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Codeine withdrawals - worse than expected - help!!!

Posted , 3 users are following.

sarah24378
sarah24378

Hi

I have a history of opiate addiction going back 25 years. For at least half that time i have been clean but over the last 7years or so been getting clean then relapsing onto i initially heroin but then codeine.....nurophen plus and pure codeine phosphate. This last relapse was after 2 years clean and started 5 months ago. It haa fluctuated but at the highest i was taking about 300 to 400mg of codeine. I tapered this down to 60 mg over about 8 weeks but unsurprisingly did not always stick to my taper dose. Jumped off just over a week ago.

Initially i was relieved the physical symptoms were not that bad but since about day 3 i have a terrible headache and dizziness with extreme weakness and since day 5 very low mood and severe anxiety.

I knew my mental health would take a knock but not this bad at 7/8 days clean after a taper and only using 5 mths. Ive done toi many opiate withdrawals and generally know what to expect.

It may be different this time as whilst i was clean i had my son, he is 18 months and i experienced severe post natal depression and anxiety which i am medicated for and have been improving.

I am terrified this codeine withdrawal is going to bring back the severe pnd.

Can anyone share their experience of anxiety and depression in withdrawals. Is it normal at 8 days ? When may it improve?

Please any thoughts would be very welcome as i am very scared.

1 like, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • ANNA0812
    ANNA0812 sarah24378

    Posted

    I dont know anything about heroin addiction. But I just want to tell you I am sorry you have to experience this. Stay strong, and do what you have to do to overcome this. I lost my 21 yo cuz sunday morning from heroin abuse. If you try to get clean have someone by your side. Dont do it alone. 8 days in is a great start. To quicken your body and brain to get clean, drink lots of water with lemon, eat oranges, and sweat. Take care, and good luck on your journey.
  • brianthesnail
    brianthesnail sarah24378

    Posted

    Hi sarah 

                opioid withdrawal comes in all shapes ... and it depends on two factors ...

    a) the opioid you were taking and 

    b) the length of time you were taking it 

               in terms of codiene you need to remember its metabolised to morphine in the body so allthough still a pretty rough withdrawal its not as bad as opioids such as methadone which has a longer half life 

               but with any opioid your brain chemicals change in a significant way so once the opioid is no longer there your brain needs time to re-adjust ... this can take time and during this time you can experience anxiety and depression ..... 

               i took methadone for 8 years and kicked it last october ( reducing from 50ml right down to 1ml )  and once my body was free of methadone my mind certainly wasnt .... it took until may this year for my confidence to return and even now i still get anxious ...

               what im trying to say is "be patient" .... it does get better and at 8 days you will still be feeling tired and anxious ... but its normal .. its just your body getting back to normal 

               i allways look at opioids as a "cushion" .. its helped us deal with life much easier .. however when this cushion is removed life will seem harder as the coping mechanism has been removed ....

                dont be scared .... allthough you feel alone and scared we have all felt like you .... but the good news is ( and taking into account you were taking codeine ) you should start to feel better within a month,and remember every day you will slowly get stronger ......

                    i wish you all the best sarah and hope you feel better soon 

                       bri xx 

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