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Cocodamol addiction/withdrawal

Posted , 11 users are following.

Lex92
Lex92

I'm posting this as I've never told anyone about my addiction (and I've known it was an addiction for nearly a year now) and although I don't want to tell anyone I know, I'm going to try to get off them and thought this might help keep me on track.

Total honesty - I was given 30/500 cocodamol by my mum when I got my period, my cramps were debilitating. Fast forward 2 years, she died, and I started taking (2 tabs) when I wasn't in pain as I liked the warm fuzzy feeling. If I had have known that now at 25 I am a full addict to OTC 8/500 obviously I would not have. Hindsight eh?

Every day I take at least 8 tabs at a time, before breakfast and before lunch. Sometimes more. Today, like many many days before, I swear it is my last day. I had 12 tabs before breakfast, and 12 before lunch. I truely truely hate myself for needing to have them, I am fully aware of the damage I am doing to myself. The side effects are horrendous: increased IBS, back pain, headaches, lethargy etc.

I am so determined that today will be the last time I ever touch these again. After tomorrow I am busy with work for 5 days in which I will have no access to a pharmacy. I know I'll get withdrawals that will be awful.

If anyone else is out there who is going through/has gone through what I'm going through and wants to share or give advice, I'd like to hear it.

Wish me luck! 

A

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • nicknicknicknic
    nicknicknicknic Lex92

    Posted

    I’m going to try and get these things out of my system - I’ve been taking 8 a day for the last 15 years. I was prescribed them for Ankylosis Spondylitis.

    last year I approached my local GP to ask for access to codeine in a controlled taper down programme- he refused & said I need to reduce the co codamol 1 tablet at a time over many weeks. That didn’t work I quickly fell back into the trap and he still happily signs off the co codamol repeat prescription without asking for a review.

    So im going to really try this time - I’m going to cut them into quarters and ask my wife to moderate my use and hide any stockpiles. I don’t hide them anywhere myself and am completely open with her about it so hopefully this will work.

    Here’s to a pill free 2018!

  • debbie64537
    debbie64537 Lex92

    Posted

    This is my 1st day without co-codomal the 30/500 I've wanted to come off them for a while now but to scared to go to the doctors as i have kids. This feeling is horrible I am craving more but ran out feeling really restless and yucky don't know how long this will take to go away anyone the same at the min just feel so alone

    • marlon98969
      marlon98969 debbie64537

      Posted

      dont feel alone, i am in a situation quite similar, cant go to the docs because the social services WILL get involved as i have a son, stay strong, always here to chat if you need it, im failing horribly at this, i cant stop, its wrecking my marriage and life, so any advice would be nice. please  take care of your health and diet, your body will feel like crap but food always helps with the weakness, all the best i hope u beat this smile
  • scot75942
    scot75942 Lex92

    Posted

    I no this is old but I hope your ok now .I have decided to try and stop co codemal myself gies what i have been on them 25 years for rheumatoid ??

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