What to expect when stopping codeine?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 5
What to expect when stopping codeine?
Hi,
I have today decided to stop taking codeine.
I have been taking a minimum of 300mg every day for about 13 months.
I took my last 10 tablets at 12pm last night. Just wondering when I should expect withdrawal symptoms to start, and exactly what symptoms to expect.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post.
I am feeling very scared and anxious
I have today decided to stop taking codeine.
I have been taking a minimum of 300mg every day for about 13 months.
I took my last 10 tablets at 12pm last night. Just wondering when I should expect withdrawal symptoms to start, and exactly what symptoms to expect.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post.
I am feeling very scared and anxious
Last edited by XxjojoxX; 02-01-2013 at 04:14 PM. Reason: Missing word
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 47
i can only speak for myself, obviously. i'm sure things are different from person to person. but in my experience...i had terrible shakes. i had trouble sleeping, yet was sleepy. i was sick to my stomach all the time. cold sweats. it was a very rough 5 days. after day 5 i felt 10x better. i missed it for awhile, but always remembered how sucky the withdrawals were.
please PLEASE see a doctor if you need to detox. it is the safest bet. i did it on my own, but i was foolish.
congrats on your decision to quit. don't give up! i know you can do this.
please PLEASE see a doctor if you need to detox. it is the safest bet. i did it on my own, but i was foolish.
congrats on your decision to quit. don't give up! i know you can do this.
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 1,733
Opiate withdrawal isn't pleasant. Codeine is far from the hardest opiate to kick but it will be unpleasant - really peeking your misery in about 12-24 hours after your last dosage. This is't medical advice. This is what I did while in opiate withdrawal which is rarely dangerous or fatal. Bundle up, get movies, sip chicken broth, take hot baths and showers, sip ginger ale and juice to hydrate or popsicels, use tiger balm and heating pads for sore and achy muscles. Stay away from caffiene. Go on gentle walks to detox. Just make yourself comfortable as possible and you won't want to be social at all. You'll feel like you have the flu for a bit.
And then as soon as possible or tonight if withdrawals aren't intolerable yet (and they might not be!) get to an AA or NA meeting. Just sit and listen and ask for the book and maybe a phone number or two. Just walk up and say, Want to exchange phone numbers? People want to. It's not weird at all. And they are of great use to you right now - because they have been where you are.
Getting sober is fairly simple but staying sober so you never have this fear and dependence again will take some work that you will be able to do by just gently pushing yourself in the right direction.
Pray.
Stay here and keep posting!!
And then as soon as possible or tonight if withdrawals aren't intolerable yet (and they might not be!) get to an AA or NA meeting. Just sit and listen and ask for the book and maybe a phone number or two. Just walk up and say, Want to exchange phone numbers? People want to. It's not weird at all. And they are of great use to you right now - because they have been where you are.
Getting sober is fairly simple but staying sober so you never have this fear and dependence again will take some work that you will be able to do by just gently pushing yourself in the right direction.
Pray.
Stay here and keep posting!!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 5
Thank you so much for the advice.
I am not really noticing anything yet, so just keeping busy.
I have only just told my fiancé what is going on, and he is being surprisingly supportive. I was worred what his reaction would be, but having him here, being so understanding is helping my anxiety a lot.
I am not really noticing anything yet, so just keeping busy.
I have only just told my fiancé what is going on, and he is being surprisingly supportive. I was worred what his reaction would be, but having him here, being so understanding is helping my anxiety a lot.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 626
I think it is great you have the support of your fiance. That's important!!
I agree that opiate withdrawal isn't pleasant but it's doable!!
Hot baths felt sooooo good. I detoxed from methadone and it was really bad for a long time. Yours won't be anything like that.
Drink plenty of fluids, eat as healthy as possible, get plenty of rest and keep your mind busy!!=)
You can do this!!=)
I agree that opiate withdrawal isn't pleasant but it's doable!!
Hot baths felt sooooo good. I detoxed from methadone and it was really bad for a long time. Yours won't be anything like that.
Drink plenty of fluids, eat as healthy as possible, get plenty of rest and keep your mind busy!!=)
You can do this!!=)
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 5
I am starting to have really bad muscle pain and cramps.
I am having a mild panic attack at the moment and not sure how to calm down, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
If this is just the start, I'm not sure i am mentally strong enough for this.
I feel so alone and scared I'm freaking out............
I am having a mild panic attack at the moment and not sure how to calm down, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
If this is just the start, I'm not sure i am mentally strong enough for this.
I feel so alone and scared I'm freaking out............
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 556
Best to speak to your doctor as others have said.
It took me about 2 weeks to be over it. That's seems the norm reading others posts. The restless legs when trying to get off to sleep were the killer for me. As said, baths are good. I lived in the bath.
Good luck.
It took me about 2 weeks to be over it. That's seems the norm reading others posts. The restless legs when trying to get off to sleep were the killer for me. As said, baths are good. I lived in the bath.
Good luck.
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 1,733
You are mentally strong enough to deal with it. Call the NA or AA support line and see if someone there can talk with you. Help you know that you are strong enough. You lived without codeine before and you can again. The withdrawals are not fatal or dangerous. Just very unpleasant. You will feel better without this misreable drug one day. I promise. My thoughts and prayers are with you..................
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