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?

[wwp3610]

Hi,
I think I'm addicted to the dreaded Co-Codamol. I have been taking them since May 2010. I ended up in hospital after going cold turkey from Ora-Morph, I was on this for a bad slipped disc. At that point I felt like I didn't need the Morphine anymore so I just came off it, this put me in hospital. When I came out I had to go back on the Morphine & come off it gradually over a couple of weeks. When I eventually came off it my doctor prescribed my with Co-Codamol, apparently not so addictive. I have been taking it on & off for over a year now. This week I have eventually had a Nerve Route Block Injection in my back, I thought I would be able to stop taking the Co-Codamol & just take it every now & again, when required. I don't think that's going to be the case, I have got the same cold turkey feelings that I had last year with the Morphine. Not a happy person. I'm also now worried about the Liver damage issue. I think I'll be visiting the doctors next week.

[Kezaboyle]

I think i may have an addiction problem to co codamol... i have tooth ache and was prescribed 30/500, need my tooth coming out, but I have to go into hospital and have an operation on it and thats only happening in 2 months, I feel like the whole GP's surgery is talking about me ordering more prescriptions (as I only get 30tabs at a time and that barely lasts me a week), now im taking 8 8/500 every 4 hours just to get the same effect 2 strong ones will give me so that I can last the strong ones out. I take them most of the time to just sedate me, not because of pain, in reality im in very little pain but i can still get the meds - i dunno what to do!!! :s

[CONDEMED]

I've been suffering from terrible pains ever since I was a child, I got prescribed these aweful drugs about 5 years ago, I was never told about the addiction problem and at one point I was taking 15 a day. I've been now diagnosed with a genetic disorder which means I will be in terrible pain for the rest of my life (I'm 23). Being addicted to these drugs and getting worse pain that I was getting at the start is making me feel so helpless, how am I meant to stop when I can't walk ( I walk on crutches anyway) when I do stop because the pain is so bad. I've been trying months and months on end to try and stop them, but when I have a flare up I just go back on them because I have no choice. Only now am I getting help to cope with the pain but it's still not enough for me to stop. I hate what I'm doing to myself and my partner and family. i wish I had the strength to stop for them. It's a genetic problem so I cannot be fixed. I keep asking for better pain killers, but all they offer are stronger ones with the same addiction prospects, any one reading this thinking about taking anything other than paracetamol DON'T RUIN YOUR LIFE AND EVERYONE ELSE'S AROUND YOU!

[liver1047]

i used to be addited to co- proxamol at the age of 20, i loved the feeling of being high, and all my troubles went out the window, i wanted to be with my dad, he died when i was 12, every time i had an arguement my mum who i loved dearly used to tell me that i killed my dad on holiday at plymouth, he bought me a skateboard, and i wouldnt get off the board it was my pride and joy, any way my dad died of cancer, my doctor kept giving me these tablets i took up to 200 a month, then i go back and she gave me more, i was 29, yr, when i swelled up all over, i went to the doctor he told me i was dying, i was transfered to my local hospital then transfered to birmingham liver unit, where i had just 12 hours to live i needed an urgent liver transplant, i had 13 hours to live i felt guity, some one died to save me, i wish i never took those tablets they nearly cost me my live i have wont ever touch another pain killer in my life since that day, 17/ 2/95. if i have a pain i grin and bear it, i had another liver transplant in 2006 i caught DVT in my 2nd liver, ive also had a lung transplant, my kidneys are failing, all because of those co - proxamol,, please get off them soon and go though cold turkey, because when your organs pack up its not worth it for what you put your family though, its not worth it, i suffer horrible, every one said i was brave and a hero, i think i was just selfish, for what i put every one though, so please if any one is on these please STOP,

[sarah5774]

Cocodamol is a way of life for me.... I take them in the morning, afeternoon and evening. (sometimes 12 a day 30/500)
I have to take 3 at a time as 2 no longer has any effect. I get them prescribled for backpain after having my second child. I havent experienced any back pain for a few months but keep collecting my prescription because i have become dependant on the pills. When I run out I do wotever I can to get them from someone else, some of my friends and faily also get them prescribed. I make up excuses to my husband to take them. I also take them in secret! I often lose my temper with my husband when he questions the authentisity of my pain. A few times in the last 8 months i have went without..... it was awfull. I was moody, so uptight and angry, aggitated, had headaches etc... i know this is because my body has become addicted. They are the one thing in my hectic and stressfull life that gives me half an hour of peace and chill out time, I look forward to taking them and kicking back and enjoying the feeling of nothing!! I do worry about long term physical effects aswell as the effects it has on my moods and my general existance. I am not currently in the right frame of mind to stop taking this medication. I honestly feel I need it. I would love to go to the doctors and explain how I feel. I believe I am depressed and have been for a long time (long before the use of cocodmol) therefor perhaps a different medication would be more suitable, but I dont like talking to anyone about it and I'm very unlikely to go to the doctors and openly discuss my problems. I know I need help but im not sure what kind and not sure if Im ready to accept it!

[sarahjane4]

I TAKE CO-CODAMOL FOR ARTHIRITIS , OVER THE LAST YEAR IS HAS
BEEN UNBEARABLE. BUT NOW I HAVE IT UNDER CONTROL I STILL
FIND MYSELF TAKING THE TABLETS. NOW I  AM FINDING THAT MY
WORK IS BEING AFFECTED. MY SHORT TERM MEMORY IS AWFUL ,
FEELING CONFUSED AND FEELING DEPRESSED. I HAVE BEEN OFF THE TABLETS FOR 3 DAYS NOW . HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FEEL
NORMAL AGAIN. AS IF FEEL THAT EVERYONE IN MY OFFICE THINKS
IM JUST GETTING OLD AND FORGETFUL. IM 49 NOT 89. PLEASE CAN
ANYONE ASSURE ME THAT THINGS WILL GET BETTER