Dihydrocodeine

[sinko]

Having been on dihydrocodeine for 20 years...yes 20 years, I am now starting to crack up. It was originally prescribed for me for a long term, 30yrs, shoulder problem. I have now had the head of the humerous removed. I came off the tabs for about a month ( very hard ) then smashed my T13 vertebrae. The Dr put me back on Dihydrocodeine and added Oxycontin and Oxynorm. I have since managed to get off the latter two....EXTREMELY HARD. However my dose of Dihydrocodeine is as high as poss I believe at 90mg 4 times a day and even trying to come off them slowly is causing so many other probs that I end up feeling worse instead of better. I was certainly strong enough before to dump these things but now at 45 years old they are practically controlling me. I have 9 kids and still manage to do all I need to for them but mornings are terrible. I HAVE to take them before I do anything and then need to wait 20 to 30 mins for them to kick in. Pain is not really bothering me anymore but when I told my GP this he simply told me that I would probably be on them for life now. Any ideas?? I am a damn strong person and can do just about anything I set my mind to do but these stupid little pills have taken over.

[sinko]

UK. I have spoken to my Dr who just said that it would be better for me to stay on them for now. I would rather not as I dont need them for the purpose they were prescribed anymore.
In the UK you are very much left to just get on with it. Have been trying, without much success, to cut the dose down etc but I just go all to hell. The last time I tried I ended up in hospital bleeding internally and was told NOT to stop taking them due to the amount of yearsI have been on them.

[jude2008]

I too was addicted to dihydrocodeine for many years.  In the end my Doctor stopped them and put me on a methadone script.  I am sure it was the best thing to do.  When I was on the pills, I couldn't move without them, getting up extra early in the morning so they kicked in before my kids woke up and needed me. Switching to methadone was painless.  I just stopped the pills one day and started the methadone the next.  Of course, I realise that I am now addicted to the methadone and probably always will be,  but healthwise I feel so much better and in control of my life.  It's something to think about anyway.  I hope you can find a solution to this awful addiction.  Take care.