Co/codomol 30/500 addiction
Posted , 2 users are following.
I've been tapering my codeine intake. I only take 8 Cocodomol 30/500 a day and have cut out the ibuprofen and codeine 12.8mg. Last night I took my last dose of Co Codomol and after 20 minutes developed right abdo pain. It frightened me to death. I've tried to get into the Drs today but as usual it was fully booked. I've spoken to a Dr and he told me to keep calm and rest. If the pain comes back to phone back or if it's severe to call 999! He booked me in at 8.50 am tomorrow. I've read info from the Mayo Clinic that even taking 8 Cocodomol a day can cause problems with the liver!!! I'm so scared even though I don't have the pain at the moment. Since tapering I'm tired all of the time. Have a dodgy tummy. Night sweats the list is endless. I've been on this terrible opiate since 2005 for severe spinal issues. I'm sure some of you have seen my previous posts. I know I need a more up to date blood test even though the last one was fine last year. I'm dreading the results if I'm honest.
1 like, 10 replies
Redwoodgirl Latchy
Posted
Just here to offer you some support and hope you can find the strength to get through any bad news. Hopefully you are just stressing and in a sense that is good, as you know you need to look after your health. If you didn't care then you would be still be on them.
Good luck!
Latchy Redwoodgirl
Posted
Lizzie46881 Latchy
Posted
I hope you can continue to wean yourself off the codeine, I went cold turkey last Novemeber after having been on the 30/500 co-codamols for a long time, ofetn taking more than prescribed, it was hell, but only lasted four weeks and after that I felt fine. Â I've not touched them since, not even the OTC version but I don't know what pain you are experiencing, mine was headaches but these morphed into painkiller headaches and plain addiction. Â I'm so glad to be off them and wish the same for you. Â By the way, do get your gp to organise a liver function test for you.
Cheers
Lizzie
Latchy Lizzie46881
Posted
Latchy
Latchy Lizzie46881
Posted
Forgot to tell you I'm on the codeine phosphate due to 6 slipped discs in my spine. Plus arthritis and nerve root compression I'm also on Tramadol but can take or leave those. Doesn't bother me. I told the Dr that a recent article I read by the MRHA suggested that paracetamol was no good for back pain. He said that's true. Hence we agreed codeine phosphate.
Latchy
Lizzie46881 Latchy
Posted
Now I understand, if the codeine phosphate are doing you good painwise and you are within prescribing limits it might be good to stay on them. Â I too had read that parcetamol was no good for back pain. Â Glad you can take or leave the tramodol, thats good. Â I'm sorry you are in such pain and wish you the very best.
I'm having a remarkable day in one way in that I had a nasty email from someone I had trusted with a lot of personal information and she just turned on me. Â In the past I would have reached for maybe 10mg diazepam but today I was good, I'd planned to take 2.5mg and thats all I took. Â My pleasure at my control over the diazepam out ways my sorrow about my now ex-friend.
LoveÂ
Lizzie
Latchy Lizzie46881
Posted
Yes I think you are right about staying on the current dose of codeine phosphate for my back. I wouldn't be able to walk otherwise.
i too take diazepam. I take 5x5mg daily sometimes 4. I've been on them 21 years. At one point I took 90mg but that was reduced by 2.5mg a fortnight until I reached the dose I'm on now and have been for 3 years. I have to see my GP every 6 weeks for a routine prescription and a chat.Â
Sorry about out your ex friend
take care
Love
Latchy
Lizzie46881 Latchy
Posted
Thanks for your latest reply. Â I can't imagine what it must be like to take 90mg of diazepam, the most I ever got to was 20mg, you have done so well to get down to 25mg a day, was it hard? Â I'm not findng it too hard reducing my dosage but it must have been much tougher for you, all credit to you. Â
It sounds as if you have a good relationship with your gp, thats really helpful, mine is good too and I've just made another appt to see him as the pharmacist has raised concerns about heart irregularities with two of my meds in combination, the citalopram and hydroxyzine, both of which are life savers for me, its the hydroxyzine (a sedating anti-histamine) that has enabled me to reduce my diazepam so much as it has anti-anxiety properties as well as helping me sleep and being great for my allergies. Â I don't want to change either of them and am hoping that its just the pharmacist being over cautious, I had an ecg last year and was fine, but thinking, I wasn't on the hydroxyzine then, so maybe another ecg is due.
Thanks for your sympathy over my ex friend
Love
Lizzie xxx
Latchy Lizzie46881
Posted
sorry for the late reply. I too was on citalopram and my Dr changed it to sertraline 100mg as it was flashing up on the computer about problems of interaction with my promethezine (anti histamine) and prolonged QC interval with the heart. Hence I now take the sertraline and piriton.
Hope it's all sorted for you now. Coming off 90mg codeine was easy compared to cocodomol 30/500. I reduced by 2.5mg a fortnight, which obviously took ages but was worth it. I feel more in control. I'm glad I'm within the prescribing limits of codeine phosphate now too.
hope you are well
latchy x
Lizzie46881 Latchy
Posted
Thanks for your latest message, and yes , I am well and quite happy. Â I'm finally off the diazepam as a regular thing though my gp has said I can keep a few forf emergencies, which is good. Â I can't remember if I told you but I went cold turkey with the 30/500 co-codamols and it was aweful for about four weeks but now I feel so much better and haven't touched them since NOvember of last year. Â How do you find the piriton, is it effective? My gp has arranged for an ecg for me next MOnday, and if that comes back OK he is going to leave me on the citalopram and hydroxyzine, fingers crossed as I don't want to change either of them.
All the best
Lizzie
 xxxxx