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Codeine addiction and withdrawal

Posted , 4 users are following.

lena37010
lena37010

Hi all i have been a codeine addict for 4 years now all started with a simple back injury at home a trip to the doctors and cocodmil 30/500 priscribed.

After a few week/couple month my back was better so stopped taking them I can't remember if i felt ill because I didn't know the dangers or about addiction at this time but my back went again so yet again doctor gave me these tablets 100 of them. I was on these for 3/4 month when I stopped I felt horrible sweats.rls.cant sleep all the withdrawal things so I took 2 tablets with in half hr I felt fine that's when I hit Google and found out the truth about these tablets.

Since then I have been taking them no more than 12 a day still a lot I know.

Anyway for a codeine addict like me 12 tablets over 4 years how do I approach the withdrawal.

Please help me get off these I have already tries taper plan and failed.

Thanks x

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

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  • jane75220
    jane75220 lena37010

    Posted

    Sorry to hear this Lana. Have you approached any Organisation to help you?
    • lena37010
      lena37010 jane75220

      Posted

      Yes I went to my doctor who send me packing to the drug alcohol team who wanted to put me on suboxone and that was a no no but it wasn't straight forward was at least a month before I could get on it.

      Also went to go who wanted me to cold turkey which I tried an failed I have tried everything I'm so desperate x

  • john69167
    john69167 lena37010

    Posted

    Hi lena I would suggest reducing one tablet at a time whenever you feel able. You shouldn't really notice it much till you get to about four a day. Pregabalin for a short period of two weeks max when you do stop. Then keep active and occupied and get as much exercise as you can. Get involved in something to keep your mind from thinking about pills and to prevent you dwelling on withdrawals.

    • jane75220
      jane75220 john69167

      Posted

      Hi John I am concerned about the pregabelin  here because that is a terrible drug to get off as well.
    • john69167
      john69167 jane75220

      Posted

      If only used for two weeks it shouldn't be a problem. It worked for me and got me through the worst of withdrawals. It is about damage limitation in my view. Plus I didn't find pregabalin pleasurable in the way I did find codeine. The pregabalin just took away the worst of withdrawals. Obviously if taken for longer they have like any drug the potential for dependency. However I really can't see why anyone would carry on taking them.

    • jane75220
      jane75220 john69167

      Posted

      I trained as a nurse and have found that a lot of drugs cause so many problems. The answer is to prescribe another drug which inevitably causes even more problems than the original drug!

      Pregabelin/Lyrica  prescribed for my epilepsy caused cortical myoclonus in myself after only  three weeks at 25 mgms a day. One tablet is enoughto cause serious side effects.

      My neurologist actuallyspoke to me again this drug this afternoon recalling the reaction I had to it.

      I have researched this drug at length and yet I did not know unitl an A and E consultant told me that pregabelin can cause Long qt syndrome.

      Horrific. The processs of withdrawal is very unpleasant but trust me not half as unpleasant as having cortical myoclonus etc.

      If you contactthe manufacturers of this drug and requesta FULL data sheet they have to send it. Alternatively youcan check online withth MHRA about the side effects of this nasty drug.

       

    • lena37010
      lena37010 john69167

      Posted

      Hi John what is pregabalin never heard of it and how would one get some x

      Thanks

    • john69167
      john69167 lena37010

      Posted

      It is a drug used as an anti-convulsant as well as for neuropathic pain and generalised anxiety disorder. It has been used successfully for alcohol and opiate withdrawals. Ask your GP to prescribe it for a maximum of two weeks. I would suggest 75mg x twice daily or as required. I recommend waiting until you stop the codeine completely before taking as it just makes the withdrawals more bearable.
    • john69167
      john69167

      Posted

      Sorry Hi Lena by the way!
    • jane75220
      jane75220 john69167

      Posted

      Pregabelin is nver prescribed at such a high dose initiallu.

       

    • john69167
      john69167 jane75220

      Posted

      75x twice daily is not a high dose Jane. A high dose of pregabalin would be 600
    • john69167
      john69167

      Posted

      Jane I have just double checked that and 75mg twice daily is a normal starting dose for diabetic neuropathy. Lena you probably would be ok on just 75mg once a day but wait till you stop taking the codeine
    • john69167
      john69167

      Posted

      Jane obviously you have had bad experiences on this drug. However I would suggest that that is related to your other medical conditions. Pregabalin helped me get through the withdrawals from codeine and as I only took it for under two weeks I did not suffer withdrawals. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to come off opiates.
    • jane75220
      jane75220 john69167

      Posted

      Hi John Drs usually prescribee a low dose of pregabelin then sre how the patient gets on, if necessary the dose may be increased.

       feel it best for the op to dvise on specific dosss .

      Take care

    • jane75220
      jane75220 john69167

      Posted

      Pregabelin is prescibed in various doses depending on the nature of the condition being treated and bearing in mind the patients medical history, other drugs and supplements they may be taking.

      The objective is to try the smallest dose first then if necessary to increase the dose accordingly.

       

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