To ask how to come off co-codamol

[Shambles12]

So I seen a post on here which prompted me to do this. I am addicted to Zapain, I take 4 a day since hurting my shoulder. I take it religiously regardless of whether I am in pain or not. Has anybody been through this as I really don't want to take this medication anymore?!

Do you have none left at all?

I think you've got two options:

1. Go to the GP.

1. Buy solpadeine max over the counter, take 8 a day for 6 days (2 packs). Repeat with the next dose down (8mg a tablet). Repeat with cutting down to 4 tablets a day. Repeat down to 2 tablets a day.

I highly doubt any pharmacist would supply you with medicines on the basis you were weaning yourself off an addiction and they will notice if they see you again and again.

I've been there too OP. Addicted to Tramadol, then Zapain (taking a similar amount to you)

I came off Tramadol cold turkey - worst thing ever and wouldn't recommend it.

Zapain was a gradual taper and then I went onto OTC. You can buy Paramol and cocodamol from the pharmacy to help get you through. Don't tell the pharmacist anything, you don't have to explain yourself and they will likely refuse to sell it to you if you tell them you're having addiction problems with Zapain.

You are going to have a withdrawal of sorts if you taper but it's much easier to cope with thank cold turkey.

Good luck, it's shit but you CAN do this

Me too. I ought to know better. It often makes us more vulnerable.

Op I am sorry you’re going through this.
Do you have any Narcotics Anonymous meetings in your area? If so I would recommend you go to one as addiction isn’t an easy thing to stop on your own.
At a meeting you will get help and support from people who are going through/have been through the same thing.

You can get neurofen plus over the counter. Neurofen and codeine. It will take the edge off.

What makes you think you are addicted to them if you haven’t tried coming off them?

Lots of people can just stop and have no withdrawal symptom ms.

True. It was more just that the unpleasantness of cold turkey withdrawal frequently leads to relapse, unless the other symptoms are managed medically (e.g nausea, rebound pain). But yes, unlikely to be dangerous.

Am I being dramatic?

Op I’ve managed this a few times.

Start slowly replacing your zapain with over the counter cocodomol which is a lower dose. For example start by taking 1 zapain and 1 otc cocodamol.

Then from there start slowly replacing the otc cocodomol with paracetamol. So 1 otc and 1
paracetamol.

Then you should be able to stop quite easily. You just need to do it slowly and then gradually leave it longer between doses.

I’ve done this a few times and it’s worked each time.

I don’t think you are at all! But even if you were… I don’t really see an issue with being dramatic.

I recently had a major operation and was on Oxycontin for a bit. I’m still in a lot of pain but now only on paracetamol, not because my health care providers are sadists but because opioids are highly, highly addictive and they know they need to be very careful with them. You’re not “weak”, not dramatic, not pathetic, you’ve been led into a very common trap and are now looking for the way out. You sound very strong and together to me.

If for some reason your GP or pharmacist is unhelpful, find someone else to speak to. Some people just have no empathy or enjoy being horrid. I doubt you’ll encounter one of those but just be aware of the possibility.

I bought some Solpadeine, So far no withdrawals