Cocodamol addiction

[Shehasadiamondinthesky]

I've been in these for years due to arthritis but I'm sick of them, I take way too many, I'm addicted and they make me sleepy all the time.
When I try to cut down I get the shakes and feel dreadful, I take 4 at a time instead of two because two don't work any more, if I go down to three I feel like hell.
I ran out yesterday and can't have any more for another week.
I have to go to work because we're so short staffed. I know i'm in for a week of hell but I really need to get off these drugs once and for all, they don't really give me relief from arthritis any more they just make me feel happy.
I'm thinking I should just suffer cold turkey for the week and be done with them. Cutting down is just miserable anyway.
I'm already shaking and sweating but I think it will be better to just rip the plaster off. Any thoughts.

Hi OP. I'm sorry you're feeling rough. Well done for recognising that those particular painkillers aren't working to alleviate your pain though.

I understand what you mean; I have been on prescription painkillers for a very long time indeed but need them to be able to alleviate the pain enough to function. When I fell pregnant, I had to stop taking them and had to reduce very gradually, otherwise the withdrawal was horrific.

Might it be worth speaking to your GP? It sounds like you might need a conversation about some pain relief that works to help your arthritis, and they might be able to give you something to enable you to withdraw more gently, or to help to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms.

I know how hard it is, so you have my every sympathy. I really hope you feel better soon and are able to manage your pain in a way that works for you.

Cocodamol contains paracetamol... doubling the dose can cause liver trouble. Please see your doctor. And please actually let them know that you have been desperate enough to be doing this. It may affect any treatment they can give you.

I just decided to rip the plaster off and do it this time, for some reason the withdrawal isn't as bad this time. Its uncomfortable but hasn't wrung me out as much as before.
Its coincided with a horrible dental abcess. Off to the emergency dentist later.

Poor you! Well done and 😲 that you’re battling with a dental abscess too. As pp have said, cocodamol contain paracetamol, so do ask for a liver function test along with a pain review. Heat and movement really do help, I didn’t sleep with my usual hot water bottle when it was briefly warm this summer and the difference to my hip mobility was shocking.

@Shehasadiamondinthesky- how are you doing?

[quote Etinox]@Shehasadiamondinthesky- how are you doing?[/quote]
I can't even go there, the diarrhoea was so bad I couldn't even move from the bathroom. I went to see my GP and he said reduce by half a tablet a week so I'm doing that now.

How many were you taking a month?

What strength are you taking?