I need help, to stop codeine!

[Misery88]

Hi, everyone

I’m addicted to codeine.. Wow, that felt weird, I’ve never said it out loud before. But I am, I’m on 8-10 pills a day of 30mg/500mg Co-codamol. For over 3 years now. Last Sunday I decided to go cold turkey, I managed, barely, for 5 days….. then I saw the pills on Friday and I thought “if I take just two, all this illness I’m feeling will go away” so I did.. then I took 2 more and then again 2 more and so on. I relapsed :( it’ll be barley 12hrs since I last took, and I feel so upset, frustrated and annoyed. I can’t believe I gave in. Now all I can think is “I’m going to go through it all again, the nasty flu like symptoms, the sneezing, the headaches, body aches, zero energy or motivation. And it’s scaring the gel out of me. I don’t think I can do this again, but I don’t want to go to my GP. I’m riding solo, no one ones because of the guilt and shame I feel. They won’t understand. I just would like to talk to someone, can someone give me advice?

We're you taking them everyday?

@Stomacharmeleon I'm not a medical professional, so this is a conversation to have with your GP.

In general, codeine is designed for short term use. There are inherent risks for long term use, including addition and misuse. Long term use can induce depression, anxiety, impaired memory, kidney damage, liver damage, pancreatitis...

If you are using codeine for medium to long term pain management, I would be hoping you are under GP care and management (regular blood tests). When I was younger, for a period of two years I was on heavy meds, including immunosuppressants, steroids and codeine. During this time, I had to have regular monthly blood tests to ensure the meds were not impacting my liver/kidneys.

I take it to suppress the bowel as have short bowel, crohns and dumping syndrome. Have been on it ten years (at least). Was on huge dose.... have malabsorption but it really affected me. I would fall over and could never stay awake. I reduced the dose slowly and am now on 6-8 30mg tablets a day.

I was just interested on the side affects as I am on a lot of meds- I was like you @YellowMonday and on biological immunosuppressants, steroids etc. I weaned myself off steroids to have a major op (or they wouldn't do it). I am trying to pin down which medication is giving me what affect (if you know what I mean)

Hi all,

first off, I’m so sorry it’s been a while since I’ve made a post. I’m here today to give some updates,

so, I’ve finally managed to kick codeine in the ass, it’s 3 weeks now since I’ve last used, and I’m so proud, it was hard, it still is hard, each day that passes I’m really wanting to use again, not because I want, but because I’m still feeling pretty rough, like I said it’s been 3 weeks now, and pretty much all the withdrawals have gone, except 1, the exhaustion… I can’t go 10 minutes at work(my jobs very active) without needing to sit down, I’m sleeping well too, but I’ve zero energy, so, I’m just wondering, when will this pass?

Any advice on how you managed it?

I had to do it cold turkey, was the worst couple weeks of my life. It was pretty much like having the flu. It was hard, to be honest I can’t really remember much of it. But like I said, I’m still not feeling 100%

WELL DONE!!!!!!

@Misery88 how are you feeling with the exhaustion now? I'm at a loss with where to start myself really

This is very good news, OP, I am not an expert at all, but my guess would be that it will take a while for both the craving to go away and for your energy to lift up. It might be worth checking with your GP about your loss of energy- perhaps with all that codeine in the system you have had some other issue that has gone unnoticed such as anaemia or B12 deficiency. Or it may just be it will take your brain a while to adjust. If you had flu or Covid, then feeling exhausted for weeks afterwards would be normal, and I'm guessing for your body, it's similar to that type of exhausting process.

I just want to say well done though for coming so far.

I want to add to this thread just to say that not everyone has physical symptoms of withdrawal. So don’t let the talk of terrible symptoms put you off stopping taking codeine.
I was a heavy user of codeine for over a decade. I stopped getting my repeat prescription. Mentally it’s very hard to adjust but I had no terrible physical withdrawal symptoms at all. I just want to balance the narrative a bit because talk of going through terrible withdrawals could frighten people when perhaps they would have no noticeable symptoms at all.
well done to everyone who has managed- whatever your reasons for stopping and whatever experience you had with stopping it’s a huge thing to get through.
and to those of you thinking about stopping- go for it. It’s a millstone.

How did you finally manage to stop? Especially with the mental side of things? I think this is where I currently struggle most. I feel so lost with it all

I’m slowly getting there. It’ll be 4 weeks tomorrow (Sunday 7:30pm GPT) and I’ve still kept my mind and actions in control. The exhaustion is still present, but day by day it’s becoming less. I’m able to move around now without feeling so weak I’m about to collapse. I had a really difficult week this week and needed to take time off work. Because I got sick, so that’s not helped. I am however clear headed, and I can honestly say, even though it was the hardest few weeks of my life, it WAS worth it. I may feel rough right now, (getting better as each day passes) but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s just a really long and bumpy ride. But it’s something needed to be done. I know it can be scary, but as some comments mention, not everyone has the terrible withdrawals. You’ve just gotta fight through it, and put a plan in action. Focus on something that’ll help, try and find that support too, I know it’s scary to open up about, but this is a disease, and we can be helped xxx

I’m taking vitamins and minerals to give myself the added immune etc boost. And I’m also making myself eat small amounts often through the day, which seems to be helping some. It’s started the fade the exhaustion and I’m slowly regaining control again. Im starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and the battle is coming to a slow end. The cravings aren’t really there no more, I’m trying to rewrite my brain, think of the negative because that’s all that was there in the end. They stopped helping me, even when I was in real pain, they did nothing. So now I’m on the route of finding something that’s non opioid for chronic monthly pain. Because I can say for sure, I will not touch another Cody again. It’s ruined who I am xx

Have they suggested a suitable alternative for your pain management?

They’re going to try me on Naproxen, and over the counter medications such as paracetamol/aspirin etc. I’m currently 1 week late (due to the withdrawal and being ill I suppose), it’ll be the first time trying this, so I’m all in this works. Otherwise we’ll try something else, I’ve not told my gp the real reason I no longer want them prescribed, but I explained I didn’t like the way I felt while taking them and I need to try alternative medication

I was worried quite a while ago that taking them made my anxiety worse when i used them a lot less so they gave me tramadol for my back injury at the time but they wanted to keep me on the cocodamol and didn't think it would make my anxiety worse which I find hard to believe especially now looking back!

Yes I totally understand how it feels. It’s most definitely difficult mentally. As I said- physiologically no problem but the reason I used codeine was because of the psychological effects.
I had my prescription tapered off. It is the only reason I stopped. At the moment I’m taking over the counter codeine for severe pain but I won’t continue with it. For me it’s helpful to know that I can buy small amounts otc. It’s nothing like the huge quantities I was taking for over a decade.

I think the best thing is to try to get used to the idea of being without it. Then take less. Once the prescription is stopped you’re on your own but keep in the back of your mind you can get small amounts over the counter if you are desperate.

I realise this is not abstinence however it’s a very complex issue and personally I think it’s more than ok to try whatever works for you. I won’t be taking any once I am out of pain.

@Stella123456 can I ask what your taper plan was?

Yes- happy to help.

I had to agree it with the clinician but couldn’t admit to the amount I was taking. So I had to say I took max 8 per day. They wanted me to immediately go to 4 per day and I said too fast.
I dropped to 8 for a week or so. Then 7 for a couple of weeks then 6 etc. I had no physical symptoms of a withdrawal apart from a bit of diagreah a couple of days.
I had a stash of tablets so was able to follow my own path rather than stick to the clinical plan. This helped me I feel.
I think they said the taper should be over months rather than weeks. My pharmacist had good knowledge about this but I’ve forgotten exactly how many months he suggested. It was definitely more than clinician at my GP had in mind.

once I got to the part where prescription was only for a few tablets a day, the clinician was very keen to rush me and I was told to drop a tablet every couple of days and that they wouldn’t prescribe again.

if you ask your pharmacist they might give you an idea of the best period of time to manage stopping.

for me it’s taken just over a year. As I said, right now I’m taking the max I can buy over the counter but this is something I will also stop. At the moment I am very unwell and in pain.

it is worth stopping if you can. It is such a millstone and you are not free if you rely on someone else for your wellbeing. I was always stressed trying to get my prescription and it took so much time and so much worry. Medication reviews would terrify me.

I hope you can find the strength and get to the other side. You can go to NA meetings if you like support of others and lots are online nowadays. Non judgemental and anonymous too. It’s really exciting to think that I’m going to soon be free of this addiction. unfortunately for me- stopping pain relief has happened just as I’ve had two periods of being extremely unwell and in pain.
Good luck with your plan.

Are these similar to paracetamol ?

@Stella123456 thank you did they offer you any alternative options for pain relief if you need anything more than over the counter stuff? I suffer with migraines which is why I needed it originally and they are severe and im worried of how I will manage in the future if I get an attack. I nearly went to a and e the last one I had was so bad

This is the problem- I haven’t been offered alternatives.
I was referred to a pain management clinic but didn’t go because I was out of the country when they sent the appointment.
the main thing is they won’t prescribe opioids again- at least not long term. I have actually had two smaller prescriptions for codeine since I stopped repeat prescriptions because I have been very unwell.
I think in your instance I would discuss with a pharmacist if you know a good one and see what the alternatives are.
you shouldn’t have to be in pain and not be helped.
if codeine is something that definitely helps you with migraine I would want to make sure I could get 2/3 days worth in emergency.
but if there is a non opioid medication that would work then you need to know how to access that.
life is short. You don’t want to be restricted due to managing a drug dependence but equally, you don’t want your life restricted because of pain that can be treated.

Thank you that's been very helpful i will start looking into options that could be available. I'd feel comfortable if I knew they would prescribe something short term or in an emergency as at least then I would know when I really do need some type of strong pain relief I could be given it

Hi. I don’t know if anyone replies on here or it’s because some are old posts.
I am in day 7?of withdrawal after a day of hell in which unthought I would die.
ibeas up to a pack of Solpadeine a day. Passing blood. Just agony. Now the agony of withdrawals and the mental torture of what I have done. And god the sneakiness of my addiction. Hope you are having a good day. I understand how awful this is.❤️

Congratulations. I’m in the same situation now. Day 7 withdrawal. I would still be on a pack a day of Solpadeine but I had an episode that almost put me in hospital. Passing out.
passing blood etc. its insane that it took that to stop me. I’m in a pretty bad way withdrawals wise. Would be nice to speak to someone. Again , well done, I know you must have been through a lot.❤️