Page 2 | To ask how long withdrawal lasts?

Scunthorpee · 2025-06-16T10:37:01+00:00

So for some bizarre reason I have gained a bit of a habit buying Cocodamol and Nurofen plus. It got to a point where my stomach was starting to hurt and realised I was upping my dose so I have decided to nip this in the bud. Yesterday I took 2, this morning I have took 2 and had some diarrhoea (sorry tmi) I felt they helped calm me down after my divorce but in reality they didn’t and I will be so glad and proud to be free of this

Vgtasd · 17/06/2025 21:18

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 20:43

Just getting into bed. Managed to eat quite well for tea so hopefully I sleep ok tonight and see how tomorrow is.

how are you doing @Vgtasd how long has it been since your last dose?

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Took three solpadeine max at 2pm and haven't had any since, thanks so much for asking, I'm worried about sleeping tonight as always took a couple to help me fall asleep, how long until these are fully out of my system?

Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 20:43

FriendofDorothy · 17/06/2025 18:25

You are smashing it!
Definitely over the worst.

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Just getting into bed. Managed to eat quite well for tea so hopefully I sleep ok tonight and see how tomorrow is.

how are you doing @Vgtasd how long has it been since your last dose?

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FriendofDorothy · 17/06/2025 18:25

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 17:54

Obviously there is a nagging in my head to say just take one to relieve how I feel but then I think about how sore my stomach was and it stops me. I look at my beautiful children and I know I can do this.

You are smashing it!
Definitely over the worst.

Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 17:54

Obviously there is a nagging in my head to say just take one to relieve how I feel but then I think about how sore my stomach was and it stops me. I look at my beautiful children and I know I can do this.

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Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 17:51

Keep going. As the day has gone on I have felt drained. Nipped to Tesco to get some magnesium bath and some Nytol which felt like climbing Everest. Hopefully tomorrow a better day.

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Vgtasd · 17/06/2025 17:15

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 15:33

Getting upto 30 hours now, I have the kids so they will be a distraction although I feel really tired

Great OP you are doing brilliantly, I've taken my last three today and am officially off them, you've given me hope ❤️

Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 15:33

Getting upto 30 hours now, I have the kids so they will be a distraction although I feel really tired

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FriendofDorothy · 17/06/2025 13:11

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 11:47

I think there is something called a cold water extraction which can eliminate the paracetamol.

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Crush to a powder.
Mix in water.
Put in the fridge for a couple of hours.
Filter - drink liquid.

Not difficult but protects the liver somewhat if you are using large quantities.

Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 13:05

Ok the plus side, I’ve lost 4 lbs

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Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 12:46

I think a lot of it was when my 20
year relationship ended a few years ago. He met somebody else within 2 weeks and I felt unworthy, scared to be a single parent. Then my doctor gave me the tablets for my sciatica and I immediately felt I could handle it all and supposed was scared to be without them.

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Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 12:31

Yes I think acknowledging why I think I needed these drugs is important.

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DoAWheelie · 17/06/2025 12:01

I've been on and off various opiates through my life and been through withdrawal a fair few times now. I have a fluctuating very painful disability so sometimes go on high doses for a few months before coming off until the next flare up.

I never have strong cravings so I was only fighting the physical symptoms not the mental ones so I can't give any advice on that. Currently I'm on a weekly dose and often forget to take it until the symptoms set in.

It feels a bit like the flu, if you subtracted a cold. So all the flu symptoms without any of the respiratory symptoms. Diarrhea is the main one you'll face - buscopan works well for stopping it. Better than imodium. It's the one that happens first and usually the sign that I've forgotten my weekly dose.

You'll probably also get full body aches and pains, and struggle to sleep. Usually the worst of it is over in a week but you'll feel a bit run down for a couple more after.

I always found cold turkey easier than tapering as it was over with faster, but again, I don't get cravings, just the physical stuff. Tapering might help if you find that side of things harder.

Try and avoid replacing it with something else "to get you through" as you'll just move the habit and be stuck on something else.

Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 11:51

DontTouchRoach · 17/06/2025 10:59

You're under no obligation to tell your GP what you do for a living. And you haven't broken the law.

Unless you were putting children at serious risk - and there is no reason why your GP would think an addiction to legal over-the-counter medicines that you can purchase in any high street store would be a risk to anyone in your care - then you can see your doctor without worrying about your job.

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I don’t know if this is true as being an alcoholic for example would sure as hell put my children at serious risk. This can also be purchased in any high street.

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Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 11:47

Lanzarotelady · 17/06/2025 11:44

How does dissolving tablets remove just the paracetamol?

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I think there is something called a cold water extraction which can eliminate the paracetamol.

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Lanzarotelady · 17/06/2025 11:44

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 17/06/2025 09:43

I don’t think viewing it like that is helpful. Be a bit kinder to yourself. A lot of people have trouble with codeine. That’s why they have the big warnings on the front, like cigarettes. I have chronic pain and codeine is the only thing that even touches the sides some days, its easily done.

FWIW my DP was taking 40 a day at one point (dissolved to remove the paracetamol). It did take him a while to taper down and he used something else (not sure what, it was before we met) to help with withdrawal, but he did it alone too, as due to his work his colleagues would have been aware if he’d gone for help.

As with all addictions, acknowledging the problem is the first step, and being motivated to stop is the next, so you’re already on the way to stopping. You can do it.

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How does dissolving tablets remove just the paracetamol?

Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 11:43

Vgtasd · 17/06/2025 10:21

Yes, I'm down to my last three tablets and I'm determined not to buy another packet x

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Well done you. I am counting down the hours now, I have had a bit of diarrhoea, a bit weak and tired, yawny. Getting on for 28 hours now.

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Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 11:42

DontTouchRoach · 17/06/2025 10:59

You're under no obligation to tell your GP what you do for a living. And you haven't broken the law.

Unless you were putting children at serious risk - and there is no reason why your GP would think an addiction to legal over-the-counter medicines that you can purchase in any high street store would be a risk to anyone in your care - then you can see your doctor without worrying about your job.

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No I know. I suppose I just don’t want this on my records. I doubt it will affect my job as I am a Teacher but still I want to figure out if I can do this on my own.

i googled when I should get help and one of them is if I cannot stop taking them myself (I haven’t tried that yet)

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DontTouchRoach · 17/06/2025 10:59

Scunthorpee · 16/06/2025 11:52

I have to be careful about this because of my job. I don’t think I should do that.

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You're under no obligation to tell your GP what you do for a living. And you haven't broken the law.

Unless you were putting children at serious risk - and there is no reason why your GP would think an addiction to legal over-the-counter medicines that you can purchase in any high street store would be a risk to anyone in your care - then you can see your doctor without worrying about your job.

Witchling · 17/06/2025 10:28

What kind of job do you do op?

Vgtasd · 17/06/2025 10:21

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 07:58

Hi, yes of course. Are you thinking of stopping?

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Yes, I'm down to my last three tablets and I'm determined not to buy another packet x

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 17/06/2025 09:43

Scunthorpee · 16/06/2025 12:21

The withdrawal is a punishment for me being so bloody stupid

I don’t think viewing it like that is helpful. Be a bit kinder to yourself. A lot of people have trouble with codeine. That’s why they have the big warnings on the front, like cigarettes. I have chronic pain and codeine is the only thing that even touches the sides some days, its easily done.

FWIW my DP was taking 40 a day at one point (dissolved to remove the paracetamol). It did take him a while to taper down and he used something else (not sure what, it was before we met) to help with withdrawal, but he did it alone too, as due to his work his colleagues would have been aware if he’d gone for help.

As with all addictions, acknowledging the problem is the first step, and being motivated to stop is the next, so you’re already on the way to stopping. You can do it.

Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 09:36

My stomach pain has also massively improved. I think that was worse than the withdrawal.

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Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 09:24

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 09:22

Yes I suppose they took away the heaviness of everything. I am going to deal with that with counselling. Life is stressful for all of us so there is no excuse.

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Yes, I completely understand that.

Original poster

Scunthorpee · 17/06/2025 09:22

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 09:10

Bless you, you’re being so responsible.

Did you find the meds helped with your mood? I can deal with physical withdrawal but the psychological disturbs me. I just wondered how you feel about that and if it affects you?

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Yes I suppose they took away the heaviness of everything. I am going to deal with that with counselling. Life is stressful for all of us so there is no excuse.

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tinytorch · 17/06/2025 09:11

I don't think it is helpful to people who are trying to reduce of small amounts of codeine these scare stories.

I was responding to the OP's repeated assertions, which are incorrect.

I have read that opioid withdrawal although unpleasant. It isn’t dangerous,

Opioid withdrawal isn’t dangerous.

Maine [sic] drugs absolutely need a safe a safe withdrawal/taper process but opioids aren’t one of them.

Not at all I just know for a fact that opiate withdrawal isn’t dangerous.

I don’t believe anybody has died from opiate withdrawal. They probably overdosed during withdrawal to avoid the withdrawal symptoms

I have, in all my comments to the OP, agreed that she, herself, on this dose she has described should not experience too much of a withdrawal. But that she is incorrect in minimising the difficulties of opiate withdrawal overall.

I was also responding to your assertions which, regardless of your personal experience, was also incorrect.

I work in drug treatment and the facts are the opiate withdrawal is not dangerous. Unpleasant yes but you dont die from opiate withdrawals.

Well, some do.