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Original poster

Codeine, how does it make you feel?

128 replies

Absentmindedwoman · 29/04/2022 20:23

I sometimes need to take this on the first day of my period (I have adenomyosis, and possible endometriosis) as I did yesterday.

It makes me feel so yuck though, in a hard to describe way. Don't get me wrong - I'm really grateful it stopped the pain yesterday, but it makes me slightly queasy and off colour, and my muscles feel unnaturally slack and floppy Confused I find it really unpleasant and just all wrong. Better of course that writhing in menstrual agony, but not quite myself.

Obviously, there are people who develop a codeine habit and become addicted. Am curious how they feel if they take it? What kind of pleasant feeling do they get that makes them want more of it - is it a mental buzz?

It must be to do with individual neurochemistry/ brain receptors as to why some people find it enjoyable and others don't.

OP posts:
MuchTooTired · 29/04/2022 20:25

It doesn’t make me feel anything different, just stops the pain and that’s it.

GodspeedJune · 29/04/2022 20:27

I have to take it for endometriosis at the beginning of my period too. I hate it. Makes me feel all weird and yuck. Fuzzy headed and hard to concentrate.

Original poster
Absentmindedwoman · 29/04/2022 20:28

MuchTooTired · 29/04/2022 20:25

It doesn’t make me feel anything different, just stops the pain and that’s it.

Do you take it daily?

Am glad it stops your pain. Severe pain is such a bastard! Makes it impossible to focus on anything apart from the pain.

OP posts:

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SNWannabe · 29/04/2022 20:29

i used to enjoy codeine and i felt like that feeling you get when the second class of wine hits and you feel a little swishy but pleasant…
But now if i take codeine it makes me feel sick and yucky and i avoid it now.

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 29/04/2022 20:30

I like it! It makes me feel spacey and relaxed. I can see how people get dependent on it!

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/04/2022 20:31

I have a sensitivity to it (not an allergy) and it makes me very ill. Pain is a bastard.

SusanSHelit · 29/04/2022 20:31

I also sometimes have to take it off for period pain, also suspected endo, and it if the pain is really really bad it just takes the pain away, which is a strange sensation as I can still feel my insides cramping up but it doesn't actually hurt.

If it's borderline bad enough, codeine makes me feel sort of woozy and almost light headed. A sort of relaxed sensation but a not at all pleasant one. Almost like being a little bit drunk but with only the wobbly feeling and none of the fun bits.

It is hard to describe but it's definitely not a feeling I would ever intentionally seek out.

NutellaEllaElla · 29/04/2022 20:32

It doesn't take pain away for me, just makes me feel like I might vomit.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 29/04/2022 20:33

Constipated.

I don’t really get the pain relief benefits from it unless we’re talking 30mg+ but the side effects are so vile that I’d rather take other pain relief.

gamerchick · 29/04/2022 20:34

Have you tried naproxen? It doesn't give you a buzz.

Likeli · 29/04/2022 20:34

I have a weird reaction to codeine every time I take it.
Gets rid of the original pain but also makes me sick a few hours later and stomach pains which are arguably worse that the original pain. Also can get very itchy all over and will have hiccups for a few days afterwards.

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/04/2022 20:40

Likeli · 29/04/2022 20:34

I have a weird reaction to codeine every time I take it.
Gets rid of the original pain but also makes me sick a few hours later and stomach pains which are arguably worse that the original pain. Also can get very itchy all over and will have hiccups for a few days afterwards.

This is me! Horrible.

chisanunian · 29/04/2022 20:40

The last time I had any codeing (prescribed by an out of hours GP) it had a drastic effect on my blood pressure which dropped dangerously low and I was unconscious for several minutes. DH had to call an ambulance for me and I got carted off to hospital, and was kept in overnight on a saline drip to bring my blood pressure back up. On doctor's orders I'm not allowed to take it any more.

TrainspottingWelsh · 29/04/2022 20:40

I’m not a regular user, just for the odd injury and once for a tooth abscess, and it only seems to work as pain relief for me, I don’t otherwise notice I’ve taken anything.
However I do have adhd and I’m aware that I seem to have a very high tolerance for drugs that seem to give most people a high.

TheCanyon · 29/04/2022 20:40

Doesn't do anything to me. Makes dh spaced out.

I don't seem to get nice reactions from any of the 'nice' meds. Tramadol, diazepam, codeine, morphine. I got some super strength painkillers last year, Dr warned me to be with someone when I take them and just lie down and let them work magic, Bugger all, most disappointing day of my life.

DontKeepTheFaith · 29/04/2022 20:41

I hate it. I struggle to function after taking it, feel hot and nauseous. Helps me sleep so if I lie down it is alright.

I only take it for migraines and I have to avoid it at work and just struggle through with paracetamol and ibuprofen. It does help a bit with the pain though.

CatLadyDrinksGin · 29/04/2022 20:42

Think I’m mostly immune to pain killers- no effects from any of them apart from a slight reduction in pain, no effects from codeine, tramadol, oromorph…

LunaTheCat · 29/04/2022 20:44

I had abdominal pain once and was given a massive dose by an after hrs doctor - I didn’t wake up for about 3 days.

vipersnest1 · 29/04/2022 20:45

I have taken it in the past for severe pain, but due to other issues, it's impact on my gut is less than desirable (sorry!)
The alternative offered to me, meptazinol, makes me feel exactly the way you describe.

PammieDooveOrangeJoof · 29/04/2022 20:45

I can’t speak properly or feel my face when I take it. Only take it if absolutely have to (like after having tonsils out etc)
Naproxen is amazing for period pains but doesn’t give me the awful feeling.

hassletassle · 29/04/2022 20:47

Same as you Op for the same reason. Woozy, dizzy unwell and in need of a lie down. I don't take it unless desperate.

itsthesoundofthepolice · 29/04/2022 20:49

I get codeine prescribed a few times a year when a back injury flares up. It does t make me feel any different and doesn't really help with the pain.

ExDH couldn't even take the lowest dose without needing to go for a lie down/sleep because he was so spaced out.

It's fascinating to me how it can have such different results for different people

A580Hojas · 29/04/2022 20:49

Nauseous and constipated. I have had to take it, very occasionally, and I find it hideous but if you have excruciating pain there isn't much choice.

I once took some otc Nurofen + Codeine for my unbearable tension headache and it made me feel so sick I had to cancel my scheduled appointment with the chiropractor who was helping to heal me.

Roystonv · 29/04/2022 20:51

Makes me feel awful along with a sensation that I have ice running through my chest. Used to be able to take it with no problem. First time I reacted I made myself sick and that helped, same second time then I stopped using it. Would like to know what it does to me and why

MrOllivander · 29/04/2022 20:51

CatLadyDrinksGin · 29/04/2022 20:42

Think I’m mostly immune to pain killers- no effects from any of them apart from a slight reduction in pain, no effects from codeine, tramadol, oromorph…

Same
I've taken 60mg dihydrocodeine 4 times a day with naproxen, diazepam, paracetomol and oramorph. Nada

I also ping awake from GA starving and then don't sleep for 2 days Confused