Codeine withdrawal symptoms

Been a bit quite on here I do hope everyone is doing ok. I’m currently on day 18 and I feel really good. Sleep is still a bit of It Varys really 4-5 5-6 and once or twice even a 8. So if you have just started or a few days in it does get better a lot better. Again I hope everyone is well.

Hi all, I've quit so many times over the past few years i forget. I always make a few months clean then relapse for some reason, some genuine, some not. I'm halfway through my last pack of N+ then I'm coming off, again. I always go CT and put up with the WDs, it's the RLS and Imsomnia that messes me up. You are all doing so well, keep it up, I do follow all the comments on here and it gives me strength.

Well that is a shock, rls and insomnia kicked in after 24 hours, before any of the flu symptoms. I forgot about good old restless arm too! This really is hell. I went to bed an hour ago, thinking I'd be asleep by the time oh came to bed and she came up early! So she's asleep and I'm downstairs now. She can't know that I've quit again (or that I've still been on it!). Will try for a bath tomorrow, that has helped in the past.

Hi everyone, well I managed to get about 6 hours sleep last night which is the most I’ve had for a while. I think it was due to being so exhausted and taking a Valium. 

ReeRee, I have to admit that physically today, I don’t feel the best but that could be due to having to do so much yesterday and I’m still not eating very much. It’s pouring with rain , blowing a gale and we’re supposed to have a thunderstorm later and I would love nothing more but to stay in bed today and do nothing but the horses have to be fed so I’m hoping the drive might help. I feel the same way as you, I don’t have the strength to go through all this again and I don’t want to go back to all the pre planning or worry about whether I’ll have enough codeine to cover whatever may happen. Today’s not a good day, emotionally or physically, but I know it will pass and I too would only feel worse if I went back. I’m so glad you’re feeling better emotionally and well done for trying to do some things just don’t overdo it. I had to do everything I did yesterday but I’m paying for it now. 

Jonathon, I’m so glad to hear about the cravings and I’m hoping that I’ll feel the same way. I’m also hoping the thought of going through all this again will turn me off going back to them. I hate making all these excuses for why I’m feeling so sick, I seem to have gastro more than any person I’ve ever known lol. 

Ian, it is a shame that forum closes as I imagine it would have helped a number of people and I agree with what you said about it being a grey area when it comes to giving advice when you’re not qualified. The thing I like about this forum though is the fact that the advice given here is is responsible and only given by people who are actually experiencing the same thing so in a way it does make them qualified. In some ways I’d rather listen to someone who has or is going through it rather than someone who has the qualifications but has no idea what it really feels like and how hard it can be. Unlike a lot of forums I’ve looked at, no one pushes their advice or suggests taking strong medications without seeing a Dr. This is the only forum I have ever written on as it’s the only one that I’ve ever felt safe on. I too have suffered restless arms this time and I’ve never had them before. As if restless legs aren’t enough 🙄. In the end it doesn’t matter how much codeine someone takes, withdrawal is withdrawal and you’re doing it as tough as anyone else. And it’s harder when you have to hide it from everyone especially those closest to you but you’re not alone. I experience loneliness a lot but this is the first time that I’m actually going through something and don’t feel alone. Your strength and determination shows just by being here. 

Well I’d better go get ready to go up to the horses, put on my 50 layers of clothing and push myself to go out in the rain and the cold lol.  Keep strong everyone and I’m thinking of you all ??

Hi Kellie, Ian and J, well it’s 7.45 and I’ve been awake pretty much since 4am, bar an hour that I managed to drop back off. I went to bed very early last night so I need to try to stay awake for longer tonight but I’m just so bored! Though I have been able to read a little more without giving up  because I can’t concentrate. That’s got to be a good sign right? I’m now on day 6 and thank GOD I’m feeling a little better. I had been taking clonodine to help reduce withdraws but I’ve stopped with that now because it makes me dizzy whenever I stand up. Ian, I really feel for you being at the start of it. I would highly recommend going to the doctors to get something to help you through. For me I’ve taken clonodine which eases the withdraws slightly, I’ve been given glepark (unsure of spelling) for restless legs/arms - let me tell you that has been a godsend! Immodium for tummy troubles and ibuprofen for the aches and pains. Oh, and propranalol for anxiety. It’s really helped me through, as well as hot baths. I’m very lucky in that my partner knows all about what’s going on and is being amazingly supportive. It must be awful suffering through alone, and even worse suffering through this while living with your partner who knows nothing about it. Ian, if your OH has seen you go through this before, might she guess what’s going on? Would it not be easier to confess? Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s so difficult to own up to it but it would be better for you while you’re going through this. 

Kellie I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a bad day, it does sound like you overdid it a little. It’s hard to know what to do for the best, some people say get out and excersice, some say stay in and rest. I’m choosing to to stay in and rest. They say withdrawing is like having a bad flu and you wouldn’t go out and excercise if you have the flu would you. 

J, I just can’t believe how well you have done. How many days are you in now? I’m on day 6 now and my head is still fuzzy, I’m still struggling to eat etc but I am a lot better than I have been. I haven’t gone into work again today but I have tomorrow booked off anyway, so by the time Monday comes around it’ll be day 10. I have a nail appointment tomorrow which I really can’t miss because my nails are an absolute mess, as are my eyebrows but I get my eyebrows threaded and it’s going to hurt like hell 😖 

Kellie I really feel for you having to go out into the cold! We really feel the cold more while we’re going through this, it is not nice at all! But well done you for doing it! I’m just going to try and get some washing done today. My partner is taking my stepson rugby training tonight so I’m on my own for the day and night but that’s ok. It’s funny because when I was on the pills I used to love having the house to myself, now I don’t like to be alone. I still feel quite needy but at least I’m not crying like I was on Tuesday when my OH went to work ha. Well I’m going to get out of bed now and try eat something. Take care all, look forward to hearing back from you XX 

Hi again everyone. Well it’s 10.10am now and I feel awful. I feel so sick, I took a propranolol and I was retching as it went down. I’ve forced a banana down but it’s gone straight through me, my tummy troubles are so bad today even though I’ve taken 3 immodium. I thought I’d be feeling more normal again now that I’m on day 6 but I really am not. When will this ever end? I need to wash my hair today, I literally look like I’ve veen dug up but I’ve just no idea how I’m going to be able to do anything because I just cannot eat. I’m at my wits end with this, I really am. I’m not having cravings but I’m despairing of this situation I’ve got myself into. If only I was stronger 2 and a half years ago when I came off the tramadol, it would all just be a bad memory now. My real worry is how I’m going to cope when I have to go back to work on Monday and face reality once again. I wish to god they would make these awful drugs prescription only in the U.K. in desperate need of reassurance at the moment 😢

Hey reeree, you are going through this s**t but you’ve got to remember it will not last. Keep battling through, drink plenty of water, ensure you get your electrolytes right so you don’t dehydrate and battle through the next couple of days. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but we are all where we are, we need to be present now and be strong moving forward. You’ve got this reeree. Keep going, I believe you’ll nail it this time just believe you can xx

Hi rich, it’s so good to hear from you, how are you doing? I thought I would be feeling better by now but I just feel crap! I just want to fast forward 2 months, it feels like it’s never going to pass and that I’m never going to feel normal again. Thank you for your support Rich. How are you getting on? x 

Hi ReeRee, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re feeling so sick but 6 days in wow. Try not to think about Monday as no one can know how you will be feeling by then. With addiction you need to take it moment by moment. Remember it is an illness and you wouldn’t beat yourself up if you were sick with the flu or some terrible virus. And this WILL be a memory too. As you know I felt terrible this morning but I do feel a bit better now. Luckily I got the sweats a bit up at the horses so I wasn’t as cold as I expected to be lol. And again the fresh air probably did me good.  Don’t worry about what you have to do right at this moment. Give yourself an hour or so to just relax and do nothing and say to yourself that’ll you’ll see what I can manage to do then. Take it in stages and in the end if certain things don’t get done remind yourself that while it might be annoying, the world won’t stop. I haven’t washed or done anything other than run a brush through my hair for over a week now and I just don’t give a s**te what anybody else thinks. I only need to be ok with what I need at the moment because if I can just be a little bit selfish now then I’ll have more to give everyone later. 

Not only can you do this ReeRee, you ARE doing this. You are doing one of the hardest things in the world to do. So how strong does that make you? Pretty damn strong I’d say. It’s 8 pm here so I’ll be up for another couple of hours yet so if you need to talk I’m here. You know you can do this ♥️

Hey, honestly? I’ve been v low lately but not had any tablets for 3 days now. Feel a bit crappy in general but trying to exercise and do my normal things to get through. 

Don’t wish your life away reeree, use this to give you strength in the future. Take care

ReeRee I promise you It does get better a lot better. If you remember I had a very similar situation on day 6. I was hugging the toilet must of the day being sick. And then towards the end of the the day started felling better. You have come so far and the worst part is nearly over. I’m on day 39 nearly 6 weeks and all my symptoms have gone. I know that seems like a long way away at the moment but you’ll get there. It’s horrible the whole process it really is and I don’t envy anyone at the beginning. Stay strong you can do this 

Hi rich and J, 

Rich I’m sorry to hear you’re not doing so good but well done on getting to day 3! I don’t know how you can have the energy to excercise, I’m literally fit for nothing. 

Thanks for your words J, I do remember you having that really bad day. I’ve just forced a bowl of cereal down and am sipping water, I’ll have a bath in a little while and attempt to wash my hair. I can’t believe you’re on day 39, that seems to have gone so quickly! 

Thank you all for your continued support, it really does mean a lot to me! 

Hi ReeRee, I did put on post for you about 2 hours ago but for some reason it doesn’t seem to be coming up yet. I’m busy right at the moment but I’ll come back before I go to bed and see how you are and see if the post has popped up yet. I know it’s hard but you are doing this and it just shows how strong you are. Sending you all my love ♥️

Hi Kellie, yes I can see there is a post pending from you. Thank you for your quick message. Hopefully your other one will come through soon. I am feeling a little better now, I’ve eaten an apple, banana and small bowl of cereal and am sipping water. I hope you’re ok, I’ll look forward to seeing your other message xxx ❤️❤️

Oh ReeRee I’m so glad you’ve managed to have a bit to eat as it will help. I’ve managed to eat some tea tonight myself and feel better for it. It’s going to be a bit of a roller coaster ride but I know you can do it and we’re on this ride with you. I wish I could give you a big hug but unfortunately I’m just a wee bit far away lol. 

Rich, I’m with ReeRee, I still wouldn’t have the energy to go exercise and I’m on day 8, so good on you 👍🏻  I stayed in bed most of the day on day 3 (and a couple of others) so you’re doing incredibly well. I hope you start feeling better soon. And Jonathan congrats on day 39. Yes it does seem a long way off, but then again day 8 seemed a long way off when I started this but I’ve made it. The fact that you’re still here giving everyone support when you’ve been off codeine for nearly 7 weeks really means more than I can say. You truly are an inspiration. 

Well it’s nearly midnight and I’m exhausted so I’m going to go and try and get some sleep. Stay strong everyone and my thoughts are with you all ??xxx

Hi kellie, well I’ve just managed another banana and I only retched once while eating it haha. Disgusting I know but we all know detox is not pretty! I’m glad you’ve managed to eat as well, I hope you get some sleep! It’s 3.50 here so a good few hours off bedtime for me but I’m feeling slightly less bored today than previous days. Night night Kellie, sleep well xx 

I saw the doc regarding an unrelated (i think!) Issue of Vertigo, and told her then that I'd stopped codeine meds that day. They're just all so unhelpful. She just said oh it's good to take a break from medication occasionally! I wish I'd asked about the RLS meds as that is the worst thing. Diarrhea, flu symptoms and even insomnia i can handle and pass it off as being just that. I've been at work each day and I'm so fidgety and not getting much work done! I may see what sleeping aids there are, may try some Valerian.

Hi Ian, oh I feel for you so much! The beginning really is the worst time! Can you make another appointment with the doctor and get some meds for rls? I honestly would have gone mad if I wasn’t given anything. With regards to sleep aids, I have tried own brand and also sominex as recommended by J and the sominex works much better. I got around 7 hours last night (though I went to bed far too early and was awake at 4am). How many days in are you now Ian? 

I took my last dose at 8.30 Tues night, so second day in let's say. I already feel better for leaving work but dreading tonight. Re docs it's difficult to get appts as it is! The weekend is coming so may just have to take it easy... I did look up about RLS wanting natural remedies but there isn't much. A bath and lavender may help so will go with that.

Fingers crossed you don’t have too bad a night! Well I’ve suddenly got my appetite back, we had nothing in so I ordered Chinese and very much enjoyed it I’m pleased to say, though I did fill up very quickly but at least I’m not feeling starving now. How is your appetite Ian? 

Good morning Kellie, your message finally came through, yay! How are you today? It’s jiat before 10am here and I’m on day 7 and feeling GOOD! Not back to normal by means but I managed to eat some Chinese takeaway last night and wash, dry and straighten my hair which is a HUGE achievement ha. Any woman knows that the washing of the hair is a chore, never mind while going through withdraw. 

I’m so glad that you’re feeling a little better and that going out into the cold wasn’t too bad for you. It’s quite sunny here today so at least I won’t be freezing when I get out later. Today is payday so I’m going to go into town and treat myself to something new. I’ve already saved quite a lot of money in the last 7 days already, and over the coming months I’ll save a fortune. 

Kellie you have every right to be as selfish as you want. As you said, this is one of the hardest things that we will ever have to do, i would actually say THE hardest thing we will ever do so sod what anyone else thinks! We are doing this on our own, by sheer willpower so you are pretty damn strong too ❤️❤️

Ian, I’m just wondering how you’re getting on today, have you gone to work? If you have, at least it’s Friday and you’ve got soon got the weekend to recover. 

J, I just wanted to say thank you for all your posts on here, you really have been a tower of strength for me and I think I can say the same for Kellie aa well. Seeing how well you’ve done has made me believe that I can do it as well and for that I cannot thank you enough! 

Rich, how are you getting on? I hope you are ok and not feeling to bad. 

Peace and love to all xxx 

Hi ReeRee, sorry it’s taken me a while to reply but it’s been one of those days. I had a fall this morning up at the horses. I stuck my leg through an electric fence to scrape some crap off the rake and my ankle gave way and I went down like a sack of potatoes. My elbow landed on a rock and I broke some bone off of it. So to cut a long story short, I’m back on the codeine. As I mentioned before I’m a bit limited when it comes to pain killers, but even though I was offered stronger ones, I asked for ones that had much less codeine in them. I’ve only had four all day even though I would have liked to have taken more, and even though I’m due to take some more now, it’s after midnight so I’m going to try and go to sleep without taking anymore. I think going through the last 9 days of withdrawal and all the support you have given me has really made me determined not to back to where I was. It’s funny, now that I’ve got some I don’t really want them so maybe this happened for a reason. I was feeling so much better before this happened and I want to stay that way. Well fingers crossed anyway. 

I’m so glad you’re feeling better today ReeRee and I hope you bought yourself something nice. I think rewarding yourself for all the hard work you’ve done is a great idea. You deserve it. 

I’m sorry but I’m going to have to cut this short tonight. I’m exhausted and I want to try and sleep while I can. I hope everyone is going well. Love to all ♥️ xxx

Hi Kellie,  oh i am so sorry that’s happened to you! Don’t worry about being back on the codeine, I’ve done research on this and as long as you are taking it for genuine reasons and taking it as prescribed/not abusing it then it doesn’t come off your ‘clean time’. But please stay strong and only use it for as long as you absolutely need it, and maybe try to limit it only for when you absolutely cannot stand the pain. You have come so far in this journey, it would be such a shame for you to end up back at the beginning. I hope you manage to sleep well and feel better tomorrow. 

Well I have been into town today and bought a few items of clothing. I have my eye on a surround sound system but just managed to stop myself from buying it! I’ve just been to have my nails done which is nice and I also had my eyebrows which was absolutely excruciatingly painful even though I’ve been having them threaded for years! Just goes to show how much I was number by the ridiculous amounts of pills I was taking. I can’t tell you how pleased, thankful, grateful, relieved I am to be on day 7 and feeling good. I feel like I’ve been given another chance at life. I’ve battled with this horrendous disease for 6 years and finally I am breaking free. I just hope that someone is reading our posts and finds the strength and inspiration to take that step because it CAN be done, one day at a time, we do recover. 

Peace and love to all xxx 

Hi all, how are we doing today? I’m surprised there have been no posts today, though I know it is a Saturday. Well I’m on day 8 now and I feel brilliant! For some reason I seem to feel a bit grotty in the morning (prob because of lack of sleep) then perk up as the day goes on. I’ve been into town again today and bought myself a sound bar and subwoofer for my tv with the money I’ve saved from not buying pills. My appetite is pretty much back to normal now so just waiting on energy and sleep patterns coming back to normal. Well I’ll keep it short and sweet, hope everyone is ok ❤️❤️

Well done ReeRee your doing great day 8 is amazing. Kellie I hope your doing well and try and not beat your self up. You are in pain at the moment and is Codeine is all that helps then so be it. Get your self better before thinking of anything else. Ian and Rich how are you guys doing I hope all is good. Today marks 6 whole weeks for me I am really proud of that achievement as at the start I didn’t think that was possible. ReRee things should start getting a hell of a lot better for you over the coming days. I doesn’t seem like the insomnia as been that much of an issue for you. That and the rls was the worst for me and lasted about 3 weeks. So fingers crossed you’ve skipped that part. I hope everyone is well and remember if your having a down day we are all here. Just do a post and I’m sure one of us if not all will reply. Stay strong guys 

Hi J, thank you for your post. 6 weeks eh! How quickly has that gone? I’m glad you’re all back to normal now. I had an awful night last night, I went to bed around midnight and I was up and down, tossing and turning till gone 4am, I managed to sleep till about 9, so 5 hours ish. I’m going back to work tomorrow so I’m hoping for sleep tonight! It’s going to be a test of willpower not buying pills when I’m back at work, I only have my own motivation to get me through the week.

I hope everyone is ok. J, your comments have been a real comfort to me, I can’t wait till I get to 6 weeks 😁

Checking in at the end of day 5. First night of uninterrupted sleep last night. Still having a bath each night which is helping. Told the missus, she wasn't? happy about me keeping secrets understandably. Muscles still crawling, had a headache today and a paracetamol took it away! I have been on otc codeine products for most of my adult life (15-20 years), and while i only ever took the prescribed dose, it has been a big part of my life! So while the physical symptoms should wear off i do worry about the phycological effects long term... Hope all are doing well! Keep it up!

Start of day 9, first day I've woken up feeling fresh without a headache or fog. Which is good. Still get ups and downs and cravings, but I don't think they'll go away for a loooong time. How is everyone? It's been very quiet...

Start of week 3 already. Still tummy troubles and cravings and the odd difficult night. Been taking sleep tea and having the odd bath. I did take some N+after a night out on Sat as i knew I'd get a headache, and one more the next day, but nothing since. Hope all are ok!

Hi Ian, bloody great work!! Think I’m just over three weeks, all symptoms gone, no cravings either. I have started exercising v hard (training for an Ironman) so cant let myself slip back. I have also started journaling daily which really helps. Using a book I got bought called the positive planner. Has really helped. Keep going mate

My OH is really into journalling and keeps trying to get me into it. I'm feeling flat most days so exercise and or something else to keep me busy will help I'm sure. Well done on the three weeks!

Start of week 6? I think. I forget. All is good except for tummy troubles still which now makes me think it's something bad! A bit sneezy this week too. Was on holiday last week which helped get me away from work and lots to do which distracted me. I think the stress is what drove me to codeine in the first place as now I'm back at work I get the odd craving! I feel more with it though which is good at least.

Hope all is well out there!

Great work Ian. Keep going. 

I have had a huge relapse, I fell and shattered my clavicle, needed surgery etc, told them I didn’t want codeine as pain relief, they sent me home with a load so I’ve had to take it as in great pain! Hoping when I’m out of the haze of pain I’ll just leave the b******s alone!

Keep going mate, be v proud of yourself 

I'm amazed how often this happens! You kick the habit and something physical will happen. And sad that they can't prescribe an alternative to codeine. I guess it's cheap. :-( Good luck with the recovery!

Thanks Ian. I’m a stickler for routine and was training hard for an event I’ve got next year, in turn it motivated me not to use whilst now I can’t do anything at present but it will not defeat me!

Keep going ian

14 weeks cf today. and the last few weeks have been a struggle when i take Sumatriptan for Migraines the effects are similar to codeine, which is very bad for me! and as always happens whenever i give up, i suffer an injury, this time a bruised or broken rib of some kind. but I'm keeping in there! hope all is well with you all out there!

HI, ive been following your posts and ive been codeine free for 4 weeks now after 5 years of 30/500mg cocodamol topped up with OTC codeine. After the initial withdrawal i felt just so flat and not enjoying life much. but i strated doing things i enjoy again to get the feel good factor hormones going again and i feel great! cue, bad fall to the back with bruised ribs. first thing offered was cocodamol but i was so proud of nyself for saying no without hesitation. typical isnt it??? but im getting by on naproxen and paracetamol. thanks for all your posts guys!!