co-codamol withdrawal

[roger111]

7 days since I last took co-codamol. The usual side effects I expected - diarroea, headache, throbbing legs, sleeplessness. But I am sooooo tired and depressed. has anyone else in a similar position experienced this.

Thank you

[Tuckamore]

Hi Roger,

Welcome back. I'm delighted you are keeping in touch. Thank you.

First of all don't be too hard on yourself for "giving in" and taking the co-codamol again. Feeling crummy for an extended period of time is tough at best; If this is a dependency it's common to have relapses. One just keeps trying until they succeed. However I'm not convinced that you are experiencing dependency but it's possible and no one knows your body better than you do.

A bit about Co-codamol: A side effect of co-codamol can be Dysphoria  - which is a profound state of unease or dissatisfaction. In certain individuals Dysphoria may accompany Depression, anxiety, or agitation. It appears that what you were/are feeling may be related to the drug.

However I'm not convinced that what you are feeling is totally related to Co-codamol. You haven't shared with us if this is ordered by a physician for chronic pain - or if you are taking this recreational purposes. I'd never judge you - please understand in order to offer better suggestions it would help if we knew a bit more about Roger. My guess is this was RX by a PCP or PMP.

Have you consulted with your PCP (Primary Care Physician)? Have you told him/her how terrible you are feeling? There may be an underlying medical condition that is causing your sx (symptoms). You may have an anemia or an immune issue or other conditions that can zap your energy, cause pain and make you feel exhausted all the time. I'd want those possibilities explored before you assume this is all related to Co-codamol.

If you have consulted your PCP and are not obtaining any answers and they are not performing a battery of tests than you may want a second - or even third opinion. No one should feel the way you do 24/7.

.I hope you find answers soon. Shift through the suggestions you receive on MedHelp and determine which ones make the most sense to you - and act on them.

I hope you'll be feeling better soon. Please continue to keep in touch. I'll look forward to your updates - or comments.

Peace,
~Tuck

[roger111]

Sadly, after 10 days off the co-codamol, I gave in - it was the crippling tiredness and depression, (the physical symptoms had gone, but I couldn't cope).
Anyway, that was May, now it's July. I'm back to feeling sooooo tired and low, taking between 2 and 5  30mg pills per day. They don't make me feel good any more.
I was made redundant on 30th April. Need to get a job but the thought of working while I feel like this is impossible.
If I had persevered beyond the 10 days, would the tiredness have gone away? If someone can confirm this, it would be such a help.
Thank you so much, I wish you all well
Roger

[Tuckamore]

I'm glad to see you took my suggestion... and Phil's and followed my link.

Please don't be a stranger here. Let us know how you are doing.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[philnoir]

Hi Roger, Tuck's advice is right on. There are multiple addiction forums -- you're not an addict. But these forums will give you the support you need.

As far as taking the codeine longer than you needed it, we don't judge. Objectively, its a mistake, as you've learned, but I don't consider it to be a character flaw.

The good news is that codeine is one of our weakest opiates, and using them for a year is not so long.

The jumping legs is a condition called myoclonus. The medication clonidine helps with this condition. Here's an old post with information and reports from people who have used it:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/clonidine-dose-in-opiate-withdrawal/show/51986

However, I imagine that you'll be sleeping normally very soon. You are over the hump and your withdrawal symptoms should already be subsiding in other areas -- for instance, the runny nose, the diarrhea and cramping, the sweating, and other symptoms of withdrawal.

Because opioid tolerance and dependence is a problem of the central nervous system, withdrawal or "opioid denial syndrome" causes the twitching.

But it will pass, and if I'm right, it will pass soon.

Please be careful with the alcohol -- a drug that does more damage to the GI system than any other in my opinion. It's a killer for many other mammals and for people without the genetic makeup for proper metabolism.

Still, I know the need for sleep and the annoyance of myoclonus.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Tuckamore]

Here's a link to our Addiction Community:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Addiction-Substance-Abuse

I am not saying you are an addict. You stated you are looking for more ppl to chat with that may be experiencing what you are. The link is a good place to begin.

I agree with you that your symptoms seem prolonged according to the dosage but that may show my ignorance. However I have visited and read on the Addiction Forum. Some ppl there claim 3 weeks of similar symptoms. They have more experience in withdrawal.

I wish you the best. Please let us know how you are doing.

~Tuck

[roger111]

Thank you for your kind words. I was given 30mg co-codamol for lower back pain but stupidly continued to take it after the problem had gone. I have been taking them for about a year, no more than 4 tablets a day and have tried to come off by reducing them before.I went cold turkey this time.  It seems to me that I shouldn't be having such problems with such a small dose.
I have been drinking a lot more alcohol recently simply to get some sleep when I get the jumping legs business. I know this is a bad idea.
Today is now the eighth day and I am trying to persevere, so many things I should be doing, (the most important being getting a job - recently made redundant) but the sheer weariness in making everything hard.

Yes, I will start exercising - thats got to be good advice.
Thank you again, I will try to find more people on here who are going through the same for a chat.

all the best
Roger

[philnoir]

The extra pain and depression you feel a symptom of  "hyperalgesia"

It lasts until it stops. Some medications can help, but I've found the best treatment for withdrawal is 1) support groups, 2) exercise, 3) talk therapy.

This too will pass. Your nervous system must recover.

Perhaps you weaned too quickly? Weaning from opiate dependence should always be taken slowly -- no more than 10% per month.

There are OTC remedies in Canada and the UK with small amounts of codeine available from your chemist. If life is too tough, try to use a small amount of these low dose medications (that also have caffeine and aspirin), to get you through the night.

Another medication that may help is called clonadine. Only a small dose is necessary, and only as a temoporary remedy, as this is an antihypertensive. A skilled doctor can help you with this.

- Get together with others who are "kicking", regularly. Talk talk talk about the risks and benefits of doing what you're doing. Give each other hope. Kindness is key.

Exercise -- start with walking once or twice a day. Perhaps move to the bicycle or swimming.

Seek medical help for symptom management.


Best wishes.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Roger,

I'm glad you found us and took the time to post. I'm very sorry to hear about your withdrawal symptoms(SX). They are never pleasant.

I have not been prescribed co-codamol which obviously means I have no personal experience with the medication. I have gone cold turkey off some Big Dog meds recently (my choice). I did not experience depression. Depression is not listed as a SX  of withdrawal on co-codamol or most opiate meds. I suspect the depression is a combination of the SX and associated with other issues that may be happening in your life.

You don't offer why you are no longer taking co-codamol. Will another medication replace that med. Are you a Chronic Pain patient? Do you have a life-long disease process?

The actual withdrawal SX should subside very soon. They begin to lessen after the 3rd - 4th day but may continue up to 14 days. Our systems are all different.

I hope you will offer a bit more information. We have some very knowledgeable members that I am sure will offer their suggestions.

I look forward to hearing more from you and hope you will become active in our community.

Good Health,
~Tuck