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Real time recording of codeine in Australia

Posted , 31 users are following.

ellenbe
ellenbe

Hi,

I'm a long time codeine addict, and due to real time recording of codeine have been refused sale of codeine. I understand the reason that the Pharmacy Guild have put it in place, but is that where it ends? Just refuse selling it to people? I feel like they have not thought things through in bringing in these new regulations. They obviously know there are addicts, but have they thought past the notion of just cutting them off? Are there any safeguards in place for those of us who are heavily addicted and have been so for many years now. I read stories of people who then approach their GP, and are told the only option is go cold turkey. I'm really struggling and would like to hear how others are coping with these new changes. 

1 like, 268 replies

268 Replies

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  • WilRo
    WilRo ellenbe

    Posted

    Ellenbe,

    Have you seen my PM?

    Please don't answer here in public. PM me back if you want to.

    • ellenbe
      ellenbe WilRo

      Posted

      Hey, sorry for the delay. Busy with kids, work etc. No, didn't notice the pm (I didn't know you could get private messages on here), so I've learnt something new. Will reply now that I know it's there.

  • kristy02475
    kristy02475 ellenbe

    Posted

    Hi , Ive been following this thread from the start. I'm a codein addict, a pack a day for 5 years , only briefly stopping to carry my son to term.

    I thought i had beaten the grips of addiction until a complicated birth sent me home with a large dose of Endone, once they were gone i started throwing back the nurophen plus. Month by month my addiction grew from a couple a day to 30 sometimes 40, broken down in lots of ten.

    Anyway, here we are today, real time recording has helped me take on this abuse head on. Im clean 5 days from a rapid taper!!! I cut my 30 into 15 for 3 days than i jumped to 3 days of 5 x 3 than 4, 3, than off!

    I started to get withdrawls at 3 x 4 a day so i knew if i just ploughed through it wouldnt hurt so bad.

    What a waste of life, money, relationships and my own clear thoughts.

    I' m grateful that real time recording has been rolled out australia wide, no more chemist hopping for this girl.

    Time to get on with life now, no matter how painful the days are.

    I know I'm not out of the woods but I'm at a fork in the road, which one i choose and continue on is totally my choice now.

    I would love to help, support and lean on anyone who might need support so I'll check back daily.

    • WilRo
      WilRo kristy02475

      Posted

      Hi kristy02475,

      Well done. I'm getting there now, sleeping (or lack of) is my biggest issue at the moment.

      Eventually it will settle. I wonder how many others in Australia are going through a hard time at as a result of real time monitoring?

      Wilro

    • kristy02475
      kristy02475 WilRo

      Posted

      Hi WilRo

      Yes I can only imagine how many people are silently suffering.

      I am also struggling with the no sleep, still scattered and having a hard time focusing. Last night i drank two glasses of wine, I thought i might throw up but instead it calmed me down and I had enough to sleep from 10.30-2.30, that is the longest stretch in 2 weeks.

      I have gone cold turkey before and it was awful, I actually thought I was going to knock myself. Taper was much easier, things were easier to deal with.

      Today I'm trying to clean my house, this is a struggle but one that is very overdue after two weeks of wanting to lie on my back.

      Are u still using Wilro?

    • WilRo
      WilRo kristy02475

      Posted

      Hi kristy02475,

      I haven't taken anything for 7 days. I so want to though. It's hard, I drank a whole bottle of wine last night and still couldn't sleep.

      I've had sleeping issues for a long time now but it's worse at the moment. I'll be getting some Restavit from the chemist today but even then due to weirdness with my metabolism I need to take large doses. The packet says 1 to 2 tablets but I generally take 8 or more.

      Prescription sleeping tablets don't work on me at all. Now even the hospital has to have an anethitist sedate me when having endoscopys as I'm fully awake with the normal drugs they use. Nothing worse than having a tu e stuck down your throat and one up the other end while being conscious.

      I have another endoscopy in 2 weeks. I've caused so much damage to my stomach over the years of abuse.

    • kristy02475
      kristy02475 WilRo

      Posted

      Wilro,

      It sounds like your in a tough place at the moment, I am sorry to hear your in pain.

      Well done on 7 days, take each hour and each day as they come.

      I wouldnt normally drink alcohol, my mother is a acoholic and has tried to take her life with her meds 3 x so I fear more than 2 glasses of wine. That was her DOC, with my addictive nature I'm sure it could escalate.

      I hope you can keep on keeping on WilRo , I'm happy to lend a ear of support if you need one.

      Be 💪🏼

    • WilRo
      WilRo kristy02475

      Posted

      Hi kristy02475,

      Unfortunately with my addictive nature alcohol is a problem as well sad

      I'm working on it though, I've cut down a lot over the last couple of months and make sure I take a few days at least between drinks which is much better than where I was previously.

      Today's especially difficult as I know I could get some codeine, trying to resist the temptation.

      Wilro

    • kristy02475
      kristy02475 WilRo

      Posted

      WilRo

      You dont need Codein, divorce it, even if you have to fake it. I found getting angry about my addiction was the way around me wanting to buy.

      Everytime I think about it I think of my amazing husband who has overcome a breakdown from Obtrusive thoughts . He was strong enough to get help, recover and jump off some serious meds . Hes my inspiration to kick this habit.

      Find yours and carry on.

      Every hour, everyday

    • WilRo
      WilRo kristy02475

      Posted

      Thanks kristy02475,

      This forum is helping many of us to push through tough times.

      It's strange but I feel like everyone here is a close friend that we can share our struggles with even though none of us have ever met.

      I really hope others can find this and join in on the support and caring that everyone is showing.

      Have a great day smile

    • ellenbe
      ellenbe kristy02475

      Posted

      Hi Kristy,

      Sounds like you are going really well and you sound quite determined which is great.

      Keep us posted on his you're getting along.

    • kristy02475
      kristy02475 ellenbe

      Posted

      Hi Ellenbe,

      I'm doing ok, my biggest problem is getting tired which makes me really cranky. Ill have a random meltdown, kick a bucket and than it passes.

      I have been trying to stay as calm as possibly but sadly I must admit I'm not great with patience when I feel ill.

      Other than that I am pretty good. What about you?

      I hope u can overcome the urge .

      I finally feel like food, first in 2 weeks so I am going to eat something YUM today .

    • ellenbe
      ellenbe kristy02475

      Posted

      Hi Kristy, in the first few weeks, I was having random meltdowns at the smallest things. That has settled down now thank goodness. Not completely, but certainly improved.

      I also know this for sure. I've taken tablets on about 4 separate occasions since trying to quit. The guilt afterwards is so not worth it. Especially after you've put all of that hard work in.

      Plus, I think I feel generally better without it now. I just need to fight the mental stuff going on, which is why I'm sure I became addicted in the first place.

      Take care, hope you had something yummy to eat. It's those little things that make the day enjoyable now, not a handful of pills.

    • michael36105
      michael36105 kristy02475

      Posted

      2 weeks is pretty solid Kristy, way past physical symptoms. You should be pretty chuffed.
  • ellenbe
    ellenbe

    Posted

    Not going so great. Took some tablets last night for no other reason than a lingering headache and a stressful few days.

    I woke up feeling terrible this morning, and have been quite moody today. Sort of like a codeine hangover I guess.

    I'm not proud, but will remain honest here. So, where to from here? I think I'll just take each day as it comes. There will be no tablets today. There really is no other path for me to take.

    Hope everyone is well.

    • WilRo
      WilRo ellenbe

      Posted

      I think I'm the only male left commenting here. You ladies are doing so well, even if you don't believe it. I have the option of leaning on my wife (especially with my kids) when times are hard. I really wish you had that type of support from your partners.

      I hate knowing that my issues do impact on my family life and I'm so grateful to my wife who is always there for me.

      Someone needs to come up with a codeine addiction withdrawal plan which others can use to assist with the whole process. I'm thinking of writing something up including things that help like vitamins, OTC medications, life saving substances like N-Acetyl Cysteine and things to help with relaxation etc.

      I will keep coming back here and I hope you all do as well. Support is important and we have a nice little group of really genuine people here.

      Wilro

    • WilRo
      WilRo ellenbe

      Posted

      Each day as it comes is all we can do ellenbe,

      You may not think you have come very far but I guarantee you that your stomach is in a much better position to heal than it was a month ago. If you can avoid having to go through what I did with my stomach you are winning the battle.

      I really think you would benefit by taking some Rhodiola Rosea. It's very good for having a calming effect. I'm not a vitamin hippy (lol) but have done a lot of research on different things. You could also try Kava extract which has mild sedative properties.

      I would like anyone who might want to follow any recommendations I make to actually do a bit of research on your own before buying. It's important to understand what we put into our bodies and not do so based on some anonymous person on the internet.

      Keep it up ellenbe, I know you can do it smile

      Wilro

    • ellenbe
      ellenbe WilRo

      Posted

      Thanks Wilro, and thanks for the recommendation. Will check it out at the chemist.

      Yes, you're right. I know I'm better off for what I've done, especially my stomach and just my general health.

      No tablets since I slipped up. How are you?

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