to get myself a codeine addiction?

[trapclap]

Obviously not the nearest idea, but...

I have chronic pain, for which I take only paracetamol/ibuprofen/8mg codeine as needed. Was at my mums tonight and inadvertently took 2x cocodomol 500/30

It was the bestest couple of hours I've had in years and years!

I was on ADs a short while ago but came off them as they weren't helping. I don't think I am depressed. But I feel really stressed all the time, my temper is frayed, hard to explain but its a feeling like chewing tin foil/ an off-air tv high pitched beeeeeeeeeeep in my head, all my waking hours. The high dose codeine got rid of it for 3 or so lovely peaceful hours, and the knot in my stomach wad gone!

How bad would it be to take codeine for this reason?

I know what you mean - it's lovely stuff. Unfortunately it's addictive as hell and probably not a viable long-term solution.

If there were some kind of anti-anxiety meds that produced the same feeling of bliss and relaxation, without the side effects, I'd be demanding them. Whichever pharmaceutical company invents such a pill, I would be most grateful.

I don't think there are any helpful anti-anxiety meds that are similar. I've been on ADs for ten years and they do keep crippling depression at bay but don't help with anxiety. Not sure if there are any good solutions for that I'm afraid.

Oh bless you OP. And the rest of you, especially all of you undergoing / who have undergone ishoos with codeine.

You have, all of you, made me feel so much better. I'm on day 5 of being, as they say, codeine free - woo hoo! oh god I feel rough Nah not really I'm pretty much okay, and this thread has helped me keep my momentum going.

I take beta blockers and ad's, which help, but I have found that thanks to my own ishoos, I could only ever feel happy when on codeine. Which is really sad.

I'm now doing all the hippy shit that is meant to help with increasing happiness (meditation, good diet, more sleep, out in nature and making pasta neckllaces and what not) and I find I'm feeling better bit by bit...

Your GP needs to pull their socks up, OP, they're not being very helpful if you feel driven to considering smack a codeine habit! Hope you get something sorted.

And a medal for anyone who read all of my self indulgent twaddle!

Anxiety can make your pain worse and pain can increase your anxiety. Codeine is a depressant and must of calmed your anxiety down. (and helped your pain).
You should see your doctor about your anxiety, and get actual anxiety meds for it. Your pain, well, how about lower does of codeine. Not sure what it is called in the UK, but what you took is called Tylenol 3 here, and is prescription only, however you can buy a lower does that has something like 300 and 7 codeine, called Tylenol 1. You have to ask the pharmacist, but it isn't a prescription. Ok I googled, Paracetamol-Codeine-Caplets here it is.
It is addictive and after a while you will want to take more, so probably best to only use on bad days, and not for mood control.

thanks for everyones input

christams yes I take that low dose codeine for the pain. It helps sometimes, sometimes it doesnt. It doesnt do anything for my 'mood' though......Is it 'anxiety' that I have? I always thought anxiety would be something much more severe...

I was thinking about all of this on the way into work today, and i have 2 other 'symptoms' which get me down;

1. I have lost (maybe not permanently) alot of friends, because I find it hard to socialise. I am constantly exhausted (but LP to 2 dcs, 1 of whom is only 2yo) But not just exhaustion, I dont feel I am interesting/successful/fun enough and so make excuses not to go out. And also a feeling of just being a bit 'scared'...cant quite articulate the feeling...

2. Everything I do feels like an enormous chore...even stuff I have been looking forward to; when the time comes to do it, it feels almost insurmountable. this extends to house work and evey aspect of everything. I know thios is a sign of depression because i had PND with DC1. But its not as bad as it was then

I dont think its right you are living with such pain, but also I dont think a strong addctive pk s the answer either

other soluton could be:

have pain patch where the pain is
have injections (steroids) where the pain is
see a different/better GP
ask for to be referraed to pain clinic

what everyone else, the effects WONT last

my dad has chronic pain and even they wont give him it

PLEASE be proactive about getting this dealt with

I am a codiene addict. There, I've said it. I'm on up to 30mg 4x daily for abdo pain. I'm waiting for an op but got pregnant while on the waiting list so won't get it til after I have the baby. It wreaks havoc with my bowels. I cut it out once. That was fun - cold sweats, diarrhoea, vomiting, paranoia! But the pain escalated again. Not ideal being pregnant but I can't cope without it pain wise.

I'd suggest two things - one, go back to your GP and ask for a referral to your local pain team. They should be able to advise you on long term pain relief. Two, consider acupuncture! I was skeptical but I have been able to cut down my pain relief significantly after only two session (I've got another few booked).

I use codeine as an emergency mood lifter if my mood is really low. It works brilliantly. I take two tablets a day and then make sure I don't take any for a good few days later. A week if possible. That way, I don't become addicted. I refuse to even take the full dose for a day because I know how addictive it could become.

I started taking codeine 30mg last week. I hate the stuff. When I take it I feel spaced out, drunk even, and then I feel sick, I start to eat my dinner then have to stop as I want to throw up. And I am constipated.

I take about 4 tablets a day for a trapped nerve, I can’t honestly say that they help much, once I have finished the prescription I don’t think I will ask for any more, they make me feel so ill.

I don’t feel different as in calmer or zombiefied, or anything like that, I just feel a bit pissed when I first take them.

I had to take codeine for knee pain whilst on a waiting list. I got so constipated that I have a bunch of haemorrhoids that according to my midwife looked like a cauliflower. Seriously nasty stuff and I’m having more knee problems but will do my upmost to avoid it.