Having a codeine reaction after taking 90mg

[codieneitch]

Can anyone advise me please?
I'm having quite a severe itchy red reaction. I've taken an antihistamine with them and I'm used to taking large amounts up to about 150mg and I've never had this affect.

I've had a cold shower and am drinking plenty of water but not sure if this is ok.

PHone NHS direct

You need proper medical advice. Beware of your lips swelling-and your tongue and throat.

Do you have anyone with you?

I'm on my own in someone's house. I don't want to see anyone because apart from the itch I feel ok. My lips are ok but it's just weird.

Have you taken 90mg at once?

Yes but I'm used to it and have never reacted.

I thought max dose of codeine you could take in one go was 60mg? I was on it last year for pain and had to take 30mg x times a day or 60mg x times a day when in severe pain, but was told that was max dose, tomdiscuss differ pain relief if it doesn't work but to never take more than 60gm in one dose as thats the highest.

do you have the antihistamine leaflet, might be worth checking if it's ok to take with opiates?

Ok, thats alot to take at once.
Perhaps its something to do with being in someone elses house, maybe ur reacting to pets? Dust? I imagine it Could be anything.. if you develop swelling to your tongue/throat/lips or difficulty in breathing call 999

It generally doesn't harm me to take that much and no, no pets.

It's feeling better now as the nicer effects are kicking in. Weird!

You may not think its harming you however your liver may not be thinking the same, you should see your GP for better pain relief options instead of taking very high doses. Glad your feeling better tho

I'm going to be honest and say that when I was on codeine that I sometimes took 90-100 gms, at the time I thought they'd stopped working but to be totally honest, I'd gotten hooked and was taking more to get the buzzy feeling the low dose used to give.

I was afraid I'd accidently overdose and spoke to my doctor, taking too much in one go may not give any effects or feel like it's not doing anything but id built up a tolerance, and while it felt my body wasn't reacting, go said it absolutely will be, and continuing to take more than I should will cause my body harm and that one day I could have a bad reaction.

GP explained it like an alcoholic not feeling effects of excess drinking as they've built up tolerance, but while they may feel not drunk and feel they don't react to three bottles of wine, the excess alcohol is damaging their body and will show a reaction in time.

Hope I don't sound patronising and I'm not trying to scare you. If you won't phone for professional advice today I'd recommend speaking to your GP when you can to discuss pain relief options as it sounds like codeine isn't working for you if you're needing to take more than the max dose.

I'm really surprised. I thought it was only with paracetamol that it harms your liver. That's a bit scary but thanks for letting me know.

I do like the buzzy feeling too

Can I ask how much you take day to day? im not trying to be a cunt but is there any chance that itching was withdrawals from going longer than usual in between doses?

I understand if you don't want to answer, its just your last post sounds worrying

I don't take much day to day any more. I used to though and I got l a good supply today for the first time in ages. My tolerance is lower than it used to be. I do take them for pain but I like (most) of the side effects.

I loved the buzzy feeling, it took me a very long time to admit to myself that that was my sole reason for taking codeine, and it took even longer to admit it to my family and get help.

I had it on repeat and would panic halfway through the month as I know I was going to run out, I'd get them off famiLy and friends and was very careful to rotate around them so that I'd be only asking each mate once in a blue moon. I'd try to,plan holidays around the time where I'd have a full prescription. I'm so embarrassed about it now.

I still feel a lot of shame and only dh and a few close family members know, but we really shouldn't. I had no idea how much of a big problem painkiller addiction is in the UK until recently. It's so easy to get hooked and can happen to anyone. I read an article calling for GPS to mention just how addictive some meds are, and to not be so quick to prescribe them.

I got mine without even being looked at. I have a friend who is in Morphine and hasn't been seen by a GP in four years. Internet is full of stories of how easy it is to get prescriptions for addictive drugs.

It sounds like I'm blaming the GP, apologies, it was my fault and when I asked for help they were great, but it's worrying how people can be getting them for years and go under the radar.