quitting codeine - when do the withdrawals start?

I have been taking codeine daily for about 6 months. Current dose is (on average) 2 doses of 160-200mg twice a day. I use the OTC aspirin and codeine 8mg.

I have noticed my health declining. I have daily pain in the liver area and stomach pain and constipation. Time to quit.

My family does not know that I have this habit. I would like to either taper or go cold turkey, not sure which one yet. I am hoping I can disguise the withdrawal symptoms as a flu. I also work full time and would like to take minimal time off of work.

If I were to stop cold turkey, how soon before the worst withdrawal kicked in? I would like to time things so the worst hits on a weekend.

Any advice appreciated.

[baileygrrrl]

anyone?

[vicki595]

Hi~~   The withdrawal will start within 24 hours and peak some time around day 3. It takes about 72 hours to get the opiate out of your system.

Force fluids and gatorade. Get some Immodium( it's great ). Start taking vitamins and minerals and eat protein.

I'll post this so come back with any other questions!

[bmdad]

So happy that you decided to put an end to the abuse. It is no way to live. While using we feel like our life will not be the same without the pills. I'm here to tell you that life is so much more enjoyable sober! It may not be at first but if you give it time you will realize getting clean was the best decision of your life!
I too had stomach pains and pains in the liver area. The constipation is horrible and won't go away until you stop using. The first thing you should do is get some blood work done. It will check your liver enzymes to make sure everything is okay. Even if there is some damage done the sooner it is caught the better chance it has of healing on its own. I abused pain meds for four years or so. I took enough acetaminophen to kill an elephant. I got my liver checked and it came back perfectly fine. Yours probably will too unless you continue to use.
They say the withdrawals will kick in within 8 hours on a short acting opiate. I found for me that it took 12 to 24 hours. Everyone is different. Tapering can be a good option if you can stick to the taper plan. The problem is sticking to the taper plan. If you do decide to taper you have to go into with the idea of if you take even one extra than what your taper plan calls for you have to get rid of them and just go cold turkey. Many would rather go cold turkey and just get it over with. Just ask yourself this, "would you rather be uncomfortable for the length of your taper of feel very uncomfortable for about a week? When going cold turkey the worst of the symptoms are usually over with in about 5 days with days 3 and 4 being the worst.
Check into the amino acid protocol. It is a list of vitamins and supplements that will make the withdrawals a little more bearable. They really do help. You can find the protocol in the health pages in the upper right hand side of the screen.
Also be sure to eat healthy, push the good fluids, and exercise. I can't stress exercise enough! It will speed up the whole process. I know it can be hard to muster up the energy to exercise but force yourself even if it's just a short walk around the block at first. Exercise made a world of difference for me.
Make sure you don't lay around all day. You have to keep busy so you keep your mind distracted. If you lay around all day it makes it all too easy to sit there and think about taking a pill. Rent some funny movies, pick up a good book, do a jigsaw puzzle, anything that you can to keep distracted.
You have to cut off all ties that have to do with pills. Try to make it impossible to get a hold of anymore. If not, the temptation will be overwhelming.
Most importantly go into this with a positive mindset. If you go into wondering if you can make it, the chances are, you won't. Go into telling yourself that failing is not an option. You have it in you to get and stay clean. It isn't easy but is possible. Be sure to stick around here for support. Post as often as needed even if you just want to vent. It's a great way to keep your mind distracted. Go through and read the success stories. It will help with motivation. Don't just read the posts on codeine. Read all of them. There really is much of a difference between codeine or percocet, vicodin, oxy, etc. They are all opiate based. Addiction is addiction no matter what the substance.
Hang in there and fight for this will all you've got. You are fighting for your life. You will make it if you want it bad enough.
Best of luck and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask!

Brian