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Nurofen plus withdrawal

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
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Avatar universal
Hi Nphelp
your story sounds a bit like mine, but I'd already had my kids by the time I was at the stage where I aneamic, half starved (approx 40kg's) low potassium, low blood pressure, low everything and no periods.  Because of the Nurofen + i have had 3 small bowel re-sections, developed epilepsy and a broken leg. I know it sounds wierd that Ive blamed N+ for seizures and my leg but the seizures were caused by my body reacting to tramadol which I was taking to try and get high cos I had no N+ and didnt want to go through another bowel resection. I was given tramadol  but it started doing nasty things to my brain, causing violent seizures...horrible.  When I stopped taking the N+ after about 24 months my periods returned. My broken leg was caused by havig brittle bones caused by low oestrogen caused by having no periods caused by N+. So it all leads back to N+....its evil  Give it up as soon as you can and be a happy family
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Avatar universal
Two and a half years free of n plus it should read and I did this minus any aid of other drugs. Recovery is possible.
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Avatar universal
Hi Mickey,

Many thanks for sharing your experience, as it reminded me how sneaky those buggers of a pill can be. So pleased that you have made the connection between your usage of n plus and it's addictive qualities. It took a life saving operation, brought about my destructive use of n plus to make me finally realise I was an addict, I was mentally and physically addicted to n plus. I consider myself very blessed and fortunate to be nearly 2 and a half free of n plus or any other drug or alcohol for that matter. Like you I started with the odd n plus here and there for period pain. But in time, like have noted, I begun to rely on them, and this was because of the warm buzzy feeling I got from them. In time this buzzy warm feeling became elusive, and wherein the past 4 tablets would have delivered that feeling, I found myself having to increase the number of pills to get that high such that I was on 32 per day, and this caused me to have a perforated bowel, bleeding ulcers and peritonitis. I was a walking wreck and even in this state of degeneration did not make the connection between n plus and addiction... Why? Because I am addict. Today I go to NA and love it, love being free from those demons which I tried to give up on my own many times and failed. Today I know that one n plus will never be enough, as one will kick off the craving in me and before I know it I will be back in that place of living hell. You have identified your problem, well done, now please do something about it as you will never defeat n plus; it will destroy you. Help is out there, you just need to be open, honest and willing about your addiction and desire to stop using n plus. Wishing you all the best.
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Avatar universal
Please please please!!!!! Make it happen. Life is too short and people out there love you. A silly pill should't be a death sentence. I was addicted to N+ also for 9 years. Be strong and overcome this. Take up a hobby and keep busy. It will only get easier. Trust me. If you can't do it for yourself do it for your kids. Take care my friend!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Hey Mickey. Glad you've taken the first step in deciding to quit by asking for advice. Withdrawal from a codine addiction is one of the hardest things and that's speaking from experience.  I was a heroin addict for 5 years feeding a daily habit of $200-$300. Heroin is an opiate, same as codine. I tried going CT but that was near impossible. I'm not down playing the withdrawal symptoms of N+ but it no way compares with the withdrawal of heroin.  Yes symptoms are exactly the same - flu like symptoms, stomach cramps, restless legs, constantly going to the toilet, hot one minute cold the next, night sweats, insomnia, head congestion, restlessness, the list goes on. But with heroin withdrawal, times that by a factor of 5 compared to N+.  I got off heroin only because my family found syringes in the bin at home so I had to fess up.  As I said CT could not be done so I went to the doctor who placed me on the methadone program. Now I know many in this forum will say "STAY AWAY FROM THAT S***!  IT'S WORSE THAN THE HEROIN". But let me say that if your committed to quiting and you use it exactly what it suppose to be used for, it works.  I've been heroin free for 10 years and never looked back thanks to the methodone program. Now to N+. I'm an addictive person by nature. But aren't we all in one form or another?  I was addicted to N+ for 3 years, taking anywhere between 30-60 a day. Lucky for me, I had no Heath issues relating to taking so much of the pills but I got sick of chemist shopping, the embarrassment of refusal, the constant running around from chemist to chemist.  Back then, we could get N+ in 72 pills per packet until the government stop that and only allowed a max of 5 does per week in a packet.   Anyway I knew what CT was going to be like and I knew I couldn't  do it so seeked help from my local doctor.  She developed a plan for me to slowly taper off the N+ and also prescribed me Valium/diazepam also tapering these along with the N+. The Valium eases the withdrawal symptoms considerably but PLEASE do not substitute this drug for the other because Valium can also be very addictive.  It's only used for short term to ease your withdrawal symptoms.  Get yourself some Imodium or Gastro-Stop for the cramps and diarrhea.  Also there's a herbal medicine called Crampeze which helps with the restless legs and tired legs. Mickey, I'll be honest, it won't be easy for the first couple of weeks so prepare yourself. Take some time off work and have a friend there if possible for moral support. It's much easier then doing it alone.  Also. Please read Pottsy918's post as he has it pretty much spot on about expected time frames and symptoms. Good luck Mickey and all the best. If you need so moral support, pm me any time.
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Avatar universal
Hi, I have spent the last few days just reading thru this and coming to terms with the fact that I'm an addict. I'm not even sure anyone still reads this, but for me this is the first step in my recovery I guess. I kind of always knew the nurofen+ was a problem, but honestly didn't know I was addicted. I just always made sure I had some on me and would have 2-3 at the slightest ache or pain, and they made me feel better really quickly, and I love the energy hit I get. I have never taken the huge amounts I have read about - probably around 9 - 12 a day on a bad day, and some days just 3. But I would get panicky if I didn't have some somewhere. But I must have been living in a bubble, because I didn't even think this was an addiction problem, I remember holidays when I didnt take them, and always felt sick and achey and yuk by day 2 or 3, but put it down to change in weather, or lack of coffee or stress, and would head off to a chemist to get some nurofen+ and things would be better. This has been going on for about 8 years (maybe longer, I can't really remember).
Two weeks ago I thought that as I am trying to get fit and working out and dieting, I should get off the pain stuff (for some strange reason I always feel that when I'm taking a bit I get a 'pot belly' tummy). So instead of buying my usual nurofen+ while at the shops on Wednesday  I got plain panadol. As usual that night the small niggly pain started in my back and shoulders, so I took regular panadol and went to bed early with a wheat bag. The next morning I had a sore back again, and a slight headache so had a coffee and a few panadol and off to work. By lunchtime I was still feeling yuk, so went home early and took more panadol and rested. By Friday I honestly thought I had come down with the flu, and sent my boyfriend down to get me some Lemsip and a sinus spray, and spend time in bed. On Saturday I thought I was dying with the worst flu ever and ached and my legs couldn't get comfortable and I was sneezing all the time. I moved around a bit and cleaned for a while, but felt so bad I just ended up in bed. Sunday was a repeat of Saturday, but I was exhausted because sleep just wasn't possible even though I felt so bad. Monday I dragged myself to work, and finally stopped at the chemist on the way home, and got nurofen+ thinking the panadol just wasn't strong enough for this flu. And by the time I got home, I was feeling 60%. I cooked dinner, and took a dew more and went to bed finally able to sleep, and feeling like I'd finally beaten the flu. Tuesday I work up with a 'hangover' headache (even though I don't drink) and popped a few more nurofen + and off to work. Back to normal again thank goodness.
I wasn't happy about taking the nurofen + though because of the excercise and bloated tummy thing, so for the first time ever, I googled these little pills to see why I had this side effect. And to my horror I started reading about how common this addiction is. What a reality check!!! I have since spent every spare minute reading everything I can find, and having to admit to myself that I am an addict. I feel like I'm in shock and need to make changes. I have an addictive personality, with my biological mother being a heroin addict (thank god she adopted me to a loving family) I have always always avoided the party drugs. I've tried and loved speed, but knew my risks, so I stayed away. I don't drink and try to limit my smoking. My best friend is struggling with an ice addiction, and I have been pretty judgmental and harsh trying to help her, never realizing I too am an addict!!
So here I am trying to work my way through this emotionally, and knowing I have to get off these horrible little pills (even though I took 3 just to register here and type this out) . As I said im not sure if anyone is still out there on this formu, but this is my first step in admitting my problem and I feel better (slightly) getting it out and on here. Next step is quitting, and hopefully getting some support here? Anyone out there who can offer advice and support, please do - I will be extremely grateful.
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