My partner just stopped taking codeine for a job interview

[Nikki037297]

My partner has been on codeine for I think 3 years now he was on 8 per day but it went down to 6 per day, he has a job interview next week and has been told he will need a medical and he believes they will do a drugs test and if anything at all shows up he won’t get the job, so he just stopped taking his pain relief and he’s really not feeling too good, it’s been 3 days and he’s not sleeping, he’s tossing and turning all night, he’s got dirhhea, not hungry, sweating badly, says his whole body aches and a headache. Is all of that normal? How long will it last until he begins to get better?

[Shehasadiamondinthesky]

About 2 weeks before he feels normal. I know because I've been on and off it for a long time.
Why can't he take codeine for his job?

[elelel]

Whatever it is that causes him so much pain is more likely to prevent him getting the job, surely?

[Mamamamasaurus]

I assume he didn't consult a doctor before stopping the codeine? Would the job actually check for codeine, being an OTC available drug? Is he trying to get his shit together or has he only stopped taking it because of the interview?

[liveforsummer]

Surely he needs to wean off it also why would it be an issue to find a standard painkiller that you can buy without prescription on a blood test anyway?

[Tal45]

Codeine is very addictive (the body basically metabolises it into morphine) so it's not surprising he's struggling with withdrawls, he should have done it very gradually with the supervision of his doctor. I think he should start taking it again and speak to his doctor about it. He should be upfront with the job about what he takes and why.

[Tal45]

Oh and suddenly stopping can make the pain feel worse than before you started taking them.

[cherrytreecottage]

If he's prescribed codeine for pain relief I don't understand why this would be an issue for a drug test? He's not taking it illegally? Surely if questioned he would just produce a note from his doctors saying he requires it. I'm guessing 3 years in, on 8 a day, it no longer has any adverse effects? I.e making him sleepy/drowsy.
I have a very close friend who is drug tested at work, but takes both codeine and diazepam - because it's prescribed it's never been questioned.

[Nikki037297]

It’s for lorry driving his friends work there and have explained to him he will not get the job if anything at all showed up and he said he was on codeine from the gp for arthritis he is allergic to ibuprofen and he’s tried many painkillers but codeine seamed to work best so he’s been kept on that, or course his arthritis is still there so I don’t know why he’s so determined to get this job but he is very comfortable driving it’s walking he finds difficult but only far distances, so then his friend said another man tried for the job 2 years ago and was refused because an opioid showed up in his saliva test. So I’m unsure if my partner was to take in proof it’s from the gp if that would make any difference but their policy for driving lorries is no drugs at all and I know it’s not a drug or some people do use it that way but my partner doesn’t irs a genuine painkiller for him and no it no longer makes him drowsy as I imagine he’s very used to it by now

[TakeYourFinalPosition]

Is he taking more than the prescribed amount?

[elelel]

I think the bigger concern would be his ability to drive an HGV with arthritis so bad that he has been on pain meds for 3 years. That and the potential to worsen his problem.

[Itsalmostanaccessory]

Either he needs the drug to live as normal and pain free a life as possible or he doesnt actually need it and will be fine without, but has continued taking it because he has an addiction and an irresponsible GP.

If the former then he isnt going to last long in this job so what is the point in doing this now? If the latter then he needs help and should see his GP about overcoming his opioid addiction.

[Boogaloony]

@elelel

I think the bigger concern would be his ability to drive an HGV with arthritis so bad that he has been on pain meds for 3 years. That and the potential to worsen his problem.

My husband has knee arthritis so bad he needs a knee replacement and struggles to walk. But he drives tri axle coaches just fine as they (and articulated lorries) are all automatic now. I also need two knee replacements due to RA eating my joints but I also drive a automatic Tiguan for hours at a time without any real issues other than normal discomfort.

[elelel]

That's great?

I just said it would be a concern, not an impossibility.

[Winniemarysarah]

As long as it’s prescribed and he’s been ok’d to drive by the gp then it shouldn’t be a problem. They can’t discriminate against people with medical conditions. You do know a lot of these companies do random drug testing? It’s better to be upfront about his medical conditions and medication now instead of having to explain in further down the line

[cultkid]

He will be very ill for around 1 week
I've been in wirhdrawal a few times

He needs to taper it down because it's emotionally very scarring to go into withdrawal too. I'm now very paranoid about missing a dose of pain killers because it scares me that I'll get symptoms like I did of withdrawal before. I thought I was going to die. I couldn't even have a bath because I would have drowned I was so weak and sick.

Can he taper it down? Does he NEED this job?