Withdrawal from codeine - cocodamol 30/500's - Day 2 of cold turkey!

Hi all,

It seems we broke the rules and can't post emails and web links on here. Oh well not to worry. We can do it on here.

First of all how lucky is Aunt Florence for not having the horrid withdrawal symptoms up to now?!!! You must be very healthy.I got the impression that you weren't liking the idea of the 5-HTP I suggest? Please reconsider because knowing what I know now I really feel they'll help you. It's an amino acid and not addictive. Alternatively try and get a wide spectrum vitamin, mineral and amino acid blend to aid you. It really lifted my mood and gave me energy, as well as (coincidently?) changed my sleeping to quality sleeping.

Gavin - so you're well on your journey to a happier existence? Don't forget that deciding to do this has already got you half way there. Now that you're starting to feel the effect of the codeine leaving your body you're part way through then next phase. Day 2 and 3 for me were always the killer days for me. I found getting out and walking around really helped take my mind off it.I expect the 8/500's your having at night will mildly take the edge off. But please please please stop them altogether once you've got over the worst of the acute withdrawal phase - so probably day 4 or 5. If you continue taking them after this date I can promise you you'll only drag out the final phase where your brain chemistry starts to repair. Read up on various sites and you'll find that this process will not fully progress if you're still taking the smallest of doses.

It's great that your boss thinks you're ill becasue that'll give you the few days you'll need to detox. I could never go to work through those first few days. I've tried a number of times to quit so am well versed in the process.

It's also natural for you to start worrying about all the damage you've done over the years. I was too - 10 years of damage to my stomach, liver, kidneys, etc. I went ot the doctor a couple of months ago (while I was still taking high doses) with complaints of pains in my rib area, back, etc. and after a number of different tests I was sent for a liver, spleen, kidney, stomach, etc. ultra scan. Had blood tests done. Everything came back fine, and the doctor subscribed me some more Zantac saying its probably just acid burning my stomach. I've not had any problems since about week 3. I think I did most damage to my stomach but its repair itself now, and my bowel movements are back to normal after having so many problems for years. I'm sure you'll be fine. Why don't you ask your doc for the same thing in a couple of weeks time. It will help you feel better.

I know it's silly but I never admitted it to my doctor either. Just don't want it on my record. Every time I went with a complaint he always asked me once or twice if there was any other prescription drugs I had been taken. So they probably have an idea.

So day 1 down. Day 2 to tackle. I promise you'll be writing to us in 3 or 4 days time saying how good you feel. You'll see.

And I toally agree with what kimlouise mentioned about these drugs being banned. I know a lot of people who have secret addictions to these tablets. There's even a couple of women at work who quietly pop a couple in to a glass of water. I can tell by the label what they are but I don't say anything. I really want to tell them what problems they cause.

I really feel for you kimlouise. It will be a tough time for you having to look after your children. Not sure if there's anyone who can help you is there? Ideally you could do with 3 to 5 days on your own, or at least someone looking after them for half the day during this period.

Aunt Florence - you feeling any better energy-wise?

Keep posting guys - it's good to know how you're getting on. Stay strong.

 Cody

Codeien has a half life of 24 hours so every day the amount of codeien stored in your body halves. I think that's why typically it takes between 3 and 5 days for your body to detox, and usually depends on age, general health, length of time using, dosage.

<3

Hi my name is Andrea I am addicted to codeine and have been buying them over the counter for about 12 years now I take 8 a day every 4 hours without fail.In all the years I tried to kid myself and others that I wasn't addicted I have finally come to my senses and have admitted it a big step for me something has just clicked and now instead of 2013 being unlucky it is going to be lucky for me as I am going to stop these tablets.I have been looking through all the posts from the start and am thinking oh boy what have I done to myself,I am not looking forward to the withdrawal surely it cannot be any worse than giving up smoking which I thought I would never be able to do I have been smoke free for over 6 years now and for me a big achievement.I suffer with anxiety which the tablets helped at the start but I don't know who I am anymore,I see my doctor on Wednesday but not sure if I should tell him or not?My hubby is coming with me for moral support but I feel that this is a journey I have to do on my own as I think his patience is wearing a bit thin.

I have written a to do list,plenty of water vitamins to take and lots of research as I am sure with lack of sleep coming my way I will have plenty of time on my hands I am also doing another list so I can keep my mind busy so I am not thinking of the tablets I have managed in the past to be free of these for 1 week but gave in as the headaches were bad and before I knew it am back to square one.I will be detoxing from these on Wednesday as I have booked some time of from work.I am so pleased that I have found this site as I don't no anyone who has the same problem as me and look forward to talking with you all sorry if I have rambled on any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks Andrea.

_________________19 more posts and 19 more days to have signature active.

Hey Andrea41,

You are doing the right thing it just takes that blind leap of faith to start!! The one thing you must do is keep the thought that with each day you fight the withdrawals is a step closer to " being you again ". If you read all the posts in this thread then you pretty much have all the survival tips for this first rubbish week. Please remember it does go away and we are all here to help you...!!!

good morning all hope that everyone on this road is as well as can be.Having just finished my 2nd night I wanted to post an update on my fight.Yesterday was a very difficult day with all the same symptoms of others who have been addicted but mainly the body aches which leave you very uncomfortable at all times and again play havoc with your sleeping pattern,but I'm happy to say I've resisted the codeine and stuck to my allowance of 2before bed(8/500).After reading earlier posts I did look into a product 5- htp which on the whole seemed a safe natural product with no side effects,it will help with mind more than the body as it helps with serotonin which releases the positive vibe of the brain.I decided to give the product ago as I feel I was taking codeine to hide from situations and to give myself that warm fuzzy feeling thinking it was making me feel better about myself.I went in to a Holland and Barrett and had a long chat with a member of the staff who was very helpful and understanding off my problem and did explain all the ins and outs of the product making sure it was suitable for me,so I took the plunge and I'm going to give it ago.What I want to make clear is its not a product that will work instantly and I was told it can take many weeks to take effect so be patient as I will have to be and again I cannot stress enough that it will not stop the withdrawal symptoms.If you decide to look at the product then please look into it first(google)and see if you think it may help you.ps Holland and Barrett's sell the product at 14.99 and you get a second bottle for a penny as its on sale so that will give you a 2month supply.SoSo I'm now on day 3 and feeling a tiny bit better so I must be doing something right and I have definitely finding a bit more energy today.Thank you for reading and I will keep posting in the hope it will provide help for others.

Hi Gavin,

I took 5-htp last year and for me it just made me more tired in the day but it will affect people in different ways. I now take l-tyrosine and rhodiola rosea which have increased my energy and well being enormously. Also started adding a product called Spirulina to my food which is a form of green algae ( sounds gross I know ) but it seems to help me a lot. I guess trial and error is the best way but it's all good my friend.....!!!!!

Hi Castiel, I just wanted to say a big thankyou for the post about PAWS. I have been free from soul stealing spirit breaking codeine for almost three months now. Thought i was on the home straight physical symptoms gone and mind healing. Then last week all the symptoms returned I thought what the hell feels like withdrawal symptoms but even worse! Don't know how but managed to miss any info on that stage. As you say knowledge is power and as I wasn't prepared it knocked me for six. To start with felt such a feeling of hopelessness when i read how long it could last. For anyone wondering about symptoms pretty similar to the beginning but for me worse; bad headache, legs and arms hurt so much but far the worst bit was my mind so dark and depressed felt scary. After a week I got up one morning and thought I will not allow that damned codeine to destroy my life for one more day. I scoured the web for any scrap of advice I could find and wrote out a plan to get through. I now feel back in control and positive and strong again,. Trust me that is the key to sucess. To all of you just starting out I will be thinking of you. I feel like I have been to hell and back but when I really think about it I was in hell all along. p.s Castiel spirulina ?? think somebody has been watching too much Gillian Mckeith!! Kimxxx

Hi can you tell me how to research the PAWS as when I google it comes up with animal sanctuarys,and dog paws.

I am new to this so I would like as much info as possible Thankyou.?

Andrea, It seems we are all it this year. I can't stress enough that you you will have to take it a day at a time or as someone else said even an hour at a time as the feelings pass. I took immodium as I was working and didn't want to have to keep going to the loo this seems to have help with stomach cramps and I think made it a bit easier.

Most people on here seem to be going cold turkey which I can understand as I think if you have them around you just keep taking them and then trying to justify it i.e. i've got a headache, toothache, leg ache and then like you say your back where you started.

I started off very strong willed and determined but as I posted yesterday, was a horrible day I would have gladly started to take them and not batted an eyelid if I'd had any in the house. But today when my alarm clock went off I~ dragged myself out of bed drank a pint of water and went to work and by the time I was coming home I realised I hadn't thought about them all day. And I didn't feel as lazy as I have been. Thats been the biggy for me I usually dash round doing as many of the jobs as I can, but i've had lead legs this last 11 days. Day 12 I feel better.

I was inspired by an actress who hurt her hand very badly and she didn't take any pain relief. she said she used the same method as when she gave birth. I thought if she can cope with that without pain killers I can do this.

It may sound mad but I picked a word to concentrate on whenever I~ thought about tablets or wanting to take some or go and buy some and repeated it over and over in my mind until another thought popped in and I got distracted from it.

Good Luck

P.S. perfect angel set this site especially to ramble and if posting takes your mind off it post away.

See Gavin day three already it goes quickly doesn't it.

Aunt Flo

yes it does and I'm realising how positive I feel for getting through each day and hopefully some more sleep tonight

Guest, just to let you know day 12 has been a good day. Had a little bit bounce back in my step today.

Hey Andrea,

Look up Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. I guess if you put in PAWS all pet stuff will come up.?? Kim, 3 months off is outstanding !!! Thanks for coming back after all that time. It's a big help having people's accounts way down the line . It can simply make the difference when someone comes on here in despair in that first shitty week and reads these accounts giving them hope and information. As for Spirallina, well its good stuff but I would'nt like to inspect my poopo.O after it LOL..!!!!!

Hi,

My daughter is trying to self detox right now, 2013.  Thankyou Perfect Angel for you indepth description.

She has only been using codeine for maybe over a month, but she was using neo-percodan regularly.

She just told me that on stressful days she took up to 30 pills, but this was only in the last month or so.

I don't know about the neo-percodan, though.  

Today is her second day and everything you said is exactly what she is experiencing, including no sleep.

She wants me to go get her some codeine so she can "wean" herself off gradually.  I don't know how I 

feel about that.  My only concern is that she not die from the cold turkey method.  On the other hand,

if, as was stated, most people don't die from codeine detox, then I would rather just back off and let

the process follow its unnatural course.

alegrefeliz

Hi alegrefeliz,

Firstly how old is your daughter..?? The main thing I will say is that as you know about her problem and are worried take a visit to the docs for peace of mind. Codeine detox really starts on day 2 and the first instinct is to crave the pills to stop the withdrawal effects and it is really hard. If you can work out a taper method with the doctor and you administer the pills then it will be a lot easier. I would'nt trust any addict with the pills themselves as it won't work believe me....!!!!!!!