Was prescribed codeine on a fairly regular basis from age 19 for severely painful periods - would end up in hospital on a drip and morphine each month . That’s been investigated and told I ‘probably’ have endometriosis, definitely have adhesions on my ovary and bowel .
I ended up addicted to codeine, partly through poor mental health, partly through being in a lot of pain for most of the month .
My current GP managed to help me get off it and suggested mental health help for the pain, which mostly works - I am still in agony once a month so am given very controlled amounts of cocodamol or dihydrocodeine for the shortest possible time .
Have previously tried just about everything in the book - most hormonal treatments including ‘menopause’ injections, mirena, pill, utovlan - Mentla health think it’s some sort of chronic thing complicated hugely by ptsd .
Every time I take codeine I’m so ill after - withdrawal each time, even if it’s only been for 5 days . Vomiting, diarrhoea, I get the shakes, mood swings . It’s hell .
And when I’m not taking it I crave it, I’m looking for it, have to physically avoid going into pharmacies etc .
And then I get over it after a few days; and then my period starts again two weeks later, and back to square one again .
GP says nothing to worry about - but I do stress, very much so - seems whatever I do it doesn’t work .
Does dependency/addiction ever go away or is it always there? Alcoholism runs in my family sadly, though know this is different, relatives always say once you’re sober you can’t ever drink again .,, can same be true with pain relief? What do they do if you’re in acute pain in that case?