Codeine Withdrawal

[Sonya]

I recently (two weeks ago) had microscopic back surgery. Although the surgical procedure was successful, I believe I am now paying the BIG price for those "wonderful" little pills that "held me over" in the interim for the severe pre-op pain that I experienced as well as the short period of post-op pain that I endured. I was prescribed Tylenol#3, Lortab 7.5, Lortab 10 and Percocet and LOTS of it. I was legitimately in a GREAT deal of pain! The problem was, the more pain medication I took, the more I needed (and the more I TOOK). NOW, I don't HAVE anymore. I also have no legitimate NEED for the pain medication to ask my physician for. It's not that I "want" to take the pills - but my "body" is telling me otherwise. I can't sleep at night. I'm breaking out in sweats and chills simultaneously throughout the day AND night. I'm extremely irritable, depressed and cranky. I am convinced that these are the symptoms of codeine/hydrocodone withdrawal. WHAT do I do about this? I can't STAND it!!! I have three children to take care of (two of them are babies). I can't take care of myself now because I am "sick" so to speak. I have been completely honest with my husband about this. He agrees that this is probably withdrawal, I need to do "cold turkey" (what choice do I have anyway?) and tough it out for the next week or so. IS THIS WHAT I HAVE TO DO or SHOULD I INVOLVE MY PHYSICIAN WHO PRESCRIBED THESE NASTY DRUGS IN THE FIRST PLACE? Like I said, what choice do I have but to do "cold turkey" and SUFFER anyway? You're prescribed all these highly addictive pain medications pre and post operatively. Then you're "cut off." Two days ago, he told me that he was "concerned that I was becoming addicted to pain medication." I think we're way beyond "becoming." I had my husband tell him that we were already concerned about addiction and I had my husband ask him what the symptoms of addiction and withdrawal were. All he told him was "daily, ongoing use." That wasn't the answer I was looking for. I wanted to hear PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS! Should I call my physician back and tell him that I am SUFFERING here??? My husband and I like and respect my doctor SO VERY much. We're not angry nor do we hold him responsible for this. We just want help in getting me "back to normal." I am TERRIFIED that I am going to go back into a "withdrawal" state again today. The last time I had codeine was 5:00 PM yesterday and I have NO more resources to prescriptions. I WANT TO STOP TAKING PAIN MEDICATION NOW! Would you please give me some GOOD SOUND ADVICE RIGHT AWAY SO THAT I MAY GET MY LIFE BACK??????? Thank You SO MUCH and GOD BLESS YOU!!!!! Sonya :-)



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[shelly]

I just like the rest of you am addicted to pain pills.  I have been taking at least 15 Lortab 10's a day for the past 5 months.  I am contemplating quiting them all together I am tired of hunting for them after my script has run out and it has begun to really control my life.  I have in the past gone through the withdrawal from them and I know how awful it is. For the next few days it looks like I will go through this again.  There is something else I feel I should say Two weeks ago we buried a friend of mine she was 30 and she died from and overdose of oxycotin and xanax.  This has also made me want to quit all the more.  Feel free to email me back either ***@**** or ***@****       Good Luck and God Bless

[C. Weston]

Hello everyone:

I, too, am a Canadian that has been addicted to Tylenol #1 for about 20 years. I was using about 300 pills a week. I found the only thing to do was stop cold turkey and refuse to keep buying them. I was also "burning down" various drugstores because I was ashamed of the number of these things I was buying. But I finally realized that I was so immune to the things that I really wasn't getting much out of taking them anyway, just ruining my liver and wasting money. I think a large part of the addiction to such small, repetitive doses is psychological. The main symptom I suffered was a very loose bowel, for which I took Imodium for a few days, rebound headaches for which I took plain aspirin - that was it other than the fear that I couldn't cope (I had a few panic attacks), but after a few days abstinence, I realized that I was just fine. I actually experienced some elation as my own endorphins began to kick in again. If you have access to a mild tranquilizer, that can prevent you from going too squirrely. Also, drink alot of water, everytime you would normally reach for that pill. Of course I will never touch another narcotic again because I would never want to go through this again. I also put in a call to Narcotics Anon. and spoke to a volunteer when I first decided to make the break. To be honest, smoking is a much harder addiction to break than these things. Take heart - if I can do it, anyone can. I was very afraid to try, believe me. But after a few days you WILL wonder what the fuss was about. And you won't believe how much better you feel. This experience has also given me the guts to stop smoking. For a good treatment of addictive behavior, try Allen Carr's books -some of them are even at the library. Good luck to everyone!

[Geoff H]

I can sympathize with you all. I am from Canada to, and have been taking Tylenol with Codeine for 22 years, I average about 40 - 50 pills a day. I am at the point now where I feel so sick all the time, I get bad headaches. I need to get major help. Can anyone help me out. I am so desperate, and feel that is is ruining my life, my marriage and my family. Whats the best way to kick this stuff once and for all.

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

Please find an addiction medicine specialist.  This way you can be detoxed with a minimal amount of suffering, enhancing your chances for success.  Furthermore, you are taking dangerously high levels of acetaminophen and should have a liver screen done to determine if you have liver damage.  I would begin taking milk thistle, an over the counter supplement which has been documented to protect the liver and even to somewhat reverse damage.  Finally, you are going to need the support of your family and a group like NA to learn to live without the narcotic.  You can do it!  Good luck.

[Diane Goguen]

I too have been dependent of Fioricet with Codeine.  Have been taking them due to having 2 spine/neck surgeries in past 7 years.
When I run out of them, even if its for 1 day....my body goes into severe depression, I become very emotional, and feel crappy all the way around.  Anyone out there have the same problem with Fioricet with Codeine, and if so...what helps when coming off these pills?
***@****

[Ann Marie]

I want to thank everyone that has visited this site.  I finally admitted to myself about 24 hours ago that I have been abusing codeine for probably 1 1/2 years now (200 pills per week).  I have received answers on the symptoms I am feeling and at least don't feel as stupid for having a problem with codeine anymore.
Thank you everyone