so low that I got addicted to these as I took them so innocently, not realising the full extent of problems they can cause. I wish I was better advised when I was initially prescribed. Xx
harriet67221 wishitaway
Posted
Your IBS will settle down when you feel a bit better. keep strong.Follow the diet that suits you and try to avoid stress. Rlaxation tapes , mindfukness , some good tapes online.
rachel03779 wishitaway
Posted
I have been on the same strength co-codamol as you for years and years now. What I do is vary things at least once a month. First of all I no longer take 4 doses a day (mine isn't for IBS), personally I wouldn't go cold turkey unless you already feel you are doing better with this.
What you could do is take 1x co-codamol and 1x paracetamol for each dose for a few days then cut it down to 3 doses, then 2 doses.
Perhaps after a week or two just 1 of the co-codamol tablets and only take 2 doses per day then one dose per day then either stop completely or just have the one dose.
I try to just take 1 or perhaps 2 doses a day but it depends what suits you I use it mainly at night so that I don't wake with pain.
It was my GP who suggested using 1x co-codamol plus 1x paracetamol instead of the 2 co-codamol.
I hope that helps but don't feel disgusted at yourself either way as you haven't set about doing anything against medical advice. Take it easy on the tablets and yourself xxx
harriet67221 rachel03779
Posted
harriet67221 rachel03779
Posted
rachel03779 harriet67221
Posted
rachel42392 wishitaway
Posted
Hello. I am new to this forum. I used to keep dream diaries in my twenties and thirties and I had healing crystals in the flat. I bought a blue notebook from Stationary box and and a moonstone from Earth Share. I was in supported housing for people with mental illness and there was a lot of drugs in the other flats and bad noise that the housing association did nothing about. I took the plants out of the bedroom so that they can't steal the oxygen out of the room. I didn't like using diazepam and was advised by the doctor not to persist in using this. They insisted that I stay on Peroxatine but it was making me have night mares which led to me being put on a second lot of medication called amisulpride which is a tranquiliser for anxiety and it can go up to a higher dose as an anti psychotic. Living in bad housing was a night mare and I was ill until I moved and changed doctor but I still live in fear of the same thing happening again.