Unexpected withdrawals, please help need some advice
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi all
I have been using codeine for the last 2 years which started out innocently enough being prescribed by my GP for an injury. However slowly but surely I became more and more dependent on the drug and without really even realising it I am now taking huge doses each day, mainly before bed and sometimes a top up in the afternoon to satisfy my addiction.
I am ashamed to say I hadn't really even intended on coming off the drug, I love the feeling it gives me and I have become depdendent on it. I know I need to stop but suppose I don't feel ready just yet or that I really want to.
However, my last prescription has been refused unexpectedly. This was not what I was expecting and had used pretty much all of my tablets just assuming that the next prescription would be approved and I would have my next months supply. Apparently the decision is final and cannot be changed.
I am going out of my mind. I found this out last night and don't know what to do. I hadn't planned on this and am now really not looking forward to riding the withdrawals that are about to come. I only have 2 30mg tablets left which is nothing. I am already feeling agitated, needing to swallow a lot (weird) and think it's starting already.
Please can I have some advice for coping mechanisms. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise and is the start of me stopping these awful drugs. But as I say, I was not prepared or in the frame of mind. Any tips on things to take/do to help would be so welcome.
Thanks
0 likes, 11 replies
Bolo6 AMK88
Posted
You need to ask why your script has been refused, no doctor would just stop someone's medication of Opiates, when there is a chance that they may have become addicted to it, they would taper you down if they thought the current dose wasn't required, especially if you are on "huge doses" they just wouldn't stop you dead like that!
The huge doses that you are taking, is this all on prescription, or are you buying over the counter as well? How much Codeine are you taking per day, and in combination with what, Paracetamol or Ibuprofen? If you are consuming large doses, then sudden cessation will unfortunately place you in a world of suffering, If you cannot get any joy, quickly, with your GP, then I advise going to the local A&E Dept, explaining the situation to them, suddenly stopping your opiate intake can have very serious consequences, I don't know your story, but something doesn't seem right regarding the actions of the doctor!
AMK88 Bolo6
Posted
Unfortunately after I got a taste for codeine I was no longer getting it on prescription from my regular GP and reverted to buying online. I know the dangers of this but found a seemingly good online pharmacy that I have found to be legit and have had no problems with. Unfortunately for me being able to easily order behind a computer has just fed my addiction. The order I purchased a couple of days ago was declined due to showing on my account a long history of ordering the same medication. I guess they have become wise to the habits of some people. I take anything from 300-600mg a day. Most of this is through 30mg codeine tablets, some of this is through nurofen plus and solpadine max. I am ashamed of myself even writing this out. I never thought I would have to label myself a 'drug addict'. I suppose it really can happen to anyone. I am 24 years old, I am a PE teacher so I know all about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, but I just can't seem to kick this. And because my regular GP has no idea, I can't go there for tapering etc.
susan89127 AMK88
Posted
with coming off the co codamol in a controlled manner. It seems very unfair that they have stopped your meds
with no assistance or advice as to how to reduce them safely.
AMK88 susan89127
Posted
As I have mentioned to the above poster, I don't feel that I can go to my GP about this because my codeine habit has arisen out of ordering from an online pharmacy. All good when I needed my supply but I suppose that's the danger that at anytime they can cut you off, unlike a GP. They have cancelled my order due to my order history showing regular ordering of the same medication for a long time, so I guess they've sussed it's not being used for pain anymore. Wish I'd never started in the first place!
plainden AMK88
Posted
hi go to your GP and tell them whats been going on.I have been taking Solpadeine soluble for 20years or so (a max of 12 a day generally).I have never got them from my GP but have to go on buying "trips" to stock up.I did go and see my GP who was great.I told him my story and he put me on a reducing dose of codeine so there was a period when I was drug free.But after a few months I went back on for whatever reason.I am also a recovering alki (no booze for 25 yrs or more) but I think i have concluded that I am someone with an addictive personality and after I kick the Opiates I'll not doubt find another "vice" whether it be cake or hard drugs or whatever.So go see your GP.If they are no good,change and see someone else.Good Luck.
Sweats5377 AMK88
Posted
Hi AMK88,
The two above posts are very helpful and I would book into the Dr however I would say go cold turkey. I have been off these pills for about a year now and it's very hard but doable. It took me about 6-10 weeks to get over, roughly a week for physical symptoms and the rest was mental but it's different for everyone. I found myselfgetting 1% better everyday until I reached normality again.
Get some normal paracetemol some dioralite, eat healthy and force yourself to do as much exercise as you can even if its a 5 minute walk. If you work be prepared to take a few days sick I had a week off to deal with the physical symptoms, diorhea, sickness, sweats etc.
That is just my suggestion and my symptoms, everybody is different but good luck either way. You can kick the drug I promise you even if it seems impossible at the moment.
If you feel you can't, then do as the above suggest and see your Dr about tapering off.
Sweatz
AMK88 Sweats5377
Posted
Thanks for your reply. As I've put above, I can't really go to my GP because it's not them who has stopped the prescription, it's an online pharmacy who I have been using that I guess have got wise to my ordering habits and have said enough is enough.
Thank you for your advice, I am feeling really nervous about what is to come. Luckily I am on Easter holidays anyway at the moment as I am a teacher. But still, really worried about the next few days, already feel like I can't face it.
susan89127 AMK88
Posted
All good suggestions here. If you decide you don't want to go cold turkey,
I'm sure your GP could help you if you explain how you obtained your medication. I'm sure they have
heard worse stories and would be only too happy to help you reduce them in a safe way. All the best whatever you decide.
Sweats5377 AMK88
Posted
If you really feel you can't go to your GP for help. The only way I suppose is cold turkey. Day 3 is normally when you will start to see symptoms occur and they will last for roughly 3-4 days. I looked into this alot when I came off codeine and seemed to be abit of a pattern.
I know your nervous but stay strong you can do it. Many others have too. Just stay possitive and as healthy as possible for the next 5 days. It's very important to tell yourself how much better you feel from the day before to remind youself its temporary even though it could take a while. Make sure you get dioralite or a diorhea replenishment drink to stop dehydration as you will be on the toilet alot. You may find depending on your daily dose its not as bad as you think.
Now is the time to quit because if you're taking co-codamol the paracetemol could be doing unrepairable damage.
Good luck!
Sweatz
Bolo6 AMK88
Posted
As has been mentioned above, it doesnt matter that the doctors aren't the ones who have been supplying you're medication, the GP will just treat your immediate problem, which is opiate addiction, they will enquire as to the reason you started taking them, but that is all. I went cold turkey, twice, because i was both embarrassed, and concerned about getting an addiction history on my medical records, so I fully understand you're reluctance to do so. If you can take a week off work, and lock yourself away from meeting any regular friends or family, then by the end of that week, you should be over the worst physical symptoms, explosive diarrhoea, restless legs being the worst, it isn't a pleasant procedure and you will suffer, there is no magical antidote to that, but just thinking that after 7 days, you will be over the worst, makes it more bearable. A week of feeling awful is a small price to pay for a new healthy, enjoyable life. As I said, there are always s people on here who are willing to help!
Bolo6 AMK88
Posted
Comparing your original post, to what you have said since, shows that you are finding it hard to be completely open, which I fully understand, if you want, you can send me a private message, I have gone through cold turkey twice, one was relatively easy, one wasn't, I can give you an honest description of what it was like, so please don't hesitate to make contact if you wish!