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Codeine Withdrawal

4 replies

Wishingstaar · 30/12/2023 20:24

Hi there, first of all I'm ashamed to even be writing this but here goes anyway. I am currently on day 2 of codeine Withdrawal. (28 hours to be exact) I have been a codeine addict for probably 18 years on and off. I first experienced codeine (morphine) After I had my son in 2006 by C Section. I was given Liquid morphine then afterwards I was given codeine tablets to take home. I should mention also that I have suffered mental health issues my whole life. After my son was born I was suffering with extreme post partum, and I realised that the tablets were helping me to get through the day. Now there's a lot of stuff in between then and now, but long story short, ever since I have been using them to get through life. Not constantly, I've had lots of time off them, all through my subsequent pregnancies and a few times when I've felt strong, but the last maybe 2 years I've not been off them. Fast forward to now. My mental health isn't great, but I don't want to continue this into New Year. I ran out of Nurofen Plus Yesterday and I didn't have the energy to go into town so I just decided, right, I'm going to do this. The thing is I've done it lots of times and I know just how bloody hard and painful it is. The emotional and mental dependency I will deal with (I'm working on it) But lord knows I need the strength to fight the physical withdrawal symptoms. Please tell me I'm not alone. I want to be me again and be able to function without them and be the best mother I can be. If I can just get through this pain and discomfort. X

OP posts:
thedefinitive · 30/12/2023 20:41

Sorry to hear this OP. I have been where you are, in fact your dependency sounds a LOT like my experience.

I was taking strong prescription ones for several years. Two failed attempts to come off them and then another (somewhat) successful attempt. I do still take them now but OTC for genuine reasons, bad headaches, bad period pain etc. I never thought I would be able to do that. At my worst I was taking 10 per day, every day.

Anyway, I sympathise. The withdrawal is truly horrible. Things that helped me - magnesium, hot water bottle, Epsom salts bath, weed is very helpful too if that's your thing?!

I also took them just to get through the day and to be able to cope, especially after becoming a parent which I found SO hard, had bad PND and no family support.

How old are your kids? Does anyone in RL know? My husband was supportive which helped.

If you're 28 hours in, it won't be long until you start to feel better physically but the emotional dependency will take longer to extract yourself from.

Princesspollyyy · 30/12/2023 20:46

Who is prescribing them to you? Or where are you getting them from?

YouAndMeAndThem · 30/12/2023 22:02

You don't have to do it alone or cold turkey, please call 111.

MadamVastra · 31/12/2023 16:22

How are you today op

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