Hi. I've been taking Co Codamol 15/500 for the best part of 9 years now and I cannot seem to stop taking them. I can't function without taking these and now I want to stop taking them as I know it can't be doing my insides any good. I never go over 6 in a day and my do for said that it is fine and not to worry. Which I think is a poor attitude for a doctor to take. What should I do? I need help but don't know what's gong to happen when I come off them. Help!!! 😥
As you obviously are so determined to stop taking them I would suggest you go and see another GP in the practice, one who will help you by gradually reducing your medication. It's the only way unless you can put up with going cold turkey and stop requesting repeat prescriptions.
What damage is being done by continuously taking these tablets? Is IBS one of them?
I suppose IBS could be a side effect because codeine can make you constipated therefore affecting the bowel
I think the best option for you eould be a tapering plan as you have been on for 9 years and only have 6 id say your actually part of a very snall minority most people my self Included build a tolerence I take 30/500 and can often take up to twenty I am currebtly tapering off them. Codeine is an opiate whoch forms morphine in the liver and is basically the same Category as herion. So its tough to get off the withdrawel symptoms differ for everybody but most are stomach cramps sweating restless leg sydrome irritable feeling pretty rottern ect .. if I were you as your only taking 15/500 id maybe try 8/500 see how you go on if you feel okay drop a tablet every few weeks
the most damage is coming from the paracetamol I dont know if can cause ibs but it does cause constipation piles and when you go cold turkey possible runs. Paracetamol is a silent killer and can badly affect your kidneys.
Dear Ando611
Time to stop. You are addicted, the Paracetamol will kill your liver. Start cutting down slowly, first month 1 1/2 tablets and on like that. My doctor has been feeding me for the last 20 years.
Thank you for your response. What sides affects will going cold turkey have?
If you don't mind me asking, what is your process for tapering off them and what side affects did you or are you having?
Because I was taking upto 20 30/500 a day I decided to knock two tablets off a week and so on when I got down to 8 I decided to try neurofen plus which is only 12.8 codeine but went to 10 a day and realised was equivalent to obly 4 of my others I have bad days where I will take up to six 30/500 but from what I was taking I have massively cut down because I am tapering I dont have many side effects its not going to be easy for you buy thankfully you are in control of your intake and from what you have said have below what u are allowed anyway 8 a day so maybe try 5 a day until u feel comfortable and drop one when u feel u are ready dont try to quickly or you will just have a bad day and up your does
Good advice Samantha. I will say in the U S they are now saying only six tabs a day to keep safe over a long period. However studies also now show that very long term use with other factors like drinking as well are not safe at all if paracetamol is codeines best friend in the same tab.
I had been taking 8 to 10 codeine and Paracetamol mix for just over 20 years and with up to 30 mg of codeine four times a day. So many problems had started and when I had a bad pain problem and taken to hospital the pain killers did not work.. the pain was so bad I wanted someone to kill me. Because I had been using for so long my brain and body were resistent to pain control....
I am having problems with my liver and my kidneys are not much better.
I have been coming off these now using the tapering method and its hard each time I bump down a dose yet it eases after a three day period until I drop again in a few weeks.... How mad are we??? yet its a trap our G P s could have avoided us falling into...
Thats exactly the point the gps hand them out like toffees and I was not warned how addictive they where it was only after about only 3 weeks I didnt have any and felt awful I put it down to being ill so carried on taking them. 7 years on and im slowly getting there I wish I never took them in the first place. I was in hospital a few months ago after a car crash and was given morphine it didnt even touch me I was in agony drs could not understand why the morphine wasnt working. I think this drug is very dangerous its at the point where I dont feel normal without them I was taking 4-6 in one go just to get the happy feeling I first got. Tapering isnt easy but I have tried cold turkey so many times and end up vack at square obe at least this way I feel slightly in control 
Sam whatever happens don't stop trying to give up. Its a bit like giving up smoking, we may fail and then try again until we beat it. Its now being said a third of all 16 to 19 year olds ( hard pressure at school) are now on codeine based products, how bad is that.
We all need to support each other as much as possible as there is no real off line support service to help us.. well I cant find one.
Yeah theb u have singer who brag about taking it apparent role models no wonder children are onit and im not giving up just take it day by day and hopefully we will be free of them one day and iv not found any help either maybe because its legal then again alcohol is! Its so frustrating that most people who are addicted to codeine are average law abiding people who would never have dreamed they could be an addict and fell into this horrible trap I hope more is done soon to warn people I know im going to do anything I can to help and support people in this situation who would of thought my gp is the a local legal drug dealer atleast when I buy tablets its vlearly labeled cause addiction
Thanks for that Samantha... Keep in touch and yes if we can help some we must, and one day or not you can beat this... :>
Thank you all for your advice. I will go speak to a different GP and find out the best way to slowly get off these tablets. I strongly agree that there has to be something done to control the way that prescription medication is dispensed in a correct controlled manner. I've been thinking for months why a GP would continue to prescribe a drug like this without asking questions on the health of the patient. Thank you all again and I'll let you all know how it goes.
Well done Ando. So pleased you've made that decision and you are absolutely right to question the repeat prescribing situation. I realise it causes so many problems and only feeds the addiction. Good luck
Thank you Matron. I will do my best to beat this.
Exactlt how many other people are falling victim to this and unknowingly becoming addicts having their life controlled by a pill! I know because you are quite "good" with sticking to doses ect a go should give you a codeine phosphate only prescription have regular app. And sort a tapering plan Good luck I hope u can beat this
You will beat this because you have made up your mind to beat it. I wont wish you good luck, I will wish you something that luck does not need a part to play... May your journey bring freedom away from this horrible drug and that once stoped your body will start to recover..