I'm addicted to co-codamol

[mizzu]

I started taking co-codamol several years ago for a leg injury. When I first took the painkillers, I felt absolutely amazing. I have always suffered from nerves and anxiety and found that the drugs made me feel so relaxed and took away all of my worries. Since then, I have been going to my doctor on and off, trying to get co-codamol and making any sort of excuse I could to get them. If my doctor wouldn't prescribe them, I would go to another doctor. If that doctor refused, I would go to the Emergency Room and claim that I'd just injured myself. I've been creating all sorts of fake injuries in an attempt to get the meds. I only take two a day, but it worries me because when I reach a certain point in the evening, I automatically go to the bathroom and take them, almost at the same time every night. I turn the tap on so my partner can't hear me opening the packet, and sneak into the kitchen to get a glass of water.  I am about to run out, and am already thinking of how I can get some more pills. I'm quite worried about this now. My moods have definitely changed. I get so irritable and moody over nothing, and often snap at people. The thing is, when I take the pills, I don't care about anything anymore, and my body just turns to jelly. I've become so addicted to this wonderful feeling, and am concerned that I won't be able to live without it.  Has anyone else experienced this?

[StLevan65]

Penguin yes I totally emphasize with you......I have been diagnosed with OCD/PTSD and was prescribed Sertraline 50mg which I took for a year until chronic Insomnia stopped me. It did help me but it wears off over time like most drugs and side effects kick in. Then the dose is increased again...

So I started taking Cocodomol 30/50mg instead for period pain from Doc and found they were a total doddle, gentle and calming with no awful side-effects,  I'm totally hooked now after 6 months and don't want to stop either. They are a revelation to me.....except my Doc now wants me to take the Sertraline again but at 100mg. He has stopped prescribing the high dose cocodomol.

I feel mentally exhausted after last 4 years of being "mentally disabled". I think if one is not getting warm and fuzzy emotional or mental support from one's partner or family, one turns to other more reliable sources......  be they drugs etc. I think that's my scenario anyway.

It is totally o.k to feel sorry for yourself as long as others aren't harmed.
Each and every one has a right to a happy and fulfilled life. Without prolonged prejudice, persecution or pain.

I don't think anyone ever intends to take prescription drugs long term do they? It just happens one day or as you age.. like so many things. Also it's o.k to take drugs recreationally at raves etc?! But not prescription drugs...?!

I took Hashish for 2 years when I was much younger and don't regret it. However I wouldn't repeat that again.

Exercise is very good but ou have to keep it up which is not at all easy for me! Fresh air, healthy diet and good quality sleep....I think that the exercise thing is part of my problem. I often want to but end up not going to the Gym......  

Please hang in there and don't give up, I am new to this forum and site and I usually don't tend to post much anyway. xxx

[Sandysmith75]

I've been taking 30mg x 4 everyday for last 4 years due to an injury. About 2 years ago I weened myself of them, chipped away at the dose, talking splitting pills in 4. Took weeks, in so much pain I'm back on them. My point is cold turkey is not the way to do it, chip away at it over weeks when u get down to 30mg a day it's easy. Btw 4 years in I wish I didn't need these pills. As my doc told me years ago "codeine is a horrible drug" most people on here have found this out the hard way

[starwhiskey]

hi simonfinney im the exact same as you i have been on cocodamol for at least the past 20 years due to back pain i got at work at times i was taking 3 cocodamol tabs at a time made me feel so relaxed and pain free although i was taking 3 at a time i would hardly rver go over the recomended dosage through the years i have noticed iam very irritable low mood bad sweats and nausea and feeling unwell iam starting to reduce my cocodamol with the determanation to get off them for good took my last one this morning i have got to do this for my health and sanity   my nickname is starwhiskey

[MarkP1204]

I have just got down to two a day, feel pretty bloody lousy without them I can tell you, Worst part is I was taking upto 14 a day until 3 months ago.
yesterday I felt so low that I popped 16-18 at once, ended up in A&E, and on the mental health Crisis list.
Changed all my meds today to avoid the same thing happening again. I wish my issue were just two a day I really do, the mental strain alone has cost me my marriage(kinda hope to regain something from it), wife wants shot of me, and the way I have been I don't blame her at all.

[hlpplse]

Hi Maz this is a very old post,you should repost your question on a new thread and there will be people on here that can help and answer you.

[maz1970]

Hi all im lookn for a little advice....ive never bn addicted to anythn b4 but 5 mths ago i sufferd with sciatica very bad case. I was on tramadol and they worked with the pain however i felt myself startn to rely on them so decided to come of them and i did but sufferd withdrawals. I hav not touched them in nearly 2weeks now but my leg is still sore with the sciatica so hav took 2 cocodomal the last 2 days but im scared im going to get reliant on them and dont want to hav to go thru withdrawals again such a horrible few nites with tramadols. im now at a loss do i just suffer pain and get on with it or is there anythn i can take to help but not rely on. Id appreciate any help and good luck to all who is is fightn these horrible wuthdrawals from these tabs...thank
u x

[ImDONENoMore]

Oh I meant to mention, you may want to start a new thread by posting a new question (if you haven't already).  This one is pretty old and the older ones tend to get overlooked here.  :)

[ImDONENoMore]

Have you tried just regular Tylenol or ibuprofen?  That usually helps my headaches, whereas the narcotics sometimes gave me a headache!  Or even just a cold cloth on your head, and try laying down in a dark room where it's quiet.

Why did your Dr. take you off your meds?

[ani681]

i have been prescribed co codomol30mg/500mg for a while my doctor has taken me off them and gave me paracetamol instead but i have such a terrible headache can someone give me some advice please

[mrspillpopper659]

It's called panadeine forte here in Australia and I'm addicted to these painkillers also. My body has now built up a tolerance to these prescription painkillers and don't work as good any more (don't make me feel drowsy) and that amazing feeling that I use to get from them has now disappeared. I go doctor shopping to get my next supply and feel depressed when I don't have any. I have social anxiety and I'm always popping painkillers and sedatives out of habit and love that sedated feeling which I get from these pills. It's an addiction which is hard to break out of and I hate that normal feeling when not sedated.

[Morg030]

I think for me the biggest problem is bowel controll as when yur body gets used to co codamol trying to come off I end up with the "tom ****" this is the main reason I cant stop.

[Morg030]

I know what u mean im a support worker working in supported living and I have to hide the fact im an addict on co codamol, there should be more advice or maybe there is and I cant find the info, I was addicted to Tramadol in a big way but got off them about 8months ago and if its anything like that I dont think I have the strength to do it again

[rachi81]

Please can anyone give me advice on how to withdraw from a four year addiction to amytriptaline and co codamol?if so,what withdrawals can I expect?

[rachi81]

Hi.i just read ur post and see that ur managing to come off the co codamol ok.ive been taking 8 a day for 4years now and keep thinking about stopping.do U have any tips and what withdrawls can I expect?

[sylvie170]

i think you are doing really well i take co codamol hight dose for arthritus in back and knees i take the 4 times a day 8 tablets i also am addicted and as i work cleaning i cant do my job without them and i get very down after the high they give they dont give relief for long wish i had your strength. good luck.

[JR00000]

Hi I have been taking co-codamol for about 12 years. I take 6 a day. I have tried to stop but as a parent who is working in a manual full time job I need my sleep and when I have tried to stop it is a nightmare, my legs ache and I am tossing and turning all night so I just used to give in to get a good nights sleep. But as I am typing this I am laid up in bed on antibiotics with terrible pain in my kidneys, my son has been crying because he doesnt like seeing me like this.  That was when I made the decision to stop.  This is day 3 and to be honest the kidney pain is overriding everything else at the moment.  But I just want to tell people the doctor I saw said he would not prescribe these to anyone and I know why.  I want to be here for my son for as long as I can so I have flushed my tablets down the toilet and I advise everyone else to do so

[molly446]

I have been taking cc for 6 years for all the same reasons as anyone else. i so want to stop as i also take sleeping tabs and prosac so you can c why.I have worked out if i reduce by cutting i tab for 14 days then another tab for 14 days until i am down to none.Does this sound of to you

[All_woman72]

I've been on co codamol & tramodol for 5 yrs, I've told the doctor I'm addicted to them & that they ain't working for my injury with back, but yet I'm still on them.

[lcw84]

Im scared and in need of some advice. I've been taking co-codomal 30/500s for over 4yrs. I made the mistake of telling my doctor i sometimes took 9 a day instead of the prescribed 8 to ease my pain. She literally looked at me like id murdered someone. She explained that i was to have bloods taken to check my liver function and if it came back with any abnormalities she would instantly take me off my tablets. I asked about withdrawals and her look nearly threw me off the chair. Apparently i shouldn't get withdrawals according to her. After reading all your posts about withdrawal im terrified of how im going to cope/feel. Can she do this to me after 4 yrs? Help xx

[mrsxyz]

i cant beleive so many people are addicted 2 these pain killers. i thought it was just me and reading about liver damage terrifies me but still take them every 4 hours ./ i feel trapped.

[corgiepuponenut]

Hi there maggieceltstim, i am curtis and i have been on them for 4 years cause i had a bad football injury i had my knee discolated and they where the only thing that helped but it took 3 years before i got my knee sorted with an opp and bang they put me on the tablets again for all of that , butt almost a year after my opp i started to notice i have had to take 2 a day to get by so i could get to sleep with that funny feeling you get in your tummy at night,
But after a year i got more bad news and found out i had TESTICULAR CANCER and had to have a testicul removed and had CHEMO, thats when i found out that i was addicted to co codamol when the hospital sent me home with differrent tablets, well them first nights at home i almost went out off my head , but any way it is 8 months now and am all clear from cancer and this is my 5th day without the co codamol and i have all the same side effects you are havin.
hope you got off them keep your chin up.

CURTIS.

[Kendraerika]

Start a new post as those one is old. You still be able to get more help. Look up the thomas recipe, will help with the wd

[leeds11]

Hi , i have been taking co codomols for 12 years 30/500 as most have said perscribed for pain etc now i am getting dreadful migraines up to twice a week , i no i am addicted to the painkillers as i am watching clock ready for next dose , i really need to come of them , i have tried phoning NHS for advise to safely come of them , i explained i didnt feel i could go to my GP with this , they never got back to me ! I am desperate to know the safe way to do this as i said i have been on them 12 years 30/500 8 tablets a day , i would be so grateful if any one has any advice for me how to safely kick this addiction , i cannot believe that something i thought was a harm less pain killer has got me in this mess ,

[Astray]

The WD will be very similar but nowhere near as severe unless you have been taking huge amounts of the stuff. They would normally only last a few days as well.

The paracetamol component is indeed bad for your liver but at the prescribed dose over a year it is not likely to to have significant damage. A visit to the doctors and a blood test to get a liver count will hopefully put your mind at rest. Even if the count is higher than it should be don't panic as the liver is a very resilient organ. Mine was in a terrible condition but after just 3 weeks clean of all drugs a retest showed it back in the normal range.

In other words you are right to be irritated at the understatement by the doctors of the addictiveness of this substance but you are likely to be OK. The main thing is to get this harmful drug out of your life and it sounds like you already have that in hand.