Codeine withdrawal

[KazDee9]

Just wondered about people’s experience of the hellish journey that is codeine withdrawal. Took last dose Sunday at 2pm and today is SATURDAY 😩and I still don’t feel right. Literally been in bed since Tuesday. Every time I get up to do something I’m floored again. Still got the headache and my vision not normal, everything is too bright and makes my eyes sore. The low mood and fatigue is STILL here. I’m technically on day 7 since 2pm this afternoon, don’t know how much longer can live like this till I break !! ( take codeine , feel normal and go about my business !). I don’t want to though got this far. Just want to know when the end of the darn tunnel comes !!!

I take either 6 or 8 over the counter cocodamol tablets every day and know I shouldn't. I did stop once quite a few years ago but somehow seemed to start again. If I stop taking them I get diarrhoea straight away. I also start each day with 2 anadin extra. I'm not entirely sure why!

From my experience of things, just when you think you can't go on, that's when things start to get better.

Keep going op. It's a massive drop and I normally taper off but you've been off them nearly a week which is amazing. Take paracetamol for the aches and pains, have hot baths and rest. One day at a time

That was a lot. I take codeine sometimes but about four tablets of 10mg a day.

You are doing very well.

Op you are doing brilliantly.
Have you tried a zoom NA meeting? You will get lots of identification and help there.

Can you get a phone consultation with a different GP? Withdrawal from some drugs can actually kill people. I don't know if codeine is one of them but I think it is worth your time to get some more professional opinions just in case.

Do not go back on them! You are doing super well.

You need to get moving. Sunglasses and a 5 min walk. It's a beautiful day here today, a coffee in the sun would be great if you can get in the garden?

Food - what are you eating?

Fish oil was an excellent suggestion, it will help the brain fog.

Magnesium - I recommend the sprays you can rub on your body. It will help with the aches and relax you.

Fatigue - if you're struggling to sleep try promethazine. A full nights sleep does wonders.

I know you'll have been researching the hell out of this. I'd try not to too much. It looks terribly scary written down but you just need to take small steps often.

Thank you ♥️Trying my damn hardest not to. Day 8 will officially start at 2pm today. To go back I’d be a fool. But addiction is a tough battle I sympathise with anyone battling one

That’s EXACTLY what I am afraid of. That fatigue could be months. As I just can’t cope with it. Longer I’m out of action more the urge to take some pills seems to get in my mind

Yep !! Researched it loads ! Had magnesium hot bath things and I was taking magnesium as I was aware codeine was killing it ! Maybe it’s why compared to other people the rls I’ve had in withdrawal was totally bearable. Eating ~ defo a problem. I don’t get excited about food at the best of times and my appetite has gone totally. Recon I’ve managed to force a 1000 calories in a day. Possibly !!!

That’s what I did. Started the day with it !! Think it makes you feel “ normal “. And it increases and increases. Be sooooo careful with them hun I would hate anyone to have to go through this nightmare

I’ll only deal with gps now if I’m on deaths door, literally. I’m also very cautious of authorities poking their noses in. I’m one of those people I tend to prefer to battle stuff on my own nowadays. Find it less stressful. Had a year of social services many many years ago when my teens were babies , because of their dad not me ( classed as a dangerous man ). They stayed around with the threat of if you have him round we will take your children. Was most awful time of my life. Ptsd , and them !! Forcing me to monthly meetings and checking and “ threats “. I complied totally as well but they didn’t clear off for ages. So very careful nowadays with any authorities

Right, well done you! You've recognised the problem and started to deal with it.

I don't have good advice, but can check in and cheer you on at regular intervals!

What kind of stuff distracts you? I've started watching videos when I'm under the weather. I used to read, but my concentration is shot these days. Videos of people putting on make up and blackhead squeezing ones are my go to soothing watch at the moment.

Well done, keep going, you've got this!

Ahhh haha I had a few years of the face picking videos. The ones from Thailand are the BEST 🤣🤣well I rarely watch tv I like to go out, hence this has been so awful. I have though since starting the withdrawal watched nearly 4 series of the vikings. Defo got a thing for huge burley men now 🤣great distraction !! But , today I made it out. Apart from a headache that amps it’s self up to really bad to not so bad throughout the day , and random odd hours of fatigue , I’ve felt normal !!!! Finally. Day 8 !! I advise anyone whose stuck on this ‘legal’ drug and stuck in cycle of taking it because you now HAVE to , just so you feel normal as your body is now dependent , get a week off work and just do it. A week of feeling like the life force and all joy has been robbed from you , then it’s done. Not going to deny I have cravings and it’s still a temptation , but putting myself through this torture is a huge deterrent to not pop a few to feel good for an hour and then risk having to go through that ever again !! Thank you for the support it has helped , yesterday I had decided I need to give up and try another way but so pleased today I didn’t

Thank you ❤️Victory is mine !!! ( like the vikings. Rooooaaaarrrrr ) 🤣

When you say a box a day? Is that a whole box of co codamol? Or a box of 28 x 30 mg?

That's great news, I'm glad you are feeling better. I'm sure there will be hiccups along the way, but the worst is over!

Well done!! How is day 9 treating you?

Plain codeine. Wouldn’t dare over dose on paracetomol or neurofen ironically. Which may sound bizzarre considering what I was doing. I did nursing a while many years ago and it always stuck how over the counter meds are the most toxic and dangerous when over dosed. I know opiates the body adjusts and becomes tolerant and it’s not toxic. Certainly NOT a good idea and where thousands get away with over taking prescription opiates , there are many that end up in hospital. Guess it depends on how functional your liver and kidneys are and your general health as to if your body just shifts it fast enough. I had all tests a while back including liver function and it was fine. But I’ve stopped cos it may not be in a years time !! When I say daily I mean most days. May of had random days none, but then after 36 hrs start feeling crap. May of had 14 some days or 20 another. But a whole strip a day ( not in one go) was becoming quite the norm. Hence my best mate went nuts , went on and on at me and one of useful things he said was “ where is this going to end?. More and more tolerance then what ? 40, 50? The point where nothing will affect you and you need to sustain that amount or you’re ill. It’s not feasible or sustainable and it needs to stop before you cause some damage. So pleased I have

Yes thank you. It’s not quite over but certainly the worst !!!

Not too bad thank you. I feel more crap due to bad sleep. On codeine you sleep LOADS at night. when you stop the sleep problems can start. Been up since 4 am 😩😩😩and I have always needed lots of sleep before codeine. Just gotta accept over next few weeks I may be getting crap sleep. I guess some is better than none. Count my blessings lol

I bet there will be a 'swings and roundabouts' feeling.

Better to feel crap and sleepless but codeine free, than crap because you want more codeine.

Have a daytime nap, if you can and need it. You can get better sleep habits later, for now just do whatever it takes!

Yes nurofen has damaged my stomach, lots of acid reflux, vomiting with it. I’m waiting for the camera procedure. Not looking forward to it at all. I have done this to myself.
Keep going, each day you will feel better and stronger.

Well codeine has a ceiling dose of 400mg so taking anything over that is basically a waste. I would recommend a slow taper off because cold turkey can be hell. Good luck OP