Codeine/cocodamol detox

[owl197]

Hi,

I'm hoping that there are some people here who can help.  I've been addicted to Codeine for around 5 years now.  I was originally prescribed the 30/500 tablets for back.pain following a car accident and they were put on a repeat prescription, which I took advantage of I'm afraid to say.  Two months ago I decided to bite the bullet and try and get my life back, I was taking around 8 tablets a day, so I admitted to my Dr I had a problem.  Initially he told me it would take me 6 months to come off them by tapering and reducing by two tablets per month, he also prescribed me codeine 15mg tablets rather than the cocodamol.  I managed to get down to 8 tablets of codeine a day, so half my original dosage.  I went back to the Des as agreed 4 weeks later and he said I should be off them by now???  I reminded him of our previous conversation and he said he'd reviewed it and thought I should be reducing the tablets by two a week otherwise he'd have to refer me to a methadone clinic.  Anyway, I just haven't been able to reduce below 6 x15mg per day, and I'm frightened to go back to the Dr in case he refers me to this clinic.  I have admitted the issue to my husband but I'm not sure he really understands.  I have 30 x 15 mg tablets left and am just thinking of going cold turkey on Monday.  I've ordered a magnesium supplement as the think I really struggle with is the restless legs at night.  Can anyone tell me how long I can expect the symptoms to last for if I take my last tablet tomorrow? Plus is there anything g I can get over the counter that can make it a bit easier? Thanks for reading, sorry it's such a long post.

[Vale74]

Hi just wanted to thank you for your post as it helped me. Was wondering how you got on? How you're doing now? And how long it hurts?! Am on day 3 cold turkey and in quite a bit of pain: head, fingers, pelvis, legs. Not to mention sweats, chills, restlessness, exhaustion, lack of appetite, insomnia, diarrhoea....you know the score. How long do the symptoms last? Feel like crying already. My head is the worst. I was taking 30/500s at least 4/6 at a time, sometimes 8 or even 12 within an hour. Some days I was afraid to sleep through fear of overdose. 200 tablets would rarely last a month. Tried and failed tapering. Took last one Sunday evening. Took two 8/500s Monday but since then just paracetamol. Any idea how much longer this hell lasts?x

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

You are sure to get other advice which I hope you listen to also.  Every person is different.....some things worked for me, a few didn't.  I was just happy that the different things that I was told to get helped.  Nothing gets rid of the symptoms but we wind up feeling so miserable that any relief is better than none at all.

You sounds very prepared physically and mentally...and you are going to find out that you'll have tons of guardian angels here.  One nice thing is...well, the insomnia...we all get it...so there is usually a few people on here during times that you would think no one would be around :-)

Get set, get ready now gooooooo!!!

Have to work today but will check in after

Hugz

[owl197]

My parcel has arrived! Yay! Must have been those positive vibes you've been sending me, willing them to arrive.  I'm just nipping to the supermarket to get the Epsom Salts and chocolate, haha, and then it's buckle up and try to get through this.  I've followed all your advice so far, so I will be sure to post once the w/d symptoms start.  For me, from memory it's what I call a buzzy head, but who knows, I'm prepared and feel strong mentally to take it on, so here goes.  Thank you again dear friend across the pond, I feel like I have my very own guardian angel, so bless you.  And thank you again.

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

Sounds like you are ready for this...as soon as you get your package.  No thanks are necessary...you will understand why so many of us offer support here once you have detoxed.  I won't say any more on the subject....you can tell me later if you figured it out *smile*

I'm so happy that you are going through with this.  Many people would not have come back...after having to wait a few days for items.  That shows me your determination.  You will survive all of this.  I'm very hopeful that you won't have horrid w/d symptoms...but one never knows.

Once you start getting symptoms remember to start a new question here on the board because I'm not here all the time and it really, really helps to be able to vent, you will meet a lot of others who have or are going through what you are going through.  Had I not posted the question that went something like "Help I'm Withdrawing and I'm Scared" I would not have survived my CT.  So many people supported me that week!

It is about 5:50 am here and around noon for you I think.  I will check back later.  Don't worry about today....usually the worst WD symptoms are on Day 3....rarely Day 2...sometimes Day 4 or 5.  We'll be here for you through the whole thing.

I'm already so proud of you...you came back!!!  You are awesome!!!  You will survive this!!!
Hugz
Your friend across the pond!

[owl197]

Thank you.  The items haven't arrived yet, but I took my last tablet yesterday evening, so I'm 13 hours clean, lol.  I've searched the house, and flushed whatever was left down the toilet.  No going back.  Surprise, the Dr said no to Clonidine.  Strangely I'm looking forward to getting through this, I've written myself a list, just like you suggested so I can refer back to it in the tough moments ahead. Thank you so much for your support, I can't believe how kind you are being to a total stranger.  I'll keep you posted. I can and will do this. X

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

How are things going?  Did you get your items yet or talk to the doctor about the clonidine.  

You are in my prayers!

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

I wouldn't wait for an appointment.  I would just call the nurse, let her know the doctor already knows that you are going to go off the pills and that you found out that clonidine helps quite a bit.  Tell her you don't want to put off detoxing but that you would appreciate it if she would talk to the doctor and have some called in for you.  I called my nurse (small town here...the doctor we've known for 8 years, the nurse is his g/f and they've been known to come for dinner before).  Anyway she said the typical dosage is 0.1 mg every 12 hours.

The worst that can happen is the doctor denies your request...but there is always a chance that he might say yes :-)

[owl197]

Thanks for that honey, I have tried to come off them before, the depression was awful, and I had the flu symptoms too, but the worst thing was the restless legs.  It was mentally exhausting, and in the end I gave in, and asked the Dr for help, which was when he suggested tapering.   I agree I need to change Drs, but I honestly believe I can do this, and I don't want to delay it by waiting a week for a Drs appointment.  Thanks for all the info you've given me, and the support, bless you.  I'll make my list tomorrow, luckily I'm between jobs currently so this is the ideal time for me to sort this out.  Thanks for taking the time to support me, I really do appreciate it.

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

I forgot to mention...it sounds like you need a new doctor.  Most doctors will try to help if someone is trying to get off the opiates!  Try one more time, call and explain that you've learned that clonidine helps with withdrawal and craving symptoms.  Google "clonidine-opiate detox" and you should be able to find out what mg you need and how many times daily.

Maybe your doctor isn't familiar that there are a few things that will help.  The clonidine is very, very helpful and since it is not an opiate of any form you don't have to worry about addiction.  The other methods no one will recommend....or almost no one will...methadone....subs....you just wind up addicted to something else.

Okay I'm sure I thought of everything I could...at least for a Sunday morning :-)

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

While you are waiting on the items that you've ordered take a trip to the supermarket.  Pick up gatorade, Life Water or something like that as long as it has electrolytes in it, bananas, protein shakes, etc.

You will have a few days where you won't want to eat or drink.  It is important that you drink a lot of fluids...if you don't the w/d symptoms get much worse.  You also won't want to eat....so a protein shake is perfect, a banana...just as long as you get a little something in your tummy.

You should also sit and make a list to yourself....all the reasons that you are doing this.  There will be times where you feel miserable and you can pick up that list and remind yourself of why.  I had stuff like I want to live, I want to laugh again, I want to feel normal, etc etc

Just prepare yourself for not feeling good for a few days.  Most of us liken it to having a bad flu bug....in other words, you won't feel great but it will pass.

When you are ready post a new question and be specific so you can get lots of responses from different people.  That is SO important because everyone has a different experience...what might work for me might not work for Joe Blow etc etc.  You can put something like - Starting CT...need help please or Withdrawing From ***** - Help!!.  Make sure you post what you've been taking, how much and for how long.

Congratulations again...you are making a good choice for you, your body and your family!  Will be looking for you early next week :-)

[owl197]

Hi there,

I can't thank you enough for your help and support, I've got most things, some I had to order online so they should be here Tuesday.  As soon as they arrive, I will start.  My Dr isn't very supportive to be honest, and has told me he can't prescribe me anything g to help with the detox process, I'm basically on my own ha! Which is what brought me to you guys, so I can thanks him for that at least :)  We have something over here called Night Nurse which is a cold remedy and helps you sleep, so I bought that in the absence of any sleeping tablets etc. So fingers crossed they work.  

I'll keep you posted with my progress once all the supplements have arrived, and thank you again for your kindness.  

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

How are things going?  Were you able to find most of the items to help with your detox?  Keep in touch hun

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

I bet you can find most of these things on Amazon...maybe under different names:

Immodium is loperamide HCI 1 mg
Just do a search for restless leg syndrome tablets
Melatonin, Valerian any store that deals with natural vitamins etc.  You can also see what other items they have to help with sleep, anxiety and energy.
Super B Complex you can definitely find on Amazon
The B-12 is for when the worst of the detox is over.  It takes forever to get our energy back.  The best is if you can get injection form once a week from the doc (don't do this if you liked a drug that used a needle)
I would use pills last...you can get the liquid form if you can't get injection.  It works almost as good
You will have trouble sleeping (we all do) so wait on the b-12 vitamin until at least 5 days in.

[owl197]

Thanks so much for that, it's great to know there are people around.  I'm over in the UK, so some of those things I've never heard of, so I'm off to Google! I took just 2 tablets this morning, I'll take 2 tonight, then 1 tomorrow, and 1 that evening.  Then that's me done with the things, hopefully.  Thanks again for your support.

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

Okay I'm back.  First off, I can't tell you how long your w/d symptoms will last...the worst of them that is.  The most common is 3 to 7 days...but depending on the person, quantity and how long a person has been taking it can be even up to 14 days.  I'm not as familiar with codeine but someone will chime in and give you a better idea.

There are things you can do to ease the symptoms.  First use the search bar on the top of the page and search for the Thomas Recipe.  Lots of great ideas there.

Other things:

Immodium (a must)
Epsom Salts (Hot baths with this will help get rid of the toxins)
Hylands Restless Leg Tablets
Lots of Water (don't get dehydrated)
Protein Shakes or something like that if your tummy won't let youeat
Cal-Mag-Zinc 3 in one vitamin (to take at night)
Super B Complex (I prefer B-12) for energy
Chocolate (to satisfy the brain pleasure center)
Melatonin or Zzzzquil to help with sleep (helps some, some it doesn't help)
Valerian to help with the anxiety

I will be back later...let me know if you have some questions.  Others will talk to you during the evening.

Congratulations and don't worry, we are all here to help and support you!

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

Welcome to our MH Forum and Family.

First off, congratulations...you've taken the first step in getting off those awful opiates!  Also, it is awesome that you have talked to your husband...his support will be helpful to you.  You can refer him to the MH Forum Addiction: Living With An Addict.  If he is willing to talk to others it will give him a better understanding of what you are going through.  I will be back in a few minutes with another posting....my next one will take longer.

I just wanted you to know that you have been heard and we are here to help and to support you.