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Codeine/Co-codamol addiction beaten

Posted , 35 users are following.

nicky73254
nicky73254

I've come on here to let those of you who recognise you have a dependency on cocodamol or codeine know that you can get off these hateful tablets. There's hardly any info on UK websites, but if like to share my experience with you.

I became addicted to 30/500 co-codamol about 5 years ago when I was prescribed them for back pain, and eventually was taking up to 12 a day. I realised about 6 months ago that I had a problem, and decided to stop taking them. The withdrawals were so bad, within 3 days I'd renewed my prescription and was back on them. I made an appointment to see a Dr and confessed. I admit I was ashamed, how had I allowed myself to get addicted?! The first thing the Dr did was to give me codeine phosphate 15mg. The biggest danger in taking cocodamol is the paracetamol, which can damage your kidneys and liver. The Dr told me initially it would take around 6 months to taper my doseage, reducing slowly to minimise the withdrawal symptoms. I visited him a month later as agreed and he had decided 6 months was too long, he wanted me to stop altogether in a month! Otherwise he would have to refer me to a Methadone clinic! This scared me I admit, and I went straight home and trawled the Internet looking for help. The first thing I found out is that Methadone is 10 times more addictive than codeine. Talk about scatter gun approach. I had asked the Dr if there was any vitamins/supplements I could take to minimise the withdrawals (buzzy head, restless legs, anxiety, nausea, diharrea), he'd told me no. But there is. If you search "Thomas recipe" you'll find a list. I used this list to come off Codeine. It was 5 days of real hell, but it can be done. If anyone wants any more info, message me or reply to this thread. If writing this helps one person, then I'll be happy.

2 likes, 61 replies

61 Replies

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  • Ann_52951
    Ann_52951 nicky73254

    Posted

    Hi,

    Do you still go on here? I'd love some help

    • Abbox25
      Abbox25 Ann_52951

      Posted

      Hi ann i still have a look occasionally.

      I gave up codeine last november cold turkey and will never touch again.

      How are you doing?

    • Ann_52951
      Ann_52951 Abbox25

      Posted

      Hi

      Thanks for your reply.

      2 years ago I was prescribe zapain after having a MRI for back pain showing the start of arthritis.

      Since then I have become fully dependant on these and recently I hate it.

      My partner doesn't no, I have 2 small children and I want to stop.

      I can't go cold turkey because I don't want to tell anyone but I want to stop

    • Abbox25
      Abbox25 Ann_52951

      Posted

      Aw hun

      I didnt tell anyone about it either but I also didnt tell anyone i was stopping.

      I did go and see my gp a week after stopping and told her everything and got a note added to my file to never prescribe codiene again.

      I was taking taking approx 250mg per day but decided after having a huge panic attack that i needed to stop. It changed me as a person completely and i had to get back to normal

    • Ann_52951
      Ann_52951 Abbox25

      Posted

      It's horrible.. I really want to stop but I need to do it in a way nobody notices anything going on with me.

      What would you suggest?

    • Abbox25
      Abbox25 Ann_52951

      Posted

      Ann have you tried reducing your dosage, slow tapering?

      Cold turkey is extreme but after 3 days your virtually there, you just need focus and determination which it sounds like you have.

      How much are you taking in a day?

      Gill

    • Ann_52951
      Ann_52951 Abbox25

      Posted

      Hi gill

      Thanks for replying

      I'm worried about cold turkey as my partner isn't aware and i have work and 2 small children to look after.

      I'm currently taking 12-15 a day (I'm so embarrassed to even admit that 😞wink

      Is this something you have struggled with?

      Ann x

    • Abbox25
      Abbox25 Ann_52951

      Posted

      Ann i was also in the same boat. There was no way I was telling my partner and i also have 2 kids.

      Taking to codeine was affecting me mentally and it changed my personality and made me a crazy anxious wreck, i needed to take drastic action and so one day i woke up and just said nope im not doing this anymore.

      The first 3 days are always the worst with addiction but i got through just taking paracetamol and i did it.

      3 days or even more money and worry and sickness? Your kids growing up not knowing the real person but a person thats dependant? Thats what got me through. Im so much calmer and havent taken my anxiety meds since xmas

      Gill

    • Ann_52951
      Ann_52951 Abbox25

      Posted

      That's lovely to hear.. well done I can imagine you feel great.

      It's really strange as this morning when I woke up it was like something clicked and I started looking for support/advice to help start this. I've been quite depressed the last couple of months and really struggles motivating myself to do anything and I believe it's because of this.

      I think going forward from tomorrow I am going to cut down.. would you advise taking half the amount? For a week and so on?

    • Abbox25
      Abbox25 Ann_52951

      Posted

      Ann

      I think that would be best if thats the right way for you. Just take one less every other day and gradually wind down

      How are you getting on

      Gill

  • jenster
    jenster nicky73254

    Posted

    Hi nicky im colin..ive been hooked on co codamol for roughly 5 years and finally ive decided enough is enough!!!!!.ive tried cold turkey and couldnt cope so iv slowly and i mean very slowly..started lowering my dosage. Im on 10- 30/500 per day. Im about to bring this down to 9. Can u help advising me which vitamins i can take to assist me?.ive red probably far too much on the subject and its doing my head in but i liked what u went thru and how u dealt with it...any help would be great..thank u..colin.
  • emma68857
    emma68857 nicky73254

    Posted

    Hi ive been addicted to cocodamol for 2 years maybe longer doctor then put me on codeine 15mg i took 10 a day misusing them because i lost a baby and have mental health very bad. Im not doing so well im taking 2 mayb 3 a day now due to need to stop im having withdrawels have you any advice please?
    • sue1155
      sue1155 emma68857

      Posted

      3 a day is great news Emma. I came off NP a few years ago, week by week, I lowered the dosage and towards the end, I would take one, then half, then half every 2nd day. The reason why I had to give them up was because I was going to Europe and they don't sell them there so once I got back home, jumped on that sickening train again.

      Keep up the great work, don't let yourself go into withdrawals, they can be horrendous.

      Give yourself a pat on the back, you'll look back on these days and see how strong you are,

      Take care,

      Sue

  • hannah_47557
    hannah_47557 nicky73254

    Posted

    Hiya Nicky. ..I'm on cocodomol 30/500 4 times a day (2) robaxin 750 mg (2) 4 times a day and pregablin 100 mg twice a day. I recently went on holiday and didn't take enough of my Meds with me. 2 days after I ran out in felt very ill...anxious vomiting diarrhoea sweating and ended up in hospital (in didn't tell them I hadn't took my meds) they said I was so badly dehydrated I had to be put on drip. It was only after I got home and took my Meds. ...within one hour I felt fine again. Now I realise how dangerous these tablets are in want to get off them!! What is your advice? I don't ever in my life want to feel like that again I honestly thought I was dying! I've been on these meds for approximately 10 year's. ...thanks in advance for any advice.

  • Lindylue
    Lindylue nicky73254

    Posted

    Nicky just. Read your article I came off them myself without the doctor knowing about a week ago last night I thought I was going mad all the symptoms I had thank God for you I will go to doctor this morning God bless you my dear if you are on what's app my number is 00447399166605

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