Withdrawing from codiene and going at it alone?

[Sp3849]

I am addicted to codeine. I have not ever told anybody. My husband works away so it's always been easy to hide. I started taking zapain 30/500 tablets when prescribed 3 years ago when diagnosed at 32 with psoriatic arthritis. After trying so many different types of tablets it was the only thing that would help keep the pain manageable so that I could walk and manage looking after my children. I have an extremely sensitive stomach and other meds.caused stomach issues. It started off ok for the first year and then I needed more and then more. I was I started supplementing the zappain with solpadeine max and nurofen plus as my prescriptions wouldn't last the month. I found I wasn't taking it so much for the pain as I would continue to take it when the flare ups had eased down. I liked the way made it me feel. It helped me feel less anxious and I knew I had a problem but I thought I could control it.
I decided a couple of months ago after a good year of taking way more tablets than the safe daily amount of paracetamol and ibuprofen that I needed to stop. It is not good for my body. I lasted ,5 days last time and it was horrific. The tummy upsets, nausea, headaches brain fog and pain was too much. I was working full time in a very stressful job that needed my full attention and I caved I couldn't function without it. I then decided to try and slowly reduce to minimalise the effects of withdrawal but I just found myself taking more and more I have been taking 12 of each zapain or solpadeine max and nurofen plus for atleast a moth now so 24 tablets a day! I have two weeks off before I start a new job and I am using the time to try and get clean. I know the only way for me is Cold turkey as I can't just take even the recommended doses. It's best not to have them in the house at all. it's been 32 hours since my last dose and I have had an awful day and I know it's going to get worse. The headaches, stomach pains, diarrhea and shivers today have been awful. I have been stuck to the loo. Is there anything I can do to help it. I am already on antidepressants. Has anyone else done it cold Turkey? I know I am in for a rough time but when did you hit a turning point? I could really do with hearing your stories and experiences. I don't have anybody to speak to about this.

You really need to speak to your GP and come off them in a controlled manner, cold turkey will just make you feel horrendous as you know and not sure if it's safe. Good luck!

Search on here for other threads you aren’t alone and will get ideas on how others managed it. Good luck

I don't think you should come off them cold turkey either.

I think you need to speak to your GP about getting some straight codeine, and ask them to give you a short prescription if needs be so you can't take them all at once. If you need to tell the pharmacy not to sell to you OTC, then do that too. Then get a pill cutter and go down gradually.

If it helps, I have the same medical condition and I'm also on the 30/500s so I really appreciate the strength of the withdrawal. I really think you're going to make yourself horribly unwell if you don't taper.

Well done on being brave enough to post and ask for help too 🌺

I’ve had withdrawals once from benzodiazepines. I was using them heavily while I had Covid so it was only from a couple of weeks but all I can say is it was a really hard 3 or 4 days and it was over. You just need to know that it won’t last long. I don’t know what the gp could give you apart from methadone which is probably more addictive than the codeine

Hi I have arthritis and I take dihydrocodine which is very addictive and been on it for three years. I am very careful now with it as I was on 8 a day but have now halved it to 4. The first week was hard especially the upset stomach and restless legs. My gp explained that unfortunately due to my condition that I have to accept that pain relief is my life now and it's how I'm able to function. I was given gabapentin to help with the pain. I really think you should speak to the gp and get bloods to check your liver and kidneys as you have been taking a lot of paracetamol and ibuprofen. They may give you a better painkiller to allow you to take effective pain relief without the risk of overdosing. I find a dosage box keeps me strict with it. Good luck and well done realising you have a problem x

I think the problem is I don't want to go to the gp and admit I have an issue. When I have a flare up I have tried so many other things and I know that this is what helps with the pain. I am terrified of there is a day where I really need it a day where I can't go to work because my feet are in agony or I can't type because my fingers are so swollen and painful then it's what getse.though the day. My liver and kidneys are ok at the moment I have monthly bloods because of the sulfasalasine I take to try and keep my condition under control so that's fab but I know with the way I have been taking them it won't be the case for long, especially with the fact that the sulfasalsine is also harsh on them hence why I have monthly bloods. Also I want to be able to go start new job with a clear head and not be drowsy from taking so many tablets. I have tried tapering and I give in I take the dose and I always go back for more just to feel that little buzz. I am taking stupid amounts to feel it. 8 tablets at a time. I now it's going to make me ill but I feel like it's my only option.

Terrified of there is a day where I really need it a day where I can't go to work because my feet are in agony or I can't type because my fingers are so swollen and painful then it's what getse.though the day

the thing is though, that day has gone. You’re addicted to them. You can’t take them again after this “just to get through the day” because then you’re back to where you started.

you need to go and see the GP because you’re at risk of serious damage at the levels you’re taking

Massive well done op for admitting you have a problem and doing something about it. So many people bury their heads in the sand but you've made a huge first step and that's half the battle. I know what it's like to be on pain meds, I had some prescribed for a chronic condition whilst awaiting surgery and I also loved taking them, even following the surgery when my pain had gone. I now have none in the house because if I did I know I'd use it. I do think you should ask your GP for advice, this could be dangerous to do it alone.

I know a couple of people who have been in a similar position, one was very honest and she said she laid out all the tablets she would take in a week and literally removed one per day, the next week 2 per day and so on, some weeks she had to continue with the same as the previous until any withdrawal settled then reduction continued. It took many months but she's been clean for years now. It's possible but very slow. Best of luck

It’s a predicament you’re in. Is your stomach ok?

@Annaishere it's actually a little better today. Thanks for asking. I couldn't eat or drink anything yesterday without having to run to the loo. But I am having a better day today less shaky. My head is not as bad either so hopefully I am on the up. I have a feeling probably not though it's currently nearly 48 hours. I have prepared myself for the worst I am expecting to be awful for the first week to be honest.

I hope you feel better soon. Its a very common addiction.

@Summerslimtime thank you. Yes after some research I am realising it is quite a common issue.

It’s just a few more days, you’re doing really well

I was on morphine after having Zapain and tramadol ( broken both hips and pelvis) left me with Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.
But then l developed esophageal nutcracker syndrome.. ( the spasms mimic heart attacks) they were horrific and many times blue lighted to hospital) then l saw a specialist about the spasms and was told opiates can cause them..
I went cold turkey from morphine.. ( only having paracetamol).. on 3rd day l had the sweats and shivers and pain..but no esophageal spams . I had to choose between hip/ pelvic pain or the " heart attack pain" with the esophageal spasms.. l choose the hip pain.. and continued the cold Turkey.. on the 2nd week my GP gave me 7 5mg diazepam.. l spaced them out over 14 days.
By week three my withdrawal had gone.. and l had steroid injections under x ray / dye into my hip joints.
No spasms.. only pain meds l can take are paracetamol.. ( I'm allergic to anti inflammatories like ibroprofen and asprin).
It can be done.. but I'd honestly come clean to your GP.. because there is alternatives.. they are not there to judge but help.
There is hundreds of addictions and it's an illness.
Good luck.