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193940 tn?1219839772

Codeine Detox

Hi there, I am trying to detox from Codeine ( Neurofen Plus, 200mg Ibruprofen & 12.8 mg Codeine) Untill now i have been failing miserably, taking anything up to 96 per day.
What i have started doing instead of taking them throughout the day (12 at a time) i am waiting 24 hours between doses.Saturday i took 12 at 13:00 and didnt take any more untill 09:30 this morning.

Am i going about this the wrong way? Am i just extending the length of time it will take to detox and thereby prolonging the W/Ds?


Any Advice will be appreciated.

Collagek
Hopefull third detox lucky
61 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hey,

That is very good advice. I am taking the exact same approach. I have been taking between 150mg - 250mg of codeine daily for over 5 years. Was also smoking around 3g-4g of pot (around 30-35 comes a day,

I have not had any codeine or pot for almost 2 weeks now. I am at around day 12 of cold turkey.

I could not eat for the first 3 days. I started eating soups and then began eating good food daily. 3 meals a day. Bit of fruit in the morning with yoghurt, healthy chicken salad sandwich for lunch and healthy soup for dinner or good steak with vegitables.

I exercise every morning (push ups, sit ups and a short 10 minute jog) Drinking nothing but water, fresh Juice and sustigen.

I got through the diarrhoea and nausea/vomiting without using anything. This is extremely difficult and takes a lot of will power. I still can't sleep and have the lower back pain. I can only continue this routine until this rubbish is completely out and the brain has readjusted. I agree continuing this lifestyle will help stay clean.

I believe this is the best method and want to go to drug counselling to give and receive support. I thing group therapy is good after complete detox.

Jerry Springers final thought:

1. Mental strength is key. U want your life back fu!!@ng take it back! Don't let the drug control you, we all have more strength then we think.

2. No other drugs alcohol or coffee/energy drinks. You will only replace one addiction with another and coffee/energy drinks will make the insomnia so much worse,

3. Don't touch any benzoes (Diazipam/Valium, tamazapam, nor mission) This is worse then codeine and much more difficult to detox from. Only use these if you are given them in a mental health ward under supervision. Take only what they give you and don't sneak **** into the ward if you are serious about detox.

4. Gastro stop, emodium etc for the scat attacks.

5. Stemitole, Maxilon for nausea/vomiting but the best thing is zofram wafers if you can get them (they are not cheap)

6. Hot baths/showers, spa, steam room, sauna, dencorub, deep heat etc. if it is a hot night have a cool shower before trying to sleep. It won't be easy bunt don't give up till you can sleep again.

7. Don't do crazy physical exercise at night to try get tyred. This releases natural hormones in the body that give you energy and it will be harder to sleep. Stretching your legs and back before bed will help.

8. If you are a smoker don't try quit both codeine and smoking at the same time. Get off the junk first then quit smoking. (Dr can give you champix or zibane to quit) Try not to smoke a few hours before bed. Nicotine makes it harder to sleep.

9.Back to point one. Don't crack. Thing get worse over the first 4-6 days then slowly improve. Above tips will really help you don't gone up.

10. Take care of your self and each other :-)
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Avatar universal
I am too addicted to codeine. My addiction is to tylenol 1's, which have 15 mg of caffeine, 300 mg acetaminophen, and 8 mg of codeine. I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and have uncomfortable side effects from the blood pressure. I need to stop taking these pills not just because they are ridiculous but for my health especially pertaining to my high blood pressure. I started out taking T3's after my son was born 9 years ago. I took the T3's every 2, or sometimes only every 6 months, it was not frequently. About 3-4 years ago I came across the T1's you can get from behind the counter and started taking them in place of the 3's. my initial reason for taking any codeine was due to headaches and body pain. I now HAVE to take T1's because if I don't I get horrible headaches or even migraines without them. The headaches/migraines are horrible and almost unbearable when they reach their peak. I want to stop taking the pills very badly and know I can get through the withdrawal symptoms until I think about the gut wrenching headaches I will surely experience. Has anyone ever gone through codeine withdrawal and suffered horribly from headaches? If I don't take the codeine when I get a headache and try Advil instead which I have done a lot, the Advil does nothing usually for me at this point. I am so lost, afraid and unsure about how to withdrawal the best way and be able to manage the headaches that will happen. Are there any drugs/prescriptions out there I can get from the pharmacist or even a doctor that I can still detox from the codeine but yet not suffer horrible headaches and/or start an addiction to another pain reliever?????
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Avatar universal
Hi there just read ur story, did the champix really work? I have a prescription that I will use, was it the first dose of champix? It now comes in three seperate doses? I'm going to the chemist I really hope thus works thank you :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there i am wanting to stop raking panafen plus i am on about 30-40 a day for the last year :( i am scared of the withdrawal, what is the best way to get off these pills? I want to start trying for another baby, my partmer thinks ive already stopped the panafen plus but after just  1 day of c/t i went and got another packet. Im so ashamed of my habbit i thought when it was time to start for our second child i would just stop!! Its so hard. Any advice would b fantastic
Thank you
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Avatar universal
Hi there i am wanting to stop raking panafen plus i am on about 30-40 a day for the last year :( i am scared of the withdrawal, what is the best way to get off these pills? I want to start trying for another baby, my partmer thinks ive already stopped the panafen plus but after just  1 day of c/t i went and got another packet. Im so ashamed of my habbit i thought when it was time to start for our second child i would just stop!! Its so hard. Any advice would b fantastic
Thank you
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Avatar universal
i take 8 30mg codeine and 16 500mg of paracetamol a day, i am going through egg donation as i found out i couldnt have children of my own when i heard this it make the codeine additction worse but i need to stop as i wont be eligable for donation if i dont.............please help what is the easiest way to do it? i was thinking cold turkey on monday?
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Avatar universal
Just noticed the names I used may not be the same as US drugs but google will explain them I am sure
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Avatar universal
OK this may be bad advice - maybe some medical person will know but here's my solution that worked. I was taking 250 to 300 mg of codiene daily for over 20 years. Started on Mersyndol for a back injury from football (a pack a day) but it got too hard to get so I started cwe of 100 packs of panadiene to remove the crap. It was a pretty ugly addiction that resulted in peptic ulcers etc. I went cold turkey for 2 days and was climbing walls until I thought why not try Champix - they cure craving for smokes. Started on a pack my wife had stopped using and the codiene hunger stopped on the first day. Took them for 2 weeks and decided to try stopping them (with trepidation) as they were making me a bit crook with my ulcers - had some really minor cravings the first day and have been fine since. Been clean for over a month now and have absolutely no need for codiene. I still have a pack of 40 in the cupboard and I am not interested at all. I realize taking Champix on ulcers isn't wise but trust me it works like a dream. Only drama is I am still smoking - one step at a time. If anyone tries this good luck - it cured me
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Avatar universal
Cozz, How are you holding up.  I read your post and relate to it well.  Due to my profession (mental health field) I also cannot really tell anyone about my addiction.  I was prescribed codeine off and on and also took OTC nurofen plus for a long time.  I am currently on day 6 of withdrawal, but have had some set backs.  I bought some Kratom online, which is a Thai herb some have said is used to stop the cycle of opiate addiction.  I used this very sparingly for 5 days and thought I'd just stop after the worst of the withdrawal symptoms.  I also used some benzos for days 1 through 5.  Anyway, the Kratom paired w the benzos helped, but today I felt terrible all over again after stopping both.  I guess I just prolonged the withdrawal..  I would suggest to anyone trying to detox not to prolong it w this stuff, but on the same hand believe that each person is different and this whole process impacts everyone incredibly uniquely.

I got some Hydroxzine Pam today and supposedly this is not addictive and can be used simply to treat anxiety or allergies.  Maybe you should ask your GP for a script for this?

I'm all stocked up on healthy foods too, which has helped.  This forum helps too.. just knowing that there are so many people out there suffering and overcoming.. battling this.

Please don't give up and if you struggle to overcome this, then give yourself time and taper slowly.  Whatever you need to do, just don't give up the fight.  If you are a nurse manager, you're mighty tough to begin with!
Take care and love and peace to all.
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Avatar universal
I av currently been taking codine for nearly 2yrs... I am currently taking about 10 a night around 8pm... I used to take 20 so av cut down... I want to come off all tablets as I am trying for a family I tried going c/t but was the worse experiance ever... Told the doctor but he still giving them me... Zapain witch is 500mg of paracitamol an 30mg of codine... I no this is bad for me... I would like some advice on how to come off these!!!! Please help I feel horrible that I av a drug problem... Thanks for listening to me go on... X
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a Nurse Manager, i have been addicted to Codeine for 10 years and never able to stop the habit. I have went to my GP but he advised me that to help me i would need to give up my job as he would need to report me. I am in hell, i can't get the help i need because i would need to give up everything. I was first prescribed 30/500 co-codamol as i was a football player in the past. After many years i realized i needed more and more to feed a habit that was becoming out of control. The GP refused to give me any more medication so i started go all over to buy Brufen/codeine. I was so low in the past i intentionally took way too many as i felt there was no way out, it didn't work and here i am pouring my heart out to you guys. The system allowed us to sleepwalk into this and now in the uk their getting tough, but it's too late there are thousands without proper help. I would need to go private at a minimum cost of £6000-£15000, this i can not afford so i am trapped. Ironically i worked in Dettox many years ago and remember the method of choice, Benzo's to put you in a zombie like state till the worst has past and then reduce every day to save another addiction. I am about to take 14 days off work stock up with Multi-vits and benzo's lock the door and either i walk out clean or i don't walk out at all. I can't kill myself slowly any more. It's important to be honest here guys, we will die prematurely and it won't be pretty, thats after we become social outcasts because people will and do notice what were up too. Our bodies will eventually shut down or if were lucky the heart will have enough if the other organs don't, UNLESS we go through the hell and come out the other side. Those of us who make it need to put this right and make sure those behind get the support we didn't. I am you and you are me, united in the misery that is addiction to prescription medication.  
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Avatar universal
suboxone is the only way to kick this habbit take it from me if you dont stop you may get some of these things that i got from the same habbit taking 96 nurofen plus a day and more. 1st a bleeding stomach ulcer had to have operation to seal hole in stomach 2weeks in ICU 2nd low potassium problems (hyperlymia)? 4 times treated in ICU in hospital for a week this causes paralisys and death if not treated quickly 2x pneumonia week or more in ICU 3rd blood clot in lung 2weeks in ICU and many other trips to doctors for less serious things. I dont want to tell you what to do but see about rehab services in your area tell them you need suboxone, this the only way??? I have been cleen for 12 months dont give up there is a light somewhere in that dark tunnel.
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Avatar universal
Hi there

I currently take 6x 15mg Codiene Phophate and 12 Nurofen Plus 4 times a day. I have been addicted to codiene on and off for 10 years. Familiar story I guess, I was raised by a functioning but abusive alcoholic (mother), divorced my Dad when I was 11. My Dad, whom I was really close to, died when I was 29 and the addiction really took hold then. It started with 2 or three pills once or twice a day to make my grieving a little easier. I have two beautiful children ( I managed to stop taking the pills both times when I was pregnant) and I'm married. Over the last few years my marriage has got pretty bad and we have extreme money worries, all of this led to my addiction spiralling from 6 tablets a day to where I am now. I have been to see my GP and told them what was going on, the Nurofen Plus had started making me ill (stomach cramps and severe indigestion), at first the GP was at a bit of a loss as to what to do for me, however he now prescribes the pure codiene and I top it up as I need to. I have been referred to a psychiatrist to get help with my depression and anxiety and I am planning to go cold turkey next week. The GP is going to support me and is going to provide me with medication to get through the withdrawal process. He reckons it will take 3 to 5 days and will be like severe flu. I am still really frightened of how I am going to be, I want to make sure my children dont see mummy in a bad way, I am not sure what to expect. Most of all I am frightened of who I will be without the codiene. I dont take it now to get 'high', I take it purely to feel normal.
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Avatar universal
You darling girl. I am going to pray you get the right people around you to help you  come off these tablets and that you get the right meds for your problem with your back. I found that by going to my doctor and another one and being comepletely honest, they were able to address al the issues. You may need counceling throughaddiction services etc. Who knows but God does. So honey lets believe for a great pathway of advice and help for you. Much love Jeshuron
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Avatar universal
By thistime you may not be looking at this forum. You have done so well and I was inspired reading your comment.
I have gone to 9 codiene 30mg per day under the doctors supervision. But I was taking up to 42 - 56 of the Nplus. I have been to the chemists in our town and asked them not to sell me the pills which has stopped me from buying those as well. But I still have a desire to break as far as being numb or motivated. People used to say to me I was the most positive and motivated person they knew. Now it is hard to see myself thinking of tablets each day. I have not even taken panadol for years. The nurofen addiction took only two weeks to become a habit. And to date it has only been 10 weeks since I first used them.
I think what inspired me the most Rello is that you mention excercise as a huge part of recovery. This is ecouraging as I love working out and WORKING full stop.
Many thanks Kerry
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1801781 tn?1461629469
This is pretty old thread.  Go up to top of page and click on orange ask a question button..cut and paste..you will start new thread and this won't be missed.  
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Avatar universal
i have been prescribed codiene phosphate for ten years for benign brain tumours....i have been prescribed the same dose for the entire 10 years which is 8 x 30mg tablets per day but i tak over 14 a day and i run out of my weekly script in 3 days so a friend gave me methadone tablets when i have never used street drugs and these tablets totally stop the withdrawal symptoms from the codiene phosphate!!!! If i take these methadone tablets without taking codiene will they be out of my system.....my life has been controlled by codiene for a decade it doesnt even take my pain away i am just addicted i am angry with gp for allowing me to get in this state can anyone offer me some advice please.....i am sarah and i am 37 years old thank you
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Avatar universal
That was so encouraging. I have had a long term alcohol problem. I had an amazing spiritual breakthrough at the beginning of last year 2010 and stopped completely. Then slowely towards the end and beginning of this year would drink on one off occasions (excessively). I got married at the beginningof the year and my husband and I have 6 children between us. I have done some releasing work mentally and emotionally that have put me in a strong place to cope with day to day life.
However for the first time in seven years I developed the flu. There has also been a lot happening inour family life that required me. I tried taking nurophen plus  and guess what it seemed to help. I have only taken it for 10 days (about 14- 26 a day). I stopped on Saturday and have been slowely coming right,but I do feel sick.
I was glad to read the brave stories posted and feel encouraged to stay off. The large amount was taken as you mentioned. Lying in bed at night, because they really seemed to help me sleep.
My husband is a drug and alcohol councelor and he actually is not the person to talk to.
Jeshuron
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Avatar universal
hi,i'm a recovering addict,i've been addicted to codiene for 13 years,it started off innocetly with me coming home from school with a migraine and my father giving me 2 of  his solpadol,and it escilated to the point where i was taking 64+ nurofen plus a day,and one day i took over 120 tabs and was so scared i would die i wouldn't sleep for 3days,i tried tapering off a few times it didn't work,i tried cold turkey..really didn't work as i couldn't be out of action for that long,i had a job and kids to look after,i went to the doctor many times and they didn't want to know,they know how addictive this drug is and they really want to sweep it under the carpet,eventually i got in touch with goals it's a drug addiction+counselling service,and finally i was put on subutex,and it's amazing,no withdrawal,no spending my days looking for chemists who would still serve me,my life is better,and to those who are still battling addiction i would urge you to keep trying,pester your doctor,your local drug service,anywhere you can get referred to for help,it's not easy as codeine being legal isn't really seen as a problem so you have to really battle to get the help but once you get it,it is worth it trust me xx
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Avatar universal
talk to your doc my wife addicted to codiene for 25 years and a good doc we found eventually got us help in a nhs rehab where they use lofexodine plus other meds for 7 days [in hospital] this got her over the real bad withdrawels. it will still be hard aftewr but will make it alot easier than tryin to stop / go cold turkey hope this will help
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Avatar universal
If you're not making up these numbers then you're going to quickly die from what you're doing to yourself.  I'm surprised your liver hasn't shut down and caused your death within the first few days of those doses.  If you're making it up, then you should find other ways to entertain yourself.
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Avatar universal
I have been taking codiene 30mg and paracetomol 500mg 16 times a day for the last 4 years becuse I hurt myself out running.  Many things have happened in that time like my mum dying young suddenly etc and also me ending in hospital due  to liver damage (around te same time my lovely mum passed away).  Currently I am going cold turkey for the 8th time and this time I got a new doctor and asked her to not allow me anymore repeat codiene prescriptions.  I am only on day 2 and have never made it pat day 5 before so I hope and want to be it this time.  I have told my partner and my 7 year old son that I may not be the best persson to be around for a week or 2 and have told then not to take it personally.  I really wish this drud wasnt precribed to anyone.
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Avatar universal
If anyone can help.  I've been taking Codeine #4 for 8 years.  Usually about 4 pills a day.  Now I've been taking 2 pills a day.  I do have serious back pain from a 50 mph rear end collision; however, the past year or so I started developing constipation.  I've been to a GI specialist and have gone through tests and I basically have colonic inertia (which is a fancy way of saying that leftovers in my gut move slower than normal and cause constipation).  All the osmotic laxatives (the only ones which are safe) are ineffective.  That's why I think Codeine #4 (even 2 per day) is the culprit.  Does anyone know how long it would take for normal bowel movements to return if I cut the Codeine off completely.  This would be one way for me to measure if Codeine is the culprit.  I did quit for about a week and nothing really changed in the bowel movement area.  I hope this is not the case, but does anybody know if the cumulative use of Codeine (even 2-4 per day) might cause "chronic constipation."  I'd rather live with the back pain.
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Avatar universal
This is an old post but seeing it is a link everyone clicks from Google I am going to write here.

I notice very few people write how they got off codeine. I am on day 30 today and I wanted to share what I did. I will not go into how much I took and why. You have read it all before.

To start:
For a couple of days before I started detox I wrote down how much codeine was taking a day. I then wrote up a diary of tapering. It is up to you how you taper and how much you taper. Just remember that if you taper alot you will have more withdrawals. I think I tapered off too much in the beginning and I ended up going slower later down the track.

I made sure I had magnesium and a multi vitamin I took every day. I had imodium and buscopan for the stomach aches. I also had regular nurofen and panadol in stock which I sometimes took in place of when I would take a codeine usually. I also had sleeping tablets. If you want sleeping tablets and don't want to confess to a doctor I would suggest saying you are travelling and need it for your plane ride.

The first few days were difficult (heck this month has been difficult). At the time it was hot so I swam in my pool. I went walking and made myself sweat. I drank lots and lots of water to keep hydrated. At night the restless legs would kill me so I lay with my feet up in the air on a wall. That seemed to help. I would take the sleeping tablets only when I was desperate.

Looking back on this month I wish I could say there is this magical cure. That is what I was hoping for when I started this journey. There isn't a magical cure except your own drive and determination. You have to want to get off these more then you need them. So when it is 3am and you have had little sleep you can keep going.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to stick to it. Also do not beat yourself up if one day you taper really well and the next day you take more. I did this a couple of times because I was in agony. I made sure however that I got right back on track.

By all means my journey is not over. I had a migraine the other day and I would have killed to have codeine. I nearly took some but I kept saying to myself that this will be over sooner if I stick to it.

BTW - I have tried the "Thomas Method" and some of the things in it do nothing. Like the L tyrosine. Other parts are helpful.

I hope to be back here in a month to tell you I have been clean for 2 months.

In the meantime be strong people and best of luck.
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