Real time recording of codeine in Australia

Hey Surfgurl,

So tough isn't it, and congrats on making a really tough decision (although I think mostly taken out of our hands right).

Does it get easier?...yes, but with time. In my experience the acute physical symptoms ease after a couple of weeks. It's the mental stuff that's tough for me. All the stuff that I've been covering with codeine bubbles to the surface. Stress, anxiety, boredom, irritability. That's the stuff that's hard for me. Learning to live again without that buffer.

Basically I'm faking it until I make it. I know one day I'll feel contentment and happiness, but it would be unrealistic to expect it to quickly. I know it's ok to feel crappy, so I'm just taking it a day at a time.

Keep us posted on how you go. I find just venting or writing how I feel really helpful. It doesn't have to have a point, just getting it out there is enough.

Hi Michael,

You're right, we have no choice. It sounds like you've been down the CT road before, but that didn't make it any easier does it. Stay strong!!

It's going to be interesting over the next month or two with God knows how many people forced into withdrawals. I'm meeting with a pharmacist tomorrow to find out exactly what they are legally bound by now and what the pharmacy guild has told pharmacist how to handle addicted people.

I understand why they've done it, I wouldn't wish what I've been through on my worst enemy.

I have 2 young kids and I came close to dying a couple of months ago with a perforated stomach.

It's the way they have implemented the restriction that bothers me. I've had 3 meetings with drug and alcohol councillors, 3 doctors appointments and they still haven't been willing to help unless I go in as an inpatient which I refuse to do due to family and work commitments.

Eventually well all get there but it is going to suck for us in the meantime

Wow, that will be an interesting meeting. Would love to hear what the pharmacist has to say, especially around duty of care for those if us who are heavily addicted.

The pharmacists have to protect otc sales as a matter of commercial importance so we are the collateral damage.

I am day 3. Feeling 50 % better especially after taking loperimide. Freezing sunny morning in Perth and I have taken myself to a cafe for late breakfast. Obviously missing my doc but this time I have no choice which in some respects is making g it easier. Enjoy the lovely day in Perth ellenbe.

It's a beautiful day in Perth isn't it Michael. Definitely nice day for a late breakfast. Sounds like you're doing well. Day 3 for me is when the worst of the physical symptoms stay happening and it's very tough physically. It's good that the loperimide is helping somewhat, because I think any help in the early days is worth looking at.

I think this is the furthest I've ever got, but I think that's because like you said, the choice has been taken away from us.

I've even had thoughts about continuing taking codeine, but at a much reduced rate to avoid restriction through chemists. So ridiculous, but my addict mind is still hard at work trying to get the drug.

you won't be able to take enough to get addicted again and tolerance will soon stop 4 panadeine extra a day being felt. Because they will quiz us to bits if we take 8 a day and buy a packet every 5 days. Imagine taking 4 a day now. Wouldn't feel it for longer than 20 mins. Was a time when 4 had me happy all day.

Under the new rules you will never get addicted.

Good luck. I know from reading I am a quick recoverer. I have bipolar and in my mid 50's after a train wreck 10 years starting at 35 I am on good meds that mean I stay pretty stable when I withdraw. With my illness there is no way I could cope with withdrawal depression otherwise.

Those of us who rely on codeine or whatever doc are fragile creatures (to an extent) and we need to look after ourselves.

By the way I lost one very good marriage to drugs and my bipolar symptoms so I have not told mysecond wife. In my view it is a personal fight she won't understand or tolerate and I am too old to introduce trust issues into the relationship but that's me at 54 and no longer a parent. I understand your desire to tell your husband.

Hi Wilro,

Did you end up having a chat with the pharmacist? Hope you're going well.

Hi ellenbe,

I haven't spoken to him yet as he was extremely busy the other day. I did argue (nicely) with 4 pharmacies yesterday and eventually got something using my passport and a fake address. It's getting much harder though. I've been outright banned at one pharmacy (notes on my record not to supply) I was up all night thinking about the next steps. Today I'm going back to the pharmacies I went to yesterday to get the names of the pharmacists. Not sure what I'm going to do with the information yet but I'm thinking about it. The real time recording isn't law yet, it's a voluntary system recommend by the pharmacy guild. You can't just throw thousands of people into withdrawals without a support system in place. It's not right

Totally agree with your sentiments. Did they think people would just magically stop and all would be well if they just up and stopped supplying?

That's my biggest problem with these new changes. There was no support system in place.

Can you keep trying to find a doctor who has some knowledge on addiction and may be prepared to put you on codeine phosphate tablets and put you on a slow taper? I ended up going CT and it still continues to be awful, and I expect it to stay this way for a while yet.

You will get through this. Perhaps this was the catalyst we all needed to kick start us into reclaiming our lives.

Let me know how you get on. We're definitely in this together and I absolutely feel your pain.

Can't say I feel great this morning, actually pretty recording I would relapse now.. 3 months ago I'd have stopped at a chemist on the way to work. Price line was the last chemist to go real-time and I could buy real time today as it is 7 days since I did a recorded buy. But with every one recording now I'd do 40 tabs in 36 hours and be right back where I was om Monday feeling real sick. So we soldier on.

Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your personal story about your bipolar and previous marriage.

It's tough isn't it. Addiction permeates every part of your life, and withdrawing can be extremely hard.

Keep strong, you're doing an amazing job.