Codeine addiction (Nurofen Plus)

Hi Sandy, 

Incredible how many of us can relate to others personal experience.

I also started them around the beginning of 2008, in late 2014 I had pains in stomach on and off for months until one night in August 2015 when my stomach was so sore and blew up making me look pregnant. Went to the doctors who referred me to a specialist, but couldn't get in until Feb. 2016, when I did see him, he schedued me for an endoscopy in June.

I ended up taking myself to hospital in early May as I couldn't eat much, my bowels were no longer working and this particular morning after I had a coffee, I thew up and could see a heap of laxatives that were taken over previous week, all tablets that had a hard coating didn't dissolve. My stomach was filling up like a bucket and it was full.

The hospital did an ultra sound and other tests and found an ulcer that had grown over the gastric outlet, so not food was getting through.

They put a tube down my throat that went into my stomach which drained my stomach for 4 days. After that, I had 3 or 4 Endoscopies (can't remember how many exactly as I has a lot of tests)  where they tried to stretch the ulcer but each time they did, it would start to perferate. They managed to get it open a little and sent me home after 14 days.

I was back there again 2 weeks later with vomiting and the same symptoms I had the first visit to hospital.

After seeing specialist after specialist the only option was remove half my stomach. I was there another 4 weeks, even in intensive care.

On discharge I was still on 3 lots of morphine medications, after a few weeks I was on one called Endone which is oxycodone.

Everything was going well, there was a pack of NP here before I went to hospital and I was never ever going to touch them again, but I did about 2 or 3 months after the operation. What a stupid thing to do and all because the Endone were no longer giving that buzz.

Over the last 6 weeks or so, my feet, ankles and sometimes up to my knees are full of fluid, when I cut back on the N, the fluid goes so they are affecting the liver or kidneys or both. This has scared me and am now cutting down a lot quicker. It's tempting to take more when there's no fluid retention.

I can't wait either when they stop selling them over the counter. Also a lot of chemists are now asking for drivers licence, there used to be about 14 chemists I could go to, now it's 6.

We can all beat it and I agree, it becomes psychological , no matter how many one takes, they won't ever get that buzz again.

Sue 

Reading all these comments makes me realise I need to stop and stop now

I'm 19 and have been taking n+ for 2 years now the only problem I have is work I work up to 50 hours per week 12 hour nights and I don't know how i could get through while going through the withdrawl... some really scary but inspiriational comments and hopefully ill be writing a comment to say I've finally beat it

Hello Marnie, you really need to stop. Share with someone close to you,get it out into the open..you really do need some help with this. Codeine is very very addictive as you know.I am always here if you need a chat.❤️Sandy.

For the addict, there is never a good time to stop. I know and am saying this because I am addict too.

Each time I thought about quitting n+, my mind would always give me 1000s of reasons not to, why it was not a good or convenient time to stop.

Knowing what I know today, and having been clean of N+ for nearly 6 years, all I will say is this - the best time to stop taking N+ is not to take that first one of the day, as one is never enough, 2, 3, 4, 5....etc is to many for an addict like me.

For me, I know taking that first pill will lead to cravings for more; it's the first pill that does the damage so that's why it's best not to take it.

And I also know that were I to take one, I am playing Russian roulette with my life, as I will never stop at just one. Call it slow sober suicide. Each time I took more than the recommended daily dosage, I was effectively overdosing.

I appreciate that yours is a difficult one with your long work hours. However, the reality is you could collapse, be taken to hospital one day and find that half your stomach has to be removed or you have to a colostomy bag for life...or even die.

Sorry to be so blunt but having been at death's door with N+, mine is to speak the truth - N+ kills, and it will never quit you; you have to make that decision and follow through regardless of the withdrawals. Your work will not be there if you are damaged by N+.

Well done for sharing. Wish you all the best.

Hi everyone, 

A lot of the comments are scattered all over the place so I've picked this one as it was only 2 months ago.

What has happened to all the people that used to comment often? THere was a few of us, Marnie, Rich, Didi, Drew, Nikki, Sandy, Twisted, Theresa and I can't think of the other names at the moment. 

I hope the reason is you are all now codiene and NP free and out enjoying life as we all should be without thinking of what chemist to go to next.

Unfortunately I'm still not codeine free, I had cut down and then while moving and stupidly trying to pick up a heavy box, I pulled my back out, on top of that I now have an incisional hernia from the operation last year, it's quite big and ugly and I'm a slim build with a big stomach, everyone stares and a couple of people have asked if I'm pregnant, I'm in my late 50's.

I had to see my Gastrointerologist last week about ultrasounds and blood tests, I'm anemic AGAIN and he asked if I was taking NP again, I said no as he's the sort of person who tells you off so he wants me to swallow a capsule that has a camera, light and transmitter, it travel down taking thousands of photos to see why I'm Anemic and transmits the infor to a thing I wear around the waist for 8 hours,  pretty snazzy modern technology..... Oh, I'll mention this too,not only can NP ruin your stomach and liver but he said it can lead to thinning of the small bowel.

I wish all of you the very best, maybe this site has closed the forum for any new comments. I don't know or maybe the comments are going elsewhere now.

Take care everyone

Sue xx

 

Hi I'm just new to this site . I was addicted to Nd for 7 years 30 plus tabs a day . I tried cold turkey and detox with my go but failed both . this time around I had enough I needed to do something , I was living in fear that someone would find out I was back taking them and also trying to find the money each day to fill my habbit was a nightmare . I decided to go to a community drug clinic which is mainly for heroin users to see if I could get help . it was the best thing I have ever done . They put me on a drug called Suboxone which I take daily . I have no desire or cravings for nurofen plus and the best thing no withdrawals . I plan on staying on these meds while I get some counselling and maybe join a support group then I will come off them . If your struggling and want off these horrible things try talking to a medical professional about Suboxone ??

Hi Sandy.....

It is so nice and refreshing to read that someone has beaten this horrid drug! I have just started a detox through my doctor but at the minute still can't see no end to this terrible addiction... I just wondered if you can offer me some advice please.... one of them main questions I only ask myself is "will I feel normal again and live a happy life after I'm completely empty of codeine??"

"Will I look back and think god why did I do that I'm so much happier without it" "will I go back to normal once rid" .............

Anyway Sandy u should be extremely proud of yourself for beating this absolutely devil of a tablet.... take care xx

Hi Hannah - this is where I am at too! I'm cutting down slowly with an addiction counsellor but my fear is will I ever be happy again. People say they are better than ewe months after giving up codeine but I'm scared I'll stop

Completely and will feel unhappy or bored and I know then the idea of codeine again will be such a strong attraction. It's crazy we know it's bad

For us slowly damaging us but I still don't know if I can say once I give up that I'll never ever take another codeine tablet in my life. It's almost scary that thought but I guess that's the addiction trying to keep its grip over me!nice to hear from

Someone at a similar stage of addiction! Anna

Hi Sue, I hope you are well.

I am here and still beating it day by day ?? It's a demon of a drug,

.Sue getting off that drug was very hard work but worth it, i don't drink or take any pills at all and my life couldn't be any better, patience and time is all you need.What I use to think was hard (everyday chores and responsibility) i breeze through now! I am wishing you health and happiness Sue , I really hope you stop all codeine products for good.

Hi Hannah

thankyou so much for your kind words. Yes! I feel normal again and I sometimes have to pinch myself.Time and patience is what I did whilst staying away from all pain pills especially N+ (codeine). It's a battle and yes it's a demon of a drug. The things I use to think were hard, ie-responsibilities, I breeze thru now!! Thank goodness for that because back when in active addiction I thought the pills helped me but they were only hindering me and ruining my life. You will look back in shame and remorse at first with what you did for those pills but in time you will say to yourself that you wasted too much precious time.The brain needs time to produce those feel good chemicals on its own to see the Benifits of ridding yourself of the drug. I reallly hope no more time is wasted for you Hannah, this is my wish for you. Please keep in touch. 

hi .. I had that option also but I knew it was just a substitute.Suboxone is only good for over a week or so to ween off the codeine and that's it. Best wishes to you.

The brain needs time to adjust without codeine . Then your brain chemicals will function better. Life will get better.

Hey missyjane can u add me on fb I wanna set up a group to do with NP I'm struggling