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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this is a mistake?

19 replies

Codeineaddiction123 · 26/12/2017 23:15

Been taking cocodamol prescribed at least monthly since I was 14 for period pain and very frequently in last 4 years for period and pelvic pain. 3 x a day for last 18 months including admissiins for morphine and dihydrocodeine. GP surgery has always said this is fine as for chronic pain condition and get 100 at a time.

I have realised I'm taking them to prevent pain , anxiety, to nod off at night. Get a pleasantly warm 'fuzzy' feeling like a glass of wine. When I said to a doctor I felt this was OK as some people have a wine to relax before bed she said it is still a problem if you can't.cope with either not being there...

Started trying to stop yesterday on a whim and can't do it. Can't tolerate it. Took 30mg yesterday at 2pm and 6pm. 30mg today at 8am and 7pm. I am used to 60mg 3 x a day or so. I am twitchy, can't stop sighing/fighting for an 'extra' breath, wobbly legs, dizzy, nauseated, dry mouth, adrenaline rushes.

Have got dihydrocodeine in house (breakthrough) and 6 more 30mg cocodamol. I know if I ask GP for more they would give as still in chronic constant pain with no obvious diagnosis or treatment plan. I don't want to be addicted to something though. Don't know what to do to fix it.

Have nced as dont want this linked to usual username , sorry.

If anyone's been through similar would really appreciate any advice at all.

OP posts:

Rossigigi · 26/12/2017 23:24

You are going through withdrawal. Only thing you can do if you want to stop is you have to ride the symptoms out for the next week or so.
It is horrible. I'm on them- zapain, and every now and then we stop them and I change to tramadol or they up my morphine tablets and so on. So I have to cut done and with draw.
Sorry I can't give you a 'this will work' solution because there isn't one. Hope you have someone to support you x

Original poster

Codeineaddiction123 · 26/12/2017 23:32

It's horrendous. It's like being told you can't drink water. Every inch of me wants to take a full 60mg dose just to sleep but can't just now as paracetomal in them. Never felt so unwell. Think I am going to be sick again, vomited last night already :(

OP posts:

Gemini69 · 26/12/2017 23:33

Reading this with great interest OP... sorry I'm not much help.. but I have a friend in a very similar situation.. she has fibromyalgia and is trying pain management therapy..

my only input is something my friend said.. reduce your daily intake very slowly ... nothing extreme ..

Well done for recognising the issue and addressing Lady.. and good luck

Original poster

Codeineaddiction123 · 26/12/2017 23:34

Sorry you have had similar :(

OP posts:

Dodie66 · 26/12/2017 23:37

You will need to slowly reduce them. If you take two at a time cut one in half and take one and a half or one and three quarters for a few days then reduce by Another quarter of a tablet for another few days. Stopping them abruptly is not a good idea.
I had to gradually reduce mine and also had to do the same with tranquillisers or got horrendous withdrawal symptoms
Hope that helps

JustKeepDancing · 26/12/2017 23:38

Honestly, I'm not sure many of us will be medically qualified to help you with this, so I suggest you speak to your GP as soon as possible. I'm surprised your GP was so relaxed as general advice for any dependence is not to "cold turkey" without medical support (like the pp said with varying medications) and given that you're taking the maximum suggested dosage on a daily basis I suspect it's worth getting checked over and getting supported as your pain will still need managing. From the little I do know about morphine and codine though, they are very addictive so you certainly won't be the first in this situation. Good luck!

Choccogoingcuckoo · 26/12/2017 23:41

Brings back horrific memories of 8 weeks of raging headaches, so bad I ended up at the hospital where they made the connection with codeine withdrawal.

I too was prescribed cocodomol 30/500, dihydricodiene and tramadol for period pain and a new doctor changed them all to mefenamic acid to half blood loss and beta blockers propanolol for menstrual migraines. It took 8 weeks for codeine withdrawal to pass and now if I take the odd 8/500 cocodomol I fell really emotional and out of sorts.

Stick with it, it does eventually pass and you'll feel much better for it.

Pollypudding · 26/12/2017 23:49

Please don’t try to do this without support. Speak to your GP/ Addictions team/ chronic pain management service. Well done for recognising this and taking positive steps to change

Bambamber · 26/12/2017 23:54

Please do not try to stop taking them cold turkey. Withdrawing from pain meds can be unsafe. You also need to consider that if you stop the cocodomol you will need something else for the pain, which you may become addicted to that something else. So you really need a proper plan of action.

Have you been referred to gynae for your pain? Some conditions can only be ruled out with a diagnostic laparascopy. You need to find the source of the pain so that can be treated rather than using pain meds to mask the pain.

Your situation is all too familiar and sadly all too common. GPs normally don't become concerned unless you're abusing the meds or no longer need them. As long as you're still taking them for pain relief and not abusing them, don't worry too much for the time being until your pain is sorted. If your pain cannot be dealt with, you can see if there are any local pain management courses your GP can refer you to. They can help teach you ways of managing your pain without medication. Good luck and don't be too hard on yourself

Bambamber · 26/12/2017 23:55

Also if you feel you really need to, speak to your GP about reducing your dose. But please don't do it without medical supervision

LegallyBrunet · 27/12/2017 00:05

If you want to stop taking your meds, speak to your GP and they'll draw up a safe 'withdrawal' plan for you which should help ease the withdrawal symptoms and help your body get used to you not taking the meds anymore. It can take awhile to be completely off the medication though, especially if you're high dose or have been on it awhile; it took me six months to fully withdraw from an anticonvulsant as I'd been on it three years.

randomuntrainedcuntowner · 27/12/2017 00:08

Go and see your gp and get a proper withdrawal plan in place.

Straycatblue · 27/12/2017 00:09

OP,

If you are in chronic pain and on strong addictive painkillers then you WILL be addicted to them, there is no shame in this, its a common side effect and something that your gp should have explained to you.
If you need to continue to keep taking them for pain ie there is no other option re pain control then please know that lots of people are addicted to pain relief and its not a bad thing, they have no option as the painkillers are their only option and addiction is the side effect.

However what you do need to address is this part of your post

have realised I'm taking them to prevent pain , anxiety, to nod off at night

ie you are also now not just taking them for pain, you are taking them for anxiety and to help you sleep and this is something you do need to see your gp about and come up with a management plan which may also include starting you on other meds to help with anxiety. .

DisaronnoAndCoke · 27/12/2017 00:11

Go back to GP and ask for help to wean yourself off of them. Don't just stop as it can be dangerous.

Original poster

Codeineaddiction123 · 27/12/2017 00:16

I can take two at half midnight, as according to phone memo app I last updated that at 8.30pm . I know I took one 30mg before than and one 30mg twelve hours before that. Will take 2 at half past
, having heart palpitations, dizziness, mind racing all sorts and will contact nearest GP tomorrow (on 'holiday' with relatives).

OP posts:

ShakeTheDisease · 27/12/2017 00:32

I have taken them in the past and I know exactly what you mean about the nice fuzzy feeling and dropping off to sleep with that. They are addictive and as pp have said there's no shame in that - it would be extraordinary to have been on them for as long as you have and then be able to easily come off them.
Tbh I wouldn't attempt it while away from home. A few more days of taking your usual dose isn't going to matter. Get home, see a decent GP (not the one who's all blasé about them) and get a plan for very gradually cutting down your usage in place. But don't put yourself through this over Christmas away. You deserve to try this properly under conditions that will help you succeed.

Original poster

Codeineaddiction123 · 27/12/2017 00:53

I've taken two and feeling slightly less frantic I was watching the miniaturist and getting more than slightly spooked and panicked over everything.. going to try and settle mind a bit and nausea with cold water sips!

OP posts:

ShakeTheDisease · 27/12/2017 00:55

Good. Watch or listen to something that makes you laugh or soothes you. Either will make you more relaxed.

ticketytock1 · 27/12/2017 09:03

I've been through it the first few days are horrendous, but persevere, the liberation is worth it.
My gp gave me phenegran to take at night to help manage the physical symptoms and help me sleep... see if yours can do the same
It really helped
Good luck x

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