Dihydrocodeine Withdrawal

Treatment and medication
1

I am starting this new thread because I am having what i believe are different withdrawal symptoms to most everybody. 

I have been taking Dihydrocodeine for just over 6 years now, I started on a high dose and have taken varying amounts over these past years. I took them for pain relief from Cauda Equina Syndrome (and still do, although thankfully after 6 years it seems a little more managable with regular painkillers)

I am currently on 2 a day one morning, one late evening.

When I dont take them I experience what can only be described as a need to defecate, mixed with the feeling of being excited (the kind that kept you awake at night when you were a kid - remember that, fun right?) although there is NO fun in it whatsoever! It's like a 'tingling' low down in my groin, impossible to explain succinclty enough that you would understand what I'm talking about. My description is weak, but it's all I can offer.

My biggest problem with stopping them entirely is that this 'feeling' for want of a better word gets more and more intense the longer I go without them. 

The last time I tried to go cold turkey, I laid awake for 2 nights straight, without an ounce of sleep. My hope was that I would 'eventually' be so tired that my body and mind would just shut off. Unfortunately this did not happen and the intensity of the 'feeling' got so bad that I simply HAD to take a tablet just to get some rest. 45 minutes after taking it, I was asleep.

Add to all this the irritability, the restlessness, the not knowing where to put yourself, the rising 'feeling' there almost 24/7 all be it mild when i take my two tablets a day, and I can honestly say that this condition is driving me completely mad!  

Now, why post here? Firstly I want to know if anyone else has a similar feeling when trying to drop them.. Or HAD a similar feeling?

The reason i ask this question directly is I have no way of knowing if this IS withdrawal... It's entirely likely that Cauda Equina nerve damage has given me this condition and the dihydra's are masking it. 

honestly I think it's withdrawal but I cant find anyone else speaking of a similar feeling? 

And secondly, HOW DO I STOP!!??

I am down to 2 tablets a day, if I lessen the amount, the 'feeling' becomes so noticeable that I have to up the amount again. (please believe me when i say it's like torture - it's unbearable to the point of 'screw it i'm taking one!' - this is not 'addiction' I WANT to stop.. I am just unable!)

I am going to start with 3/4's of a tablet from tomorrow.. I will let you all know how I get on. 

In the meantime, please discuss.. Please tell me your own experiences ESPECIALLY if you know the 'feeling' i'm talking about. 

Thanks for time, and patience with my long-winded post. 

Art 

2

Hi Kutter-uk what you describe sounds about right for withdrawal. That excited feeling is literally that i.e. the exciitation of your neural pathways and Central Nervous System after being sedated and occupied by opiates (dihydrocodeine). Try cutting down as you suggest but really 2 a day is not going to be all that bad. I think it is important to recognise and accept that you are not going to sleep much for a while. Once you have accepted that it is easier I found. Actually that excited feeling can become a source of strength if you view it as becoming alive again after being much the opposite. One thing that I found helped was Pregabalin  or Gabapentin. Ask your GP if he will give you a few for a week. They enabled me to rest if not sleep and made the w/d's bearable. I hate to state the obvious but that excitation of your groin could be seen as the return of sex drive after opiate suppression. Good luck and it gets so much better. John

3

Thank you John, hearing it confirmed makes all the difference. When you explain it as you did it makes so much sense! Thank you. 

Interestingly I have pregabalin which I was taking to try and deal with nerve pain a little while ago. They helped me sleep no question about it but the other things I was taking them for didnt subside, so I stopped.

Taking them as you suggest may well be a way I can get through this, I'm certainly willing to give it a go. 

Thanks again John, lots of food for thought. 

4

Hi Kutter-uk I would definitely give the pregabalin a try just to get you through the worst  of  detox . All the best. John

5

Hi art 

         I understand how your feeling .. ive been reducing from methadone ( significantly more powerful than dihydrocodeine ) but the symptoms are similar as they are both semi-synthetic opioids ( man made opioids compared to morphine which is derived from opium ) 

         all the symptoms you are presenting are classic signs for opioid withdrawl and reduction ... insomnia is caused by the opioid receptors going crazy .. literally theres fireworks going off in your brain and it does not allow you to relax .. the body can be extremely tired but your brain is working overtime 

         however ( and this is the good news ) this can be helped by a med called "gabapentin" ... i was diagnosed with peripheral nerve damage in my legs and was prescribed gapapentin during my methadone reduction .. the difference was amazing ... 8 full hours sleep compared to 3 ( if i was lucky ) during methadone reduction ...  

           the way this works is unclear,however since gapapentin was originally designed for epilepsy its thought it uses its marked sedating effect to "dampen" the " fireworks" in the brain ... as my doctor stated it "turns off specific eletrical signals in the brain "

          on top of that a med called "quinine" can help with leg and arm jerks which are also common during opioid withdrawl ( and reduction ) ... you can also get this in "tonic water" allthough at lower doses 

           stopping completely will be tough ( i wont say otherwise ) but not impossible ...and slowly your body will feel better to so much of a extent that the feelings you get will be better than the feelings that dihydrocodeine gave you 

            in summary your not alone .. millions have been through what your experiencing and remember that .. i know when your lying in bed unable to sleep it can feel lonely,frightening and depressing but ( and i apologise if this sounds patronising ) it does get better .. it has for me and im down to 1ml of methadone ( equal to just 1mg ) ... 

            even after you succesfully stop taking dihydrocodeine there will be days when the urges and depression will reappear .. this is were you need support ( from a doctor or drug support service ) .. or even posting on here with how your feeling 

             anyway i wish you all the best art .. and stick with it mate 

                       brian 

6

Thank you Brian, once again hearing from someone who has been through (and still going through by the sound) of this horrendous effect makes me feel SO much better.

To hear you describe it, as with John before you, it makes sense, I already feel better about it. 

I do have Gabapentin and as I said in my reply to John I took them for a while and did notice a difference in sleep. They didnt touch what I was actually taking them for (a heavy feeling - for want of a better term) in the position of my Gall Bladder (which was removed for this exact reason) but never went away. 

I stopped taking them because I didnt think they were working but on taking 200mg last night before bed, I slept! It was GLORIOUS! 

I haven't had a decent nights sleep since I stopped taking them about 3 weeks ago... Why I didnt make the connection who knows but thanks to this thread I'm back on them!

Sleep I would have said was my number one problem because like you I only slept around 3 hours a night and the description you gave of brain being awake is EXACTLY how I've described it to my wife in the past. It's like not being able to relax! 

It's weird because i thought all this was bought on by nerve damage from Cauda Equina but now I am seeing that it's the opiate's that are giving me all these symptoms... Maybe even the pain in my side!?

The 'urge' to take DHC is nowhere near as strong as it used to be. When I realised I needed to come off them (which was about a year ago now) I started to tell myself 'no' to the buzz they give. I like the buzz, I always did and taking two when I only really needed one was a battle sometimes but that thankfully is under control now and I am strict on my two a day. 

That said, today is my first day on 3/4 of a tablet. Just took it actually, along with another 200mg of Gabapentin. Keep your fingers crossed for me, DHC is on it's way OUT! 

Thanks for the support all, I hope this thread can help others because this is one of the most vile things I've had to go through in my life.

Art

 

7

Ack.. Gabapentin/Pre Gabalin... Have gotten those two mixed up something chronic in the past! I seem to have some kind of mental block. 

For the record... 

Its pregabalin that I'm taking and they too give me a great nights sleep. 

Gabapentin I couldn't take, they made me feel 'weird' is the best way I can describe it. Thats why the doc put me on PreGabalin instead. 

 

8

Hi art 

         The problem with any medication ( including gabapentin ) is taking them long term .. any recovering addict will ( but not allways ) tend to take medication for the effects it gives them .... but you need to be strict with yourself and adhere to strict guidelines set down by the prescriber ..

         myself i had a MRI scan last weekend ( lower lumbar ) and it looks like i will need pain meds just as im finishing my methadone reduction 

        and im hoping my doc does not give me dihydrocodeine ( or dhc long acting versions ) ... granted i may need them but im scared if i go down the same route as methadone ...and you know how hard it is to come off dihydrocodeine ..

         that said if i do need pain meds i will ask to doctor to give me them at the lowest dose and see if that works 

          whats the difference between gabapentin and pre-gabalin ... is the latter better as it has less side effects .. interesting to know 

           finally have you tried valerian root ... ive heard good stories about this natural supplement and its well known to help with opiate reduction and withdrawal ...

            good luck art 

9

Hi Brian, 

Man lower back pain is a bitch! I know it SO well, I had sciatica for 6 nearly 7 years and then that turned into Cauda Equina, which is less rare than you'd expect! Bottom line, you dont need to tell me about lower back pain my friend believe me, I feel for you! 

That said... dhc was the ONLY drug that helped with the pain, and believe me again when I say the pain was so intence that you would take dhc without a second thought if you knew it would help with it. 

This is exactly what happened to me. 

My experience went on from there to be one of pain management/liking the buzz the drug gave me, I dont mind admiting it now, I'm coming out the other end and the actual road itself wasn't so bad. 

Now however, well I don't need to tell you.. It's hideous.. BUT pregabalin and lessening the tabs to 3/4s twice a day is working. I feel no withdrawal feelings whatsoever at the moment, so fingers crossed. 

The good news however is that I took dhc 4 times (in the sciatica years) for several months at a time. The longest being around 8 months of agony (something i;ll never forget) and dropping them cold turkey after this sort of time... I didnt even notice any side effects. 

After 6 years however, it's a different story. 

I guess what I'm trying to say Brian, is dont be too scared about taking them because firstly, the work! Theres no question (for me at least) they were THE best painkiller and I'd tried many others. 

But more importantly, you know how to get off of them.. Hell you gave that advice to me and it's working a treat!

As for Gabapentin and Pre-Gabalin, I 'think' and this is only because my doctor alighted to it in a round about way when he prescribed me pre gabalin; is that Pre Gabalin is only given if you have a reaction to Gabapentin because it's much more expensive to create. 

I could be wrong, but I got that impression at least. 

I will try valerian root alongside the Pre gabalin, thanks for that heads up too. 

Good luck Brian, stay safe.

Art

 

10

Well, I hope someone see's this or at the very least it helps someone in the future. 

Further to my original post I am pleased to announce that I am down now to ONE tablet per day. Half in the morning and half in the evening. 

It hasn't been an easy road but pre-gabalin have helped with the ability to sleep and the extra withdrawal symptoms I feel. 

I still feel them full on if I cut the dose any further, so we are going to have to move in baby steps from here. 

I will keep everyone posted. 

11

Hiya ive been reading your story with intrest as I too right now am withdrawing from dihydrocodeine I've been taking them for 20 years due to a severe back problem I've just reduced my dose from 6-4 a day then this week from 4-2 and I'm experiencing very similar symptoms to you the worse being restless legs and insomnia along with terrible diahorea

I am thinking of asking my Dr for gabapentin but I'm concerned that I will be putting more pills into my system

I'd like to know how you are getting on as I don't know anyone else going through this

Thanks for your time

Elaine

12

Pregabalin will help with sleeping and wrestles legs syndrome, I stopped palexia back in sept it took me 7 weeks and it was hell, I was on them for chronic back pain to but decided enoughs enough, I'm still getting wls it's awful and insomnia so I take 1 at night, I hope this helps and good luck 😊

13

Hello friend what you are experinseing sounds like mild mild beginnings of withdrawal but realistically if your down to just 2 a day you should be able to stop with minor withdrawals go to your GP explain to him that you are wanting to stop them altogether and they will hopefully give you something to help you sleep when you stop and that would really help also if your only taking 2 a day there is no harm on just continuing but you will always have the risk of increasing your dose to put it into perspective and I am in no way trying to play your dilemma down at my worst I was taking 70 30mg a day I am not proud of that ashamed really I spent a fortune on them I used to only take 6 a day but over the years my tolerance went through the roof a tryed to stop cold turkey as I new I was risking an overdose everyday booked to weeks holiday made it out to my wife I had caught the flu but trust me my withdrawals were possible life threating I lasted 11 days the physical withdrawals were reseeding but the mental ones I couldn't cope with so it took 35 30mg to bring me out of withdrawal went to my GP owned up to being a addict to be told to contact addiction action group I did they come to see me once a week a had to taper down to 20 10 morning 10 at night it took me 7!weeks to taper down safely before they would prescribe me a substitute as I refused to take methadone I am now with the special service group and on 8mg of bneuriphine (subutex)a day and it has changed my life I feel completely normal again and am planning to do the 19 day detox march when I can take a couple of weeks holiday I had tryed to stop lots of times but it's nearly impossible to do on your own I am telling you this just so you realise your situation is fine don't beat yourself up your only taking 2 and for a reason so don't worry about but if you really want to stop you need support either with your family or go see your GP as it sounds like it's the mental side of withdrawal and not the physical trust me that's good talking to someone will help please let me know how you get on and can I ask why you have decided to stop taking them my name is James btw sorry for long winded reply

14

Lol just noticed my name is on my log in been a while since a posted thought it something else

15

I have now also just noticed this post is 2 months old for some reason I only got an email about it today so I hope everything has worked out the way you wanted it to

16

subutex is a great subsitute ... i have only heard positive things about subutex compared to loads of bad press regarding methadone 

            the thing about subutex is its active ingredients .... suboxone simply blocks the pain receptors so theres no way on earth you can go through withdrawal ... bupernorphine is a partial opioid agonist which means it activates the opioid receptors in the brain but not as much as other opioids 

            the result is no withdrawal worries ( which is what all addicts fear every day ) and the ability to have a normal lifestyle ( again something thats not possible with addicts ) 

            the only downside is you need to reduce to 30mg (approx ) of methadone before switching to subutex ...and for many on over 100mg the reduction can be hard 

             good luck james and happy xmas 

17

Thanks Brian hope you have a good one

18

gabapentin will help with restless leg syndrome and insomnia.. its actually a anti-seizure medicine and essentially switches off parts of the brain that causes seizures ( gaba receptors ) ... this stops the brain getting to stimulated which is what happens when opioid withdrawal occurs ..

            many doctors have noticed gabapentin helps during opioid withdrawal but its not been officially recognized 

            however allways start on a low dose ... they can interact with opioids (even low doses ) ... so take 1 x 100mg on the first night and see if this helps .....

           what ive learned to do is work out what my system can tolerate ... and slowly increase until i feel no side effects .. however as everyone is different this can fluctuate from one person to another 

            pre-gabalin is like gabapentin but also helps with anxiety .. also it comes in a much smaller dose (25MG ) ... 

            the only problem in your case is your back problem .. coming off dihydrocodeine may make the back problem worse which in turn will mean you may have to start taking dihydrocodeine again ....

            we all hate taking medication but as your taking it for a condition you should discuss this with your doctor ... maybe switching to another opioid may be needed 

                          good luck 

19

Hi James wow you make my problem seem so trivial I used to be taking 20:a day as well as codeine but the last few years down to 6 and I agree that I'm only on a low dose now but the reason I'm coming off them is I have panic attacks agoraphobia which because I take laxido for my bowels means that I suffer terrible diahorea daily and I'm terrified going places where there is no toilet so I avoid going anywhere far from home

If I'm not taking the dihydrocodeine I don't need the laxido anymore so I hope in theory that my agoraphobia will get better

I'm still in a lot of pain but am using a tens machine and hot water bottle

I've just stopped taking them today and already suffering from the withdrawal symptoms but obviously not as bad as what you have gone through. I am determined to be free of them. Thanks for sharing your experiences I hope you are doing OK let me know how you are too

Regards Elaine

20

Hi Elaine I am doing great thanks well on the way to putting this chapter in my life behind me you are doing great cutting down as much as you have especially since you have taken them so long your body is defo going to put up a fight and want them .your at the bottom of the pyramid just now and the withdrawal will get worse day 3 you will reach the top very ill but then you will be coming down the other side and the withdrawal will start to calm down hope you have spoken to your GP and they are helping you with sleeping aids and therapy don't beat yourself up if you give in in a few days it will give you the experience for the next time you try but I think you will make you have a lot to gain from stopping please let me know how it goes

All the best James