Tapering Codeine

[geoffreyallan]

Hi

I've been taking a heap of codeine (Panadeine Plus x 9 with 15mg Codeine each plus Nurofen Plus x 9 with 12.8mg Codeine each) tablets now on and off for years.  I'm trying to get off them again and for some reason it's harder this time than it has ever been plus I'm busier than I've even been so going cold turkey and curling up in a ball for a few days won't work :(

I'm trying to taper and was looking for some advice.  I've never tapered but I've heard some good comments about it provided you've got the will power.

Suggestions?  Ideas?  Help?

Cheers,

Geoff

[geoffreyallan]

Hi

Thanks for that.  I'm in Australia too.  Even though you have to ask for it over the counter it's just so easy.  Half the time they don't even ask me any questions.

I've written a tapering schedule and am sticking to it off and on.  Certainly taking less already though which is great.

Cheers,

Geoff

[perch101]

Hi, I've had trouble with codeine in the past too - with both panadeine extra and nurofen plus, taking well over the recommeded dose same as you........ it's hard to get off it hey considering how avaliable it is being over the counter.....I'm in Australia and it's so easy to get, any pharmacy will give it to you after a couple of questions....

Weather or not you can sucsessfully taper all comes down to willpower as you mentioned - if you can take a few less a day until your off them - say 3 tablets less a day - if you can stick to this it should be fairly painless. I have tried this in the past with different levels of sucsess, but I'd often think "oh well, i'll take extra today and start again tomorroww....." and so on. In the end I had to go cold turkey because the addict in me always wanted me to take extra, and I would make lame excuses to myself to do so. But I did manage sucsessfully to taper down to a smaller number so it wasnt so bad.

But if you want it bad enough, try to write a taper schedule down and tell yourself you'll stick to it no matter what, give yourself a big tick for each day you stick to the taper ,and for inspiration remind yourself how good you'll feel when free of it altogether, and the money you'll save not having to go to the pharmacy everyday to collect your stash (I started to add together how much I was spending on them when I was taking them.... it REALLY adds up!


Best of luck!