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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[ladydi56]

I have been taking Tylonal 3 for 4 years and want off...my back been hurting and I wont tell my doc...been getting them black market but now I want to ween off,please help for the less withdrawl..

[nicknameabc]

first i want to say your a really good guy for trying to help her.i have been on lotab 10/500s for close to 10 years for a spinal desease that they say will make me paralized soner or later.i can give you some insight from her side.when i run out its like i have the flue..tired is an under statement..you start to lose it. the last thing you want to do is work.my wife is more of a tough love type.but all that being said you need to sit down with her and ask her how she feels about the pills.if she is concerned about the withdrawals and by what you said i would say she is.you may want to tell her doctor about it.its allways best to be upfront with your doctor he may swicth her to somthing else.but one thing i know for sure is the longer she takes them the deaper in she will get.good luck myfreind.

[medicine261]

Hi, wow! I now do not feel like I will be going alone . I made the mistake of going off cold turkey, not doing well. Stomach pains, vomitting, restlesss at night, due to the pain, and the sweats! My joints hurt all over too. I have been taking tylenol # 3 for 15 years. it has only been the past 3 years that I was taking 8 pills a day, 30mg each. Phoned the Dr. Office, and they suggest i break ff slowly, because  the cold way is too much for me to handle. going to start with 4 day for a week, 3 a day for a week, and just gradually break it down to zero. I am scared, because I think for me, it may be too late. Maybe it's just because of the way I feel today. Has anyone else suffered with stomach pain when getting off of Tylenol # 3..? Thank-you!

[wellybob]

Hi All currently day 2 of cold Turkey your posts are a massive help the lack of sleep and the restless legs are a pain in the butt, If thats as bad as it gets i will think myself lucky.
Been a very avid fan of anything with codine in it for the past 2 years decided enough was enough as was worried about my stomach and kidneys.
Like many other was perscribed it after surgery then continued to seek it out after i was better and no longer getting a script i use it to relax and deal with the pressure of running my own business. But no more I've had enough but i am supprised about my mood thought i would be more depressed. maybe later in the week. Thanks again all for your stories they really do help. Good bless and good luck  

[pepe77]

The blood could be just caused by the trauma of being constipated, as it is very difficult to pass stools. So check your faeces.....and if the blood is bright red and looks fresh, its trauma but if its dark and also inside the stool you must take that seriously, either way see your doctor.

[miranda21]

Like everyone else on this forum, I too am addicted to codeine. I am a 28 year old college student who works two jobs and goes to school. I used to be very fit and active, but about 8 years ago I started having severe pains in my knees. I went to the doctor, and he suggested a laporscopic surgery on each knee to go in and burn out the bands that had formed that were causing the pain. He put me in codeine, and immediately,  I was hooked. Now I'm taking anywhere from 5 to 20 10mg tablets a day, depending on how many i can get my hands on. I wound up having two surgeries, first my right then my left. Because of my addiction, I actually played up some pain that I was still having in my right knee and convinced my doctor to do surgery again, simply because I wasnt ready to get off the pain meds. Well that was 2 years ago, and I'm still living with this addiction every stinkin day. It's affected my work, school, family, and my morals. I actually wound up breaking into a friends home and taking their meds because I was in withdrawl. I've never experienced anything so captivating in my entire life. It literally controls every move I make. I've spent more money than I can afford, borrowed money I cant pay back, and done things I'm not proud of, just to get my fix. Before this addiction, my moral compass was very strong. I've tried getting clean several times and have succeeded, but I always convince myself that I need them, deserve them, or can handle using them recreationally just one more time. I'm at the end of my rope. I dont want to continue to fight this battle for the rest of my life. I was put on Suboxone a few times to help deal with the withdrawl, but I no longer have insurance and cannot afford the visit, let alone the pills, which are $9 dollars apiece without insurance. I'm currently in the process of trying to taper myself off, with the help of the occasional xanax for anxiety and sleeping pills for rest. The main problem is that I love the medication so much, I wind up taking a dosage that will get me high, simply because I love the feeling so much. The hardest part is that although I know that in order to be successful and the best person that I can be, I have to stop. I just don't want to. I'm starting to think that the only way i'll ever overcome this is with inpatient therapy, but that will cost my both my jobs, my home, i'll have to put my education on hold, and most importantly, they'll be nowhere for my daughter to do. It all just seems so helpless. I'm glad I found this forum because although I've been to NA meetings, it's nice to know that there are so many other people out there who are suffering through this with me. Good luck everyone, and be careful.