I feel ive taken 20 steps backwards!!!

Today after no sleep and constant pain to the point I was crying and yelping every time I moved combined with constant hot flushes and heart palpitations..
I called the National Medical Line here in the UK and told them what was happening with me and what was going on... ( NHS Direct ).

After discussing my original problems, dosage. and amount of tablets I was using before and where I was at today, She advised I went back to my Drs and made them listen and that the Tapering schedule I was on and with my M.E was very dangerous to my health and that it was too quick of a Tapering and that I should be weaned slowly due to how long I had been a addict and the amount I was taken for so very long.

The Enzymes in Codeine make the human body upon dilution in the stomach turn it into Heroin, Thus making Codeine Addiction a very misunderstood and often dangerous drug to come off unless Tapered/Weaned correctly.
BEFORE even considering Tapering off of Codeine all Addicts are advised to contact the National Drug and Substance Abuse Line for a Immediate Referral to a Clinical Specialist that will work out the CORRECT tapering program for you, By meeting with you and providing the back up you will need.. The usual Tapering/Weaning time is 7-8 months for Codeine if above 400mgs ! They go by dosage of abuse, Length of abuse, Body Weight, and underlining medical health issues, something my own Dr failed too tell them !

THEY Also advise for NO-ONE to EVER go * cold turkey * on such a heavy amount as I was on AND the length, the amount and length the body has been subjected to can cause serious health issues as well as Mental Health Issues for Long Time Codeine Abusers if they taper too quick.

Upon the actions of this afternoon the Dr in question who was treating me now has a professional code of conduct complaint against him for his Malpractice.

Anyway she advised I go to my local hospital, After I had explained the Dr had locked down my file and wouldnt help assist me with the ongoing issues I was having.
After a long discussion she referred me to a Clinical Consultant who then contacted the practice manager at the Drs Surgery I go to and registered a formal complaint.
After advising the Practice Manager of my situation I was then contacted by Her and asked to go to the Drs which I did and after a half hour consultation with a different Dr and taking Advice from the National Drug and Substance Abuse Centre they have taken my Codeine back up to 6 tablets a day x30 mgs and agree my Taper was too quick too fast causing serious health concerns.

Now I have a referral to the Drug Abuse Centre who will now monitor me and assist me as I come down in a slow precise way that will have no ill health or cause no harm to my body whilst also dealing with my M.E issues at the same time.

However with all this in mind... I do feel like I have taken 20 steps backwards and I do feel like I am letting myself down.. but the illness's, pain and other issues where making it so I couldn't function any more.
None the less I didn't want to go back up in dosage and cannot understand why the Drs didnt do as the Clinical Consultant said and that was to Inject me with a Pain Killer and give me a Sleeping aid daily until my dosage had been correctly modified.

So now.. I am hopefully getting somewhere.. I knew as I read the posts on here something was not right with me, the descriptions you gave an the things you said didn't match my time lines and the way in which I was being Tapered.

So I guess... YOU guys actually saved my well being by supporting/advising me !

SO THANK YOU TO YOU ALL.

I don't know you.. I've never met you.. but I love you so very much
for being here and listening guiding and holding my hand.

Just please don't think bad of me for breaking down and where I am now.

[cleaninitup]

No will think that of you and if they do that is their problem not yours. We are here to support and help not to judge in anyway. Good luck continuing on your taper and glad you got some help so that your health was not put into jeopardy.

[gnarly_1]

Health issues always come in to play especially when hirer doses are consired listen to your doctors this is a race one by the tortus not the hare it takes time to come off some meds took me 8 1/2 mo to break free of methadone so I know what your feeling ....its not forever you will get threw it but in the end it will be so so worth it good luck and God bless.......Gnarly

[Devonlee]

You didnt go backwards you just changed your path a little. No big deal....you are getting the help you need the right way. Dont feel so bad you are doing the right thing for you in regards to your health issues.  You will get to where you want to be just a little slower and thats just fine. good luck.

[sudie58]

i dont think you went backwards at all! you got the correct medical advice and actions, so thats a good thing, as devon said you will get there , best wishes and god bless.

[sudie58]

i hope you carry on posting, let us know how your doing, best wishes.