Cocodomol addiction help

[justme26]

So please go easy on me as really struggling at the minute aware I'm posting in wrong group but other posts silent and know a lot of people are on this one and need help as can't talk to anyone else
I gave birth to my little girl nearly 8 month ago love her so much and I couldn't live without her
A few weeks after having her I started taking cocodomol to help with pain
Then that turned into it taking full strips at a time
On a night to help me sleep - I was exhausted just couldn't switch off
A lots happened over 8 month, my Nanna passed away due to COVID I had a missed misscariage back in November and things have just went downhill from there
I'm currently taking a full box of cocodmol to get me through the day
My full body aches without it them and I get the most awful migraines I really want to stop but I physically can't
Find myself walking round the town to different chemists every day to get more and it's not the way I want to live
I've finally plucked up the courage to ring doctors this morning and currently waiting for a phone call back
However I've been thinking will they take my baby off me if I tell them? I don't know wether to answer the call incase they say I'm unfit to look after her
I'm not she's well looked after I just need them to function now and get through the day
Thanks for reading xx

How are you doing today, @justme26? We’re all rooting for you, and there’ll be lots of support here for you.

Just another voice of support here OP

Please ask for the medical help you need & with it & the support that is available you can overcome this. Ph your GP again first thing tmrw. Your little girl needs a healthy happy mummy & you deserve to be healthy & happy without all this shame, worry & fear that you are carrying. You can turn it all around but you need to reach out in real life for that help. Please do it first thing tmrw. Wishing you the very best 🌷

I think you are dealing for post natal depression. If you tell the doctor, he should't have to judge. Just ask for help we are all humans

Hope you're ok @justme26.
You will feel like some weight has been lifted off your shoulders after you"ve off loaded all of this to a gp who can give you a plan.

I know it's the codeine that's got you addicted, but the paracetamol can cause severe liver damage. Have you or anyone else noticed you're looking jaundiced?

OP,

Are you ok? Were you able to speak with your GP today? We are still here if you need us.

Please tell your doctor, you are risking your life. Your baby won’t be taken away from you but you will be helped.

Are you alone?

So sorry, just re-read thread and missed you have a partner.

Some well meaning people have suggested that you try to “cut down” by yourself but please lovely, don’t try to do that.
The quantity you are getting through every day is dangerous and you need professional help. You really do need to must talk to your health visitor or if that’s not possible in these difficult times, your GP. They will understand and know how to help you.

OP you've been so so brave to get this far. You can deal with this, but given the quantity of medication that your body has become accustomed to you will need help from medical professionals and also from your partner.

Please do consider getting help ASAP, that first step will begin your journey towards freedom and safety.

With help you can and will do this.

Hi everyone thanks for all the messages just a quick update
I rang doctors yesterday and told her everything she's gave me codiene on prescription so I'm not taking the paracetamol anymore and cut down that way
Also prescribed sertraline so fingers crossed things start improving these next few weeks
Haven't had any cocodmol since last night and my body's aching already even with the codiene

Hi OP,

You did tge right thing asking for help...please stay away from the OTC tablets & concentrate on your doctor's advices to get you well again. I'm sure it won't be easy but you need to persevere & see this through.

I’m so happy to hear that, justme. Huge well done (if that doesn’t sound patronising). I’m so glad your GP was helpful and has got you off the paracetamol which was threatening your life. I read your thread the other day and have been worrying about you. Take it easy now and keep getting the help you need so you can be healthy for you and for your baby.

Oh well done for seeing the GP what a relief, I hope this works for you, I can see how you got where you are so easily.

I am glad that your GP is helping you.

My husband had this problem , probably taking the same amount that you are. He did get the courage to go the the GP but all the advice they could give him was to cut down and take less, no shit Sherlock. That was all the "help" he got

He is still taking a LOT of paracetamol he has been taking this huge amount for over 30 years. He drinks a lot too. He had some blood tests recently for another matter and everything is fine, liver function good. SO maybe you do get some tolerance.

hope you can manage to come off the codeine.

Hope the aching stops soon op

This one is a short one but I had such a migraine this morning, this helped. They do work, to a degree, you know. Helpful.

Really well done OP.
First step to recovery taken!
You've been on my mind a lot.

Well done @justme26 - that took real courage. Does the GP have a plan in place for getting you off the codeine or referring you to services for a managed withdrawal? Did they order some liver function tests/further investigations?

Well done op. I'm surprised your GP didn't help more! How are you feeling today?

Well done for taking those first steps. Has your gp booked you in for a liver function test?
I think that would be the most important test for you to have right now x

I’m just trying to end a 10 year addiction with codeine. I am cutting down slightly on my own.
OP it’s good that you’re going to stop taking large amounts of paracetamol but be careful you don’t keep going with the codeine long term. It’s a mental state really- the addiction. I can’t see my way out yet. But need to go through it. Good luck.

Hi op, another one here who has been stuck in this addiction for a loooooong time. Started taking the 30/500 in my 3rd trimester due to severe hip pain and spd, and have never come off of them. That was 8 years ago now! I get them on prescription, but get through them within 3-4 days, then go round buying the 8/500 ones to try and get me through until I can get more. My partner knows about it all and has tried to help me, but ultimately I need to help myself. Days I can’t take some I’m grumpy and achy, it’s horrendous. Ive asked gp a few times for an alternative, but haven’t told them the exact reasons for this as I’m scared they will completely take them away from me. I need to do what you have had the courage to do, but I think i would prefer to speak to someone face to face and find a solution rather than a telephone call. Going to be changing doctors soon and so maybe having a new doc can mean a new start, we will see. I do tend to have an addictive personality, so I’m also worried that I’m always going to need something to be addicted to. I used to drink an awful lot in my twenties and got out of that once I became pregnant, but I just don’t know what will make me finally give up this one.

@Pinklady1982 can you cut down so so gradially your body (if not your head) doesnt experience physical withdrawal? Over 6 months. Really gradually. If you have been in this situation for 8 years, even a year long decrease would be fantastic. There was a heroin addict on an AMA who decreased her dose by about 1ml and got used to that, then decreased again. Good luck x