Codeine withdrawal symptoms

Hi Kellieanne, well done on cutting down. I don't know if cutting down further or stopping all together will be best. I cut down to 3 a day from 25ish and went through withdrawl. That was a couple of weeks ago now, my symptoms didn't kick in properly till a week later. That was 5 days ago. I gave up totally 2 days ago and luckily my symptoms didn't get worse. I think I'm through the worst. I'm still achy and tired and have awful restless arms and insomnia still but I'm very slowly on the up. I plan to post on here every day just so anyone coming off codeine will know what to expect and will know it can be done. One tip I think will be useful is please get rid of any pills now. Don't keep any as a 'just incase'. I had terrible crawling sensations in my body last night and I know if I had any pills in the house I would of took them. Throughout the day I have ups and downs and I dread bed time but I'm looking ahead. If you feel okay stopping altogether then you do that, if not try cutting out 1 pill a day per week. (3 pills a day this week, 2 the next week and so on) In a few weeks you should be pill free and maybe the withdrawal won't be as bad. Good luck!

Hi Donna. I’m not sure how I feel. I’m angry upset emotional bored is this normal. ??? I down to 2 a day. Hoping not to take any by end of the week. I’m gearing myself up ready. I don’t have much of an appetite but I am dieting and training same time. I’m eating fruits bananas and veg. I have headache and I’m tired but I’m not able to sleep. I’m thinking about the crappy ats I’ve had in the past more and want to scream. I feel like I hate everyone and just want to cry. No sweats yet. I’m in a bubble and oblivious to it all. Will I do this??? X 😞 

Hey, I totally get you! I'm all over the place emotionally. I'm on a massive high patting myself on the back for giving up then half an hour later I'm in bits and confused and scared and lonely. It's a roller coaster of emotions and I wasn't prepared for that. People talk about the physical symptoms but I think the mental symptoms are worse. I could do with a big hug but no one knows I'm an addict, so I'm suffering alone! I don't want people judging me. That's why I found this site so helpful no one will judge us. 

I'm angry too I want to smash something up and I want to run till I collapse and feel nothing at all, I think that's my anxiety. I would recommend you eat well and rest. You'll be tired and restless at the same time which is hard to deal with. Drink loads too, that's really important. I found talking on here has been the best thing for me, honestly I couldn't of done it without all you guys. 

Also you can do it! You wouldn't of come here looking for support if you weren't ready. Anything you want or need just get in touch and go you for getting this far! You've already achieved so much by just talking about it. Oh and be kind to yourself, remember addiction is an illness. xxx

Thankyou so much. I’ve had 2 hours sleep last night. Shattered today. Now I’m wide awake. Feel sick all the time. Normally I feel like crap. Take 2 tabs. Keep a satchet in my bag. When there not there I panic. But not anymore. I don’t take any anywhere. I’m down to 2 a day. Morning that’s it.  My head is pounding. I don’t want to take anything for it either. I thought I wasn’t addicted till I didn’t have any. Asking friends to lend me some. Using the i forgot to order mine or I’ve left them in the chemist. I drink loads. I think. I do exersize and water sports eat fruit and veg. Want to smack someone the same time. No on  around me understands. I feel so needy and want to be hugged too. Feel like I’m waisting my time too xx

If I could reach through the screen and hug you I would! Sometimes you just want someone to reassure you and remind you that you're worthy and you want understanding too. I understand everything you're feeling right now and it's normal. Your mind and body is going through a huge change. I read that our brain has to learn to adapt without codeine, I had no idea it altered our thoughts so much. I always assumed that 4hrs after taking codeine it was out your system and that's why we needed more. But it just becomes normal to our brains to have codeine then we take it away and our brain is like whoa what's happening here, how do I function now? 

I didn't get headaches but I drank and drank. I really think you should rest too if possible and eat eat eat to keep your strength up. I'm now 5 days codeine free, I wished I'd gone cold turkey instead of weaning too quick because my symptoms dragged on for a couple of weeks. Either wean really slow or totally quit. Today I've felt good, still a little achy like coming to the end of the flu and my anxiety is so much better too. I don't have cravings which I'm pleased about. Keep reading all the positive comments and know it can be done. I don't know you but I know I'm very proud of you and you are certainly not wasting your or anyone else's time. KEEP GOING! IT FEELS GREAT BEING CODEINE FREE! Remember message me anytime about anything at all, be kind to you and look after you lots of love xxxx

Ahhhhh thankyou so much . Hate not sleeping properly. Waking up every hour. Stretching my legs constant. And continuing to turn over and over in bed. Feeling like something real bad is going to happen. But went to the doc’s today. I’m down to 15/500 2 a day. From next week. I want to take 1. But so so so scared of everything that comes with not having nothing. I love this page. I feel I’ve met amazing people and the words always the right ones to!  I’m trying to loose Weight too.  So that’s my goal focus! Massive well done to you for being free can’t wait till I can say this!! I’m so tired and drained. But can’t sleep. Hot showers swimming heavy meal and still I’m awake. Thankyou for your all support and being there. I won’t be backing away from this amazing page. I’ve gained so much friends here xxx 

Hi sorry for the late reply, yesterday wasn't a good day I was so tired and drained. My symptoms are dragging on. My restless legs were so bad last night and like you I toss and turn all night then in the morning I can barely walk with the pains. Emotionally I'm doing good, my mind is clear and I'm more aware...not as foggy. I'm on day 8 without codeine and expected to be symptom free but no such luck.

I'm glad to hear you've managed to cut down again and I'm pleased you're speaking to your doctor too. I think I'll see my doctor if my symptoms persist. I'm falling behind with all my jobs because I have no energy at all, my house is a mess too. I just want to feel well again. I've had over 3wks of feeling crap and can't push through it. But I will never go back to codeine even if I feel rubbish for another 3wks I'll get through it! Let me know how today is going xxx

Hi Donna. I’ve started to feel like I’m coming down with the flu. But really bad chest pains too. Got bloods being done on Monday for routine check. Still on 2 a day. Doc has said to keep down to 2 and then reduce to 8mg when I’m ready. It’s the sleep I’m not getting that’s the worst. Restless legs are driving me insane. Hopefully if I can get some sleeping tabs to help get me back into a routine I’ll be ok. Wishing this pains to go I’ll be ok. Hope your ok and getting plenty rest. Hot baths seem to chill me when I’m not crying. Or raging 😤 someone also suggested Camomile tea and bananas help. Hope your feeling better soon and hoping to free from it all soon xxx 

Hi Kellieanne, I'm pleased to say yesterday and today have been good days. I'm still not sleeping and still have RLS, my legs hurt real bad too at night and I feel like I'm sleeping on rocks I can't get comfy. I'm still a little achy through the day and have mild chest pain. Saying all that though it's getting easier and I can feel it coming to an end. Just like having real flu, it takes a while to pick yourself up. I've had more energy today too which has felt great even though I'm not sleeping. 

I can't remember if I suggested magnesium citrate and vitamin b1, they help with the restless legs a little. 

I'm no doctor but I found cutting down from a huge dose to a little dose just prolonged my withdrawl and symptoms, doing it slow would be easier and lessen your symptoms, but you sound like you're in withdrawl now and I think you will suffer like me for weeks. If I'd have known this info I would of done cold turkey from the off. 

Let me know how today has gone for you and keep moving forward.....I'm excited for the day you tell me you're codeine free 😀 xxxx

Magnesium has helped me with the restless legs. I’ve also been prescribed diazepam and zopiclone which has helped. Of course you have to be careful with Diaz but I’ve taken it on and off for years and never had a problem like codeine

Hi Donna. Full of flu. And my marriage has ended too. So tempted to take the tabs right now. I feel total utter crap. I feel the world is against me. Can’t sleep. Loosing my appetite slowly so much is happening and I’m loosing control. I don’t know what to think. I just hate everything at the min. I want to get up walk away and never come back. Can’t shift this horrid feeling. Everything is hitting me right now. I feel like giving up and taking them to feel normal. Whatever normal is now. No one is around me to help me no one to talk too no one to sit with. Sick of headaches. All day and night. Feel so down. Crying all the time. Can’t seem to cope with anything. I’m loosing my mind slowly xxx 

Ah Kellianne I'm so sorry! I wish I lived near you just so I could sit with you. It's so lonely coming off this pill, even if I told someone close they wouldn't understand. I know what you mean about taking them again to feel normal. They used to make me happy and I do miss that. The weather here has been rubbish so it's hard to get out for long and the short dark days are getting me down too, in fact most things are getting me down. I read we can get depressed after stopping too. Maybe that's why we feel rubbish. It's more annoying to me that others talk of feeling better yet I'm feeling worse. It's like what was the point of stopping? 

Saying all that though I won't go back to them. 

I'm sorry to hear about your marriage too. No wonder you feel you can't cope. You can send me a private message too if you'd like. I'm a good listener and it helps to unburden, you can offload any problems on me. I'm not the best at advice but I'll always lend an ear xxx Message me back and let me know you're ok xxx

Hi Donna. I’m ok. I’ve been really poorly. Was in bed for 4 days with toothache and abscess. Back on the tabs for the pain. But only the 15/500 not anymore than 4 a day. Stomach cramps have returned. So has the tiredness and lack of sleep. So dertamined so completely be off them. I’m sure everyone is against me. So I feel. I have started to enjoy being on my own Ina weird way. But miss my partner so much. We’re on talking terms. But now knows why my moods were erratic and unpredictable. Don’t Think he cared tbh. More how can he can them now situation? But I’ll do it on my own. Thank god for this place. No one judges you and I feel part of a loving family on here. Apart from the antibiotics I’m ready for freedom. Thankyou so much for being there. I really appreciate you all xxx 

Hi Kellianne, I’m glad you’re  back. You are right on the cusp of becoming codeIne free. Coming off 4 x 15/500 per day is achievable! Just keep focusing on your goal whether you are going to stop suddenly or wean off. Based on my experience I would recommend just stopping and going through the withdrawal once and for all rather than slowly weaning because you are always in a state of semi- withdrawal and feel s**t anyway. I am 17 days codeine free for the first time in possibly 15 years. I feel so much healthier although I do have psychological cravings. I realise now that all of those years I was addicted to codeine I was forever experiencing withdrawal as soon as a dose wore off. I can’t believe how much of my life I wasted living with withdrawal symptoms. I believe you can do this!!