To be worried about Codeine

[TherealKimK]

So I am waiting for an appointment at my GP as my lower back is really playing up at the minute, I dunno if this is part of getting older (im 33). I went to the pharmacy and they gave me some co-codamol which has really helped along with Ibuprofen, I do have quite an addictive personality and the pharmacist did warn me these things could be addictive, I have been taking them for longer than 3 days (only the recommended dosage and would never increase as I am too scared)

Should I worry about this? does anybody else take codeine?

OTC co-codamol are only 8/500 but you shouldn’t be taking them for longer than 3 days without seeking advice from your doctor about it first. They may prescribe something that will work better for you.

I got addidicted after abour 10 days of regular use. By addicted i mean that i had terrible withdrawal symptoms when i weaned down and eventually off. the withdrawal week was hell

Tell your GP that you have been taking the codeine. Personally I would stop taking them and try some exercises.

Im more worried about the addiction side of it as I MASSIVELY overthink things and worried I will eventually end up on Heroin or something!

Yes I have taken it for years, if my pain stopped then I would stop taking it. Never understood the addiction thing. But for me, food addiction is real, so maybe taking random meds for no reason makes sense to others.

Oh dear Lord, I have been taking them for about a week!

I don’t see why you would escalate to heroin…seems a bit of a jump from buying OTC meds to hanging out in a crack den.
Co-codamol are addictive tho so if I were you I would try and reduce how many you are taking and if you have trouble speak to the GP.

not to say it will be the same for you.. I was on morphone for 6 weeks and had absolutely no withdrawal whatsoever... Codeine is renown for its terrible withdrawal though, i would get on to 111 and get them to see you / make an emergency script for something more suitable

I ended up mildly addicted to solpadeine max (co-codamol) after leaving an abusive relationship. It calmed me down. Originally used it for frequent headaches but found it hard to give it up.

I don’t have an addictive personality by any stretch. But god I found this hard to give up and NOT go back.

the confusion and brain fog as well as emotional dysregulation when I stopped taking it was horrible. It calmed down after about a week.

but yes you’re right to be cautious and I wouldn’t take beyond three days.

Why would they sell them if they are addictive, wont everybody end up being raging addicts if that was the case? or do they just been you can have withdrawals if you stop. I am freaking out here

Certainly see your GP and figure out a way to resolve the issue causing the pain.

Codeine is very addictive but if you are genuinely taking it for pain and it’s helping then try not to panic. I’ve been taking much larger doses for many years for a chronic spinal injury and I’m pretty sure I’m not addicted because I can skip doses without noticing (except for pain) and I have never had the need to escalate the dose. An addict will generally need to keep increasing their dose to achieve the same effect.

I've been on dihydrocodiene since 2017 and no addiction issues with it
Was on morphine and diazepam too for my back and again no issues

It's fine, as said. Your lower back pain is not down to age, at 33.

Thats why it says three days max.. yes it could move to heroin, when you are that way inclined, the exact same thing happened to my best friend. If you are worried stop taking them and find a way to deal with the pain that does not involved addictive substances...

So I wont end up in rehab taking taking Methadone?

I googled it and some people end up on Methadone to come off it!!!

When you take them, do you feel a sense of wellbeing, like all is well with the world? Like being wrapped in a cosy blanket? If so, you are a person who metabolises them in a certain way that makes you at higher risk for addiction, and if I were you, would steer clear. If you don't get these feelings you're unlikely to become addicted, but could still develop a physical dependency, but this is unlikely with short term taken as prescribed use.

I had exactly this and found it hard to give up for that reason.

@TherealKimK if you’re worried I would just avoid it!

I've been on 30/500 cocodamol, top dosage daily for years. If I miss some, have missed a day or 2 before I have never experienced withdrawal

Yes codeine is addictive. I’m in Australia where you can’t buy it over the counter anymore. It needs a doctor’s prescription and it can be hard to get a doctor who will agree to prescribe it. It’s made life difficult for women with period pain and migraine sufferers who really benefit from the pain relief of codeine but can no longer easily access them.

Because most people only take them for the 3 days. They tell you in the pharmacy when you buy them not to take them for too long.

It's not that difficult to stop using a low dose IME but I do tend to twitch like crazy at night for a night or two after stopping. I recently had Oxy for a week or two for broken ribs and was a twitchy and headachey coming off them.

Benzos on the other hand.... Eeesh. Don't go there. Ever.

Read the Addiction threads here on MN. There were some sad ones about Codeine I've read recently. Always talk to your doctor about your dose and try not to take it more than you need to, inform your GP immediately if you think you may be/become addicted.

Is it not just like anything else though? Food, Coffee, Smoking etc!

I cant take codeine, for no other reason than just one 30/500 cocodamol tablet gives me severe constipation (Fecal Impaction), same thing happened with one of my daughters when she had her wisdom teeth out at the hospital - might be a genetic thing, I know other people who take loads of the stuff (far too much imo) on a daily basis and they are fine - from a constipation point of view.

I take otc co-codamol when I’m in desperate pain ( fibromyalgia). Haven’t had any problems though I’ve never taken them for more than 2-3 days. Even with all the pain I’m in daily ( today is a jolly 8/10 ☹️) I’d never seek out anything stronger and wouldn’t have a clue where or how to acquire heroin, cannabis et al.
Talk to your GP. Can you see a chiropractor ?