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Coming off codeine

Posted , 8 users are following.

Latchy
Latchy

i decided to go cold turkey on Monday after running out of cocodomol 30/500 and ibuprofen and codeine. The withdrawal symptoms have been terrible. Headaches, anxiety and panic attacks, stomach cramps, night sweats, being sick. To name but a few of them. I have been on cocodomol 30/500 since I was diagnosed with 6 prolapsed discs caused through being a health professional in the NHS, patient handling etc. my GP prescribed them and have taken 8 a day every day since. About 12-18 months ago I introduced ibuprofen and codeine 12.8mg and started to take 2 with every dose of cocodomol 30/500. Just for severe back pain as my dr wouldn't give me anything else apart from tramadol, which I found no help. Yesterday I gave into the withdrawal symptoms and started to take solpadeine max and ibuproprofen and codeine, 2 solpadeine with four ibuprofen and codeine at each dose = 76.8mg codeine per dose 4 times a day with two lazoprazole to protect my stomach. My withdrawal symptoms have gone away. I have come off codeine before with the help of my GP but soon started the habit again just for the pain in my spine. I just can't wait until Saturday to get my prescription (post dated). I'm going to try just to stick to the cocodomol and use my nitrazepam and diazepam to help. Am I ever going to get off these pills? They are evil. But without them I cannot function, be it back pain or withdrawal symptoms. I know there are other pain killers, I have tried some of them, but always ended back on cocodomol 30/500 again as it's the only painkiller that works!

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Jan999
    Jan999 Latchy

    Posted

    Hello Latchy. I do empathise with you. I take codeine not Cocodamol but the doseage of codeine is the same. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis but take 2 codeine four times a day even if I don't need them as I have become dependant. I tell myself I'm not addicted but I am. I presume your GP is still prescribing the tablets because you say you have a post dated prescription. You ask if you'll ever get off the Cocodamol. Not without professional help unfortunately. Would your GP help or refer you to an agency that can? I ask because I don't have any answers. Sorry.
    • pauline21754
      pauline21754 Jan999

      Posted

      Hi Matron. I have Rhumatoid Arthritis and take co-codamol every day, 4 x 2 tablets, sometimes 15g and sometimes 30g. Until a few days ago I also took Naproxen. I am having terrible pains high up in my chest and back, constipation and diahrrea and feel awful. I have stopped naproxen after nurses advice and I am being Fast Tracked for cancer check!!! Could it be the paracetamol causing problems do you think? Ever taken a Nsaid for your RA? Interested to hear your thoughts.

       

    • Jan999
      Jan999 pauline21754

      Posted

      Hi pauline. I had to stop my Naproxen because it gave me abdominal pain. I have paracetamol prescribed separately so if I need to I can take it along with the codeine. I rarely do because it's paracetamol in the long term that can cause problems with the liver. Naproxen should really be taken with another medication to protect the stomach. My GP prescribes Omeprazole to take once a day. If you didn't have that then the Naproxen has probably irritated your stomach lining. I wouldn't worry about the tests he's referred you for. Chances are you have gastritis due to the medication. He's probably being a bit over cautious, which is good. Try not to worry.
    • pauline21754
      pauline21754 Jan999

      Posted

      Thanks for all that. Yes i am sure you are right. The treatment has so many side effects. Hopefully they can sort me out. What with headaches, constipation and stomach problems. Feel all of my 61 years sometimes. ☺
  • roz85048
    roz85048 Latchy

    Posted

    Hi Latchy,

    I too was taking the same dose of co-codamol as you also for spinal pain, over a period of 4 years. I came off it 16 days ago, having previously tapered the dosage down over a period of about 6 weeks. Withdrawal symptoms haven't been as severe for me as they are for people who cold-turkey it such as yourself, but they're still not pleasant, although they improve a bit every day.

    Are you being completely honest in saying that codeine is the only medication that eases your pain, or is it really just the hit you like??

    I think you either need help from your GP to get off these or you could give it another go yourself by gradually reducing the dose as I did.

    Is there no treatment for your spine problem, have you seen a specialist about it?

    Roz

    • Latchy
      Latchy roz85048

      Posted

      Hi Roz. I have come off it before with the help of my GP. He referred me to a methodone treatment programme for a home detox. That stuff is lethal, but managed to beat the codeine addiction for 6 weeks. The Dr put me on diclofenac sodium and I had an allergic reaction.. Then tramadol which didn't ease the pain. After being referred to a pain specialist I was put on dihydrocodeine which were brilliant but after reading about people's experiences on that i stopped it before I became dependant. The pain specialist then suggested a low dose of morphine in the form of patches and I said no. By this time I was in agony and could barely walk. So my GP said cocodomol 30/500 work for you the best and put me back on them 112 tablets a fortnight. When I go every 6 weeks he gives me three post dated prescriptions until my next visit. 

      i don't know what other painkillers there are for my spinal condition. But this codeine addiction is a nightmare Roz.

      latchy

    • Jan999
      Jan999 Latchy

      Posted

      Hi again Latchy. My GP has given me Nefopam (also called Acupan) tablets. They are not an opiate like codeine but are quite strong and used a lot for post op pain. I find they are effective for my Rheumatoid arthritis.
    • Latchy
      Latchy Jan999

      Posted

      Thanks matron. I will ask my GP when I see him next.
    • roz85048
      roz85048 Latchy

      Posted

      Yep, nightmare is just the word for it. Doctors dish out codeine like sweets to anyone who has pain - I understand it's a cheap option for them.

      Any chance you could get surgery on your spine to relieve at least some of the pain?

    • Latchy
      Latchy roz85048

      Posted

      I could have an operation on my spine to fuse the vertebra together. But it carries great risks. I know of two friends who have had spinal surgery and both have ended up on morphine! I don't want to end up like that. I'll discuss with my consultant my options when I next go.
    • roz85048
      roz85048 Latchy

      Posted

      I understand your reluctance to have the op as there are no guarantees of success and, as you say, you don't want to end up on morphine. I had surgery on my spine last year, but it was a different problem from yours and was, in any case, unsuccessful. I'm now without any pain relief as I'm only just getting my bowels to work a bit better (it was codeine caused those probs) and I'm not risking another drug doing either the same thing or getting me hooked again.

      Withdrawal is horrible - especially when you have pain from the original problem as well, but I think the risks associated with opiates and also paracetamol are far worse.

      Best advice: talk to your GP again as soon as you can and be really honest with him/her.

  • michelle39835
    michelle39835 Latchy

    Posted

    I'm on diyhedracodein, citolopram and diazipam for a slipped disc in jaw I supplemented it with solphedeine also so 32mg codeine twice a day. I've just stopped the codeine cold turkey and I'm on day 5. Symptoms aches, mood swings and a strong desire to give in. It says by day 8 these symptoms reduce and depression sets in but I am taking anti depressants. Pain hasn't worsened since stopping. I won't take them again and don't look forward to stopping diyhedracodein

  • pablo91110
    pablo91110 Latchy

    Posted

    Hi. I have an issue with codeine i have been doing something called cwe. I wknt go into detail as it can be potentially fatal if you get it wrong. My tolerence was so high, i calculated i was using in excess of 700mg of codeine per day. I reached out to my GP for support. He has been very understanding and put me on 8 30mg tablets daily, i ran into problems shortly after though. My pharmacy would issue my prescripton early and i woild take advantage of this. I would consume 56 tabs in two days then go back and get more. They eventually picked up on it and it became harder for me to obtain them early, sk i went back to cwe on top of my prescription. I had around 18 pharmacies that i would utilize in order to obtain otc cocodamol. Eventually some of them twigged and started refusing to serve me. I went back to my GP with a plan that if i could be issued a prescription that would give me 8 daily rather than a full week, i would be able to manage it. I am on day 4 of this regime and tp be fair it is tough, addiction is 1% symptoms and 99% psychological i have a timeframe for when i am just going to go for it and stop. I will feel crap for a week or so but i have a strong focus and will manage the psychologicl symptoms through exercise . I understand for you its a pain management issue that have lead to this, but i thought i would share my story to help you understand you can break it if you have your mind set on it.
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