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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
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
I could be wrong but perhaps you should consider tapering down with a much more gradual linear curve. Cutting 50% every 48 hours, to me, seems as harsh as cold turkey. I think alot of people take as long as 60 days to taper. Just a suggestion
Gosh - that was a fast reply! Thank you.
Yes - I understand that 5 - 10% every 4 days is what is suggested - its just that I must be off in such a short time - and I guessed that rapid taper was better than c/t - failing that I will go c/t.
But - having cut by 50% since Sunday and seeing that I feel OK (not great) on half the amount - and this is Tuesday - I thought this might be a bit easier than c/t - and I am able to work and look after the kids.
Oh - I suppose these are my intentions - and I guess I am looking for someone to agree and make be feel better about it!
Nurofen is a lot less powerful than vicoden and I hoped that withdrawal might be easier...............
Thanks for advice
Yes - I understand that 5 - 10% every 4 days is what is suggested - its just that I must be off in such a short time - and I guessed that rapid taper was better than c/t - failing that I will go c/t.
But - having cut by 50% since Sunday and seeing that I feel OK (not great) on half the amount - and this is Tuesday - I thought this might be a bit easier than c/t - and I am able to work and look after the kids.
Oh - I suppose these are my intentions - and I guess I am looking for someone to agree and make be feel better about it!
Nurofen is a lot less powerful than vicoden and I hoped that withdrawal might be easier...............
Thanks for advice
To each they're own....these drugs affect us all so differently, it's hard to formulate a plan. Sneaky buggers, aren't they? Keep to the plan that you feel will give you the best chances. Keep us updated!
I agree with Scott, if you spread them out you would probably surprise yourself on the amount you actually need to feel "normal". Even if you started with 1 every 4 hours that might be more practical and help you succeed. Heck try to take one and see how long you can go without the next one and keep doing that. It seems to be working for me so far with minimal effects. I can't speak for being completely off from a taper (not quite there yet) but I went from a 15-20 a day 10mg Vic habit because I would take so many at once. When I started to take them as needed I only needed 5. I am now down to 3 in only a week. Just a thought, take care!
Hello everyone.
I have been quiet - just trying to get thro all this - but here is a hopeful update.......... I think!
As you know I am trying to get off Nurofen plus (pills with codeine phosphate 12.8 mg in them - sold OTC in Canada, Oz, UK.......) - which I was taking - usually 24 per day - all at once (for the effect!) - ie 308 mg codeine. Now - from my research I discovered that hospitals will taper long term users of codeine down very rapidly in some cases and I have been following the suggestions. Start with 50% cut for 2 days and then 25% every 2 days thereafter. So - that is what I have done. 24 pills on Sunday, 12 on Monday & Tuesday, 9 on Wed and Thurs.......... now I have had some awful symptoms - but not so awful I could not bear them. Have managed to continue to function - altho fatigue (and insomnia) is a total nightmare. Now - the intention is to go down to 6 pills tomorrow - and I will attempt that. (Then 4...) If at any time it all becomes too much then I will go up again a little and hold for a couple of days and then continue on down.
I know the general taper advice is 10% every week step down. But - I could not face that and c/t was too much for me - so this has been a workable alternative for me.
This might help someone else?
Hope everyone is doing well - and never giving in........ there is a way for everyone......... just have to find it!
chewey
I have been quiet - just trying to get thro all this - but here is a hopeful update.......... I think!
As you know I am trying to get off Nurofen plus (pills with codeine phosphate 12.8 mg in them - sold OTC in Canada, Oz, UK.......) - which I was taking - usually 24 per day - all at once (for the effect!) - ie 308 mg codeine. Now - from my research I discovered that hospitals will taper long term users of codeine down very rapidly in some cases and I have been following the suggestions. Start with 50% cut for 2 days and then 25% every 2 days thereafter. So - that is what I have done. 24 pills on Sunday, 12 on Monday & Tuesday, 9 on Wed and Thurs.......... now I have had some awful symptoms - but not so awful I could not bear them. Have managed to continue to function - altho fatigue (and insomnia) is a total nightmare. Now - the intention is to go down to 6 pills tomorrow - and I will attempt that. (Then 4...) If at any time it all becomes too much then I will go up again a little and hold for a couple of days and then continue on down.
I know the general taper advice is 10% every week step down. But - I could not face that and c/t was too much for me - so this has been a workable alternative for me.
This might help someone else?
Hope everyone is doing well - and never giving in........ there is a way for everyone......... just have to find it!
chewey
hello chewey
i am new, but have exactly the same intake of n plus as you. I take them to get off tramadol prescribed for damaged disc.I have been having 24 a day all at once, and find they give me enegy and pain relief.I am a single mum with toddler and 8 yr old,and its such a hard lonely job.I have stopped taking them 2 days ago,being very frightened by the woman who died recently in the uk, from taking huge doses.
I have felt so lousy that i had some amphetamine yesterday, and found it has helped, albeit a stupid solution.
and i wont take anymore n plus or amphetamine tomorrow. I am terrified to approach my doctor, and i wont, i will do it alone.i hvae an addictive nature, and its a constant lifelong battle curbing it.
does anyone have any ideas please, by the way i have not enjoyed the amphetamine and feel seedy and lousy with back ache.i hate the amphetamine and hate how it makes me feel, but i could not think of another way to curb the awful fatigue you get withdrawing from n plus.
I am hoping the worse n plus withdrawal is over now, after 2 days.would that be correct?
theres no chance of me using amphet again as i hate it.
thankyou for listening to me
fluffytail
i am new, but have exactly the same intake of n plus as you. I take them to get off tramadol prescribed for damaged disc.I have been having 24 a day all at once, and find they give me enegy and pain relief.I am a single mum with toddler and 8 yr old,and its such a hard lonely job.I have stopped taking them 2 days ago,being very frightened by the woman who died recently in the uk, from taking huge doses.
I have felt so lousy that i had some amphetamine yesterday, and found it has helped, albeit a stupid solution.
and i wont take anymore n plus or amphetamine tomorrow. I am terrified to approach my doctor, and i wont, i will do it alone.i hvae an addictive nature, and its a constant lifelong battle curbing it.
does anyone have any ideas please, by the way i have not enjoyed the amphetamine and feel seedy and lousy with back ache.i hate the amphetamine and hate how it makes me feel, but i could not think of another way to curb the awful fatigue you get withdrawing from n plus.
I am hoping the worse n plus withdrawal is over now, after 2 days.would that be correct?
theres no chance of me using amphet again as i hate it.
thankyou for listening to me
fluffytail
5 years is along time, your going to feel withdrawls no matter what I've been on codiene sulphate for five years, and mamaged to taper to 1 or 2 a day but its hard. I spread them out during the day. Taking them all at once is a no no for tapering. better off taking on every 2 hours or something It's going to take time to fix this problem we have. If you got the diahrea your in mild withdrawl there is chest pain and aniety in tapering as well. Be realalistic. That other substance in there with the codiene that what is going to screw up your liver big time go to a doctor and get it checked. I hope your ok. Getting off this **** isn't a fast process at all. Your in danger go to doc it's serous bigtime 12 at once thats serious. Sorry but I'm concerned about your health so should you.
sorry about that post sounds like you know what your doing I think I got brain damage from this ****. Allthe best blue
I have just found out today that my 28 year old brother has been addicted to tablets for the last 8 years. This began after he was involved in a serious accident and had to take distalgesics for pain relieve. When they were taken off the market he turned to nurofen plus ( up to 50 a day) every day for the past year now. Distalgesics the same up to 50 a day. He said he was checked a number of times for liver problems and he always gets the all clear. He is now two days off all tablets he is going ct. He has awful back pain, vomiting, insomnia and paranioa . I could use advice in how to help him and how long does this process take to be cleared out of his system ?
I was taking at least 30 Nurofen plus a day as well as 6 - 10 mersyndol tablets which are pretty much the same as Nurofen plus but with an analgesic in them and I was doing this for 11 years. I cut them out c/t. The first week is hell, throwing up, diarehha, stomach pains, aches everywhere, restlessness and sleepless nights.
On my fifth day without pills I was going to a Bon Jovi concert and this is a band I have loved for over 20 years and the first time I had the chance to see them live and for the life of me, I just couldn't get excited about it. I didn't know if I would throw up through the concert or need to go the toilet or just start feeling unwell, as it turned out, none of the listed but I still didn't feel the way I should have felt. I pretty much ruined my chance of a lifetime.
Most of my w\d symptoms had tapered of by the end of the first week, and now into week 4 and I sometimes still feel a little sick and want to throw up, my sleeping is still not great but a lot better than it was and I can now fall asleep naturally without having to rely on the pills to assist me and my sleep (when I fall asleep) is deep and I sleep for longer periods without having to get up and go the toilet or get a drink or have a cigarette.
On my fifth day without pills I was going to a Bon Jovi concert and this is a band I have loved for over 20 years and the first time I had the chance to see them live and for the life of me, I just couldn't get excited about it. I didn't know if I would throw up through the concert or need to go the toilet or just start feeling unwell, as it turned out, none of the listed but I still didn't feel the way I should have felt. I pretty much ruined my chance of a lifetime.
Most of my w\d symptoms had tapered of by the end of the first week, and now into week 4 and I sometimes still feel a little sick and want to throw up, my sleeping is still not great but a lot better than it was and I can now fall asleep naturally without having to rely on the pills to assist me and my sleep (when I fall asleep) is deep and I sleep for longer periods without having to get up and go the toilet or get a drink or have a cigarette.
This is an old post. You will get alot more responses if you post a new question. Hit ...Back To Forum....then go to post a question .
ive been taking neurofen plus fo about two years now , I've gone from about 24 every day and a half to seven and a half a day (one and a half tablets every four hours) I've gotten down to this many tablets before
with no real side affects . I can take most of the side affects on the chin. But i really cant handle the headache. its a stabbing pain behind my right eye. Can anyone help me in this regard. How long does the headache last for 1,2,3 days? Can i take anything else for it instead?
Has anyone managed to go on a lower dosage than seven and a half a day. and still function in work. Im terrified to go to the doctor.Detox in hospital and a 30 day rehab program is recomended here in Ireland. I cant take that amount of time off work as ive only bought my first home.And im broke
with no real side affects . I can take most of the side affects on the chin. But i really cant handle the headache. its a stabbing pain behind my right eye. Can anyone help me in this regard. How long does the headache last for 1,2,3 days? Can i take anything else for it instead?
Has anyone managed to go on a lower dosage than seven and a half a day. and still function in work. Im terrified to go to the doctor.Detox in hospital and a 30 day rehab program is recomended here in Ireland. I cant take that amount of time off work as ive only bought my first home.And im broke
I have just read all of your postings. I am in a similar position but have also been battling alcohol with drawl from week long binges. You have helped me thanks!!!
Hi,im addicted to Nurofen plus and have been on and off for the past three years,I take between 24 and 50 a day and im growing desperate to stop.I recently detoxed and stayed clean for a while,but i re lapsed and have been adicted for the last three months.What i want to know is have peaple slowly withdrawn.I cant take time of work and hate detoxes,my girlfriend does not know and would be suspicious if i suddenly started to withdraw.If i slowly cut down will it limit the withdrawl,im hoping that if i cut down to ten a day the cold turky period wont be as bad.Im also very worried about my health.Any ideas of long term affects. thanks
i have been addicted to N.P for 5 years. most days i was taking between 9 and 12 per day. i have not had any for 5 days now as i am trying to get clean. i am determined with the help of my husband and my 23 year old son to stay off what i call this poison.the withdrawel symptons are the worst thing i have ever experienced, but i'm hanging in there. you must talk to your girlfriend and family so as they can help you through this.my husband gives me 3 panadeine in the morning as i am a migraine sufferer and i wake up normally with a headache. he has these panadeine hidden so that temptation is not there.i found today that walking helps with some of the pain you experience.i still work full time and most of my work coleages have no idea . i find talking about my withdrawels with my family also helps. please get some help even if it is only your family
i think you should tell your girlfriend, 50 tablets a day, i am taking the same, there is no way you can do this on your own,i have been off them 4 days now c/t. and only because of my family and girlfriend. no matter how determin you are to stop, its always to easy to buy a packet and give yourself a reason why you should take them. dont know if this will help but. my girlfriend took my bank card, my perents took me to every pharmacy and told them not to sell me anymore pills. tough love ehh i stopped on wed, had 3 bad days in work but got through,now im locked in over the weekend. may need to take a few days off work next week, dont know how ill feel.maybe not the best way but longest ive been clean. no money =no tablets
I am in my fifth day now without any N+,have been using about 20 a day for nearly a year.First 3 days are hard,not so much needing a N+ but the feeling of being lethargic, having Diahorea,pains in the body you name it I feel it,but day 5 now im over all that,but biggest problem I have to tackle now is sleeping,Ive prob had about 8 hours sleep in the past 4 days and the anxiety in bed is bloody annoying the **** out of me.I am married and have 2 little kids,no one knows i was a N+ addict and have hid my withdrawla from my wife very well.Ive never been a good sleeper so my wife thinks I am going through a stage,which i usesd to go through b4 N+.Even tho I use to sleep like a log when on N+ I still would feel like **** in the morning no matter how much sleep I had.I feel so much better during the dat now even tho only 8 hrs sleep in 4 days,But I know it will pass and I will have myself back..No matter what dose you cut down to you still gonna have some withdrwals,Cold turkey worked for me,and rememebr cutting the doses only prolongs the recovery.Good luck to you all,You will all succeed!
This is the first time I've ever admitted to having the addiction I know I have. But I realised that my behaviour, health and everything I care about in the world is being affected. I've lost passion about life. Just want to sleep. No longer interested in work or home or friends. I'm only taking ~12-15 a day but I've decided I'm going to stop right now. I won't miss the having to trail to various new chemists so that they don't recognise me and ask me the questions they always ask. Questions which no addict would ever answer truthfully. I won't miss the amount of money I spend. I won't miss the aches and pains which I'm sure wouldn't be as notiecable if I weren't taking as many pain killers. The irony of the addiction.
I know, though, that I will miss the comforting feeling which starts to happen after taking 4 tablets on the way to work. I know I'll miss that and it's that which worries me more than the physical side effects of stopping. I've stopped before so I know the night time jitters are by far the worst thing to cope with and I'm hoping that a herbal sleep remedy will help. Without anything it feels like ants are crawling in your joints.
I feel for everyone who has posted and wish you all the best.
I know, though, that I will miss the comforting feeling which starts to happen after taking 4 tablets on the way to work. I know I'll miss that and it's that which worries me more than the physical side effects of stopping. I've stopped before so I know the night time jitters are by far the worst thing to cope with and I'm hoping that a herbal sleep remedy will help. Without anything it feels like ants are crawling in your joints.
I feel for everyone who has posted and wish you all the best.
I realise this is an old thread however I've been reading through all the posts and have found myself in all of them.
Unfortunately my usage wasn't because of an injury, I'd just found out one day how they make you feel and have been taking a silver tab everyday for the last 6 yrs. I don't take them now as I'm a bit worried that I have some side effects from the long term use.
To everyone who is trying to stop taking them, you can if you really want to, you just have to be hard on yourself. I used to have 3 in the morning before work then another 3 to keep me going through lunch then I'd smash the last 6 before bed to help me sleep. I now get really bad anxiety attacks (especially when I mix with alcohol) and decided to stop a couple of months ago.
Much like everyone here no-one knew I was taking it regularly and also like Norma27 I got tired of going to different chemists to avoid being told I have a problem and decided to detox, it probably wasn't the best idea to come straight off of them as I had headaches lasting a few days behind my right eye, and paranoia knowing I couldn't take anymore before work to cope with the day. I'm fine now but am still struggling to adjust around large crowds of people
Each person will find their own way to get around it, but you need to stick to it. I now have a boyfriend who is hooked on it and its hard to get him to stop. I didnt realise how many people this affects, or that it was even an addiction I hope everyone does well in their efforts once its out of the system you feel so much better :D
T
Unfortunately my usage wasn't because of an injury, I'd just found out one day how they make you feel and have been taking a silver tab everyday for the last 6 yrs. I don't take them now as I'm a bit worried that I have some side effects from the long term use.
To everyone who is trying to stop taking them, you can if you really want to, you just have to be hard on yourself. I used to have 3 in the morning before work then another 3 to keep me going through lunch then I'd smash the last 6 before bed to help me sleep. I now get really bad anxiety attacks (especially when I mix with alcohol) and decided to stop a couple of months ago.
Much like everyone here no-one knew I was taking it regularly and also like Norma27 I got tired of going to different chemists to avoid being told I have a problem and decided to detox, it probably wasn't the best idea to come straight off of them as I had headaches lasting a few days behind my right eye, and paranoia knowing I couldn't take anymore before work to cope with the day. I'm fine now but am still struggling to adjust around large crowds of people
Each person will find their own way to get around it, but you need to stick to it. I now have a boyfriend who is hooked on it and its hard to get him to stop. I didnt realise how many people this affects, or that it was even an addiction I hope everyone does well in their efforts once its out of the system you feel so much better :D
T
Wow this really is a widespread problem. Let me start by reiterating the relief I feel that there are others who are experiencing things that are so difficult to explain when the core of the issue is addiction and the choices we make to feed these yearnings.
Like others, it all started with some legitimate pain in the form of arthritis in the neck. I took the occasional painkiller which was not a problem. Then one day just two of the little buggers (Nuro +) gave me that small tingle of euphoria and the devil on my shoulder was awakened. From then on the reason to take them became easier and easier to justify. Any pain anywhere was good enough. Geez I'm sure a bad hair day would suffice. Anyway two grew to four which eventually became a habit of thirty a day. This has gone on for most of this year with barely a clean day. I just took six today after yesterday's four because this completely wrecked feeling is paralising me and I find it so hard to achieve anything. Exam time at uni is a difficult time to go through this.... But when is a good time? Now is as good as any (or as bad as any) For those of you who have lived with Nurofen Plus addiction for much longer than me and have taken many more in number, I send my support and good wishes. Let's not be embarrassed and turn to those who can help.
I told my Dr the other day and he said that there shouldn't be any withdrawal symptoms but the way I feel and the stories told on this forum proove otherwise. I'm sure he was just trying to motivate me to just stop this behaviour without getting hung up on how I feel. It's not easy but I'm positive I can get there. Good luck to all.
Like others, it all started with some legitimate pain in the form of arthritis in the neck. I took the occasional painkiller which was not a problem. Then one day just two of the little buggers (Nuro +) gave me that small tingle of euphoria and the devil on my shoulder was awakened. From then on the reason to take them became easier and easier to justify. Any pain anywhere was good enough. Geez I'm sure a bad hair day would suffice. Anyway two grew to four which eventually became a habit of thirty a day. This has gone on for most of this year with barely a clean day. I just took six today after yesterday's four because this completely wrecked feeling is paralising me and I find it so hard to achieve anything. Exam time at uni is a difficult time to go through this.... But when is a good time? Now is as good as any (or as bad as any) For those of you who have lived with Nurofen Plus addiction for much longer than me and have taken many more in number, I send my support and good wishes. Let's not be embarrassed and turn to those who can help.
I told my Dr the other day and he said that there shouldn't be any withdrawal symptoms but the way I feel and the stories told on this forum proove otherwise. I'm sure he was just trying to motivate me to just stop this behaviour without getting hung up on how I feel. It's not easy but I'm positive I can get there. Good luck to all.
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Can't believe I'm finding this thread in 2021. Everyone's stories I have been there, taking 2x32 packs most days. This has hopefully gave me the motivation to quit after 3 years. I literally can't afford to continue on n+ spending around 300/400 per month.
I will hopefully use this thread for inspiration and check in from time to time to let you know how I get on.
Good luck everyone.
I will hopefully use this thread for inspiration and check in from time to time to let you know how I get on.
Good luck everyone.
Hi oatsnbarley,
Sorry to tell ya ive weened off N+ It about Five months
And believe me there are withdrawals finaly went c/t 10 days ago and im only starting to come around today
Have a look At my tracker and you'll get the general idea!!!!!!!!!!!
I Tapered from 24 per day to 4 aday over three months or so..
And i Still got a major come down off them
Get a different doctor !!!!
My doctor recomended that i Detox in hospital
Sorry to tell ya ive weened off N+ It about Five months
And believe me there are withdrawals finaly went c/t 10 days ago and im only starting to come around today
Have a look At my tracker and you'll get the general idea!!!!!!!!!!!
I Tapered from 24 per day to 4 aday over three months or so..
And i Still got a major come down off them
Get a different doctor !!!!
My doctor recomended that i Detox in hospital
i'd been takin N+ for 5 years until i finally stopped c/t. i was takin up to 20 a day. when i was 16 i was knocked down by a dope who was to old to be driving. i was left in a pretty bad way. broke my back, neck, both legs and burst one of my lungs. was in hospital 4 nearly a year, when i got out a started on the N+. they made me feel normal, gave me energy and most of all they helped me through the hardest times of my life but after 5 years i started to get stomach problems, really bad cramps. so i knew it was time to stop. so i did and it was terrible. the worst headache i've ever had in my life not to mention the sleepless nights, the running to the toilet every 5 minutes and paranoia..... but 1 week in and its getting better. still have the insomnia but thats it really.
so to all here i'd like to say " HANG IN THERE " you can do it.
best of luck... take care!
so to all here i'd like to say " HANG IN THERE " you can do it.
best of luck... take care!
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