Nurofen plus withdrawal

[chewey]

Hi everyone - I have just come across this forum - and would like to ask help and advice.  I have been taking nurofen plus (ibuprofen + codeine sulphate 12.8 mg per tablet) for 5 years - I take about 24 tablets per day (all at once - like the feeling along with the pain killing effects)
I must give these up - for I understand this is addiction - and must find another way to deal with pain.
I guess nurofen is much like tylenol (2? 3? 4?) - dont know which one.
So on Sunday I took 24 and on Monday I took 12 - felt lousy today and took another 12 - the plan is to stay on 12 for 3 days and then go to 6 for 3 days.
Do you think this is feasible?  I have to continue working and functioning - I have a family of 4............ So - I cannot just go c/t.  I am thinking that perhaps cutting to 6 on Thurs might be too much, but I am due to go to the US on the 14th for a week with my daughter - work and fun - and I want to be off for that trip.
Any advice would be so helpful.
Thank you in anticipation
chewey

[barney389]

having a look at your plan would be really helpful. I am taking 6-8 per day.

[Maratara]

I forgot something important.

I discovered last year, after a health scare, that I have Hypothyroidism.

Since I have been taking the thyroid replacement, I have been feeling better and better, and now I really believe I was taking the tram and the Nplus to self medicate my body aches and the rest. I think I have been able to put down the Nplus and Tram because I am not feeling as rotten as I was.

Just sharing this to encourage people to get tested for it, very easy to do and might help :)

[Maratara]

I am on Day 6 of NOTHING!!! No Nplus, No tramadol :)

I had what I call a "window of grace" at long last....the willingness to stop came, and by some freaking miracle, I have NOT had the horrorshow detox I had on previous attempts. I tapered down to .25 tram a day and kept the Nplus as low as I could without causing nose dripping and the whole rigmarole. And now I am off and feeling wonderful. Really.

And no one is more surprised than me:)

Great to read you all, and I hope Dave posts an update!!

[Gemmabellaharvey]

Iv been addicted to n+ for 5 years since the birth of my son. Started taking them for my head aches but liked the way they made me feel and helped with my anxiety not had any now for just over 2 weeks! The withdrawals were nasty and now I feel depressed and suffering really bad with anxiety feel tierd all the time and wish I wasn't here, sometimes I feel a bit better but think about buying some every min of everyday. How long will this last

[ChloeF]

Blimey, what harrowing reading.  This is Day 1.  Actually, it's not.  Day 1 was 6 years ago when I was referred to a drugs counsellor from my GP and gradually tapered down to almost nothing.  And then he left the hospital and I went straight back up.
I've been addicted to NP for about 15 years...and am probably doing what others have done and actually felt proud of myself reading some of the entries above that I 'only' take 20-30 pills a day and touch wood - no side effects yet.  Isn't that awful, that I should take any OUNCE of pride or consolation from that?  I am dogged by the fear that each day will be the day that my stomach erupts in ulcers or my kidney's fail...why on EARTH do I continue to let myself be haunted by that fear rather than just do something about it.  I run a business, I own a house, I'm actually pretty smart. So why have I allowed this stupidity to go on?  I don't mean of course that any of us are stupid...I'm just ashamed and embarrassed and deeply angry at myself.  I think part of my likes this secretive sign of a fundamental failure in me.
So I guess this Day 2.  I took a deep breathe and told my new girlfriend (of 6 months) about the addiction last week - I just couldn't face having the secret and I know that to tackle this - she'll have to know what I'm going through.  I don't mean to burden her with it - I know this is something I have to do for myself.
I've written to the place in Scotland and I guess they'll send me a withdrawal plan...and I will find a counsellor I guess.  I promised I would look into what happens next and that's when I found this forum.  And have sat here crying with a mixture of relief (not the only one) and fear (SO hard to do this).
I guess the first thing I want to say is how positive and uplifting the GOOD stories are and thank goodness people have been up for sharing them.  I think I'm going to need those stories more as the weeks or months go by.
Right now, my biggest fear is that it will be easier to lie and not get to Day 3 of ACTUALLY starting to stop.  And my other biggest fear is what might replace the NP addiction...I am terrified of turning (back to) alcohol or cutting - both things I've joined up with NP of secret 'fails'.
So thank you to all those who've posted.  It's amazing to know there's a web of people to reach out too.  Now I just have to bite the bullet and stop procrastinating.

[nplusfree]

It is amazing when you come through the otherside... and start appreciating the little things in life!! It was music which was my savior!! I have always adored it, but that year I was on it, I didn't care. I listen to it everyday now... gives me motivation, calms me etc. I even tidy just so I can put it up really loud and dance my way through the whole house lol

Anyway, I am pleased you are on the otherside of this :)