Cocodamol addiction
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hello guys, I did see a thread about Co codamol discussion but it wouldn't let me reply. I have never spoken to anybody about this so this feels refreshing.
I have a bit of a cocodamol addiction. I take the 30/500mg tablets, but I have never been prescribed them. It's a bit naughty, but my dad takes them for his atheritis (spelling) so I take his. He does get plenty and if he's on his last pack I will never take any, as he needs them a hell of a lot more than me and that would just be really cruel. I have taken them for roughly 10 years. I have always had physical jobs, so it started one day when I was really aching, and my dad said take a couple of these you'll be right as rain. And of course I got a buzz and it made me in the mood for work, and it started from their. I wouldn't say I depend on them, as the max I take in 1 day is 2, on the odd occasion I have taken 3 in 1 day, but I have never exceeded that amount. Just recently I have been for a chest xray and it showed up I have swollen lymph nodes therefore I am waiting for a ct scan, my gp sent me for blood tests too to check my liver and kidneys which I am waiting on the results. The reason I have come out of the closet today is the lymph nodes have really frightened me, and I'm scared the blood tests will show some damage to my liver or kidneys. Could just taken 1-2 tablets a day have major effect on my body? I haven't taken them everyday for the last 10 years, but in the majority of days I have. Thanks
0 likes, 8 replies
claire46247 Brahmabull16
Posted
Hi, I've recently started to stop taking cocodamol. It's had a hold of me for the last 10 years also, I'm just taking the over the counter ones I generally take about 10-20 per day, but I've seen me sink a whole pack through particularly difficult days. But thankfully that's coming down now and it's not too horrible!
I would say to mention it to your GP if you are concerned. I've chatted to mine about my problem and he was very understanding, it seems the problem is more common than I ever thought.
I work in the medical profession (in pathology) and I would have thought it's unlikely that codeine would cause the problem with your lymph nodes? The major concern is the damage that can be done to your liver from the paracetamol in cocodamol. A simple blood test can indicate if any damage has occurred. The amazing thing about the liver is it has the capacity to heal itself to a certain extent.
But see your GP and then at least you will know, it will put your mind at rest and if there has been damage then you can look towards what can be done to help you.
Best of luck with it all xxx
Brahmabull16 claire46247
Posted
Thank you for your reply. It's nice not to be judged. 10-20 is a lot of cocodamol, best of luck to you also, I hope you fight through it.
I didn't think it would have anything to do with my lymph nodes, it was just the fact he was also sending me for blood tests to check the liver, kidney general organs etc, which as it happens I got my bloods back today. Everything is fine but my kidney results came back as a raised reading. Basically my gp is waiting for my ct scan to find out more info but said my kidney could be inflamed. Come to think of it sometimes when I take deep breaths I get a pain in my side where the kidneys are, but then all of a sudden it will dissappear for days before returning again. Wether its related or not i dont know but this is a bit of a scare and a wake up call that it's not right. I have cut down to 1 cocodamol a day in the last few days. I know it doesn't seem much at all, but when I've been taking 2 a day for so long, it feels great to cut down and I kinda feel proud of myself. The next step is to start taking none starting tomorrow. I will be visiting my gp again soon when I get my ct scan results so I am going to mention it to him then, maybe he could give me some insight that this is why my kidneys could be inflamed.
But this is a big wake up call for me knowing that only taking a couple of them a day can do damage. You always think it won't happen to yourself, but when it does its a little scary.
nikki48530 Brahmabull16
Posted
Hey,
When I was addicted to codeine I had very low kidney function however I was taking about 30 neurofen plus a day for about nine years. Addiction shouldn't be confused with a dependence. They are two totally different categories and by the sounds of your comment it seems u have a dependence rather than an addiction. This is good as far coming off them is concerned. If u don't have the co codamol do u get withdrawal symptoms?
you're doing great! Congratulations on your achievement 😊
Nikki
Brahmabull16 nikki48530
Posted
Hey Nikki,
Yes I think you are right I think it's more of a dependence than an addiction. I never really thought of it that way to be honest. I'm not sure if their withdrawal symptoms but If I don't take them I start to get a bit of a headache, nothing major, but enough to want a cocodamol just to calm it down. Also it's hard to explain, but I feel like cold in my head? If that makes sense at all. I took one yesterday as I was working, but I have just got my ct scan date through which is Monday, so I'm going to try my very hardest to take no more, at least until Monday and when i get my ct scan results. And thank you very much. Hope you are achieving what you need to.
nikki48530 Brahmabull16
Posted
Thankyou 😄 I am now a year and four months clean of codeine. I never thought it was possible. I took it for so long it became a part of me that I thought I'd take with me to the grave.
it definitely sounds like a dependence. With an addiction u need the drug to function "normally" and to keep withdrawals away.
It might be useful to note that regular use of codeine actually gives u headaches. your brain has an amazing ability to trick u into taking it to get the rush of endorphins. U are making the right decision to stop taking it as u are displaying behaviour that may very well lead to addiction. I started the same way. Id get a headache, take the pills until I eventually started just wanting them everyday.
I wish u the very best with ur CT scan and hope u are able to stop the cycle. Codeine addiction is a living hell. It destroys u. I'd hate to see u go down that path.
Take care Hun
Nikki
claire46247 nikki48530
Posted
It's good to hear this awful drug can be kicked like you have. Wish I'd never taken that first one. But I will stop this, I'm on my way!
nikki48530 claire46247
Posted
The nine years I took it I truely believed there was no way out. I nearly died twice because of it but as soon as I got out of hospital I started back up again. It controls everything u do it's awful.
I wish u luck on ur journey 😊 It can be done and I can promise u life is so much better without it.
Brahmabull16 nikki48530
Posted
Good luck to all of you.
It got to a stage with me when I first started taking them, I had to take a couple just to be bothered to walk to the shops or post office. I was in a bad state then, fortunately I started to take them less frequently, but frequently enough to still want them. I hope you all have success in the future