I need HELP :(

[Leee70]

Hi all
I'm new to this site, but i've read a lot of older posts questions ect...I am addicted to panafen plus (exactly the same as nurofen plus) 200mg IBUPROFEN & 12.8mg CODEINE PHOSPHATE. Over the last 4 years i've gone from normal use to approx 60-70 tablets a day...OUCH that's so dam embarrassing & shameful to even see that i've just typed that...
i've had a few good phases where i've tapered down (never got any lower than 8 tabs a day) had some awful withdrawal symptoms but they didnt last too long....i'd feel alive again....& then my knee, the original reason for starting them in the first place, would give me hell....& there i am....popping them like lollies again within a few weeks.

My question is this....how bad are the withdrawal symptoms if i just stop cold turkey?? i need to know from someone who has gone from the same daily dose as me to nothing overnite...actually i feel so alone at the moment, i would appreciate anything from anyone really.... i'm a single mum with a 6 year old daughter & a 17 year old intellectually disabled son. i am also blessed with my 20 year old daughter who wants to help but honestly she works fulltime, has a boyfriend, has a life lol & i don't want to lean on her too much....she's gone from 6 in the morning til 7 at nite anyway. Please someone....I don't want to die....i want to stop & still look after my kids.

[susanr27]

Hi leee70! Ive read ure whole story and I'm so proud of u. I'm going through the same thing with nurofen plus. Ive been taking it for about a yr and 6 months & I've had enough. I need to get off this crap ASAP. I took 96 tabs on Sun, but yesterday & today I've only had 36. It's a huge drop in dose, & I don't usually take 96 a day. I was stable on 24 twice a day until I stuffed it up on Sun cause I wanted to feel high. I did start using this cause of headaches but instead I felt that high & I have been chasing it since then. I'm ashamed of my habit, & no one knows about it. I feel to embarrassed to talk to them about it cause I work in the health profession & I should know better. Plse help me through this! Anyone! Plse

[susanr27]

Hi leee70! Ive read ure whole story and I'm so proud of u. I'm going through the same thing with nurofen plus. Ive been taking it for about a yr and 6 months & I've had enough. I need to get off this crap ASAP. I took 96 tabs on Sun, but yesterday & today I've only had 36. It's a huge drop in dose, & I don't usually take 96 a day. I was stable on 24 twice a day until I stuffed it up on Sun cause I wanted to feel high. I did start using this cause of headaches but instead I felt that high & I have been chasing it since then. I'm ashamed of my habit, & no one knows about it. I feel to embarrassed to talk to them about it cause I work in the health profession & I should know better. Plse help me through this! Anyone! Plse

[Amerra1]

Hi lee well done on your dettox.Just wondered did u see your doctor 4 blood tests to check your blood levels and kidneys etc..........

[Leee70]

Day 4 & i'm in a very strange place (mentally)....i'm not sad or depressed, but i'm not exactly filled with joy either....i can't explain it.....all through the last month every day was a triumph because i had a plan & i stuck to it....now i feel like i'm going thru a bit of an anti-climax....
oh well i just have to ride with it lol i have been thru worse after all AND i'm cleeeeeean!!

[cleanmom]

Congratulations! That is excellent! I have been following your diary here, you go girl!!!

[Leee70]

Thanks everybody, I am in pain but i don't think it's going to get worse than this.....I actually think i'm this sore today because i was on my feet for literally 12 hours yesterday, i didn't sit down once (except to drive lol) so i'm going to take it easy today. I'm tired but i will not be tempted to snooze because i know that will bugger up my sleep tonite....my kids are so proud AND it's my little girls 6th birthday on saturday!!! plenty to keep my mind, body (& soul) occupied & content....
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!!!!! xoxoxo

[vicki595]

Lee!!!   Wow!!!    I'm really happy for you.   You are going to feel so much better without all that junk in your body...You'll be amazed!

Keep posting on your progress and how you're feeling each day...It shouldn't be too bad.   Keep taking all the vitamins!

Love~ Vicki

[jenny06xx]

hi lee congrats on being clean!!
your doing great so far ........i know exactly how you feel just been through it all myself !!
have you got yourself prepared with all the things you need for rls etc?
i found the only thing that helps with the restlessness (for me) was not to fight it to just get up make a cuppa come on here type my fingers to the bone moan at everything lol an boy did i moan !! then without realising the restlessness was gone so i could get a couple more hours sleep (not alot but enough)
ask everything you need to ask or want to know there is always someone here to help you through like they did for me!!
good luck stay strong!!
jen

[dominosarah]

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!  This is really great!!  I am going to do the happy dance, Minnesota style........sara

[Leee70]

Havent been on for a few days, have been flat out....the guy i'm working for has friends coming from OS so have been there every day cleaning & stocking up the freezer with food....haven't worked this hard in ages i'm exhausted!!! in a good way though...
Well it's 5.25am wed morning (24th) here & i am very proud to announce that i have just gone my first 24 hours with NO pills! I had gotten down to 5 tabs the day before last & last nite b4 bed i was in agony, i had planned to take 3 & a half.....but i fell asleep!!! so i took NONE!!!
Admittedly i wouldn't normally be awake rite now lol but i was so excited i had to come & post this....this is like my diary, thats why i haven't started a new post i want to look back at this....Now i'm just going to take it easy today, not take any pills & if i find that i can't manage/handle my pain i will go to my doctor & discuss a way but i am never going to take anything with CODEINE in it ever again.....I don't wanna jump the gun or anything but i'm going to say it......I AM CLEAN!!!!!!!!!

[dominosarah]

I was just looking for this post!!!!  I am so happy to hear you are continuing with your taper....Wont be long now!!!  Keep it going as you are doing great!!!!          sara

[Leee70]

Violet29 & babe3 thanx heaps girls, i am still struggling with my back & legs but am down to 8 tabs in the last 24 hours.....lol nearly down to the amount it says not to go over on the pack warning (DO NOT EXCEED 6 TABS IN 24 HOURS)!!!!
Good luck to both of you as well & Violet i will talk to my doctor about the supplements, I am the vitamin queen lol probably why i've had the strength to stick with the tapering this time (failed a few times in the past)....

Love & Luck to you all
Leanne :)

[babe3]

welcome, i am new here too. you are not alone. you deserve to be heathy and clean. good luck and keep coming back

[violet29]

Hi Lee,

Your story is truly inspiring - I am glad to hear you are feeling better and getting some much needed rest :)

I have also stopped taking my antideppressants.  I am trying to come off of cocaine and ecstasy.  I just need to completely clean out my system and start over.  I am really looking forward to a new happy and healthy life.

That being said - I think its important to maybe check with your doctor regarding antidepressants.  There are supplements you can get 5-htp and L-tyrosine which may help, instead of the pharmaceutical stuff.

17 days way to go! Keep up the good work!

Violet :)

[Leee70]

Hi Sara.....I'm here, I hurt my back a few days ago, was feeling just a little too invincible & moved some furniture to give the house a good vacuum, could hardly move for a few days, felt like I had run a marathon.
I stayed strong but I still havent gone over or under 10 tabs a day, been hovering on that amount for about 4ish days now.
I am proud of myself usually when i've attempted tapering in the past....this is a time where i would fail & the amount would rapidly climb back to that toxic amount I was on hmmm.....just 17 days ago!!!!! I posted that first post on the 1st feb....it is my goal to be completely clean by the 1st of March. Thanx for checking on me Sara...
Leanne xo

[dominosarah]

Where are you girl?

[dominosarah]

It wont be long now and you will be totally off these pills.  You have done so well!!!  I know a couple people who wrapped their legs in ace bandages and it really worked for them too.  Hope today was a good one for you~~~~~~sara

[Leee70]

Hi Kate
Yep i know about the new 'rules'  it's about time, the 24 packs shouldn't even be on the shelf really...
As far as letting the chemist know of my problem....i will do that if i feel myself getting weak again....i won't need to my daughter will. I didn't feel the need to mention it b4, but as you know my daughter is rite by my side with this....She has my atm card, she knows all my internet banking details, passwords everything, i can't even buy a loaf of bread without checking with her...when i do need money for petrol or whatever i give her the receipts ect....she's so good, dunno where she gets it from?!?!? LOL
Have saved a bit of money too which is always good.......down to 10 tabs this last 24 hours & feeling fantastic still having grief with my legs though....last nite they drove me insane so i got up got the deep heat rub & rubbed it in massaging as hard as i could then i wrapped my legs up nice & firm with heavy duty bandages (ur not supposed to do that apparently but i was desperate), from my ankles up to my thighs..it worked, i slept for hours after that, but i woke up& i was so hottt!! it's summer here lol so i unwrapt my mummified body & had a nice warm shower...i can cope with the legs during the day, its at nite when im tryna sleep & not reach for pain pills....have a great day all!! xx

[kateashamed]

Hi Lee, I forgot to say - you may already know - but a couple of pharmacys have told me that from May 1 any more than a small pack of 24 will need a script. And this is the reason why I've made my decision to stop so I suppose it is a good thing.  I know it's a pain to have to go pharmacy surfing for the 75 pack let alone having to pharmacy surf for the 24 pack - I'd have to go daily!  Just thought you should know......Kate X

[kateashamed]

Hi Lee - that's actually a good idea; cutting down half a day.  I'll give it a go!  I think my problem with the tapering off is the time between doses; if i can go 3-4 hours it should be all good but i definitely use it as some sort of crutch - like if something goes wrong I reach for the tabs and pop a few. Then that one extra dose can ruin the plan for the day.
I've also been trying to take 2 at a time instead of 3 - it's all a mind game.
Hey Worried878 - that is also a good idea (but also scary) to let our local pharmacys know that we want to be cut off.  I think if I get through my week of c/t that's what i probably need to do in case I have a moment!  But what do you mean by 'long post'? I'm new to this site and this is the only one I really look at and post to (due to time constraints) though I have read through many, including the older ones. It really helps with resolve and planning and support and just knowing we're not alone in this.
I'll start a new question in 8 weeks - It'll be "I'm going Cold Turkey - Help"!! lol - I'm actually looking forward to it - sort of!  Thanks Lee and Worried878 for your wisdom and care. KateX :0)

[dominosarah]

Pills mess with us really bad.  Hopefully you will find that you will be okay without any meds.  If not tho dont hesitate to talk with your doctor.

Glad to hear you had a productive day and are looking forward to the weekend.  I get the pleasure of working all weekend!!!!  Yippee!!!              sara

[worried878]

long post....lots of responses but sometimes it is best to start a new one...glad u r hanign in there...so u r now off the codeine??? not sure as time reading all the posts is not here tonite...if u r still tapering remember to keep ur enthusiasm going///tapers can be difficult////is there anyway u can cut off those pharmists who seel the codeine so cheap?...like can u tell them u do not want them anymore and not to sell them to u again?  do u have any type of aftercare where u live?

[Leee70]

Hi all it's 3.45pm friday arvo (weekend hooray!!!!) & i feel awesum!!
Worked today & got so much done i am moving a lot easier now & not so much like the old woman i was last week....still cannot sit for too long the restlessness in my legs is easier to ignore when i'm workin my butt off....
that feeling...the restless legs....i would not wish that on my worst enemy....it's not pain...pain i've learned to handle....it's more like torture....like ants crawling thru your bones or sumthing.....i'm sure most of you can relate....it seems to be the only problem i'm having.
I am down to 11 tabs in the last 24 hours!!!!!!

I don't know if anyone reading this read my first post but i mentioned i was being treated for depression.....10g Lexapro a day I was on as well as my disgusting painkiller diet & my handful of vitamins that i did then & still do....WELL just b4 i put my first post up i had decided to wean myself off the lexapro only so i could go back to the doc & ask for sumthing different (lexapro was making me gain weight). I have been so focused on kicking the painkillers that i just realised this morning i havent taken any medication for depression for over 2 weeks! & i feel so gooood??!!??
i wont go on but you know what i'm getting at i mean after all....i've been hooked on this poison for almost 4 years but i've only been treated for depression for the last 18 months....there was also sum talk of bipolar disorder in those early months but i don't really wanna go into that......could it be the painkillers were the problem all along....well i guess it will all work itself out in a few weeks when i'm clean of this crap...i will see how i feel & talk to my doctor.....it would be my dream to not need medication of any kind to get thru the day.....yes...that is my goal.   :)

[dominosarah]

You are the one doing all the work and you are doing a fantastic job!!!  I am proud of you.  Keep it going........talk to you tonight, my time!!           sara