Cold turkey off of pain meds.

[Anniecott]

So very long story short, I had found myself in the position of taking far too many codeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen on a daily basis for far too many years and it all came to head last week when a gp realised after connecting some various consultations, I have been taken off all pain meds cold turkey and left to it. While still waiting for a diagnosis as to why, which should hopefully be next week, I'm a mess, I'm a struggling. Any advice and success stories

That's very irresponsible of the doctor, its much safer to wean off slowly. We're they on prescription, we're you taking the recommended doses, I would not have just told you to stop. You can contact a drug support helpline and back to a different doctor to get pain relief if you need it.

I had to come off pain meds cold turkey. I was put on tramadol - I had no idea what they were - just told "take these" after major surgery. When I realised what I had been taking, I went full-on cold turkey and it was awful but I was determined to stick it out. Took about 4 weeks. Terrible withdrawal headaches and other effects, but I rode it out.

Very angry that I was given that prescription without anyone explaining what it was.

Best of luck to you. You can do it.

I honestly think it's better to titrate down. It's unnecessarily painful to do cold turkey.
I have always reduced the dose by half daily, until it becomes zero. Then it's less painful. could you get another person to give you the reduced dose each day, and have the tablets on them?
If they're OTC strength opioids then reduction should because bit easier.
I'm on 30mg codeine 4x a day, but Ive reduced it to two. It's hard with chronic pain. Wishing you luck.

So I'd ended up taking 16 of each a day, and yes it was a prescription based codeine phosphate, but over the counter paracetamol and ibuprofen but both double strength, I did occasionally mix it up with co-codromol when I ran out of the codeine but ended up in a&e with an accidental overdose. The thing I'm most pissed off about is, the lack of care, I'm in full on withdrawal.
Sickness, nausea, diarrhoea, heart palpitations, panic attacks, the works. I'm somehow managing to work but thankfully have an amazing team supporting me and my boss has said if I need to go sick to do so but I don't want to be at home.
I

You know you were taking over the safe doses but you shouldn't have to suffer withdrawals or be left in pain , have the gp helped you cut down or suggested you get help from the addiction services who you can get in touch with them online or by phone. Try and keep your fluids up and eat what you can. Good luck, I hope you get some rest and help.

Oh I'm well aware of the dosage I was on, ironically so was the doctor, as I completely upfront with them, but after being on them for the yrs the effects were obviously not as good.
Thanks for that info though. I'll have a look.
I've actually given up with my gp for various other reasons as well and am looking to move practice.

Hi op. I'm sorry you're going through cold turkey, that is awful of your gp and I think it can be dangerous can't it going cold turkey from
Such high doses? How're you coping ?

I could've wrote your post and I was actually on here looking for some advice. I feel out of control at the moment. I take about 12 30mg codeine a day. 8 solphadine max and 12ish nurofen plus.
I am a mother of 3. 2 under two and I parent etc just fine but I feel like I need the pills just to make it through the day. When I start to run out I get really down and anxious. My back issues are the least of my worries atm. I even had an accidental od last year too.

@notinagoodplayce
Oh bless you, I'm a week in and not in a good place, I'm having some some very dark depressing and disturbing thought, spoke to a different gp yesterday but they agreed on the cold turkey plan. So here we are. I've been signed off work, on a week to week basis. I'm a mum as well of a 21 yr old special needs son, luckily I have an amazing husband who's really supportive but I feel like shit, but I will do this.
It is worth talking to the doctor even with all that I'm saying. Good luck.

This. If you were abusing the dosage, stopping cold turkey is very dangerous.

16 x 30mg codeine plus the over the counter stuff? That will be difficult cold turkey, well done for getting this far .

Physically you should be over the worst in 3/4 days but expect to feel a bit unwell for a couple of weeks. Hot showers or baths will help the aches and pains. Loperamide (immodium) for the tummy troubles, rest and distraction as much as possible. You might crave sugar - don't deny yourself if you fancy a mars bar!!

Eat when you can, little and often if you can manage it. Your sleep has probably gone to pot as well, but the insomnia won't last.

The mental challenge starts at the same time as the physical one and can last a lot longer. I don't want to scare you but it can take many months (or longer) to feel totally 'better'. But you can do it, you've got this far, but don't worry if you still struggle a bit with your mood at first.

If you find you need additional support I would recommend Narcotics Anonymous. It is open to all and I'm sure you'll find people with the same addiction/dependency who can offer help and support. There are meetings in person all over the world, and online meetings too.

If you are in the Uk the website is https://ukna.org

Good luck

Doctors sound shit and not at all a good or recommended plan of action. However, to correct someone above, cold turkey on Opiods is NOT dangerous, unlike alcohol or benzos.

good luck

Come off mine aswell CT after ten years and now feel a bit dizzy and light headed. Been about a week now

So an update I was 8 weeks clear off all the pain meds yesterday.
God were the first few weeks rough, I have been depressed before but I have never planned how I would kill myself and I was at that point.
Thankfully I found out I have an amazing support network, not only my family but my friends and work as well. I now have an appointment with the pain clinic next month and a formal diagnosis of what's actually wrong with me, so can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.
I don't plan on taking any pain meds before my appointment as I'm petrified of getting addicted again.
Good luck to anyone else going through this, you can do it. X

WELL DONE!!!