Codeine withdrawl(withdrawal)

Not so much of a question but more advice to people giving up.

2 yrs ago i was prescribed 240mg of codeine a day to help with a back issue. As we all do at first i noticed and enjoyed the warm happy feeling they gave. After a while as with most of us who are being honest, it became more about the feeling than the pain killing. With the help of various doctors and a family member who was being prescirbed the same butnot using them i eneded up using around 700mg of codeiene phosphate a day.

I kept trying to give up but it wouldnt work, i just couldnt divide and spread the amounts on a reducing dose. 3 weeks ago i got laid off from work (A blessing in disguise) and thought nows the time to quit. I dropped immediately down to 300mg a day as this was just enough to get through the day with ltd withdrawl (withdrawal) symptoms. This lasted 2-3 days, i then halfed my dose every day, and yes it was seriously uncomfortable. By the time i got down to 2 30mg pills twice a day i was feeling seriously rough, and read that Valium was good to stop the muscle pains, restless legs and aid sleep, which it did. I have to admit to being stuck on the 3 or 4 30mg pills a day along with 2 5mg of valium twice a day for about a week, which i think helped alot by stabilising me.

At the moment, im on 2 30mg codien a day and 5mg of valium at night, i feel very tired, uncomfortably horny, and need the toilet...alot.

My advice to those trying to do it, is get a loved one involved and hand them the pills, this is what i did and it helps, of course if your the sort of person whod grab your wife by the throat until she gave up what you wanted, this wont work, and will only cause problems (but thats probably for another forum).

DO NOT THINK THAT BECAUSE ONE PERSON HAS ONE LOAD OF SYMPTOMS, YOU WILL AS WELL, IN FACT PRE VALIUM, EVEN WHEN MY DOSE OF CODIENE WAS REDUCED 80% AND BEFORE I FOUND THIS FORUM ID BEEN SLEEPING (BROKENLY) 6-7HRS A NIGHT. I then read on here that most people couldnt sleep well for 3-4 weeks after their first major cut down/ stop. This is placebo and can be bad for progress as it makes your brain think this is normal.

More updates soon when i hope i can kick the last little bit, i have to say though, my physical addiction has reduced massively, today ive yet to get in contact with my doctor for my 14 pills a week, and havent had any for about 20hrs and yes i feel overly alert and sensative but no real pain or major withdrawls. 3 weeks ago, this wouldve been an entirely different story.

Good luck everyone, you can do it.

[laurel453]

Hi welcome here !!

good luck on your way to get clean :)

codeine phosphate is weaker than hydrocloride so i think this is a good thing for you now. Of course, each person is different,you are right and  wds are not the same, it depends on the time, the drug, etc ....and yes, you can do it :)

there are some natural supplements that can help you too. be careful with the valium.

stay here posting and telling how are you doing , ok ?

[Koose]

Thanks, yeah ive never been a fan of Valium so at least i dont have to worry about the psych addiction. Havent taken any for 2 days now and havent noticed anything ? (valium that is)

[laurel453]

Hi,

you shouldn't have any problems as long you have taken only for some days, imo....we just to be very careful not to get used to any new addictive substance...

when are you planning to jump ?

[Koose]

i dont know yet, asap really, its nice to have a stable week, be able to do some private jobs, play with my children, rather than be a ball of screwed up discomfort and grump like i had been, whilst still an addict, its not at the dier levels it was. Monday. Ill try Monday !!

[laurel453]

yeah... it is very nice to recover our lives step by step :)

good luck with it, Koose :)

[HannahGirl]

Good luck! You're doing it! Congratulations on your new life... Stay strong Koose!!!

[tryntogetwell]

I think you are doing great! I love to hear you are spending more time with your family. Really are familes suffer as much as we do. Just keep it up and dont look back.