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How to tell if my partner is taking to much codine? can anyone tell me.

Posted , 5 users are following.

helen1960
helen1960

I suspected for a while now, as he's prescribed 30/500mg and goes through the 200 he gets from the gp , he then buys nurofen plus. I have been aware of him taking 12 nurofen plus in 2hrs.

He's always tired, has bouts of diarrhoea, which then takes lots of immodem, he has problems after eating, stomach cramps , and nausea. At night ive noticed he jerks and twitches could this been a sign of him taking too much. Ive noticed that other times he sleeps more restfully without the jumps. Can anyone give me some clue abou this.

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • oly958
    oly958 helen1960

    Posted

    That doesn't sound good, think he needs to have an honest session with the doctor to sort out his pain medication - either get something stronger than Cosine or reduce his current medication.

    Codine gives you constipation when you are taking it, withdrawal cuts in at about 4 days without medication and causes bad diarrhoea, stomach cramps, tremors, twitches, headaches, depression and more. I'm going through morphine reduction at the moment and it's very similar. For me the withdrawal from each reduction in Morphine lasts just under 3 weeks and is horrible. I saw the doctor and am now reducing with the help of a drug called Lofexidine which seems to get rid of all the nasty withdrawal symptoms - but if he has bad pain still that's not really an option yet.

    • helen1960
      helen1960 oly958

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply oly958, i think he's been taking them for years after an accident, he never complains of any ongoing pain or aches, he is a recovering alcoholic which he's been off the booze for over a year now and doing well. I did ask him about, but he got very defensive about the situation, I've left the subject alone as he seems to manage his addiction, unfortunately he does seem to have a need to be addicted to something. He's having regular hospital appointments with blood tests, surely the tests would pick something up? What kind of high/kick is he getting out of codine, as he doesn't show any high, just very sleepy.
    • jo57386
      jo57386 helen1960

      Posted

      Hi Helen I had a codeine addiction. In my case it wasn't a high it just made me feel relaxed and able to deal with things. He needs to talk to his GP and start tapering.

      Good luck smile

    • oly958
      oly958 helen1960

      Posted

      I would imagine it just makes him a bit light in the head and sleepy. Many people become addicted to their medication and it's hard to stop as the withdrawal is so evil. Unfortunately many doctors don't seem to address the situation and just keep prescribing.

      It's dangerous stuff though and, as you can see, very bad for the health - he would be much better off with some cannabis!

      I've been taking slow release Morphine for 8 months after breaking my back in a motorbike accident. My doctor has not once told me to reduce and just gives me as much as I ask for - he doesn't know what pain I have or how long it will last. I hate the stuff and would rather have pain than being in the horrid, forgetful, dozy state. I also can't think enough to work on it and it's not legal to drive. Hopefully I'll be completely off it within the next month, I feel much better in body and mind, it's really nice.

      It's a very difficult topic to bring up when someone is in denial or hiding it. It does sound like he is pretty addicted and needs a bit of help - it is embarrassing. I was shocked to recover from near death with horrible pain only to find I was a junkie, it sucks - they don't tell you that is going to happen, I reckon they should.

    • helen1960
      helen1960 jo57386

      Posted

      Hi jo57386. He does seem to struggle at times with situations, as i get to know him better, I can see that he. Panics a bit and he may need them as a crutch when he's working. When he's at home for a few days, that's when I see the withdrawal symptoms, so he probably feels more relaxed at home. I worry about what its doing to him. So far liver function tests are ok. Thanks hope you get on ok.
  • JessC1992
    JessC1992 helen1960

    Posted

    Helen, you need to refer him to a doctor. 12 Nurofen plus in 2 hours is really worrying. I can understand withdrawal though, it does get really bad. Maybe he needs something else for t
    • JessC1992
      JessC1992

      Posted

      the pain. Nurofen plus stopped working for me after a while so was prescribed something higher. Such as trammadol. Too much Nurofen plus/codeine can make him very sick sad
    • helen1960
      helen1960 JessC1992

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. He doesn't complan of any pain, i just think he's addicted to taking them he probably uses them as a calmer then. Id love to get him to talk about this problem with a doctor, but until he feels he can admit it he won't do anything, i know he has to want to give it up. He gave up fags and booze. So i hope this will stop too. I'll just need to give him my love and support to do that one day. Thank you. X
    • pmcg21
      pmcg21 helen1960

      Posted

      hi helen- many alcoholics in early recovery/sobriety turn to some sort of drugs for relief - cross addiction is very common- i myself became addicted to codiene after quitting the booze- dont let any doc put him on tramadol for pain relief insteadof codiene- its far worse and far harder to kick- i was given it for back pain to replace the codiene ended up addicted to both- all the symptoms you describe sound familliar- i too used to take nuerofen plus when i couldnt get the other codiene drug i was addicted to - so yea i would say he might well have an addiction issue with codiene- its not an easy drug to get off- the WD's are pretty severe if he has been taking serious amounts of it- get medical advice before suggesting any reduction or stopping of this drug- it is serious- it is not advisible to quit any opiod suddenly without medical advice- wish you and your fella all the best of luck-
    • helen1960
      helen1960 pmcg21

      Posted

      Thank you for your advice, i will certainly heed what you said. Thanks again x
    • jo57386
      jo57386 helen1960

      Posted

      Hi Helen if he speaks to his GP it is possible to get straight codeine so at least he won't be damaging his liver with panadol etc. From personal experience it's a tough one to kick and don't let them replace one addiction for another. To get me off codeine because it was complicated a private clinic put me on fentanyl patches thet really screwed me up. I'm sure his GP will help him as soon as you or someone can get him to be honest with himself. Thinking of you both x
    • helen1960
      helen1960 jo57386

      Posted

      Thank you, i think this may take time for honesty 'penny' to drop. But i won't put any pressure on him, i will support him and care for him when he's ill, but i wont make a martyr out of myself either. He has to decide that he wants to get clear of codine.

      Thanks for your support. X

    • JessC1992
      JessC1992 jo57386

      Posted

      Just going to say that what doesn't work for you may work for someone else. I was put on a painkiller patch and it didn't screw me up at all.

      Every person reacts differently. smile

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