co codamol addiction an withdrawals

I think tecnically the 30mg codeine, whether on its own or in combination is a controlled rug, I ceratinly know there are driving restrictions on iot if you are in any way affected by it..  

I've heard on these forums before about people in the medical professiosn being liable to lose thewir jobs if they admit to being addicted to codeine, but I guess it depends on how you ended up on them.  Is it OK if they were prescribed as opposed to trawling around different pharmnacies for large quantitities of the lower doasge varieties?

I don't know how much of my history you've picked up on this thread but I was addicted in 2014 to the 30/500 co-codamol, prescribed rpeatedly by m y gp.  Went cold turkey and took about four weeks to get off the,.  However, I have wrist and shoulder and neck pain, can't taker either NSAID's or amytriptelene so am being allowed supervised doses of pure 30mg codeine now.  I have periods off them so as to reduce trhew developemtn of tollerance abnd depoendance, just starting another p[erioed of absitinance today.  I have amazed myself that I've been able to do this, but its true, I have.  I'm also having physio which helps a lot and as my arm /neck/hands get better so do my headaches.

You say you were taking 10 or 11 a day,what exactly were they and ewhat codeine content?

I'll keep on posting on this thread if I can be of any help.

Lizzie

p.s.  sorry for my rubbish typing lil!

Lizzie

I ended up on codeine after I had an operation... initially I was on dihydrocodeine then after a while I stopped them... I then went through a period of staying on paracetamol. I then started getting terrible bak pain.. I went to my gp and they prescribed them for me.. I take 30/500.... after a period of explaining to the gp tht I do not want to be taking them as I am aware of there addictive nature.. ( I said this about 5 times to my gp).. he eventually referred me to the physio.... I started noticing tht I had started getting terrible mood swings and terrible sleep patterns and headaches when I wasn't taking the codeine and I realised I was withdrawing from them... being off them was actually making me a terrible husband and father as I was continuously moody and lethargic etc plus my bak pain was just getting worse and worse.... so I eventually just got more from the doctor and I guess it has just escalated from there... I speak with gps regularly tht say co codomol taken in the ryt way... ( as in not exceeding the stated dose) is safe and won't cause any problems to kidneys or liver... however with taking 10 a day... I am bound to have some issues eventually.

Johnny

My headaches never really went away completely, that's because, as far as I can tell from recent treatment, the primrary cause of my headaches had been nerve/muscle pain in arm couple with crapal tunnel syndrome.  The headaches I was getting after coming off the co-co were worse though for as well as the physical causes they were rebound, or piankiller headaches, I'm sure there is a page on them in patient.info but also on nhs choices.  Its soemthing I've learned to live with.  As I've said before, I'm getting physio and periodic prescriptions of codeine phopshate, at present I'm on a period of abstinance from them, so not feeling too good.  Not actually craving the codeine which is good, but taking diazepam as well which is making me very tired.  Also, fell down the starirs the other day which didn't do me much good, so quite bruised.

Glad you are still off the nurofen plus, thats a real achievement and you can be proud of yourself.

Lizzie xxx 

Sorry to be so long replying, fell down the stiars and been in saoem pain and well brusied.

You say you take 10 x 30/500 a day, I don't think thats a terribly hight dose and you shouldn't be worried.  Its the paracetamol thats the killer and becomes toxic I understand from about 10g per day, so that's 20 30/500 co=co, it still might be worth getting a liver fuction test done. 

The symptoms you described concerning codeine withdrawal realte closely to my own experinec back in 2014, and if you have back pain your pain isn't going to just dissapear when you come off the co-co as I discovered myself.  As I said to Johnny, I'm now alternating abstinance with 30mg codeine 8 times a day which is helping my pain.  Just feel crap today after my fall.

Lizzie xxx

Just part of the withdrawals and my body and brain is just getting use to no codeine back in the docs the 5th of March for a check up and bloods that will be 6 weeks off them if headache still there when I see him I will say it to him hope you feel better soon mind urself and talk soon

Johnny

Congratulations on your decision, it won't be easy but it can be done.  You have a great support network which is half the battle.  I went through it in 2014 and I won't pretend it wasn't unpleasant in the extreeme, I went cold turkey after an overdose, whioch miraculously didn't damage my organs, liver especially.  Have you had a liver function test? might be worth conasidering.  When I came off them I had shakes, aches, diarrhea, headaches etc, I found paracetomol useless and just had to put up with the discomfort, loperimide stopped the diarrhea and I understand that Magnesium helps though I didn't know about it at the time.  It took me about four weeks to get clean and free of all the withdrawal effects.

One of the problems is that the original cause of the pain will still exist when you get off the co-co, mine was headaches which only recently have been diagnosed as nerve/muscular generated in my wrists/arms/shoulder/neck.

But don't let put you off, you may be able to take other painkillers, which I'm not.

Wishing you all the very best in your journey

Lizzie

p.s.  Why not take as your anthem for this, I know, and I'm 58, Let It Go from Frozen, its mine right now :-)

Thanks for your reply. Yes I had one a few months ago which was miraculously normal. I've tried too do a reduction programme on numerous occasions and failed so this has too work. I feel like such an idiot for letting this happen but I suppose the doctors haven't helped by constantly prescription. I'm really scared today but also excited that I'm taking the first steps too becoming non depending. I've got some magnesium ready for the restless legs and some immodium for my tummy. When would you say is the worst point in all this as some people say it's the 3rf day? Is it enough too Make you bed ridden or is it manageable? Only asking as I've a Lil girl, Who is very busy. Though mum will be on hand too help the first week too ten Days.

Thanks so much too you both for getting back too me so glad I have someone too talk too That's been through the same

Much love

Michelle xxx

You are making all the right preparations and have great support and superb motivation.  I wish you all the very best

Lizzie

Lizzie

I know about anxiety too having suffered from it along with bipolar since 1984, diagnosed 1998, hospitalised 1999, stabilised around 2002, now really well on the whole.  Do you have any meds for your anxiety? I'm lucky in that my gp gives me diazepam to use as required, though thats not often as I'm so well now mentally.  I have lots of physicalproblems but mentally I'm fine.

Anyway, back to you.  I would recomend going cold turkey, it probably won't be as bad as you imagine.  Its only a personal thing but I've found that for me cutting down never helped, it was either take it (whatever it was/is) or don't. It is hard but so worth it in the end. However, if you really can;'t face it, do get back to 8 a day, its safe at that level and might be enough to help with your pain.  Have you spoken to your dr. about this?  They might be able to help.

Lots of Love

Lizzie

I've made the decision too contact my gp also too hopefully support me. I'm definitely going cold turkey after a discussion with my family today. I'm on an anti depressant for my anxiety, I've been on it off and on for many Years when I was in a bad relationship years ago I suffered extreme panic attacks. Though I'm fine now I just have something too keep me on the straight and narrow. I think it's fear of the unknown that has been panicking me but I'm now feeling a lot more positive, did you take anything during the cold turkey phase too help with the symptoms eg pain relief or sleeping tablets?

I would just like too say a massive thank you too you as your advice and support is really helping me and calming me when I feel it's getting too much so thank you so much I really appreciate it xxx

Good for you for getting your gp onside, though I'm sceptical about having a prescription of anti-depressants for anixiety, been there got the medal, anti-depressantas often take four weeks to work, I'd ask for diazepam, which I've used and still use occasioanlly.  With anti depressants they can often make anxiety worse in the short term, ,they're brilliant for depression and long term anxIety but you will need help NOW, so soemething quick acting like a benzo like diazepam.

The only things I took during CT were  naproxen, and paracetamol, both useless for pain relief, and lop[eridmide, didn't touch sleeping aids, didn't want to sleep just wanted it to be over, stay calm, get benzo's.  I'm not a medic I must add and not everyone would agree with me.

Lizzie xxx

How are you today? I take 20mg Citalipram for depression and anxiety issues as I had a rough few years, Alls on the up now though so I hope too be off them by spring.

Sorry too sound silly but what are benzoes? I've got nurofen in and paracetamol along with magnesium and immodiom incase my stomach doesn't settle after a few days.

Today is my last day on these horrible tablets and am so looking forward too getting off them, and enjoying life again instead of constantly thinking when my next dose is due.

I'm going too speak too my gp in the morning too Just inform them on what I'm planning. Mum is collecting all my Co codamol this evening and tomorrow will be the start of the horrible but so worth it process.

Thanks for your kind words, no doubt I'll be on here a lot this week.

Much love and I hope you are enjoying your weekend xxx

I take citalopram too, 40mg in the morning for depression.  benzo's is a slang word for a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which includes diazepam, better known perhaps as valium.  They are highly addictive but brilliant for anxiety in the short time.  I am prescribed diazepam for anxiety but rarely use it now as it makes me very sleepy.

I'm wishing you all the best in your challenege ahead, a good idea to give your tablets to your mum, and be strong, I'm confident you can do  it.

Lizzie xxx

Just a quick line to say that I'll be thinking of you today as you start your new journey.  Good luck.

Lizzie xxx

Johnny

I burnt all my tablets last night, and am feeling very positive so far, may be a different story by tomorrow though ha.

Well done jossie that's amazing.

Much love to you both xxx

Just a quick note to let you know how I'm doing.

Its been over 2 days since my last tablet. Got flu symptoms and restless legs. Also very weak and tired but on the whole not too bad, I'm not getting my hopes up though as I'm aware that the 3 and 4 day can be worst.

Can't wait for this process to be over.

Lots of love

Michelle xxx

Really glad you are coping well so far, I'm sure you can do it, I'm right with you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Lizzie xxx

Johnny

Thanks for your kind words

Love

Michelle xx

Sorry you are having a hard time but it WILL be worth it, I promise you.  It does get easier as time priogresses until eventually you are free.  I had mood swings, well I'm prone to them anyway, the withdrawal just made them worse, but they did fade away.  Make the most of the good moments as you obviously have, and look after yourself when kits painful.

Remember we are with you in this

Lizzie xxx

I've been an absolute mess today have had the doctors on phone.s on numerous occasions. My head Feels like It going too explode, my back and joint pain is horrific and feels like my insides are falling out. Doctor has Advised That I go on a reduction programme tomorrow over a few Weeks so it's not so severe but I'm petrified that I'll make the wrong decision. I can't eat or sleep and the worse thing is not feeling Able too sit and play with my little girl.

I feel like I'm going crazy guys! Xxxxx

Sorry to hear you have had a such a bad day, has the dr. given you some more codeine containing meds? if so what sort? did he/she give you anything else?  You don't have to be scared that you're making the wrong decision if that's what your gp has advised, their knowledge is probably greater than anyone on here I know and should be trusted.  Maybe if your withdrawal effects are so bad a slow detox might be better.  Don't feel you've failed, its different for everyone.

I'm still keeping you in my thoughts, praying you get soem sleep tonight

Lizzie xxx

How are you doing this morning? been thinking about you a lot and praying that you get through this

Love

Lizzie xxx

How you feeling today hope your doing abit better sorry to hear you had a bad day yesterday hopefully today will be better talk soon and we'll done so far

I'm feeling a lot better today. Saw my gp yesterday and am now on a reduction programme was a hard decision too make and really struggled too come too this decision but I'm glad I did as I feel better for it. Both my children are really poorly with flu so I'm glad I'm not suffering also or wed never managed. Back too the doctors on Monday now. The aim is too be off them by easter by reducing every week.

Thank you both so much for your support. Sending you both lots of love xxxxx

How has your day been?  Glad you came to terms with your decision, you have to do what is best for you and your family and as you are also getting professional help I'm saure you are doing the right thing.

I'd be interested to hear what sort of reduction plan your gp has put you on? Did they prescribe new meds as I think you said you burnt all the old ones.

I've had a great day, wishing the same for you

Lizzie xxx

Sorry for the late reply, both the children are really poorly so I'm non stop.

He's prescribed me the same meds 30/500 but only enough for 3days at a time so I can't take any dangerous amount. I'm on 8 a day for the next week, then down too 7, then 6 etc.

I've only been taking 5/6 daily though as not having any for 5 days has knocked my tolerance so I no longer need high amounts. The aim is too be clear of them by easter, but no massive pressure as I'm feeling positive now that I'm heading in the right direction. I'm still doing the process but the easier way for me with having the children. I'm so glad I decide this now as I'd be buggered with them being so poorly.

Having a quiet weekend due to the illnesses but nice all the same.

Still have a slight amount of jittery anxiety but I suppose I've put myself through a lot the past 10 days.

My gp Os being so supportive, and I'm seeing him every few days now.

Much love to you

Xxxxx

Enjoy your evening

Much love

Michelle xx

That sounds like a good plan, I wish you well.  Sorry your kids are so poorly and they do need their mum right now.  I'm glad your gp is beeing supportive, that makes a big difference.  You are definitley taking the right path.  Have you got anything for the anxiety?  Sorry if I've asked you that before.

LOve

Lizzie xxx