How do I tell the gp the mess I'm in

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I'm hugely dependent on codeine, it is prescribed but I take way over what I'm meant to 500-600mg daily which means I run out early every time. This means I can't taper done properly because I run out then have to buy otc and then it starts again. My husband has forced me to call the gp and tell them, I'm just waiting for them to call. I'm terrified though. Terrified they're going to call ss on me. I'm a normal person, I'm not a druggie on the streets, I'm not a scumbag, I'm a young mother of 3 kids who are my whole life.
I have my own home, job, husband etc but I am addicted to codeine through being prescribed them years ago for back pain which was never investigated. I now know that back issue is a herniated disc and it causes sciatica. I can't stop taking them as I get horrible withdrawal symptoms and I can't function. Please help me I don't know what I'm meant to do

You know I wasn't told once that because I'm taking prescribed codeine I wouldn't be allowed to have the buprenorphine, I was mislead and told I would be prescribed and that the gp needed to give me what I normally have in a day until they see me and prescribe me.
So why the sudden change ? Could anyone tell me ?
The keyworker said it's a rarity that someone on prescribed codeine uses their service etc it's only "illicit codeine"
Why the hell wasn't I told this from the start ?

OP are you sure that's what was said? I was taking prescription codeine when I started my Bupe script and it wasn't an issue? The Bupe is fantastic by the way, I'm clean from Bupe and Opiates, have been since November. Please keep going. Well done for accessing help.

@WhatInFreshHell Yeah 100%. She said because I'm taking such a high amount it's not safe to go cold turkey for 36 hours from the codeine in order to start the buprenorphine. Also they usually only deal with people who are taking otc codeine.
So they are apparently in touch with the gp and pharmacist at my surgery and have given them a safe reduction plan for me. I haven't been told anything off it though so I'm just in the dark

I don't get it I've been told the total opposite

Regarding the GP have they just been prescribing you huge amounts of this for years with no face to face appointment or review of your back pain?
That is disgraceful and you need to stop blaming yourself as you are not fully to blame for this!!

I was initially prescribed over 6 years ago and it's just gone up whenever needed it too.
Had I think two reviews in that time and one of them was only because I was having a 6 week post partum check.
The gp said for some reason the system hadn't picked up that I was "overusing" even though I was ordering 224 tablets every two weeks.
How the fuck does that even happen !

And now the gp has taken over this whole thing even though I didn't want to go through them I wanted to go through the clinic. I'm so confused how they can say they will give me subotex when I'm only taking otc codeine, that doesn't make any sense it's such a small amount that I'd be able to taper myself off that. Why would they put you on such a strong opioid for that?!

Exactly!! I am rooting for you OP.
I have 2 different friends, who both got off drugs and never looked back or touched anything again.
one actually became a drugs counsellor. You can do this x

I think it sounds like the GP is your best bet here OP, good luck. I know it will be difficult but it is genuinely the best thing you can do for yourself, my uncle was in the same situation and is now 3 years completely clean x

Just read your update babe, how disheartening. They’re supposed to be helping people taper off these drugs safely and giving you complete comfort and peace of mind knowing you’re doing it safely. I’m gobsmacked that they won’t help you if you’re taking your usual dose. That seems completely backward to me. Maybe things have changed since I went in my detox journey, but for me (I was taking 25/30 30mg codeine a day) they asked me to stop taking the codeine once I had Buprenorphine with me also, wait until I started my withdrawals, then take the bupe. It worked fine and I haven’t taken or even thought of taking another tablet again. I really would push to seek further help within the clinic. I’m pretty sure that’s not usual practice. Failing that, if I were in your position, I think I’d just gradually, slowly reduce the codeine. And I mean slowly. You can reduce by a few mg every few days (or whenever you feel comfortable enough to knock down again) You’ve got this. Your head is in this game, I can tell from the way you write. I’m watching this thread closely to help give advice if I can. Xxx

ETA: If the clinic won’t help you, make a plan with your doctor about reducing slowly. I forgot to add that. They can offer you support and should know the pace you need to be reducing at. 💕

That's really odd. I didn't have to go cold turkey to start the Bupe, I just had to be in the beginnings of withdrawal. So I took my last lot of codeine tablets at 7pm on the Monday night and then started my Bupe dose at the pharmacy the following day at around 12pm. I was only slightly in withdrawal, as was taking very high amounts of codeine. My withdrawal would start within 10 hours.

Yeah same for me mate. I can’t understand for he life of me why the clinic won’t see her if she’s still using prescribed codeine as opposed to otc? Does it matter!! It’s fucking codeine, she’s addicted and slipped through the net for years, what with not being picked up by the GP how much they were prescribing. I really can’t work out their logic here. I’d say fight for help from the clinic. Tapering off codeine is risky. You've got the chance to take more than you should be, then the viscous cycle begins again.

I'm starting to think the gp doesn't want me going on subotex because some of it is their fault I'm in this position. I can take some blame myself of course, but they have also handed them out like sweets and completely missed how often I was ordering. So possibly they don't want one of their patients on a drug program or something? I don't know, something just feels really off. I'm asking for help, I've been assured I'd get it in the way I feel will be best for me, and now it's been taken away and I'm being told something totally random and backwards. Well help you when you're only on otc ? Knowing it's mixed with other stuff and the potential to overdose. I just don't get it.

What a bizarre thing for the clinic to have decided
People transfer to buprenorphine after decades of methadone and heroin use all the time.

It just doesn't make sense.

Maybe as they don't ''know'' you as a client of theirs? {Eg know history} urine tests &c.

They are possibly overrun as well, funding is tight.

What they probably mean is that you need to cut down the codeine to be more comfortable when doing the transfer.

They probably think the GP can manage it by him/herself.

A friend was prescribed codeine and morphine after a large operation and he became physically addicted- and he just stopped taking the tablets.

It was me that said he sounded like he was withdrawing as he was feeling low and lacking in energy and watery eyed.

His GP put him on a reducing prescription and he's not taking any at all now.

It's just so weird. I self referred, I even put on the form PRESCRIBED codeine. I then spoke to two different people from their organisation again telling them this, and the lady today said oh it must have been a mistake about saying we treat people taking prescribed codeine and some training will have to be done lol wtf
I do feel I'm being fobbed off. They aren't saying they won't help me, but it seems they don't want to give me the buprenorphine for some reason. I just don't get why ? I asked again if they knew how much I was taking, she said yes. No idea but it's really put a big downer on my day.

I can’t understand for the life of me why the clinic won’t see her if she’s still using prescribed codeine as opposed to otc? Does it matter!!

This. OP is taking the same drug whether it’s prescribed or bought otc at the chemist.
It’s like an alcohol treatment centre saying ‘oh we’ll only treat you if you drink wine, not if you drink spirits’.
I can’t understand their reasoning at all.

Looking online at anything I can to see why they would say no and I can't find anything.

The only thing I can think of is that they aren’t used to people who only take Codeine (?)
Codeine is usually only taken in desperation to help ease withdrawals ( which it barely touches) when nothing else is to hand?

Who knows their reasons.

A reducing script from Dr is probably what they think is a good idea.

Buprenorphine itself is addictive, so whichever way one slices it, Withdrawing has to happen if one wants to be drug free.

Years ago, a research person had funding to take two people to this place in Thailand .

It’s tough, but some swear by it.

The Abbot is meant to be a kindly man, but one has to make a Vow never to touch drugs again-
a Sattya (?)

A friend did it - and said it was hard.

Interesting vids on it on you tube.

wat-thamkrabok.org/

So what is your next step OP? What have the clinic advised? X

My GP put me on a reducing prescription for codeine, whilst I was awaiting my referral to the recovery service. It was a really bad idea. The GP would give me an amount of codeine tablets for the week, with the expectation that I would take the dose when required and the amount required. This never worked. I was an addict. I would collect the tablets on Friday and they would be gone by Sunday morning. I didn't find that my GP was very knowledgeable about addiction and didn't understand that as an addict I couldn't regulate my usage. I tried to taper down myself but it's impossible, for me any way. I think you should clarify what you've been told with the recovery service you're in touch with, it cannot be correct. They are right that you have to be in withdrawal, but only the early stages, I didn't have to go cold turkey and suffer a withdrawal before I could start the Bupe. I'm sorry you're in this situation OP, thinking of you.

I have no idea really. I have an appointment with my keyworker next Thursday but this is just to "find out why I'm taking the codeine"
I know why I'm bloody taking it, significant pain which after a number of years I've had to take more and more to feel an effect because that's how opiates work. Since then I've had two babies in 16 months, I've had post natal depression with presents as anxiety and ocd either horrendous insteusive thoughts so yes there is an element of self medication but the reason I even had those to self medicate with is because I was left on long term addictive painkillers.

I feel like I've been let down to be honest. Really anxious now about tapering because it's bloody hard and I don't feel like I've got enough willpower. As a pp has just said, I'm an addict, let's face it. All they will be doing is pushing me into taking more otc!!
How can they refuse to give me a proven drug to eliminate cravings and withdrawals when I'm taking a dose of 700mg per day? Like wtf ?!

Can I ask what happened when you kept failing the taper? Like what was the process then how did you come to be on the buprenorphine?

It just doesn’t make sense OP. They want you to be on otc only, but that is mixed with other drugs that are harmful? Ibuprofen for one which cause damage to the stomach and liver. They’ve got it all wrong. Fight for it. None of it makes sense. Sounds as though their resources are stretched and they are at capacity, therefore not taking any more patients. Can your GP push the clinic? 💕

I think you should call back and ask to speak to a manager as someone who works for CGL this does not sound right. We would also never refuse to treat someone because resources are stretched to whoever said that. It just doesn't happen. If you are take buprenorphine with codeine in your system you will go into precipitated withdrawal which is not pleasant at all. So you do need to be in moderate withdrawal when you commence buprenorphine. I would call back and ask to speak to a manager or the duty medic.