Codeine

[bearling]

I was told there was a taper-off method to get off codeine.  I have been taking 300 mg a day for 4 years due to a injury.  I do not want to take these anymore.  I now have bowel and stomach issues.  My doctor is in agreement with me about getting off them,  she is leaving it up to how I do this.  If anyone has any info please let me know.
Thanks

[peaceinknowing]

There are tapering methods with getting off of all pain medications, it just depends on the person and what they feel will be the best route for them to go with this. I will say this though, you're lucky that your doctor's sticking by you with this. I wasn't so lucky, and I made the decision that I was going to go CT [cold turkey] from the Percocet that my doctor was prescribing to me every other week for almost two years straight.

Are you addicted to the pills, though?  Do you abuse the pills?  Or are you just taking them as needed and/or as prescribed?

A lot of people take other medications to get off of the pain pills, but then there are others who are able to do everything CT with the help of nothing but will power.

[bearling]

I am addicted to codeine and xanax.  I eat codeine when I have no pain.  My friend who is not addicted gives codeine cotin when I run out of my t4's.  I chew hers to get instant relief.  I have been taking xanax for about 15years.  I do not abuse these but I am still addicted.  When I have to start taking more for them to work I cut down so my tolerance is not to high.  I am definetly a pill addict. I am more worried about the codeine and I am scared to quit both together.  I used to eat a lot more codeine but have managed to cut down but unable to quit all together.  

[peaceinknowing]

Do you mind if I ask why you're taking the pain pills to start with, though. In other words do you have an issue with back pain or another form of pain? Just trying to understand your situation a little better, that's all.  :]

If you're getting the pills from your PCP, then I'd suggest going to him/her and speaking with them about this. I know that it's easier said than done, but as your doctor, they have to help and/or do something to help you. When doctors first graduate from medical school, they take an oath that states first do no harm, and protect the well being of any and all patients in which they see.

[bearling]

I have had both my shoulder operated on in the last three years.  My doctor wanted me to switch to morphine or dillies and I refused because I thought it was a worse drug.  She said codeine turns into morphine when it is in your system.  She believed that I would have to take less morphine and it is long acting.  My best friend was a morphine addict and I did not want to be like her.  My doctor is has suggested to contact addiction services but I was hoping there was another way to quit

[animalcopper]

I've been hooked on Codeine for about 18 years....it's affected me in ways too many to mention.....I've managed to get it under control a couple of times....suffer from Migraines and leg pain...and now I have shoulder issues....from and injury at work....I can only manage to get through a work day by taking codeine .....however , some days I end up so tired that I feel like I can't keep my eyes open.....I know it's killing me , I have stomach issues that I know are related to the amount I take....
This all started after my last pregnancy, I had so many complications and began to take the codeine for pain.....
I just want to get this junk out of my system but I need to be able to function and cannot take time off of work to do so.....Please , someone give me some advise on where to start?