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I am the early stages of coming off co-Codamol 30/500 and going cold turkey is very painful!!!! .

Posted , 7 users are following.

gill1436
gill1436

I am wracked with aches and pains, flu like symptoms, fidgety legs, sweating, palpitations sometimes and feel useless. I visited my local pharmacist and had a confidential chat with her, she was very supportive. She is going to help me along with the GP, whom I cannot see for another 2weeks!!

Are these symptoms all common with going cold turkey?? The dose I was taking was very high and could be anything from 16 to 25 a day!!! . 

Does anyone else get the same symptoms ??? 

And how long could it last for????

1 like, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • roz85048
    roz85048 gill1436

    Posted

    I came off co-codamol at the end of December last year and yes, all the symptoms you describe are pretty well common to all. Time frame for them disappearing varies from person to person, some symptoms go within a couple of weeks and others can last for a couple of months or more. Also, they have a nastly little habit of suddenly starting up again for a couple of days just when you least expect it.Three months on, I've still got some digestive system issues which I've been told could last for up to 6 months+.

    Well done though for stopping the drug and also for consulting your pharmacist and making an appointment to see your GP who may well do liver function tests as the paracetamol can cause damage to it.

    Best wishes,

    Roz

    • gill1436
      gill1436 roz85048

      Posted

      Thanks Roz

      I really could not believe how serious a problem it had become to me. I am sure the liver will need to be tested as you mention when the doctor sees the extent at which I was using them . There is much to be said about being able to get them on repeat prescription without a check up from the doctor !!. I can manage the days although they can seem long even when at work, but it's the nights I am struggling with and the lack of sleep. My job needs me to be on top of my game and I am trying my best. I have been told about magnesium and calcium supplements for my awful heavy fidgety legs, have you or anyone else tried them?? Please tell me that there is some light at the end of the tunnel as at the mo I cannot see any. 😳😳😳😳😳😳😳

  • roz85048
    roz85048 gill1436

    Posted

    Yes, there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel, Gill, I know you can't quite see it yet, but you'll improve a little bit each day, take my word for it. I agree the insomnia is terrible, I felt exhausted every day and my concentration was shot to pieces, so can really empathise. No, I never did the calcium and magnesium thing for RLS, but somebody else probably has and will almost certainly let you know how they got on.

    You don't say how long you've been off the co-codamol, but you should see some improvement with in the symptoms after about 7-10 days.

    You're right about the repeat prescriptions, these pills should never be so readily doled out.

    • gill1436
      gill1436 roz85048

      Posted

      Hi Roz

      I have been off the co-Codamol in total completely for 5days now. Sat here now reading posts from some really supportive people, and it's  really frightening to think that there are so many sufferers like us out there.

      It's not easy admitting that you have an addiction!! One to me was one of chocolate ! 

      Thanks again 

  • Lizzie46881
    Lizzie46881 gill1436

    Posted

    Hi Gill

    Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel !  I went through what you are doing now back in November of last year.  I'd been addicted to 30/500 co-codamol for about two years and finally admitted it to my gp who sent me straight off to a&e to have the paracetamol antidote.  I was in there for nearly two days having all of it flushed out of me, it wasn't pleasnt but was definitley worth it.

    I then went cold turkey. Initailly, for the first two days, there must have been enough codeine still in my system to keep the withdrawal symptoms at bay, but after that it was really unpleasant.  I had a shocking headache, nausea, flu like symtoms, diarhea etc etc.  It took me about another two weeks to feel even a little better but I held out, and things eased.  After about four weeks I felt much better and now I'm like a new woman.  I haven't touched any codeine of any strength sine then.

    You can do this too, Roz has already given you some great support and advice and I'd like to support you too.  Congratulations on having quit this drug and hang on in there.

    One last thing, I agree with you that you should get your liver checked out, I was lucky and had no damage, so I'm praying for the same for you

    xxxxx

    • gill1436
      gill1436 Lizzie46881

      Posted

      Hi Lizzie,

      Thank you for your words of encouragement . I am struggling right now my body aches so much. I have been on the dreaded tablets for over 6 years, I had had a really bad fall from a horse, culminating in a trip in the air ambulance. Bad injuries lead to a repeat of the co-Codamol and here I am now!! Living in a fog some days and was counting the hours to enable my next dose to be taken. 

      Well done you keep it up. 

      💐

  • debbie59324
    debbie59324 gill1436

    Posted

    Hi - I am on day 10 abstinent now.  Still very achey and flu like, digestive upset, sleep pattern shot to hell and a few cravings of the 'I could sort this out easily' type but holding firm.  I am due to go for a liver scan - just waiting for an appointment.   I also stopped overnight - cutting down would not work with me. its all or nothing!  I am starting to feel more 'alive' at times if that makes sense (not living in a mental fog).  You can do it - stick with it and get help and support from your professionals and on here.  Keep going!
    • gill1436
      gill1436 debbie59324

      Posted

      Hi Debbie,

      For me it is the end of my fifth day. My legs today are the worst they feel like they are being crushed, a tip given to me on this forum was a warm bath to ease them, it's bliss whilst in there! I feel so low to think that I could be addicted to this drug! 

      I hope all goes well with your scan when you have it. 

       

    • gill1436
      gill1436

      Posted

      hi Debbie

      going into my 6th day now and I had the most dreadful night 😞😞 , my body gripped by a vice like deep ache. A hot water bottle gave a little comfort and I kept drinking water as it felt like my kidneys were being wrung out. In total sleep was a fitful 2 hours at the most. 

      Well, a new day now and I know it will be tiring, but, onwards not backwards. 

  • Rainboy
    Rainboy gill1436

    Posted

    Dear Gill

    I'm saddened to read of another person affected so badly by this 'painkiller', but also greatly encouraged to see your courage and your spirit.

    Approaching your Pharmacist was one of the best things you could have done. It can be a little less intimidating than going direct to the GP, although in some cases the Pharmacist will recommend you do.

    One thing any good Pharmacist will never do, is make you feel bad, guilty, in any kind of trouble, or like this is something shocking that they've never heard of before. Trust me Gill, I can guarantee from my work experience, rarely a day goes by that a Pharmacist will not be approached by someone who has found the willpower to come forward with a problem of this nature.

    Any person reading this thread who finds themselves in a similar situation should not be intimidated at the thought of a private chat with their Chemist. They will never sit in judgement on you. It's not what they do. On the contrary, that is one of their fundamental job roles.

    Qualified Pharmacists have to study longer than GP's to gain a licence to practice. Their specialism is drugs. Years ago they used to be called 'Druggists' because of their detailed understanding of the effect medicines have on the body.

    Back to your question on withdrawal symptoms and how long they may last, I cannot add anything to the superb responses you have already had, so I won't repeat what you have already been told. But, all the kind people who have written to you have given you very sound accurate advice.

    I would just like to add my voice in support of your efforts and let you know that there is one more person willing you on to success. You've made a very mature and sensible start. I think that augurs well for you to win your battle.

    • gill1436
      gill1436 Rainboy

      Posted

      Rainboy,

      I cannot tell you how big this thank you is for taking the time to reply to my post. It really is amazing the support which I am getting. Although I know it still is a personal battle, but now, not a lonely one. My pharmacist was fantastic and no she didn't judge me one bit. I feel I can and will get through this and out the other end and be able to lead a normal existence , not in a fog most days. 

      Thanks again.

    • Rainboy
      Rainboy gill1436

      Posted

      Gill

      That is just the best reply possible. I genuinely admire your grit and determination.

      That first step in talking to your Pharmacist took bravery and courage, but you couldn't have done anything better in terms of self-help. You are an excellent example of how to deal with this problem positively, and you are to be applauded.

      I would encourage anyone reading this thread or others like it, to follow your example.

      Well done. And yes, you WILL make it. Your determination to succeed just leaps off the screen!

    • gill1436
      gill1436 Rainboy

      Posted

      Hi Rainboy

      The night from hell!! One more behind me, it was the longest yet. Work will be a challenge today but it gives me a focus. 

      I need to start excercising again, but I have no motivation and even less energy to go. 😞

    • Rainboy
      Rainboy gill1436

      Posted

      Hi Gill

      Thank you for the update. Believe me I am genuinely sorry you experienced your "night from hell". Please don't despair of this. The withdrawal comedown doesn't necessarily followed a continuous downward curve in intensity.

      It is quite possible to experience a 'spike' in your situation, and if you consider the grip the meds had on your brain and body, it's not surprising that withdrawal can be far from smooth.

      People who give up smoking have very similar experiences. Remember, all of us involved with this problem, have, mostly through no fault of our own, 'trained' our brain and body to function 'normally' with a regular dose of a powerful drug. We can't then expect to stop without that same brain and body giving us hell. Simply put, your brain is crying out - "WHERE IS MY CODEINE. I WANT IT. I WANT IT NOW"!

      The good news is this is something the brain 'wants', not 'needs'. You are retraining your brain to return to the state before you became dependent or addicted.

      Hey - you've gone into work despite last night. Brilliant! A gold star for you and another day over. Good going.

      As far as exercising is concerned, there is plenty of time for that. Your body is coping with a lot at the moment, so it may be wise to really get on top of the meds problem before you resume an exercise regime. I'm no expert, but thinking about it, I think it may just be common sense. x

    • gill1436
      gill1436 Rainboy

      Posted

      Hi Rainboy

      it was a very long day at work today, managed to see GP he was brilliant with me. The pharmacist called him yesterday and he was going to call me today, so he expected me in the surgery. We spoke about all aspects of how I had got to the place I find myself in today and now I have a plan to move forward. I know the road is still going to be very bumpy, and I should expect it for another couple of weeks hopefully less. Get my bloods done tomorrow to check my vital organs. A visit in a week back to GP , check up. 

    • debbie59324
      debbie59324 gill1436

      Posted

      Well done - it must have been a tough day.  Just keep going one day at a time biggrin
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