How do I deal with this?

[ticketytock1]

Without realising it, I have become addicted to co codamol. I was taking 30/500 once a day, sometimes twice.
3 tablets at night time and 1 or 2 during the day sometimes.

I ran out on Saturday and haven't had any since. I'm in cold turkey and I feel wretched.

I didn't know I was addicted, didn't realise I would run out and haven't prepared for this.

I'm very anxious, sleeping is a problem. I feel very jittery and almost flu like. I can't concentrate and feel very nervous.

Can any of you share your experiences of this? How long did it last for and what have you done to help manage the symptoms.

I'm at work but doing the bare minimum as I'm just about functioning. I have 2 kids so hiding away from this isn't an option. Thanks in advance

Op- can you please go and see your GP asap?

Withdrawal of any sort is not pleasant I know, and you may need some help and assistance in the short term. At least to find out why you became so reliant.

That was meant to mean both physical help and dependency issues help.

(i developed a valium addiction following an accident. I had to go cold turkey as I was immobile, but I was climbing the bloody walls).

Thanks. To be honest I'm feeling very ashamed. I haven't even told my husband, I've just told him I don't feel well.
I really don't know how to talk about it .

I'm afraid to go to gp as I don't want something like this on my record. I thought it would maybe last a day or two but today is the worst so far. I'm so tired and afraid.

Cake maker how long did it last for?

I honestly cannot remember how long, tickety, it was 20 years ago but I remember the feelings.

Why were you taking it?Does your GP know you were? It is quite addictive I believe, so they will have seen it before dozens of times I am sure.

I took it earlier in the year for a back problem which has now gone away. However I realised that they helped me sleep which is why I kept on taking them at night time. It pretty much guaranteed me a great night sleep. I didn't stop to think about the addiction factor. I feel horrid

Definitely go to the GP, they will be able to help and will have seen it before.

It's not like you were doing anything illegal - you won't get in 'trouble'.

It's REALLY common OP, your GP will have seen it a million times before, honestly. Did they not warn you this could happen when they recommended them for your back pain? It's very addictive and can happen very quickly so don't feel stupid - you're not the only person this has happened to. But it is really tough. In my experience (not myself but a family member), the worst of the symptoms pass in about 4 days and are gone completely in 2 weeks though the trouble sleeping may last a bit longer than that, and you may still crave that 'feeling'. Be strong and definitely get some help from your GP.

Thanks peach.
They were initially prescribed following a telephone consultation which was really quick and I've just been ordering repeat prescriptions ever since, so not really spoken to the gp much about them
Tomorrow will be day 4 so hopefully I will be over the worst soon.
I know what you are saying but I really can't help but feel ashamed.

Please don't feel ashamed. You've not done anything hideous or abusive or wrong, you've just taken pills you didn't realise were addictive. Your GP has a part to play in this by allowing you to continue with your repeat prescriptions for so long.

Ask your GP for help. And don't worry. They've seen it all before and won't judge you for this.

Thanks. I've just rang the gp surgery and I'm waiting for a callback. I really appreciate your support

Please don't feel ashamed. Remind yourself that it is a chemical reaction, and the fact you have realised means you can handle it.

Do see your GP, you really won't be the first, or the last, person they'll see in this situation. It seems it's more common than a lot of people realise, and that it's an addiction which tends to happen slowly and normally following a legitimate illness/injury.

The first 3 days is the worse and you should be feeling much much better before two weeks. It's not dangerous to stop this drug cold turkey so try to avoid taking anything to feel better in the short term as it could prolong symptoms, try and stick it out and it will be over before you know it, good luck

Hi OP. You could go to your local
Chemist and buy a packet of 8/500 Co-codamol and take those in the interim but slowly reduce the dosage to wean yourself off them.

Please don't feel ashamed, but do go to your GP.

I was on Tramadol for 10 years for Arthritis pain and became very addicted to it, my GP practice just rolled out repeat prescriptions for it without question. In the end I felt like a junkie (I suppose I was really) and had to be weaned off it, it took months and was awful. I'd never touch it again it's awful stuff!

It's easily done. You weren't taking a huge amount and you haven't been on them that long.

My strong advice is to plough on with your cold turkey. In another couple of days you'll feel better. Next week better still and in a month taking them will be a memory.

But be very very careful with codeine in future. Some people are really sensitive to it (I'm one of them - it makes me feel a million dollars!). I will never take it again unless absolutely necessary and involving my DH as accountability partner !

Usually, it should be starting to get better after 4-5 days and symptoms gone after 2 weeks.

The GP might be able to give you something mild to help with sleep, otherwise just try to keep occupied but not doing strenuous stuff - easier said than done! I had to take the stuff for a painful condition, and had to come off it after a month. No fun

are you breastfeeding?
acetaminophen will destroy your liver,hang on and you will be fine.
overprescribing drs freak me out.
Side effects

Side effects can include constipation, skin rashes, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, hypersensitivity reaction, fainting (syncope or near syncope), nausea and/or vomiting, confusion, loss of short-term memory, drowsiness, changes in blood, allergic reactions, euphoria, dysphoria, abdominal pain, pruritus (itching), easy bruising, bleeding gums, vivid dreams, dry mouth and addiction.

Genetic differences between people give rise to differing rates of metabolism of codeine to morphine. In about 5% of people this may happen particularly fast, leading to higher levels of morphine being passed through breast milk in amounts potentially able to cause fatal respiratory depression of a breastfed baby.[3]

Yes,it is easily done. Nothing to be ashamed of at all.

Co codamol is v addictive. I took it for a slipped disc a couple of years ago, your GP shouldn't really be have it set up as a repeat prescription.

I really feel for you. Go your GP and explain what has happened, they will be able to prescribe you something to help with the withdrawal symptoms and another pain killer if still needed. My understanding is that this is very common with co codamol and absolutely nothing to be ashamed of! Good luck.

Hot baths will help, symptoms start to decrease after day 3.

A reducing regime is advised to minimise withdrawal. Reducing weekly rather than daily but it sounds like you are on your way to kicking them. Keep going and well done!

Hi ticketytock, please don't feel embarrassed, you hadn't realised how additive they were, and now you are seeking some help.

If it helps, my Mum was addicted to them for YEARS without realising, it, we only realise when she had a minor op a few years ago, and because of the other painkillers she was on, she didn't take any co-codamol. She had full on withdrawal/shakes/insomnia/shivers/halllucinations for a couple of rather worrying days, and (I hope) has stayed off them since!

They are really dangerous and your doc should have been monitoring how long/how many you've been taking. Hope all goes well with your GP and cold turkey!

i find a different gp

Is that Zapain? I was prescribed Zapain for over 3 months and found it led to constipation, so just stopped the 30mg and went to the 8g codeine which you find in cocodamol.

I had 3 slipped discs and really bad sciatica and without codeine, I couldn't walk as far as the front door - the night before my caudal epidural, I stopped taking all drugs and 24 hours later, I was shaking, sweating and had both vomiting and diarrhea... I googled 'Codeine withdrawal' and realised that's what was happening.

Being very stubborn and not liking anything to 'control me' (I know, I'm odd), I just continued cold turkey and felt the worst I've ever felt for 24 hours and slept through most of it. The next day was much better and by day 3, I was absolutely fine.