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

Op there’s 3 clinics all in close proximity to you. You’ve got STaRS, one recovery Stafford & Rhe John O’Gaunt. I’d say if you don’t have much luck with STaRS, try another. The advice they have given you is off, and like you say, it’s got off on a bad footing. If you don’t get a phone call by 1pm / 2pm ish from the dr. Call again and ask about your next lot of tablets. It’s dangerous for you to not have them at this point. I’m unsure if they don’t like prescribing bupe for prescription drugs, but it definitely wasn’t a problem for me and another poster further up thread. Keep banging on that door girl. You are strong and you know in your mind you’re ready. That’s the toughest part so well bloody done 💕💕

It's stars I'm using at the moment, but thank you for that.

I think I've decided to push for the bupe. I only had my tablets about 10am and already I'm craving more like crazy, I can't do a taper I just can't. I will end up overdosing on otc, they need to realise how severe my addiction is to have gone straight to them in the first place and bypass the gp.

I'm not familiar with codeine, but generally one does have to taper down to avoid the really shitty ''Precipitated withdrawal''

Possibly give Bristol Roads {ex Bristol Drugs Project} a ring- they are a street drug agency, not a clinic, and they might well have the answer re codeine as they have been going decades, and are very no nonsense. {even though they are not in your area}

They might possibly be able to recommend what is best to do.

Is there no ''shared care'' in your area?

https://www.bdp.org.uk

https://www.bdp.org.uk/painkillers-and-prescription-medication/

If we were talking heroin or methadone, taking bupe without being in withdrawals would mean triggering a really foul and shitty ''Precipitated withdrawal'' rather than overdose.

It's because of the unique action of Bupe.

It displaces ''full agonists'' already sitting on the opiate receptors.

Bupe rushes in and kicks off any ''exogenous opioids'' from the receptors, and occupies those receptors itself.

HOWEVER - as a ''partial agonist'' it doesn't stimulate them in the same way , so withdrawals most definitely will occur unless a transfer is managed well.

{this depends on the individual person }

Once the bupe transfer is done, it blocks heroin , methadone and codeine as bupe sits hard on the receptors, not allowing anywhere for other opioids to 'dock' if someone was to take them.

It took me a while to understand how bupe works - and I've probably not described it well.

@oakleaffy I took my last dose last night at 6pm, then got up today and had the tablets around 7am that's a good 13 hours I was fine, and I could of gone a few more hours to be honest .
I could do something like that, and then I'd be in early stages of withdrawals. I don't understand why the clinic are saying no it has to be 24-36 hours. Weird !!

I really really hope you get help- and soon.

Addiction is a real pain- the obsession with running out, counting the pills or measuring amounts obsessively -it's no way to live.

At least one becomes good at simple mathematical division.

Did Bristol Drugs Project give any advice over phone as what is best to do re codeine and buprenorphine?

Maybe they can't legally give advice unless you are a client of theirs-

I'd not have any idea as to codeine equivalence -all I know is it's very short acting, and you definitely need advice as to the amount of buprenorphine to take

It's not going to be particularly comfortable, whichever way you cut it though- even if done well, there is a bumpy bit when one ''changes horses'' so to speak

You have an appointment tomorrow?

Hopefully you will get some concrete answers then.

Regarding ''concrete''- opioids are infamously constipating -Buprenorphine less so.

OP, I was actually under Stars in Burton on Trent, only a year ago so I'm not sure what's changed but this wasn't my experience with them.

Yes I have an appointment with the prescriber tomorrow, as my keyworker put so she can explain to me herself why it is so dangerous.
I've done enough reading and heard off all you guys telling me I don't actually have to go cold turkey for 1-3 days, that's just them saying that. I just need some evidence to take with me !

@WhatInFreshHell Oh really ! Wow ! How long did you have to stop taking the codeine for ? And how many mg a day was you on ?

I didn't have to stop taking it, I just had to be in early withdrawal which was about 10 hours after my last dose. I was taking around 300mg per day of the codeine at the end, sometimes more if I could get my hands on it. The Bupe saved my life because I would have died eventually.

@WhatInFreshHell was this prescribed codeine too?

Good luck tomorrow, bring a notebook x

Yes both prescribed and OTC, I used the OTC to top myself up.

Morning everyone

God I feel anxious. I shouldn't have to be begging for treatment. This whole thing has made me really question ever reaching out in the first place now. The only reason I was brave enough to self refer is because of the thought there was a medication out there that will help me come off codeine straight away, eliminate cravings and withdrawals and help me focus on my life rather than it being ruled by tablets. All a taper will do is prolong my suffering.
I am so frustrated and upset I'm being put through this. I have my bullet points on my notes I can refer too.

I will update later but can't see me having good news regarding the bupe.

Also already I've been taking more nurofen plus because I'm struggling on the 15 a day. And the thought of them dropping it again from today makes me feel sick.
I can't believe they would want me to be on only otc before they treat me with medication, that is incredibly dangerous

OP, you've done well to get this far but you have to keep going.

You have professional support. You need to follow their advice. It might be painful. But in the long run, what is worse? If you don't tackle this now - right now - it's very possible you will leave your children without a mother needlessly, and by your own hand.

Try to focus on that to get you through the hardest part right now.

Is your DH being supportive? Can you bring him to appointments?

Good luck today OP, you've made the brave first step. Will be thinking of you.

Their advice completely contradicts everywhere else inthe country though and all online literature ! Even just up the road in burton a poster was treated for the same addiction via the same methods with the treatment I think I need to help me... that's what I'm questioning, why I'm being withheld treatment that is in my best interests? It's morning to do what is for me, I think they simply won't treat me with buprenorphine because it's not street drugs and it is prescribed, so therefore I'm the gps mess to clean up.

If you really don't trust the service then you'll have to pay for another service.
If you want to get on top of this you need to stop finding reasons to push day 1 down the road.
I know I'm sounding very brutal. I have so much sympathy. But it's been a year since you admitted you had a problem and the problem has got worse because you haven't taken those first steps.
Whether you do it through this service or check yourself into a private clinic to guide you, you do have to start.
You are under medical care, so you will have support for the side effects. Reading your threads, it reads very much like you're searching materials to find reasons to just put things off just a little further. Which is TOTALLY understandable - you're addicted, your mind doesn't want you to stop because you're addicted - but I think you need to be honest with yourself

Ps: you're probably being withheld the most expensive treatment due to the nhs funding crisis. If you want to self fund it you can privately. But if you want the nhs to support you they will - it will be safe, even if it's involves some pain

FWIW, I know someone who came through heroin addiction and they said the pain was actually helpful - once they'd done it they knew the couldn't do it again so they were never ever tempted to go back

I know you can do this. You can.

Take that step to being to be able to be the mother you know you are.

I politely disagree. I have come to a stage where I want to stop, I keep thinking I'm going to die. I can't go on like this. But I also know how severe my addiction is, and that a taper isn't going to be in my best interests. I can't go even barely two hours without craving more. I cannot control my usage.
There is a medication out there that will eliminate this, why on earth shouldn't I push for it ?
I am not using excuses. I am being realistic.

Also, I'd be happy to pay privately for treatment and subotex. But if there is even a chance the nhs will do this (which they do because posters on this thread have said they have had it themselves) then I'm going to push first.

@LostittoBostik another point I need to make, I haven't once said if I don't receive a prescription for subotex that I won't do the taper. I will 100%, I am in this for the long haul now and the end goal is being codeine free. But I am going to try my hardest to get what I think I'm entitled too.