[drujorj]

I've been addicted to codeine for 9 years and i know i have to stop taking it, im 20 and now i take between 14-16 pills a day, sometimes twice a day. Nobody knows except me and i'm not going to tell anyone because I want to do this on my own. The problem is, I suffer from depression and schitzophrenia and i'm worried that when I go cold turkey (which i have to do-i couldn't stand reducing the dose) my depression will get back to the point where I want to commit suicide, which is how my addiction began ironically, im also scared that my schitzophrenia may worsen, but most of all the symtoms of withdrawal terrify me. I've heard all kinds of horror stories of people going into shock and dying. Does anyone have any advice ob how to reduce the symtoms? and also, how long will it take? I want to feel normal, because really, I never have, from 11-20 i've had codeine. I want to know what it's like to live a normal life and i see it as a chance to start my life over and go back to school because i tried college but it didn't work out for me.
Anyway any advice you can give me is greatly recieved.
Thanks

Dru

[jjbellinski]

Hi Dru,

Your problem is way beyond the help you can find on an Internet forum.
You need to talk with a psychiatrist as soon as possible.

Good luck,

JJ

[drujorj]

hey jj, thanks for replying anyway. are you saying you wouldn't recomend the cold turkey?

[jjbellinski]

Hi Dru,
It's hard to say. I don't think you mentioned how many mg's of codeine are in those pills that you take so many of.

It sounds, though, like you'd be in for some unbearable withdrawal symptoms. I'd hate to see you go through that.

The reason I suggested you talk with a psychiatrist is because you're talking about serious mental illness. You need professional help. I don't think any of us here are qualified to help you. A psychiatrist could taper you off so that you won't have to go through w/d at all.
But you need to be perfectly honest with the doctor so he or she can properly treat you.

Good luck,

JJ

[drujorj]

awww dude, thanks very much for your advice. the pills are 30mg. and i think im gunna tell my doctor and my shrink, it's confidential right, so they cant tell my folks (they'd kill me). and the tapering off sounds appealing to me now, with the no side affects.

thanks man.

[jjbellinski]

You’re welcome, Dru,

That’s right. Whatever you tell your shrink is private. I wish you all the best in tapering off. I think it’s the way to go.

Good luck,

JJ

[mpvt]

I agree with JJ tell your shrink as you put it lol.Being on codeine for 9 years is going to definately cause some endorphine production problems.I do know that doctors have used propoxyphene to wean down codeine addicts.Anyway see your doc and then come back and we will support you anyway we can.....Dave

[drujorj]

wow, you guys are so supportive, thanks so much, it means a lot. I have an appointment to see my shrink on wednesday, so im gunna tell her everything.

[sweetchikk05]

Hey Dru, how are you doing, man your story hit a sore spot with me, I am so orry for the situation that you are in, I see where you are coming from and you arent the only person that is to ashamed to tell anyone abou thteir problem, only thing is I am and would be worried if you were tto ry and quit cold turkey mainly becsaue of the risks there are to your health when you try to quit scuh a large dose cold turkey, not only that you have other mental problems and one of the hardest things when you come off opiates is depression and beings that you already have a depression problem it is very likely that suicide will run through your head, I know of a few people in rehab that were suicidal just from coming off the opiates and from what they told me in group and what not, they never had a problem with depression before, I fear for your physical and mental health dru, I really hate to see you try this on your own, so seriouisly, this had been a problem with you for 9 years? If you dont mind my asking who gave you narcotics at 11 years of age?? I am assuming you didnt get them through a dr, and I am assuming that your parents nor do your drs know that you have a problem, are you seeking therapy for your mental health problems? who diagnosed you with what you have? How long has it been since you were diagnosed with your schitzophrenia and depression? you mean to tell me that in the past 9 years they have never ran a drug screen on you? I mean I know you are really young but if you are on meds for your mental illness, I know you usually are, my mother has schitzophrenia and shes bipolar, plus shes a crack addcit so that doesnt help matters but the dr she sees for her mental health is the one that discovered her drug problem...man oh man I know its embarrising but I really dont think you should do t on your own, talk with your dr or shrink and see what they say if you dont want to seek help through friends or family, honestly, my opinion, you should go to a rehab center, they would recommendd with what your on that you stay for a few weeks for the counsling but even if you dont want to do that a lot of rehabs will take you for detoz only then that way you are being monitored through your withdrawls by drs who specialize in it, its probably the best thing for you because they can give you medicines to help with the side effects from withdrawl, plus youll be monitired so if you do get suicidal there would be someonw ther to help you, its completely confidential too, you dont have to tell anyone that oyu know, you can do it on your own, I know its hard and embarrising but I will tell you what I did and If I can do it then you can too!!!!

I am 7 months pregnant and I have 2 toddlers as well, I hid my drug problem from everyone, Well I got concerned for the well being of my unvorn child and I knew I needed to get help immediately, there was no time to waste in my situation because I was putting my baby in jeaopordy, Imagine how shameful it would be to tell all your friends and family that you are abusing drugs while being pregnant?? I almost lost everything that meant anythign to me, child protective services is involved now, I almost lost my children and risked having my son taken from me the minute hes born, and I knew thats what was going to happen if I spoke up to get help, I have never ever been so ahamed and embarressed in my whole entire life, so dont be shy hunny, no one is going to look down on you, no one looked down on me and look what I did, speaking up and asking for help is the best thing you could do, and i am sure people would respect that rather then find out down the road if your problem was brought to life or if something were to happen where you took your own life dont you think your friends and family would feel terrible knowing that you were too ashamed to ask for help?? Think abou tit and please consider treatment, your worth it, I rahter you got help then keep in silense, believe it or not you have half way done the first step to recovery, and that was coming here for advice and addmitting you have a problem, you will be in my prayers Dru, and I sure hope god points you in the right direction I hope you get hte help you need!!! God Bless You!!

Liz ann

[drujorj]

hey liz ann, thanks for that. Yeah i've decided against cold turkey. I have an appointment to get help, and to anser your other questions, I took my mom's codeine when I was 11, then my doctor prescribed it to me for an injury, i was diagnosed with schitzophrenia in november last year and i'm taking olanzapine 15mg for that and fluoxetine 40mg for depression, and no I never had a drug test in my life. I've had blood tests for other things, but in the uk, they aren't allowed to check for drugs without a warrent or your permission.

I wish you good luck with your baby, man it must be real hard for you.

Dru

[sweetchikk05]

Oh, Ok, wow dru, I didnt realize you were in the uk!!! Man I wish we had the same rights here, drs here can check your urine or blood for drugs without even telling you or getting you permission, I know because they have done it to me and sent the report over to my ob dr wihtout my knowledge, I never got in trouble or anything nor did they suspect I was using drugs because they did it the day I found out I was pregnant so they never said anything to me, they never pulled up the reports until I went in for help with my drug problem, then they proceeded to show me all the drug screens from the visits I mad eto the er, they even screened my system for drugs when I was in the hospital for a kidney infection!!! Funny thing is is they never said anything to me about it, not until I brought it to their attention that I had a problem, the only reason I can think of as to why they never said anything to me is because everything but the marijuana that was in my system was legal with a prescription and I always told them when I was in there when they asked what meds i was talking, I always told them I was taking what I had been taking, I just failed to mention it to them that i Was using illegally and excessivly, I didnt dare tell them that i was buying them off the streets, hell at the time I didnt think I had a problem, I was in denial I believe...well I am very glad to hear that you are going to go about it the right way and seek the help you need through a dr....It takes a lot of guts to do what you are about to do and I respect you for that and I give you a lot of credit, it sounds to me that you are serious about getting help and thats great news, you will be in my prayers, I will be thinking of you, make sure you keep us updated and inform us of everything thats going on, we are always here if you need someone to talk to even if you just want to vent or tell us how terrible you feel....thats what I come here for, I comem here for advice myself and I come here in hopes to help someone else out, Its the least I can do for all the things people have done for me and for all the times they were there for me, I tell ya Dru if I can quit than anyone can!!! I am sooo glad to hear your using your head and getting help the right way!!! You have made my night!! Take care of yourself and God Bless YOU!!!!!

Liz ann

[drujorj]

hey liz ann, isn't that against the 4th amendment or something over there? i think I remember reading somewhere that it's against your human rights? maybe i'm mistaken, I probably am because im not good on your amendments and things lol we don't have those.
Thanks for your support, it's greatly recieved. I'll keep you all updated on my progress. My appointment isn't for another week and so for the last few days I've been taking ten pills instead of the usual 14 or 16, i still feel an effect but i'm just trying really hard not to take the extra.
I just really want to thank everyone here for the support i've gotten, I've been to other forums on the internet and all the people want to know is where they can buy inexpensive prescription drugs.
so thanks

Dru

[sweetchikk05]

yeh I know how unhelpful some of the other sites can be, I myself prefer this one, I have been a member here since I think like september or october of last year...I enjoy it I think there are a lot of caring people here, yeh I dont think its a voilation of any ammendments or they wouldnt do it, of course I dont know what they are I dont pay attention to things like that but I know I am not the only person that has been drug tested without my knowledge, I am not too mad about it though as others may be, for instance my mom is highly pissed off because they drug tested her when she was assaulted and had gotten a broken jaw, her dr had her on methadone but because thye found crack cocaine in her system her dr cut her off, they wouldnt give her any pain medicine, so at the time she needed it the most she couldnt get it!! in my opinion I think its a good thing they do it, especially in the hospitals, that way they kind of have an idea as to whether or not the patient is drug seeking, I don tmind that they did it because it kind of guided me to asking for help, it helped me realize that I have a drug addiction, its hard to explain but I think you may understand where I am coming from. anyhow, I will keep checking in with you, let me know how your dr appoinment goes..just out of curiosity, they have rehabilitation centers there for people with drug addictions dont they?I mean I don tknow how different things are there vs here but I was curious...so are you like american or are you a different race or something if you dont mind my asking...where is the uk? I see there are quite a few people from there on the internet, I see you guys arent technology deprived or you wouldnt have computers or the internet, its just really weird to me how easy it is to talk to people from different countries, man oh man I could ask you a million questions about what its like over there...do you haev yahoo? if you dont its really easy to get and its free, you just go to www.yahoo.com and download it, you can create your own screename and everything, I am sort of new to it I have only had it for a year or so but I think its neat, let me know whether or not you have it maybe I could add you to my buddy list so we can talk outside of this forum..through instant messenger, it would be easier then this plus then that way only you and I can read our instant messages, anyhow if you have it add me to your list my screen name is sweetchikk05@yahoo.com...let me know if you have it or if you are going to download it...well I am going to get going to bed its past midnight here and I am tired plus my kids went to bed early as hell tonight so I know they will be up in bout 7 hours or so so I am going to go get my beauty rest...I will check back tommorow to see how you are doing, I wont have much time on the computer tommorow though because I am going to my boyfriends sister in laws house, shes throwing my daughters birthday party..her birthday isnt until sunday but her party is tommorow, shes going to be 4 already gosh time flies...anyhow like I said I will check back tommorow, take care dru..

Liz ann

[drujorj]

hey again liz ann, im from the uk, as in the united kingdom, england. it's not too good of country but i guess we all have to live somewhere. yeah i have yahoo, drujorj@yahoo.com, i agree it is a cool messenger.
I feel different about my addiction today, in a good way though, like i say i've only been taking ten and only once a day and im feeling good about it.
Have fun at your dauhter's birthday paty.

Dru

[sweetchikk05]

ok, I added you to my buddy list on yahoo, you just have to accept it in order for me to im you and tell when you are signed on, how are you feeling? are you still using less of a dosage? havent heard from you in awhile I was getting concerned, are you feeling any physical withdraws from cutting your dosage down? you shouldnt if you cut it down for a few days consecutively...most of it is in your head remember that, if you tell yourself you are sick or are going to get sick, then you will, keep your head up and stay strong minded and you will get through this, make sure you go to your drs appointment, let me know how that goes, I want to know what he tells you to do...I will be praying for you, Take care Dru!!

Liz ann

[drujorj]

yeah hi liz ann, it's been a few days since i've posted, but i've now gone three days without any codeine at all and i've had nothing to replace it with. I'm feeling so good. I'm wondering why i was ever addicted in the first place. I got down to five a night before wednesday, on wednesday i saw my therapist and she suggested that since i was only taking five now, that it might be a good idea if i tried cold turkey, and i have to say, i've had almost no w/d symtoms, just a couple of headaches. My sleep has been pretty good, and i've had no muscle aches. It's still early days, but I'd like to think that i have really good will power. Like I say, i' feeling great so far, I'll still keep everyone posted though.

Dru

[sweetchikk05]

I am sooooooooooooooo glad to hear that this is wonderful, might I suggest you try going to some NA meetings?? they are awesome and everyone there is so nice all the time and you will be able to talk about your experiance with others that can relate...alls you have to do is search on the internet and find some meetings in your area..


Liz ann

[ldd39640]

Hi
I have been taking Solpodol and Analgiplus for 11 months..... not a lot, maximum 6 tablets a day, but usually 3 or 4. The strength is 30mg codeine, i never ever thought about codeine addiction, then last Sunday I had the start of influenza, so i went to bed and consequently didn't take any tablets at all, well the experience of the codeine withdrawal was really bad (I thought it was the flu , but realised this was too bad to be flu, it was in fact i stopped my daily codeine consumption).. I started to sweat at night, hot and cold flushes, dull prolonged headaches, and worst of all restless legs in bed at night meaning i couldn't sleep because my legs were NEVER comfortable, anyway I am on my 6th day without codeine and starting to feel my old self again, i played golf today and managed a few decent swings, anyway best to keep busy while withdrawing from codeine, go for long walks, go to the gym, eat fruit, keep busy all he time as it makes the symptoms less painful.........I will NEVER NEVER take codeine again in my life,this has-been the worst week of my life....and I'm glad I'm now ME ME ME and not some codeine ZOMBIE .
Good Luck and stay off codeine if you dont it will control your life, the withdrawal time i reckon is 7 days (The 1st 4 days are a nightmare) .
Bye for now LD

[mpvt]

I'm glad you were able to stop taking the codeine,congradulations!!!!!This happens alot and it's becoming a big problem.A patient is ordered a opiate and not told about the danger's of dependence or addiction.
LD, you were dependent on your medication but you weren't addicted.Addiction is were you take more and more to achieve the high you want.Addicts also usually buy,steal ect opiates to quell their cravings and withdrawls.
People that take opiates as prescribed for months or more and then stop because their pain is gone tend to go through withdrawls but not as bad as if they were addicted.Anyone who has gone through withdrawls will tell you there is no good withdrawls just painful physically and mentally.Anyway good luck to you......Dave

[Chris J.]

I can sure relate to many of the comments you all have made, been there so many times ya think I would know better by now, its like I want to miserable, I have done the codeine withdrawal something like 8 times I can sympathise with you all going through it its no fun. I am on day 8 of stopping, worst its ever been, I suspect its cause of the high doses, I was prescribed 100mg pure codeine time release tabs at 12 tabs a day but i was taking two doses of ten tabs twice a day and then would run out a few days early of being able to refill the script so I would buy morphine pills from a friend to survive till I could refill, been doing that about ten years. Decided I had had enough so here I am at day 8, usually I cave in in between day 3 to 5 when the leg cramps get really bad but I managed to grind it out this time. I slept last night for 4 hours, its the first sleep I have had in a week, didnt think it was possible to stay awake that long, apparently I was wrong. My symptoms were just as everyone else said, first day cold sweats and fever, second day a headache to go along with the sweats and fever, day three the leg cramps start but the fever eases and the chills ease a bit too but the leg cramps are severe I couldnt get comfortable for even a second, and now severe loose bowel arrives, the leg cramps get worse, day five pure hell the absolutely worse day I think if you can hang in there till then your chances of sucess go way up. Day six legs cramps ease a bit, fever is gone so is headache just a really runney stuffed up sinuses but the leg cramps return in the evening, severe loose bowel continues. Day seven big improvement in mood and appetite, loose bowel continues, leg cramps ease considerably but return again in evening. Day eight pretty much symptom free other than feeling really weak in the legs and low energy, I attirbute that to so many days of not eating and loose bowel just hope the leg cramps dont show up later but I am feeling good about it at this point, the worst is over. I have found really hot baths were the only thing that eased the cramps, but they return within a half hour so actually took five hot bathes throughout each night, I also put a really hot heating blanket over my legs and it helps a bit but not as good as the bath, those going through it get in the tub, it can ease the cramps enough that you can endure through the night. I find the insomnia the hardest to cope with, I am praying I can sleep tonight even if just for a bit. Good luck to you all and thanks for listening.