Addicted to Syndol(Pain killers) for 5 yrs. Need Help

[frank593]

The doctor prescribed these pain killers called Syndol 5 yrs ago. And since then I have only increased the dosage. For the past 4 -5 yrs I've been taking 8-10 tablets daily. I get headaches coming up from my neck to the back of my head. If I don't take the pills every 4 hrs I get severe withrawal symptons. I get very restless, nervous, watey eyes and I feel really really bad. As soon as I take the tablets I feel immensely relieved. The problem now is that most of the time I'm not even sure if I even have the neck/head pain. Cos I feel so bad that I just need to take the tablets.

Syndol make me very drousy. So I'm either walking around like a cabbage half asleep or else I feel really bad until I take the syndol.

What can I do to stop this addiction? I have tried stopping them before but I can't stand the withrawal symptons I get.

Would really appreciate any advice.

[weronika123]

Hi
I am a foreigner and I apologize in advance for the mistakes of language. 3 years ago I left the UK but I've worked there for several years. I worked in an environment associated with doctors and nurses, so I asked one of the nurses if she knows a good cure for migraines. I mean  my mom. The nurse told me  SYNDOL. My mother was delighted with its performance. Because I no longer work in the UK is becoming increasingly difficult for me to get it ( in my country is of course unavilible). My mother still asked about it when her stocks began slowly to end. Now reading your story, I realized that it was an addiction. She do not know that she is addicted. Good thing is that I am not able to get any more. Good luck for you all to stop!

[weronika123]

Hi
I am a foreigner and I apologize in advance for the mistakes of language. 3 years ago I left the UK but I've worked there for several years. I worked in an environment associated with doctors and nurses, so I asked one of the nurses if she knows a good cure for migraines. I mean  my mom. The nurse told me  SYNDOL. My mother was delighted with its performance. Because I no longer work in the UK is becoming increasingly difficult for me to get it ( in my country is of course unavilible). My mother still asked about it when her stocks began slowly to end. Now reading your story, I realized that it was an addiction. She do not know that she is addicted. Good thing is that I am not able to get any more. Good luck for you all to stop!

[Claire_MHModerator]

Hi, folks,

I've removed a number of posts from this discussion.  This community is intended to help members who want to get and stay clean.  As such, it's not appropriate to discuss drugs that can be substituted for one's DOC, or how and where to buy a medication that many here are addicted to.  

We do have a Pain Management forum for those who are interested in effectively handling pain, and for those with intractable headaches, we also have a Headache/Migraine forum.  Please feel free to use these if you feel it's a good fit for you.  

On the other hand, if you're looking for support and educaton as you withdraw from a drug that you're addicted to, this is the place!  To maximize the support you get here, please click the "Post a Question" button at the top of this page and introduce yourself. Thanks!

Claire
MedHelp.org

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                ** CLOSED DISCUSSION**
               NO MORE COMMENTS PLEASE
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[helpuser]

I have just read this forum regarding Syndol.

All the comments seem to be highly critical and I certainly do not want to support any kind of addition or excessive use of this or any drug.

I am 52 and sufferred from childhood with regular debilitating headaches which would often make me nauseous and knock me out for days.

When I was introduced to Syndol - it was like a miracle drug which gave very fast relief, with minor, manageable side-effects.

I have never reached the levels of addition that have been described above, but I can relate to the dangers of daily use, increasing dosage, and panic on withdrawal.

For the past few years I have lived overseas where codeine based drugs are not available without prescription, and so I have had to build up a reserve when I return to the UK.

In fact, for a while I was able to almost stop taking them altogether, because I stopped suffering from the tension headaches. This happened when started to exercise more and lost weight - mainly by cutting out sugar from my diet. I dont know if anyone else has tried this - I know that a few hours after taking Syndol - I always get hungry and particularly a sugar craving, reaching for chocolate or biscuits. As soon as I lapsed and stopped being so careful with the diet, the headaches returned and with them the easy Syndol fix.

Now that it seems that they have been removed from the shelves it is probably a good time to try cutting out sugar again and see if it works.

I would be interested to know if anyone can confirm a link between excessive sugar intake and tension headaches.

[winterstar7]

Hi, yes Syndol have been removed along with Propain Plus and any other own brand variation for tension headache and migraine (Boots made one). So I, like a lot of you, will be doing a massive cold turkey this week as there aren't any more to be had. I have people all across the UK looking for the tablets but they've gone and none online which I take to be the biggest wake-up message and the one I have been waiting for: GET OFF THIS DRUG! I too have severe vomitting migraines every few days, caused by both genetic predisposition and spinal injury, and dont know what I will do without the Syndol. Not that they stopped the migrianes , just made it a bit more bearable. I was addicted once before (to Propain) and went cold turkey (took me three weeks, totally alone) and then stupidly i began taking the Syndol  four years later as I was in bits with daily migraine, neck and head pain.. I was despertae as no other drug helps me at all I use horrible diclofenac suppositories and  a Zimovane tablet for a really bad attack but am always sick (anti-emertics dont help me) and its just horrible.. So I understand why i took the Syndoll. And now five years on i am hooked well and truly (full dose daily) and a complete dependent mess. So its cold turkey on my own again for me this week. I will come back here to see if there is anyone else in this predicament as it would be great to have support. I have other health problems and live alone so its hard going for me. With good wishes to you all , this is a really horrible thing to have to go through but it is possible as I did it before and survived.I hope for the sake of other women (and men) they DON'T put Syndol or Propain back on the market as apparently the doxylamine is addictive as well as the codeine. We will all be much better off without this stuff if we can get through this bit!  Which we will...Hugs X

[lynette7925]

why have syndol tablets been removed from the shelves?

[worried878]

Letting go of your DOC is the only way to get off the roller coaster..but easier said than done.  The health pages and this forum is great for getting started.  Going to a few meetings close by and listening to folks who have been where you do not wanna go also helps.  Feeling and thinking these thoughts you described, not liking the fact that the pills are taking control is a huge 1st step in the process of stopping
We have control of our minds...dont give that control away!

Keep posting

[minimum76]

hi, iv been reading throiugh htese forums for days, and decided now was the time to join in, i too have been taking syndol for numerous years, about 8 years, iv always had migraines and always took pills of some sort to ease them, i found syndol during a particularly bad migraine and i spose iv been wary on stopping ever since through fear of getting those pains again, syndol didnt even always work for me, i just always took it just incase, or coz i was getting withdrawal. i am also on amitripline for the prevention which doesnt work and also beta blockers whoch havent stopped them completely, but darent stop any incase they have been working and i get them really bad again,
i only take 3 a day but i panick if i canjt get any, its been slowly taking its toll on my body for a long time, but now i just sleep all the time, put so much weight on, have no energy, no motivation, nothing, feel like a shadow of who i was, im a 35 year old mum with a teenage son so cannot even think about lettin it take me over.
I had planned this year to slowly come on the amitrip and syndol, but now theyv been removed from the shelves i have no choice, i only had 2 left, took one yesterday and am gna try and avoid the last, had a migraine from hell last night and know its a taste of things to come but im not gna b controled by this tablet anymore, would love to be able to talk to people who have been through the same thing or is goin through it.

[carocat]

Hi - I've just read all the above posts with interest, as I am definitely addicted to Syndol and have been for about 12 years now, without really realising it.  I take between 6 - 8 tablets every day to easy my constant headaches.  I've tried everything under the sun to try and discover why I get so many heachaces - I'm yeast intolerant so completely changed my diet which helped for a while, mouth guard whilst sleeping at night under instruction from my dentist who said I ground my teeth, spent £500ish on a chiropractor who said he could cure my neck/back alignment which was causing the headaches, bought a Philip Stein balance watch for £350 which promised would help, etc etc etc.  Many pounds later, the headaches are still as bad, and now I'm panicking as I can't get hold of any Syndol anywhere, as there is a problem with the distribution apparently.  I have about 20 in reserve which I intend to take only if desperate (taken one already today and it's only 11.30am!) - so next step is to visit my GP to see what she can do to help, if anything.  Thank you all for your posts above - I'm relieved to see, at least, that I'm not the only one.

Carocat

[bebob23]

hi frank i was addicted to syndol 5 years had the exact same symptoms, eyes stinging constantly rashes all over my hands, the best way is going cold turkey, i am not going to lie to you it is difficult but life saving, these tablets are doing nothing but making your journey to deaths door alot quicker, they are dangerous and should not be allowed to be sold over the counter. The first day is relatively easy u will have headache but just take paracetamol and stick it out, the second day is difficult this is where you start getting nausea and feeling sick, it is possible you may be sick but i bought these tablets in boots called motilium, they are an anti-sickness tablet very good when used correctly, after the 48 hour mark and after the leg and back pains if you can make it you will start to feel much better, keep taking paracetamol if needed these are much more kind to your body, you will also feel much better mentally and about yourself, and the main thing is dont be afraid to ask for help. if you feel you cant do it this way visit your doctor and discuss alternatives as in some cases going cold turkey off drugs can be dangerous and sometimes fatal. this worked for me i have been clean now for 6 months though i do sometimes still have to take paracetamol as i think the cause of these tablets has been a bit of high blood pressure which brings the odd headache

[Mazuri]

Please help me with advice on how to stop this awful addiction to syndol. I have been taking them for a good 7 years. I take between 5 and 15 a day. My tummy is burning and i suspect my lining is damaged. I have recently started having heart palpitations too. I am really scared and i feel ashamed too. Thank you .

[janet19]

This thread is almost 2 yrs old. If you would like to get some answers for questions you may have or just for support and guidance it would be best if you started a new thread. You may not get any replies here. This forum is very active and you usually get a response within minutes.

Start a new thread by going to top of this page and click post a question and then hit post. You will get replies right away.

[annabelle782]

I have been taking syndol for some time now because I couldn't not sleep believe me it really helped me I took two tablets every night 2 hours before retiring to bed and could sleep like a baby however now I have developed a rash in all my body and I really dont feel well.The doctors says this can be due to taking syndol for so long ,long term can endanger your health.  It is my third day without taking syndol and I have not been sleeping all that bad and I hope my rash goes away.

[freenow]

I was addicted to syndol for about 3 years, I started taking them for my migraines but soon found out how relaxing and numb it made me feel. I went through life feeling numb and it was good. I am a mother and wife and I felt it helped  helped me with the pressure of life so I started to increase my dosage, one day I was so numb I tried to move and couldnt I was scared and vow not to take it again but I couldnt stop. I started doing strange and out of ordinary things going out with strange men and having sex, my heart was numb also and it nearly destroy my marriage, when my husband found out that was the night he help me out of the addiction it took three days to withdraw but he stood right beside me. These yellows pills nearly destroy my life.... I have never took a pill again I stay with my migraine when I get them and it passes without using anything. You need someone to help you through the withdrawal.

[pattifan]

I was really sad to see your post and hope that things haven't deteriorated too much for you.

Substance-use problems do cause relationships to end by they really don't have to. Your husbands' dependency problem could be very much more serious and can be resolved.

I can understand that you feel it is too much to deal with following your own personal trauma but your best bet is to continue to support each other.

Yes, your husband will lie about stopping the tablets. That's part of what it means to be dependent. The lying is normal and not directed at you.

Threatening to end your marriage will not help to stop the dependence, and actually ending the marriage is likely to make it a great deal worse.

With your help, support and acceptance, your husband can recover and will then be in a position to support you.

You can't make someone promise to stop taking a drug. Dependency doesn't work that way. Such promises will only disappoint you both.

I've been working with people with substance use problems for nearly 30 years now, and trust me, these problems can be solved.

I wish you all the very best.

[SAfinallyfree]

Hi thanks so much for your post when I read it
I thought I was reading about myself. I was addicted to
8 Syndol and 16  menograine a day for a year, I suffer from migraines
And it was the only thing that helped me. Only realized on Friday I was addicted.
On Saturday I started my detox, it is the hardest thing I will ever go through.
I haven't slept in 3 days, my body hurts and the vomiting has started.
But with the support of my fiance and my parents I'm getiing through it.
If you haven't got off them yet tell your family and let them help you.
You won't look back!!!

Thanks for your story cause you made me decide to detox!!

[sejweston]

It is possible to break the cycle with some help.  I was in a similar position and was advised at a migraine clinic to ask a doctor for a NSAID called Naproxen and to take a tapered down amount over a two week period to help deal with the withdrawal symptoms.  Coupled with rest, lots of water and good food it did work.   I still felt lousy but not half as bad as I did with previous attempts to do it alone.   If you are in this situation because of headaches or migraines then visit or phone the city of london Migraine Clinic www.themigraineclinic.org.uk  They are a charity and you can self refer and they helped me crack this cycle and manage my migraines better.  Good luck.  

[fudge333]

I have been on syndol for 6 years and had no idea that I was addicted I thought That I had some kind of cranial condition, I went to the doctors after being nagged to go. He said to me that it is a cycle that keeps going and going so he helped me break the cycle by prescribing me 2 weeks worth of sleeping tablets called Zimovane 7.5mg and ibuprofen. So on the first day of starting the new meds and stopping the syndol I was taking 1-2 ibuprofen a day and I was instantly sick on my first day I think because I had withdrawal symptoms from not taking any more syndol. But I will break this cycle and once I have I will never take codeine based painkillers ever again. Syndol's are addictive. All I can say to you is see your neurologist GP. He/She will help you.  

[shellbell67]

my husband has been addicted to syndol for many years.  He's admitted to taking up to 10 at the same time.
When i ask about it he lies and denies it, things have come to a head and I've discovered he's still taking the
tablets although he'd promised he'd stop.  I''m worried about his health, it cant be good for you taking so many
tablets in the one go.  I've told him the marriage is over because of it, I'm trying to get over a recent hysterectomy
and at this moment and time I cant worry about his health as mines is so poor.  I just feel its history repeating itself
with the syndol, he takes them, he lies, I find them, we fight, he promises not to take them again, I think we're back
on track then bang it happens all over again.  Sombody help me please!!!! I'm gutted

[Holliee]

wht is it and what does it do or used for

[Jannie1948]

I also took 2 tablets of Syndol per night, thought I couldn't sleep without them. Since being diagnosed with high blood pressure have completely stopped them! Have had the feeling of nausea and other side effects. Took 2 a couple of weeks ago and felt terrible and have not taken any more since. Have had blood tests and kidneys and liver functioning perfect my dr said so was glad about that, but am on tablets now to lower blood pressure, Remipril 5mg. Not feeling 100% but hopefully will get there. Will never take Syndol again, too addictive and I took them for years!

[scottyswife]

As all of you I am addicted to syndol I had a nervous breakdown 6yrs ago found syndol help the tension have been taking them ever since
I once tried to stop by going cold turkey was ok but after 3 days I gave in to the addiction because I didn,t like the withdrawal symptons. So I sympathise with you all.... I suppose I am lucky I am only taking 2 tabs a day which is not bad considering....

[coopervj]

I am in the same boat it is ver difficult. I have taken to cutting the tablets up and am taking half a tablet less for the next 2 weeks then will reduce it by half again. I doubt I will ever get totally off these but at least if i can get down to 1 tablet evry 4 hours I will be happy and am well on the way to doing that.

[Mickey78]

I am in exactly the same position as you guys. I thought I was the only one, so in a way feel a little better that it's not just me who is addicted. I've been taking Syndol for about 5 yrs and am definitely hooked. I get the same symptons as frank593, so after 4 hrs I'm hunting for my tablets and am instantly relieved from feeling horrible. It controls my life and spend a fortune in the chemist. I wish there was a way I could stop taking them!