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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Codeine Addiction! I am a drug addict through no fault of my own

40 replies

MaBella · 15/12/2010 22:19

AIBU to think that HCP should warn patients about the addicitive nature of codeine based painkillers before dishing out prescriptions for them?

I was given them after the birth of DC3. I had a CS and was in a lot of pain for several months after. I was given a script for Co-Codamol 30/500 which was put on repeat for me.

15 months later I am still taking them because when I try to stop I get awful withdrawal symptoms!

I am a drug addict through no fault of my own and I am so angry.

I am going to stop taking them after Christams. DH is going to take a week off work and I am going to go cold turkey. I am dreading it and I'm scared too

OP posts:
LittleMissHoHoHoFit · 15/12/2010 22:22

Oh love, no advice, as I wouldn't know where to start, but I really hope you get some help from somewhere and it's not too painful for you.

wewishyouamerrylissiemas · 15/12/2010 22:24

have you spoken to your doctor about coming off them? iiuc you need to manage it rather than just stopping taking them.

good luck

PonceyMcPonce · 15/12/2010 22:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

freddiestarratemyhandbag · 15/12/2010 22:24

YANBU, I hope you get the support you need.

My MIL gets co-codamol on prescription and for some reason always gives them to DH, who has a cronic neck condition. The co-codamol doesn't help much but I noticed when he was taking them a lot. Wish she wouldn't bring them into our house! Angry

AngelZigzagsSparklyYuletideLog · 15/12/2010 22:24

I know there's a connection between the two, but you're saying drug addict as though you're a 'skanky heroin addict'!

I wouldn't go cold turkey if I were you, you really should be talking to your doctor about how to come off them without feeling like shit.

I've been on the same dosage and didn't have any trouble with withdrawl symptoms after being on it for a year odd, if you are getting them, the doc should be able to help you through it.

Please don't be angry about it, you needed pain relief and the doctor helped you.

SnowyBriar · 15/12/2010 22:25

3 C/sections here and prescribe Co-Codamol each time too.

You don't have to go cold turkey...I just reduced my tablets gradually...from 2 to 1 and a half to 1 to half to a quarter, until I was free of them. I took them at the same time of day as I usually did, just less of them.

...and I agree we should be warned about their addictiveness.

BoysAreLikeDogs · 15/12/2010 22:25

I am very sorry to hear this

Did you not read the patient leaflet? It says in Item 2 ''Taking codeine regularly for a long time can lead to addiction''

You need to see a HCP to get advice on how best to step off them

freddiestarratemyhandbag · 15/12/2010 22:26

I never got prescribed co-codamol for my section, weird how some places do and some don't. I just got nurofen and paracetamol.

Original poster
MaBella · 15/12/2010 22:29

Who has time to read after just having a baby!

I have tried reduction but just couldn't do it. I can't speak to my GP, he is a family friend and although I know he has to keep things confidential I sometimes see him at social events and just can't stand the thought of him knowing.

I do feel like a dirty drug addict. I feel so ashamed

OP posts:
Sidge · 15/12/2010 22:31

You should be having regular medication reviews for all repeat medication. Your HCP should be querying why co-codamol is still 'required'.

Make a GP appointment and discuss a plan for reducing and stopping your use; they will have encountered this before and can support you. This will also give them an opportunity to monitor how much they are issuing you.

LoopyLoopsOfSparklyFairyLights · 15/12/2010 22:31

Go to a different GP. It is important that you are properly supported in this.

Sidge · 15/12/2010 22:32

If you feel you can't see your GP then you need to see another one; you can see any GP at your practice.

AngelZigzagsSparklyYuletideLog · 15/12/2010 22:33

Don't be daft Smile

You're not a dirty drug addict, and you most definately shouldn't feel ashamed!

You had a c-sect and it was bloody painful, you needed pain relief afterwards and co-codamol was the best drug for dealing with it.

Please talk to your doctor, he won't look at you any differently at all.

If you really don't feel able to talk to him, is there somewhere else you can go to get proper medical advice? A helpline or NHS direct?

Original poster
MaBella · 15/12/2010 22:38

I have never spoke to anyone about this before apart from DH, I feel sick to the stomach thinking about it, I think I've been in denial.

I guess I could see a different GP. I have seen another doctor at the practise on occasions when I've wanted to see a female so it can be done.

OP posts:
cubbie · 15/12/2010 22:40

hugs to you (((((((()))))))

I am having the same problem with co-dydramol 30/500 which are a step up. Been on them for over a year for chronic pain and when I stop taking them, same thing happens, horrendous withdrawal.

I seriously advise you against going cold turkey. If you read the leaflet, it tells you not to stop taking if you have been on them for a while.

You need to reduce them gradually, or you will REALLY SUFFER!!!!! Please, please, please, don't go cold turkey. Just do what toe OP did and work your way down from 2 to one and a half etc.

I'm a fine one to talk, am addicted too, in a physical sense that is, my body is dependent on it, I myself don't crave it.

It's my plan to start reducing gradually. Then all I need to do is get off tramadol and i'm laughing!!!

I never used to go anywhere without my lipgloss, now I don't go anywhere without my co-dydramol.

Take it very slowly or you'll blow your head oof. Maybe Christmas is not the time??? Quiet busy and potentially stressful???? Not trying to patronise you, just thinking about my own situation and my coping mechanisms.

I'm not pain-free by any means but am worried about the effect on my liver/general health etc.

Be kind to yourself and keep in touch if you want. We've both got a hard road ahead, methinks!

(apologies for any typos, had 2 glasses of wine, not meant to with co-dyd but am past the point of caring haha!!)

Original poster
MaBella · 15/12/2010 22:42

Thanks Cubbie

I have to go to bed now, its all too much at the moment. Can't even believe that I have posted this on here.

Many thanks to you all

OP posts:
LittleMissHoHoHoFit · 15/12/2010 22:42

MaBella, stick with it, and post here if you think we can help, you know we are more than happy to hand hold if that helps?

Please don't beat yourself up, this is tough, but you can do it and the Doc and your DH are there to help you.

No reason to feel ashamed at all, this is not down to you at all.

TBH, your Docs should have reviewed your meds and switched you to something to prevent dependency.

maighdlin · 15/12/2010 22:43

i agree the addictiveness of codeine is not well advertised. (not sure if thats the right word)

my mum takes prescription 30/500 co-codamol 2 tablets 3x a day. she cannot cope without out them and has been taking them for years. they have caused diverticulitis due to the constipating side effect.

its not just the prescription stuff though. my aunt also has to take her co-codamol 3 times a day. she gets the over the counter 8/500. my dad recently too has become dependant on the OTC stuff though not to the same extent.

if any of them go without its sheer panic. why do GP's hand them out for a long time and why can they be bought easily from a pharmacist? you can buy cigarettes and alcohol easily but at least you are made aware of possible addiction.

JamieLeeCurtis · 15/12/2010 22:44

I was prescribed Co-codamol after DS2s birth (stitches, piles, basically not sleeping). It was a very large number of tablets to be prescribed in one go and I was very grateful. I never got another prescription, but I was on them long enough to experience how lovely and relaxed I felt. I had no idea about addictiveness

Don't feel ashamed. You are going to tackle it now, with help. Many people are addicted to many things, some of them more socially acceptable than others. Good that you want to do something about it.

JamieLeeCurtis · 15/12/2010 22:46

yy I remember now they caused constipation and that's why I have never taken them since

NeedHelpInScotland · 15/12/2010 22:50

OP how many do you take in a day?

I agree with others that reduction is usually the best route however I know from experience that it needs to be well managed. If your GP is not supportive then maybe you should speak to another GP.

I can understand why you feel ashamed but you really shouldn't. It's actually a very common thing Sad

Best of luck, take care x

LadyBiscuit · 15/12/2010 22:52

codeine is an opiate - like morphine and heroin. If you have a physical addiction, don't go cold turkey, get help with reducing your dependence gradually. I'm a bit shocked that anyone would be given a script for that strength for that length of time (unless they are in ongoing severe pain) because it's very likely to lead to a physical addiction if you're taking them several times a day.

Please get some support, there is really nothing to be ashamed of. The only people who should be ashamed are the medical professionals who kept renewing your prescription without talking to you/

TakeYourFunWhereYouFindIt · 15/12/2010 22:53

Please don't go cold turkey. I've been taking the same tablets as you for 7 years, but they're for a chronic condition and I accept them as a necessary evil and choose not to fret about the fact that I'm physically dependent. However, I had an appalling experience with stopping fentanyl patches over the summer, and it taught me that you need to be extremely careful with prescription meds.

Don't beat yourself up - you're not a junkie looking for a way out of reality, you've ended up with a dependence on a drug that allowed you to function normally.

MerrilyDefective · 15/12/2010 22:55

Crikey,i think going cold turkey sounds a bit crazy,
With only your DH to look after you(and presumably your DCS)
Maybe you should go to your GP and find another way.
Good luck also.

cubbie · 15/12/2010 22:56

MaBella

you are welcome. I know you are away to bed so won't see this till tomorrow sometime (will be going Xmas shopping after work so will be tomorrow night before I get to see any updates) but I just wanted to say well done again for posting here.

It's hard to admit that you're addicted and it's really not our fault.

I suffer from the most horrendous constipation at times, just incredibly awful. Another reason to get off them although I've found that taking pro-biotics helps.

I just received today an essential oil remedy, it was very expensive but did get rid of my pain for a few hours. Am just about to apply some more. I'll also probably be getting acupuncture and hypnotherapy as I need to try something else.

Just take things one day at a time and if you "need" to take some, well, just take some. Rome wasn't built in a day.