Real time recording of codeine in Australia

Hey Wilro, I don't know what I would do if I found a few pharmacies that hadn't opted in yet.

Probably right now go back to exactly where I was to be honest. The last 3 chemists I went to (all different chains) were doing it. I stopped checking after that.

I'm so better off without it, but it doesn't make the process any easier. At the moment I'm more happy I stopped, as opposed to unhappy that I stopped.

Saying that, I still think about the tablets a lot. To reward myself, to relax, to be a calmer person, to avoid stress...whatever reason, I'll find a way to make it about the tablets.

No judgement re taking the tablets. This is the place to be honest. If we can't be honest anonymously, then when can we be honest?

Take care everyone.

Hi ellenbe,

Yeah I know what you mean. Personally I'm not strong enough to to keep myself away from the habit at the moment. I'm stockpiling for now.

I have my appointment with the specialist on Monday which I'm really looking forward to. I'll probably end up on some sort replacement therapy to finally get off the codeine for good.

It's such big part of my life now I don't think I can do it alone even though I have good family support and forums like this one for support and encouragement.

Take care

Wilro

Writing that out made me feel really bad about myself and somewhat of an idiot considering the type of advice I've been giving people.

Gee's it really sucks. Sorry for letting everyone down.

Wilro

I can't tell you how to feel Wilro, but please don't be too hard on yourself. You can slip up 100 times, but that doesn't mean that the next time you quit won't be successful.

That's the nature of addiction I guess. If it was easy, none of us would be in this situation. And you are more than qualified to give advice! Being real about what you're feeling and your struggles doesn't make you any less knowledgable on the subject. In fact, probably the exact opposite!

I think this is a safe space to be honest. We are all fighting the same demon, and we aren't here to judge.

I'm struggling as well tonight. I haven't taken any, but it's on my mind a lot.

We're all in this together, don't forget that.

Also, if I found a pharmacist who didn't care, I'd be in the exact same position as you, I can assure you of that.

Thanks ellenbe, I'm sure you understand the feeling of wanting to beat yourself up over what we see as personal failures. I just hope I can beat the demon and be a positive influence on others.

I truly believe things will change for me in a positive way after I see the specialist on Monday.

Your kindness and understanding means a lot to me and others.

Wilro

Totally understand that feeling. It's like your head wants to be strong, but the body wins out every time.

Think positively about Monday. This could be the time when it all turns around for you. How awesome would that be!

Yep I'm so looking forward to Monday.

Thanks ellenbe

You are not letting everyone down!

We are all fighting our battles against this addiction, we are here to support one another.

We can know all the right advice, the right things to do, but actually doing it is hard, it's ok to slip up, you recognise that, and that's a big thing.

I hope Monday goes well for you, and try to not be too hard on yourself, codeine addiction is not an easy habbit to break.

Hey Wilro, I take it this was another chemist who is recording names (as opposed to the one you've been going to recently that doesn't). So were they refusing to sell codeine to you?...just trying to get some context.

So, it's not very good that the pharmacist isn't aware if the rules re codeine, and to be honest, shouldn't be having it out with you in front of other customers. There isn't any reason that he couldn't have spoken to you in a quiet area away from an audience where you could have been heard out. It just causes embarassment for the customer.

Ugh, I hate it when they suggest paracetamol. It does next to nothing, especially for strong pain.

Hi ellenbe, this was a chemist who is recording purchased and who filled my last recorded purchase 8 days ago. I rand them first and the pharmacy assistant put my details in, asked the pharmacist if it was ok and said it's fine and to come in.

In the ten minutes it took for me to drive there he had changed his mind and made a point of tell. ling me in front of everyone that he's not going to help me and that he can't legally give me any.

This simply isn't true, supply can be given after 6 days at 6 tablets per day. I told him he was wrong and that the pharmacy guild released a statement 3 days ago reminding pharmacists of the obligations.

I said so should I just go home and take another 10 paracetamol tablets after having taken 8 already and he said yes do that and wait for a doctor.

Obviously I haven't taken that many panadol tablets but he basically told me to overdose myself on them and admitted that he is failing in his duty of care.

I don't want to ruin my chances with the non recording chemist so after that I went to another pharmacist and talked my way in to getting a supply not proud of it, but at least the second chemist realised I'm obviously aware of the rules and he gave in

I'm not proud of my actions and hope no-one else used me as an example of how to play the system just goes to show how deep I'm in the grabs of this addiction and my only thought at the moment is hopefully getting some assistance on monday

It's really hard admitting how deep I'm into this. My wife and kids deserve better from me. My wish is that I can overcome this for them and for me

Wilro, it's amazing what lengths we go to for this awful addiction.

You CAN overcome this, each setback is just that, only a setback. You continue trying, we all continue trying, it's hard, really really hard, but every time we take a step back is an opportunity to learn and use it as strength to try again.

A few months ago I was perfectly happy going to every pharmacy around town, I'd travel up to an hour away to go to other pharmacies so I wouldn't be recognised. Deep down I knew that was a problem but I was ok with it, now with the real time recording we are forced to address our issues, which is a good thing. The way we've been thrust in to it with minimal back up and support is not great, but none the less it forces us to action for ourselves, and for the people in our lives.

I'm still slipping up, making the tablets last longer but just not coping with nothing in my system.

I'm more than happy to connect on Facebook with any of you, it's actually really nice to have this little support network of people who understand. As you said obviously no public discussion of this, but I'd be ok for messages/group message with you guys.

That pharmacist could have handled things so much better. Not a great way to conduct his business, and really, he should know better.

As Becky said, addiction will make so go to extraordinary lengths to obtain codeine, but it's not like we can't dust ourselves and try again.

I've had a terrible weekend. Taken codeine both on Friday and Saturday. I now have none, so I'm just going to wait if out for as long as I can.

Thinking of everyone here.

How are you feeling without it today? I hope it's not being too hard on you and you're managing.

Hey Becky, not feeling great. Almost feel like I'm back to square one. I know I'm not, and that I've come a long way, but that's just how it feels right now.

Mostly feeling irritable and uncomfortable. How are you you been traveling?

You're definitely not back at square one, but it is so frustrating to go backwards. That irritable feeling is awful. All we can do is keep trying, however long it takes and however many setbacks there are.

I've taken codeine again yesterday and today. 6 panadeine extra today, 3 this morning and another 3 this afternoon after fighting with myself for an hour. Angry that I'm taking it, angry that 3 isn't enough in my mind but at the same time I'm trying to make them last.

Part of me is thinking "just stop, just don't take it, you don't need it". Then I try that and I become angry with everything, I'm biting everyone's head off for even looking at me or speaking to me, and the raging headache and tiredness that sets in is crippling. I don't know how not taking it can make me so fatigued, but after a few days where I barely took any and could've slept for hours on end, when I took a slightly higher dose again my energy levels returned to what I'm used to, and I wasn't being such a cow to everyone.

I actually don't know how I will function without it, I feel like the me without codeine isn't a very nice person.

I actually also find that it's very difficult to socialise and interact with people (eg going to the shop and being served by someone, or having to make conversation with people in social situations) without having taken something.

As sad as it is, I prefer who I am when I take it.

I literally could have written everything you just said.

I can say though that the everyday social stuff does improve. It just takes a while. That irritable, bored feeling does does lift and doesn't hang around forever.

I really had to force myself to be even mildly pleasant to other people when I first quit, but I think it's becoming easier. Don't think the way you are feeling is going to last forever. It will lift, and you will feel contentment and enjoyment again. It just takes some time and I think the amount of time is different for every person.

I think I am a better person without codeine, but I am a horrible bitch when withdrawing, and a relatively normal person who experiences mild lows and highs when not going through acute withdrawals.

This won't beat you Becky, just like it won't beat me.

I could have written this too. Especially when it come to interacting with people simply picking up groceries. I'm normally so gentle and friendly but I'm just over it when picking up Bread for example. I don't outwardly show hostility to anyone, that's not in my nature but I'd rather just keep my eyes down and not engage with anyone. I took more today 20 so far. Found another chemist who isn't recording (took 11 phonecalls) and drove 45 minutes to go and get some. I made sure to chat nicely with the pharmacist explaining how difficult it's becoming for people like me (I lied my button off claiming to suffer legitimate pain) to get some now and she really understanding and apologetic. I feel bad for playing her but that's what I tend to do if I'm craving.

I'm betting all my eggs on the specialist appointment tomorrow. I'm going to be 100% honest with him and will make the extra effort to stick to any plan he puts me on.

I Spoke to another pharmacist yesterday (one who knows my addiction), and he wrote me up some information to take to the doctor about tapering plans he's been involved with. Seems as though pharmacists are much more educated and willing help with codeine addiction than most GPs are.

I'll be sure to write here tomorrow afternoon about how my appointment with the addiction/pain medication specialist goes.

Hopefully it can help someone else out. It's $380 but from what I've read he is worth it

Take Care Everyone