So i am finally @ week 4, it has felt like a long time coming. At this present moment i feel good, up beat and optmistic. Last week i feel was maybe my worst week, i cut out 3 8mg tabs and at the beginning i did miss them but towards the end i found that i could go even longer than my usual 2 hour gap and even reached 3 1/2 hours gap but then i let myself down a took the one i missed and the one i was due together .I suffered from severe restless legs some nights and then other nights were fine, i find that hard to understand as i dont get why it only occurs some evenings not all? I still managed to take the same amount over all throughout the day.
This week i have cut out just one 8mg tab, i use to take 2 tabs in the morning, now just one and honestly i am not noticing the difference. I feel positive that i can beat this addiction. On a very good side i have not had to endure the stares from many pharmacists this week as only need 2 pks 32 to get me through the whole week. It was so nice to only have to visit 2 pharmacies and not have my whole weekend taken up by travelling to different pharmacies and to endure the awful stares and questioning looks they give you. And i am slightly better off than when i first started this journey.
Next week i plan to start spacing the gap in between doses starting with 3 hours next week, week after i plan to make the gap every 4 hours and so on week by week. I assume maybe the hard part will be once i have the gap at 8 hours i will then need to go down to 1/2 tab morning and night and then week after totally cut it all out. Even typing that feels so scary. I have used this drug for so long, it use to make me feel good and boost my confidence but slowly that stopped and it made me moody and depressed and i hate what i have become. I read in another post that you never truly return to your self as you was before codeine. I hope that is not the case, i understand i will never fully return but as close to the former me as possible would be great.
I am tempted to just cut them all out and go cold turkey but i have done cold turkey twice before and always end up back on them for some unknow reason, they seem to call to me.
As hard as it is i feel very positive and all you guys on here have been so helpful and i have gained so much information and knowledge on this addiction and how to beat it.
Well done Teresa, you are doing so well. I keep trying to cut down but life is so stressful atm, I use any excuse to take them and promise myself I will cut down tomorrow. Everyone seems to be leaning on me right now. My partner, daughter, mother, brother. All having problems and turning to me, I spent the whole day sorting out their problems and giving them support and ended up taking twice as much to get through it. That's on top of a bottle of wine and now today I feel terrible and feel really depressed, so have to take them to get through work! But tonight I will have an early night, stay off the sauce and start again tomorrow. I want to heal my mind and body as I'm so worried about what it's doing to my health. I just wish I had more time to focuds on me so I can get through this. Nobody knows I have this problem. I'm so glad I found this forum as I can finally relate to others in a similar position.
I'm on day 13 of cold turkey and feeling really good, don't get me wrong, the pain to get here has been tough and continues but I feel a million times better in myself.
I am determined to keep going, I have definitely powered through the hard bit. I just need to be mentally strong and make it through the bad days.
Painful restless legs has calmed down, bowels are back to normal, I have an appetite for the first time in ages, tummy cramps are few and far between and my headaches have gone. Insomnia is my biggest problem but again, it gets better each day.
Hi teresa, I think you're doing great! Always remember that no two days are the same but never lose sight of the mission. Overall, despite the foibles, it seems that you are moving in a positive direction and you will beat it.
Take it at yourpace. any slip ups, write them down so that if there is a temptation, refer to these writings - they will help.
At it's worse, it does incredible harm to your body (more than you know) and I also I know what it feels like and not care either; it knows no boundaries.
Thanks Rich you kind words really help and reading some of the other posts you have replied to on here your info has always been very helpful and encouraging.
Well done you 13 days you must feel so proud of yourself. I am so pleased for you. We can beat this together with words of wisdom and advice from each other and others on here we will do this and feel better for doing it. I look forward to the day.
Well teresa366759...........You deserve gtret credlt brcause by now you are well over the worst of the wthdrawls, if they do behin to return, regard them as the last sting of a dying wasp....you have beaten the wrorst and what come's from timi to time is simply that part of your brain that says these tablets will give you that same warm feeling..at night or they'll help you get through a difficult day..YTher won't they'll simply once again resue their attempt to destroy you. You can now see the light of a new life, head straight for it and dob't be diverted by the resudue of =codeine which remans in yiur brain receptors waiting to rise again and grab hold of your life once more. Yje temtaiaiopn will last for years, butt is why iIt's so important ti stay busy.in your life as this is one of the very best ways og keeking the craving at bay.,,,,,,,,,,Regards TIM
Hi Tim and Drew . Thanks so much i feel much better in myself but last night i really suffered from restless legs it was alwful its such a strange and uncomfortable feeling. Do you or does anyone reading this know of a cure or a least how to ease it?
Hi Jencs, I relate well to the wine, the after effects and in my mind, the first thing to do is to feel normal, immediately! No matter how, so any thoughts of quitting pills go right out of the window. A couple of questions - how many and what species od the demon tablets do you consume daily, are you in a position to tell your partner? It does sound that there are many who rely on you in a big way, which naturally because you care, it's draining your resources, and that anxiety is amplified as they are unaware of your issue. I have tonnes of experience and am only too happy to help - this is a small group and what's said within this browser remains inside this browser - it sounds very much like you're ready fo this journey - time to pick up your weapons!
The restless leg thing is horrible. I had it badly for the first week or so of cold turkey. I found a hot water bottle really helped me, I spent many a night awake, lying on the sofa with a hot water bottle under my legs.
Exercise too, I make sure I get out with the dog and have at least an hour and a half of proper paced walking.
Lying in bed seemed to make it worse because I was thinking about it and trying not to wake my husband. But being in more of a curled up or sitting position seemed to help.
Maybe a natural stress or calming influence would help? Lavender or eucalyptus? Never thought I'd hear myself say that having taken so many manufactured pills, but hey, a person can change!
Hey Rich, you're so good replying to everyone with kind and wise words. I take two as soon as I wake up (usually around 6.30) then continue to take two every three to four hours until I go to bed. Sunday though I took two every two hours from about four onwards. I have been getting good at cutting out the evening pills by takiing codeine phosphate. It helps to a certain extent and at least it reduces my ibuprofen intake and it does make me tired but then I find I wake up a lot in the night when I take it also. I am totally going to do this. I've only taken two today and told myself that I am never again going to allow myself to take them on an empty stomach ie. the moment I wake up! I used to be really into exercising but hardly done any recently so I'm off to my new gym induction on Friday! I could tell my partner but I just really don't want to. I suppose in my head if I sit him down and tell him I'm making it into a big deal. I just want to keep it in my mind as a small issue and some tiny pills that I am big enough and strong enough to overcome all by myself! Does that make sense?! Maybe not! Anyway, I'm going to try and not take anymore today and if I'm fidgity tonight then take a codeine phosphate. I won't be getting silly with them though as I do not want to compound this addiction any more. I know I won't though as I've had them for ages now and I really don't take that many. Just goes to show it's the ibuprofen/codeine combo kick I'm addicted to as (as previously discussed with Drew) not the chilled out, bleary eyed phosphate feeling. Thank you so much for your words and offer of help. And the film sounds like a great idea!
Well I've got through the day only having taken two! Anyone else find they get heartburn when tapering or cutting it out? Don't know if it's the adrenaline of actually doing this that's causing it! Now's about the time I would be taking my next two, probably why I found myself compelled to post again! I only have two left so might take them mid morning again tomorrow and see if I can just stop. Scary thought and always thought I would taper and not cold turkey but I fear if I buy more I'll just rocket back up like always. Think I'll just use the phosphate to take the edge off the evenings. Only thing I'm suffering now is heartburn and some horrible headache bursts that feels like my temples have been put in a vice!
Oh wow. I had that the last time. It's so awful. It really keeps you awake. Katy's ideas sound good. Someone (I think Nikki) mentioned hot baths. Keep going xx Drew
Hey both. Thanks Rich. So good of you. I remember Jen very well that conversation. I got hold of CP thinking it would be a perfect substitute but I just felt so groggy on it. There is definitely an NP kick that I need to function normally. I do agree though that CP could be very helpful at night when it's ok to feel groggy. I'm sure it would help with sleep and the restless legs xx Drew
Hi jences....Heartburn is definately a symtem of withdrawl as these tablets play hell with your digestive system..Ty gaviscon or something like that, It'l take a while for your body to get back to it's normal functions..Your absolutely right.....it's impossible to go cold tirkey when you have the extra tablets in the house., It's like an alcoholic trying to give up drink and keeping a bottle of whiskey in the house, It's cazy, If you could find someone you can trust and they could give you a certain amount of tablets everyday Buying a 'small amount' in the pharmacy is vey difficult fo people with our problem and the temptation is always thee to buy more that we need. Your doing great. When you succeed you'll feel so much better and your appetite for living your life to the full will return........not to mention the money you'll save....keep the faith.
Thanks Tim, I've bought some gaviscon and it has helped a bit. Heartburn seems to be my worse symptom so far. That and the headaches. My last two are gone now so that's it for me. I'm just going to go for it...I've had enough of being governed by tablets. I'm bigger than they are, in every way! Hardest bit for me is when the time comes round that I'd usually take them, I quite liked the rush of excitement I used to get when it was time so I need to find something to replace it!! Also, if you don't mind my being so personal, I've been to for a number two, two days in a row! OMG!
Yay! Bowels moving properly...! I was excited when it happened to me too! I'm on day 15 of cold turkey and most withdrawals have gone now.
It's great you only seem to be suffering with heartburn. I'm sure you can find a way of dealing with that.
Making the decision to not be governed by tablets is great and I promise you once you are completely rid of them you will feel a million times better! I already feel much more energetic, happy and so proud of what I've achieved.
Thank you! The headache is really bad, I took some paracetamol earlier and it took it away for an hour then it just came back again! The phosphate took it all away last night so from today that's all I will do. One in the evening if I need to. Don't think I ever want to touch ibuprofen again either! My stomach is turning over constantly but Tim's advice about the gaviscon is helping. Well done for getting as far as you have, can't wait to get to end week two. Will be a better buzz than the day I first took the demon drug! Xxx
KATY! KATY! KATY! So proud of you. You show us all how it can be done. Keep going. I think I will soon be ready to take the same journey as you. Eat nice food, relax, enjoy things as it gets better. Love Drew x