cocodomol the silent deadly drug

Treatment and medication
1

Hi I was on cocodomol for 7 years and just recently weaned off using a taper plan and good planning.

I didn't realise just how mind and body controlling these drugs were.

Ok to cut a long story short I became ill and was prescribed 30/500 cocodomol the first few weeks I felt great yeah less pain and what a head rush.

I started to get addicted and needed my 2 tablet four times a day fix,was my injury gone I don't know I just needed the fix.

I tried a few times before to go cold turkey and ended up with the worse simptons possible I sure you have had these.

The restlessness and aches in the legs were the worst I'm sure you will agree.

Through my dependency I became intolerant to any products containing caffeine as I noticed my body would itch and I had pain in my kidneys all the time.I stopped caffeine 6 years ago and cured that issue.

This time around I decided enough is enough and try a taper plan.

week 1

8 tablets a day

2 at 7am

2 at 1pm

2 at 6pm

2 at 8pm

for 7 day only then I started my taper plan and it really works.

week 2

2 at 7am

2 at 1pm

2 at 6pm

1 at 10pm

week 3

2 at 7am

2 at 1pm

1 at 6pm

1 at 10pm

week 4

2 at 7am

1 at 1pm

1 at 6pm

1 at 10pm

week 5

1 at 7am

1 at 1pm

1 at 6pm

1 at 10pm

week 6

1 at 7am

1 at 1pm

1 at 8pm

week 7

1 at 7am

1 at 8pm

week 8

1 at 7am

This worked for me and just remember plenty of water but not mountains of it as too much water can be deadly.

I would say to anyone who has just been prescribed cocodomol just be aware that the come down after long term use will really spoil your day.

For the full impact of going cold turkey should only last around 8-10 days from sources I read but I will say this for a easier stage of coming off and less side effects try a taper.

2

That's good news Stephen. Glad it worked so well for you. I'm fortunate that I haven't had problems with co codamol and codeine. I'm back on codeine after switching fron tramadol. I had dreadful withdrawals from tramadol though. 

3

I think these drugs should be made more clear from our doctors and not just given out like sweets.

I was unaware about the dependency I should of done my research.

4

Well done Stephen but can I ask you what you are using instead of co-codamol for the pain? How did you know you had become dependent on them, as opposed to needing them to enable you to cope with the pain.

5

I tried cold turkey twice and lasted 4 days before reaching out for the codeine fix as I was on them for such a long time.

My body went into death mode I kid you not I felt ill beyond belief it wasn't pleasant.

This time around I tapered dropping one tablet after each 7th day I.e Tuesday to Tuesday

The only thing I did along this road to recovery was when I got achey legs I drank a pint of water and it really does help trust me,and the fact I was caffeine free also helps as we all know that too is another substitute for your body to handle whilst coming off.

I just used pure guts and determination but I do say with tapering even if you take 100 a day dropping one tablet a week gives you slight side effects but no where near what I had before.

Hope this helps 😉

6

I knew I was dependant purely through wanting that light buzz feeling I got and not through pain relief by the end

7

Absolutely. When I saw my doc and said I wanted to stop tramadol and switch back to codeine he agreed, write me the prescription and DIDNT tell me I would need to taper off the tramadol. I felt soooooo bad. Even when I went back to see him about how dreadful I was feeling he failed to identify the problem....ie, tramadol withdrawal! 

8

My friend is on tramadol for his back injury he hates taking them he says he feels like a zombie most days but he has no choice as his job is very physically demanding and his back is pretty much knackered

9

Poor bloke. I was on maximum dies for many months and realised life was passing me by. My condition causes moderate to severe pain and fatigue that can be debilitating. So although I was getting better pain relief I was completely zonked out

10

Dose not dies 😄

11

Well done that's brilliant!!

That's actually a pretty good taper!

I know all to well of loving that "buzz"

The thing is you will NEVER get the

same"high" again, hence the saying

"trying to chase the dragon" the

reason GP's hand them out

like sweets is because a box of

100 codeine costs only £5.24 so

A lot cheaper than the other opiod

analgesics......(shocking) they should

At least review medications monthly!

And tell patients of the risks of

addiction its not the patient that

has to suffer its the entire family 😢

I'm currently on 4 X 30mg codeine

due to a 64 a day Nurofen plus

addiction so know how hard you

have worked! I'm 31 and been

addicted best part of 10 years at

16 I was addicted to co-proxamol.....

got through that so I know I will again.

Sorry I'm rambling 😉

Seriously well done!

Kate.

12

Suppose to say its not JUST the

patient that suffers.

13

good on you and thanks for sharing

keep strong and focused and anything is achievable in life as you have proved to yourself 😉😉

14

Well done Stephen.

Just to add for anyone who's cutting down and coming off them - (I did it this way too) If it helps get a tablet cutter so you can take half tablets to taper slower - I find it worked better for me and I bought the over counter 12.8/500 & 8/500 and did the same.

I kept a note of what I took when, to keep well inside the paracetamol limit.

I still use co codamol but only for two days at a time with at least 2 weeks gap.

The rest of the time I use ibuprofen - not as good pain relief but better than getting "hooked" again

15

that's great news and a massive well done to you thanks for sharing your information and story it all comes in handy for everyone who are in this position 😉😉😉

16

Thanks Stephen, Anything to help people get off this drug 

17

That is great but what could I use instead of co-coda mol as I am not allowed to have any NSAIDs such as ibuprofen because of stomach ulcers? From what people have said I should come off co-codamol but there do not seem to be any suitable alternatives and I certainly could not manage without any pain relief as the pain is not only moderate to severe but long term and widespread as a result of childhood polio and its related problems.

18

If I wish I knew I would so help you but specialist are your help that's needed.I personally can only try tell my story and how I managed I really wish I could sent you on the right direction with the right medication but not being in that profession isn't ideal.

Many people out there are stuck in that awful pain circle like yourself and I only hope you can get the right advice that you need.

I'm pretty sure they are specialists on here and I hope they read your write up.

Stay strong 😉😉

19

There are other drugs out there which can help - while I was in hospital, after major op I told them that I didn't want codeine and told them I had been addicted (didn't seem to take much bother about that)

They gave me a drug which was good for me but I can't remember what it was called but your doctor should know of something which you can take

20

That's great advise and yes you were so right telling them NO CODEINE as we all know that's the killer drug that hooks you.