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Mental health

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Original poster

Cocodomol addiction

13 replies

Springhassprung1 · 30/03/2019 08:36

Hi, I suffer a bit with anxiety and low mood when not taking any medication for it.
With this in mind, I take 10mg citalopram daily. I also self medicate/am addicted to cocodomol 30/500 which I take 8 of a day.
I was originally prescribed these for back pain but now take them as I enjoy the uplifted feeling also feel rough if I miss a dose.
I used to take st johns wort which I found helped my mood but stopped as I was on the contraceptive pill. I am now off the pill for medical reasons so I am thinking of taking St johns wort again in an attempt to cut down on cocodomol.
I want to try for a baby at the end of the year so need to be off all medication by then!
Does anyone have any advice? Yes, I should go to the doctor but I know they would cut my cocodomol and I am not ready to do that yet. I had to quit cold turkey as I ran out last year and it was awful. I had restless legs, anxiety through the roof, felt really ill. I need something to help me through that.

OP posts:

Amongstthetallgrass · 30/03/2019 08:43

Spring I’m surprised they haven’t reviewed your prescription as it sounds like you have been ok them a long time.

A family member was addicted to cocodamol and it was really unpleasant for her. When the doctor reduced them she started pretending she had lost her script so the gp would write her a new one. So he stopped giving them as he knew she was addicted. She then started buying the low over the counter dose and ended up being banned from the local chemists.

Many many people are addicted to prescription pain killers.

Please go to your doctor and tell him the truth so they can help you properly. You don’t want to be pregnant and filling your body with all these chemicals.

Amongstthetallgrass · 30/03/2019 08:44

As with any withdrawal there will be a period of discomfort but you have to do it.

Boysey45 · 30/03/2019 08:45

Go to the DRs and they will prescribe you a substitute for the co-codamol and then reduce you down at your own pace. Don't be worried about going they deal with this a lot.

You really don't want to be taking co-codamol all the time because all that paracetamol isn't very good for your liver. Your only supposed to take the tablets for 3 days on the trot.

TheQueef · 30/03/2019 08:47

Go to GP for a gradual withdraw. There's nothing to be gained with cold turkey.

Original poster

Springhassprung1 · 30/03/2019 08:47

I would not get pregnant while taking them, honestly, I am very careful.
They did a review last year but I said I had continued back pain. It has been 2 years on them now. I am due a review soon which I am dreading. I get 120 a month but you can order some more every 2 weeks on my doctors website which I do. I suppose I will have to be honest with them. I wish I hadn't had them prescribed in the first place.

OP posts:

Original poster

Springhassprung1 · 30/03/2019 08:50

I am scared of coming off them as what will I take to replace the mood lift they give me. It isn't just the discomfort I dread. Some people have a glass of wine to relax, or comfort eat. I have 2 tablets and I feel relaxed. I really feel like an addict reading back my replies! Just trying to be honest with myself.

OP posts:

OldGrinch · 30/03/2019 08:51

Hi OP I have been in your position. You need to reduce the dose of Co codomol gradually. Aim to reduce by 30mg per day. If you don't want to speak to GP about this is there a drugs support service local to you you could contact? Also 10mg of Citalopram is a very low dose barely a therapeutic dose at all. Am not surprised that it's not doing much for your anxiety. Can you speak to your GP to get this reviewed? Best of luck x

Original poster

Springhassprung1 · 30/03/2019 08:59

Oldgrinch I am not actually prescribed the citalopram, I have some in the cupboard which I take one of a day, I suppose it is a placebo of sorts!
Another reason I feel I can't go to the doctors is a friend of mine has started working there a few months ago and while yes, she is bound by confidentiality, she has a big mouth! I was speaking to her when she first started about her new job and she had a couple of glasses of wine at the time, she said 'oh I could look at all your medical history like that' and clicked her fingers. I said 'I'm sure you would have to have a reason to access the files?' but she insisted she could she what she wanted.
When I ordered a repeat prescription, it was added to my medical history by her and it makes me anxious! I am a private person.
I could change doctors but 1.she would ask me why and that would be awkward and 2.am worried about the cocodomol situation...I need to get it sorted first in case the new doctors cuts me off cold turkey.

OP posts:

Boysey45 · 30/03/2019 11:11

I'd change Drs OP, what if you need something really personal in the future and you don't want to go because of this woman? Its bad enough now if she is putting you off going and speaking frankly to the DR.Thats pretty nasty thing of her to say to you as well,I'd be giving her a wide birth personally.
If she asks you why either ignore her or say because you felt like it.Its non of her business.
Honestly a Dr will not be shocked by your co codamol situation please believe me. They will have heard it all before, and have all sorts of drug users going there honestly.

Nameusernameuser · 30/03/2019 11:18

Hi OP, I work in pharmacy and in my experience I don't think your doctor will cut you off cold turkey. They'll give you a set amount each month, maybe enough for 7 a day and your prescription would say something like 100 tablets only in 28 days. Then the next month they'll put you down to 6 a day. Co codamol addiction is really common, a woman I work with had them for back pain and realised she was addicted and her doctor is reducing her dose slowly. I don't think they'll cut you off, book an appointment and say you can't get off them but you'd like to reduce slowly with the goal of TTC at the end of the year.

anniehm · 30/03/2019 11:45

With any meds you can reduce them over time (2 weeks per reduction) to reduce withdrawal. I would suggest reducing to 6 initially, then 4, 3, 2 and just 1. You need will power and support from friends and family but you can do it!

Dramatical · 30/03/2019 11:48

You need to see a doctor ASAP. What are you planning to do when your citalopram runs out?

Original poster

Springhassprung1 · 30/03/2019 17:29

Citalopram won't run out, I literally have boxes and boxes of it. But as I say I need to be off them all by end of year anyway. I am going to change doctors (which is annoying as I have been there since being a child and like my surgery!) and then explain the situation to my new doctor.

OP posts:

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