Here goes...
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 17
Here goes...
I have been taking codeine for around 6-7 years now. At my worst I was taking up to 20 or so a day. To cut a long story short, I went to my GP in November and confessed everything. I had originally been on cocodamol and she instantly put me on pure codeine and she has been reducing it since then. I was on 8 a day and doing okay and then the s**t hit the fan at work and I resigned so I resorted to old habits and turned to the codeine and went up to like 14 a day. I ran out of my 2 week supply pretty quickly so went back to my dr and she wouldn't prescribe me anymore as I had broken out agreement. I explained to my dr that unless she gave me them I would be buying them over the counter and doubling up the doses and she just said 'well that's what you're gonna have to do'. On Monday I bought 2 boxes of Nurofen plus and cocodamol this week and I have pretty much gone through the lot (94 tablets). I
Have been feeling so Ill all week as the Nurofen is 12% codeine and the cocodamol is 8%. What I usually take is 30! I have been so ill sinceo Monday and I feel awful right now - everything aches, got no appetite, diarreah sickness, headache, shivery, runny nose etc. I have had liver and kidney function tests which were fine thank god.
I am wondering whether to persevere with this until the symptoms go and see if I get better, or go and get my script on Monday. I just hate this
Feeling I have, I eouod pay hundreds for some codeine now.
P.s I took loads of cocodMol on Thursday and I took four at once followed by 2 an hour later. That was on. Thursday and my tummy is still hurting x
Have been feeling so Ill all week as the Nurofen is 12% codeine and the cocodamol is 8%. What I usually take is 30! I have been so ill sinceo Monday and I feel awful right now - everything aches, got no appetite, diarreah sickness, headache, shivery, runny nose etc. I have had liver and kidney function tests which were fine thank god.
I am wondering whether to persevere with this until the symptoms go and see if I get better, or go and get my script on Monday. I just hate this
Feeling I have, I eouod pay hundreds for some codeine now.
P.s I took loads of cocodMol on Thursday and I took four at once followed by 2 an hour later. That was on. Thursday and my tummy is still hurting x
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ohio
Posts: 173
Originally Posted by SEJ84 
I have been taking codeine for around 6-7 years now. At my worst I was taking up to 20 or so a day. To cut a long story short, I went to my GP in November and confessed everything. I had originally been on cocodamol and she instantly put me on pure codeine and she has been reducing it since then. I was on 8 a day and doing okay and then the s**t hit the fan at work and I resigned so I resorted to old habits and turned to the codeine and went up to like 14 a day. I ran out of my 2 week supply pretty quickly so went back to my dr and she wouldn't prescribe me anymore as I had broken out agreement. I explained to my dr that unless she gave me them I would be buying them over the counter and doubling up the doses and she just said 'well that's what you're gonna have to do'. On Monday I bought 2 boxes of Nurofen plus and cocodamol this week and I have pretty much gone through the lot (94 tablets). I
Have been feeling so Ill all week as the Nurofen is 12% codeine and the cocodamol is 8%. What I usually take is 30! I have been so ill sinceo Monday and I feel awful right now - everything aches, got no appetite, diarreah sickness, headache, shivery, runny nose etc. I have had liver and kidney function tests which were fine thank god.
I am wondering whether to persevere with this until the symptoms go and see if I get better, or go and get my script on Monday. I just hate this
Feeling I have, I eouod pay hundreds for some codeine now.
P.s I took loads of cocodMol on Thursday and I took four at once followed by 2 an hour later. That was on. Thursday and my tummy is still hurting x
Have been feeling so Ill all week as the Nurofen is 12% codeine and the cocodamol is 8%. What I usually take is 30! I have been so ill sinceo Monday and I feel awful right now - everything aches, got no appetite, diarreah sickness, headache, shivery, runny nose etc. I have had liver and kidney function tests which were fine thank god.
I am wondering whether to persevere with this until the symptoms go and see if I get better, or go and get my script on Monday. I just hate this
Feeling I have, I eouod pay hundreds for some codeine now.
P.s I took loads of cocodMol on Thursday and I took four at once followed by 2 an hour later. That was on. Thursday and my tummy is still hurting x
one thing for sure though you have to try to keep progress spacing out when you take that stuff. the more you take it the more your body is going to want it
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 524
Yea, i was prescribed pain meds and eventually started to take more to cover up the mental pain as well. Once that happened it got out of control. I quit 180mg of oxy a day cold turkey last Sept.
Things really get better after about 5 or so days.
Do you want to stop but cant fight the cravings?
There are some non-narcotic meds that take the edge off withdrawal if you are serious a out quitting.
For now stay hydrated, and if you can afford those nutrition shakes they sell at pharmacies, it is easier to drink those than eat food at first. Your body will feel better if you give it what it needs to get thru the detox phase.
Things really get better after about 5 or so days.
Do you want to stop but cant fight the cravings?
There are some non-narcotic meds that take the edge off withdrawal if you are serious a out quitting.
For now stay hydrated, and if you can afford those nutrition shakes they sell at pharmacies, it is easier to drink those than eat food at first. Your body will feel better if you give it what it needs to get thru the detox phase.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 17
Hi, thanks for everyone's helps and advice.
I started taking cocodamol for a hit and run car accident I was involved in (they never caught the driver) I fractured my hip, so was given the cocodamol for that. As well as taking these, I was also given pericyazine and amitriptaline, as I had bad flashbacks and nightmares, I am desperate to get off them. I pick up my script tomorrow morning and I'm already excited about getting my next dose. But part of me doesn't want to go and collect it as I feel like I have managed a week without them so may as well keep going. This is the 7th day without them and I'm still suffering with withdrawal. My parents know about my problem but my partner and friends don't know, although they've sometimes got suspicious with the amount I'm taking. I take the codeine to deal with any problems I have and do give me confidence in social situations as I feel like it makes me more chatty. Also I am a teacher and feel like taking codeine makes me a better teacher, which is BS as I was a good teacher before I started taking it...it's just my way of legitimising taking it. I finish work in May and I am considering going into rehab then, but hoping to be off if by then. The one thing I have noticed this week is that I have been finding it much easier to get up in the mornings and haven't had a "hangover" whereas when I was on the high strength codeine I would find getting up in the morning a struggle and would be late for work. On a Sunday I would usually wake up at midday but today I have woken up at 8am. I have been to AA meetings 80 miles away but not been in a while, I did find them supportive.
I started taking cocodamol for a hit and run car accident I was involved in (they never caught the driver) I fractured my hip, so was given the cocodamol for that. As well as taking these, I was also given pericyazine and amitriptaline, as I had bad flashbacks and nightmares, I am desperate to get off them. I pick up my script tomorrow morning and I'm already excited about getting my next dose. But part of me doesn't want to go and collect it as I feel like I have managed a week without them so may as well keep going. This is the 7th day without them and I'm still suffering with withdrawal. My parents know about my problem but my partner and friends don't know, although they've sometimes got suspicious with the amount I'm taking. I take the codeine to deal with any problems I have and do give me confidence in social situations as I feel like it makes me more chatty. Also I am a teacher and feel like taking codeine makes me a better teacher, which is BS as I was a good teacher before I started taking it...it's just my way of legitimising taking it. I finish work in May and I am considering going into rehab then, but hoping to be off if by then. The one thing I have noticed this week is that I have been finding it much easier to get up in the mornings and haven't had a "hangover" whereas when I was on the high strength codeine I would find getting up in the morning a struggle and would be late for work. On a Sunday I would usually wake up at midday but today I have woken up at 8am. I have been to AA meetings 80 miles away but not been in a while, I did find them supportive.
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Western NY
Posts: 1,209
SEJ84 - congrats on making it 7 days already. If you have been able to tough it out this far I don't see why you don't just keep plugging away. The withdrawal will get much better with time, and I found the biggest improvement from day 5 through say days 10-14. Has the withdrawal been letting up from days 2-3?
You could try some OTC meds as Drummer mentioned. Advil/Tylenol helped me with leg/bone pain. Imodium can help with stomach problems. Those were probably the three best OTC meds that actually helped me. Drummer may have a more extensive list for you.
Exercising and taking hot bathes were probably more beneficial to me than OTC meds though. Both of those were lifesavers during the process. I wasn't able to do much in the way of exercise in the beginning, but I would at least get up and walk around for as long as I could. Exercising would help the RLS somewhat. Hot bathes were the best for helping with sleep and soothing the pain in the legs.
I hope this helps. Keep plugging away and it will all be worth it.
You could try some OTC meds as Drummer mentioned. Advil/Tylenol helped me with leg/bone pain. Imodium can help with stomach problems. Those were probably the three best OTC meds that actually helped me. Drummer may have a more extensive list for you.
Exercising and taking hot bathes were probably more beneficial to me than OTC meds though. Both of those were lifesavers during the process. I wasn't able to do much in the way of exercise in the beginning, but I would at least get up and walk around for as long as I could. Exercising would help the RLS somewhat. Hot bathes were the best for helping with sleep and soothing the pain in the legs.
I hope this helps. Keep plugging away and it will all be worth it.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 17
I am coming round to the idea of seeing if I can continue this and not pick up my meds tomorrow. Hoping I have the willpower! The symptoms have definitely lessened since days 2-3 so hearing it gets better at day 10-14 is a comfort.
I have been taking immodium and paracetamol but found that the immodium just upset my tummy and have me such belly pain I stopped taking it. Figured it was probably best to let my body get rid of all the toxins and let it all out, so to speak.
Funny you should mention a hot bath, as I've just had one and found that it helped with all the aches and pains and the shivers.
Thanks for your advice
I have been taking immodium and paracetamol but found that the immodium just upset my tummy and have me such belly pain I stopped taking it. Figured it was probably best to let my body get rid of all the toxins and let it all out, so to speak.
Funny you should mention a hot bath, as I've just had one and found that it helped with all the aches and pains and the shivers.
Thanks for your advice
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 524
I was prescribed clonidine for for the withdrawal. I just told my dr that I wanted to stop, detox, and see where my pain levels were. Clonidine is actually a blood pressure med so i had to monitor my blood pressure every few hours or if I started feeling "off". I have detoxed twice and both times the clonidine reduced the acute withdrawal symptoms by about %40.
It helps with restlessness, night sweats, etc. but it does make you a bit drowsy.
Other than that, they have given me ativan for anxiety, Klonopin for sleep, Gabapetrin for pain(and it seems to lift my mood a bit), and Wellbutrin for depression. Because I was using the meds for mental relief as much as pain relief.
Yea, it is a lot of meds, but they have worked for me.
Everyone is different, since the doctors got me addicted to the pain meds, I had no problem going to them and telling them the truth and asking for help. It is VERY common for people with pain combined with some mental trauma to get hooked on these opiates. I see no shame in telling my wife and close friends my struggle with the opiate pain meds.
It was such a relief to tell my wife, my mother, and my doctors that I needed help.
Oh, and like others have mentioned, there are plenty of OTC meds to help as well if you choose that route. But like I said, doctors pushed these meds on me, they darn well better help getting off them and finding pain management that doesnt involve opiates/opioids.
One last thing, my pain levels actually DECREASED after stopping the Oxy. Which is somewhat common for people that have been on opiates for awhile (opioid induced hyperalgesia).
It helps with restlessness, night sweats, etc. but it does make you a bit drowsy.
Other than that, they have given me ativan for anxiety, Klonopin for sleep, Gabapetrin for pain(and it seems to lift my mood a bit), and Wellbutrin for depression. Because I was using the meds for mental relief as much as pain relief.
Yea, it is a lot of meds, but they have worked for me.
Everyone is different, since the doctors got me addicted to the pain meds, I had no problem going to them and telling them the truth and asking for help. It is VERY common for people with pain combined with some mental trauma to get hooked on these opiates. I see no shame in telling my wife and close friends my struggle with the opiate pain meds.
It was such a relief to tell my wife, my mother, and my doctors that I needed help.
Oh, and like others have mentioned, there are plenty of OTC meds to help as well if you choose that route. But like I said, doctors pushed these meds on me, they darn well better help getting off them and finding pain management that doesnt involve opiates/opioids.
One last thing, my pain levels actually DECREASED after stopping the Oxy. Which is somewhat common for people that have been on opiates for awhile (opioid induced hyperalgesia).
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 17
Hi Drummer,
Well after all my hard work, I caved in this morning and went to collect my script at 8am. I was determined not to take it but it got to about 10.30 and I was feeling so awful that I took 2. The effects wore off after a while and started feeling crappy again so took 2 more at about 3.
I have just been to see my doctor and told her that I want to go cold turkey, but she advised against it and said I was best off stopping taking it gradually. I asked her if she could put me on clodine, but she said that's not licensed here in the UK. I mentioned her putting me on some of the other stuff you suggested and she said that some of them (or one of them?) contained opiates and that she didn't want to be substituting one opiate for another.
So for now, she has put me on Buscopan for the tummy cramps and Chlorphenamine and Loratadine. She said these should help with the itching and runny nose, and would also help me to sleep (I've also even suffering with insomnia).
I think I am going to try and keep my dosage at between 4-6. Then when I stop working in May, I am going to go cold turkey and see if I can just grizz it!
Well after all my hard work, I caved in this morning and went to collect my script at 8am. I was determined not to take it but it got to about 10.30 and I was feeling so awful that I took 2. The effects wore off after a while and started feeling crappy again so took 2 more at about 3.
I have just been to see my doctor and told her that I want to go cold turkey, but she advised against it and said I was best off stopping taking it gradually. I asked her if she could put me on clodine, but she said that's not licensed here in the UK. I mentioned her putting me on some of the other stuff you suggested and she said that some of them (or one of them?) contained opiates and that she didn't want to be substituting one opiate for another.
So for now, she has put me on Buscopan for the tummy cramps and Chlorphenamine and Loratadine. She said these should help with the itching and runny nose, and would also help me to sleep (I've also even suffering with insomnia).
I think I am going to try and keep my dosage at between 4-6. Then when I stop working in May, I am going to go cold turkey and see if I can just grizz it!
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Western NY
Posts: 1,209
SEJ84 - your doctor said that Gabapentin, Ativan, Klonopin or Wellbutrin contains opiates? We all have to follow professional medical advice, but I think we also have to do our own homework on any medications we are considering. Can your doctor back that claim up? I have had doctors tell me certain drugs were in a whole different class than they actually were (i.e. I was told Clonidine was a benzo by an 'addiction specialist'). If one of them does contain opiates I would like to know so I can avoid it.
The following link is from the manufacturer / supplier in the UK of Catapres (brand name for Clonidine HCL). If you go through the list and click on Catapres you can get further information on it. I am not going to pretend to have a clue about prescription drug laws in the UK, but everything I found on it showed that it is used in the UK. Maybe you could print this out and bring it to your doctor to ask her what she is talking about. It could have to do with on-label versus off-label prescribing.
Prescription Medicines
As far as the script goes, I can tell you that I told myself the same thing countless times when getting a script. Oh, I am going to be a good boy this time and just take the prescribed dose. Every single time without exception that went out the window before the first day was over. If you already made it through the first 7 days I personally don't see the point of getting back on them if you are looking to quit. Of course, I am not saying that you should go against your doctor's advice, but that doesn't keep you from getting a second opinion either.
The following link is from the manufacturer / supplier in the UK of Catapres (brand name for Clonidine HCL). If you go through the list and click on Catapres you can get further information on it. I am not going to pretend to have a clue about prescription drug laws in the UK, but everything I found on it showed that it is used in the UK. Maybe you could print this out and bring it to your doctor to ask her what she is talking about. It could have to do with on-label versus off-label prescribing.
Prescription Medicines
As far as the script goes, I can tell you that I told myself the same thing countless times when getting a script. Oh, I am going to be a good boy this time and just take the prescribed dose. Every single time without exception that went out the window before the first day was over. If you already made it through the first 7 days I personally don't see the point of getting back on them if you are looking to quit. Of course, I am not saying that you should go against your doctor's advice, but that doesn't keep you from getting a second opinion either.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 17
Yes, she said one of them contained opiates (I am not sure which) I am going again next Monday so I will try and find out which ones she meant. I really was hoping that today she would give me something for the withdrawal 
I feel quite disappointed in myself. I have only taken 6 today so I am relatively pleased with that, although feel some sense of anguish that I didn't continue with going cold turkey.
Would you mind posting that link again please as it didn't work?
I feel quite disappointed in myself. I have only taken 6 today so I am relatively pleased with that, although feel some sense of anguish that I didn't continue with going cold turkey.Would you mind posting that link again please as it didn't work?
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Western NY
Posts: 1,209
Sure. See if it works this time: "www dot boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk/products/prescription_medicines.html"
I don't think there is any point in being hard on yourself at this point. You made it through 7 days of cold turkey which is a feat in itself. You were able to cut down on your use which is a step in the right direction. It is what you do moving forward that matters. Others have been able to successfully taper their meds and they had good luck with it. It didn't work for me, but that definitely doesn't mean that it can't work for you.
I don't think there is any point in being hard on yourself at this point. You made it through 7 days of cold turkey which is a feat in itself. You were able to cut down on your use which is a step in the right direction. It is what you do moving forward that matters. Others have been able to successfully taper their meds and they had good luck with it. It didn't work for me, but that definitely doesn't mean that it can't work for you.
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 524
I asked my medicine specialist today if there is any opiates or opiods in the meds i am taking, and she said no. So I am not sure what your dr is referring too? Strange.
Oh, doctors will always say to taper off medications, but some people just need to go CT. I just cant take the slow process of tapering, you still feel the withdrawals to a degree, and you have the meds to take the pain away.
Thats too bad about the clonidine, that stuff really has worked for me.
The only thing that I am taking related to opiates is the Loperamide (Imodium), an OTC med for diarrhea, but it doesnt cross the blood/brain barrier. It gives relief for stomach issues, but I have never felt it work against any other acute withdrawal symptoms.
Oh, doctors will always say to taper off medications, but some people just need to go CT. I just cant take the slow process of tapering, you still feel the withdrawals to a degree, and you have the meds to take the pain away.
Thats too bad about the clonidine, that stuff really has worked for me.
The only thing that I am taking related to opiates is the Loperamide (Imodium), an OTC med for diarrhea, but it doesnt cross the blood/brain barrier. It gives relief for stomach issues, but I have never felt it work against any other acute withdrawal symptoms.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 17
Hi all,
Well today I went back up to 8 a day and feel quite disappointed in myself. But I feel "normal" again, whatever that even is, I don't even know anymore as it's been so long that I have been taking codeine. The irony is, is that this really isn't normal!
I tried that link you suggested but it still didn't work
Drummer, I am going back to my Dr again on Monday so I will ask about the clonidine, maybe she has her wires crossed.
I really feel that going cold turkey is the best option for me, I just need meds to help me through it.
Well today I went back up to 8 a day and feel quite disappointed in myself. But I feel "normal" again, whatever that even is, I don't even know anymore as it's been so long that I have been taking codeine. The irony is, is that this really isn't normal!
I tried that link you suggested but it still didn't work
Drummer, I am going back to my Dr again on Monday so I will ask about the clonidine, maybe she has her wires crossed.
I really feel that going cold turkey is the best option for me, I just need meds to help me through it.
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