dihydrocodeine addiction

[DeeDanbury]

dihydrocodeine addiction
Hello, I am new to this forum (or any!). 15years ago I was addicted to vast amounts of codeine linctus, then moved country. The doctors prescribed me dihydrocodeine instead in the hope I would wean myself off gradually. I did but eventually always got back to my prescribed amount (30mg 6 times a day, so 180mg altogether). I never cared too much as I got my prescriptions every month, but now I have moved country again and won't get it prescribed any more. It has forced me to go down to 3 tablets a day (so only 90mg a day) but I feel severely depressed and unmotivated to do anything. My 5yr old boy even notices mummy is moody, and that's why I know I have to stop- but how do I do it?? I don't have health insurance here yet, but a supply of tablets that will last me another 3 months (if I stay on the 90mg a day). I also don't want to tell the doctors here that I have been addicted for so many years, once my health insurance comes through. Any idea what I can do without any other prescription drugs? I know this one is complex but I need some constructive help please.

[ImDONENoMore]

St. John's Wort worked wonders for me.  I took it for the first six months after I quit and never had a problem with depression.  I stopped after 180 days and it was a little uncomfortable but just for a couple of days and tototally manageable - nothing like the withdrawal from opiates!

But check with your Dr. first to make sure it's okay for you to take it.  Good luck to you!  :)

[DeeDanbury]

Hello,
thank you for welcoming me, it is good to find a place where people understand the problem... I have been off the tablets once, about 6years ago when I found out I was pregnant, as I did not want my baby to be affected. Unfortunately what I did not know was what has been described as 'rebound pains', and I could not deal with it... My baby was weaned off at the clinic. That really upset me big time!! But my doctor had no problem continuing prescribing them to me during my pregnancy as he said 'your dose is not very high (180mg a day), and any other drug, even simple paracetamol, would damage me and the baby even more... Well now 5yrs on and as I've said above, I can't live without them at all, but had to reduce right down to half as I have no doctor yet here in Spain (and no idea if they'd even continue to give me dihydrocodeine). I'm as much physically addicted as mentally. Any ideas would be appreciated. I am scared as anything to have to go off totally, having to rely on over-the-counter pain killers, and I am starting a new job soon. Feeling too stressed to do a withdrawal right now, but looks like I've got to, but what can I do instead of grabbing for my dose of 'take the pain away and calm me down'...

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

I am certain that members can recommend natural supplements to help with the mood issues. That is not my strong suit so please be patient as members wake up, have their morning coffee and find the keyboard. We are on a 5 hour time difference so it may be an hour or so.

Hang in there, glad you found the forum!!

[DeeDanbury]

Forgot to mention, I am not doing too well on having had to reduce myself down to three (from 6) 30mg dihydrocodeine tablets. Every now and then I take a 4th one to help the pain and relax me, but it means that I reduce the amount of tablets I have left. I have read a lot about other people's experiences on this forum already (and thanks for one poster who's told me to post it on a newer thread! forgot your name, sorry!), but I think I have emotional issues that made me take them in the first place. It's a small(ish) amount I take but once that runs out... I can't tell anybody in the new country I moved to, I want a new start with my boy after my separation, not be brushed with the 'former drug addict' label. Oh it's good to let it out, thank you for listening!!