I first started taking co-codamol 30/500 prescribed from my doctor for a miss diagnosis (gout) about ten years ago.
2 times 4 a day. It took the pain away and I started to like comfortable numb hug I got of them and even when the pain went I still got more from the doctors saying the pain was still there.
After a few years of taking co-codamol I decided to stop so I went cold turkey. I got similar withdrawal symptoms as the posts on this forum.
Hardly no sleep. Muscle aches. Depression. I felt the lowest I've ever felt in my life. But it only lasted about a week then I started to smile and realise I'd done it. My head was more clear and I could have a decent conversation without losing what the hell I was talking about. It felt good.
But then the pain came back and I went straight back to the doctors and I told him I don't really want to go back on the co-codamol so he put me on 30mg codiene. I didn't batter an eye lid I just wanted the pain to go so there I was getting back into the comfy numbness of an addiction again. I was on these for about a year then my doctor decided to stop given me them.
So I tried to go cold turkey again but the pain was still there and no way was I going to go without. So I looked what was on offer at a local pharmacy and they told me about solpadine plus/Max I decided to go with the max.
2——4 times a day for only 3 days they said. Ok I said. Knowing quite right I'd just go to another pharmacy for more just incase he recognised me.
So here I am on paracetamol codiene and caffeine I even got to like the taste of the bitter fizzy
As it went down. It didn't get rid of the pain or give me the buzz like 2-30mg codiene but it was a nice second best. Now knowing I could just go to an asda/ tesco/ sansburys then any pharmacy in rotation to feed my addiction I knew I'd never run out and i was on these for a good few years.
I decided to stop again and go cold turkey for no apparent reason. I just thought to myself come on Dane why are you taking these for fuk all. So there I am again. Ressfullness sleeps. Muscle aches. And depression for about just over a week until I felt normal again. BUT …..
About a year later I got tonsillitis and it was painful as hell so I got more sulpadine and ibroprophin. It didn't take the full pain away so I decided to try and put a request for codiene in at the doctors via the repeat prescription boxes they have just near the receptionist and the next day two boxes of codiene waiting for me at sainsburys pharmacy. I was buzzing.
So at that time I was on 24codiene a day. 24sulpadine I didn't need any more crappy ibroprophin but one night whilst staying at my mams I think I had to much just before bed and my heart begin to beat really fast and it scared me. I ran in my mams bedroom saying I was having an heart attack so we went the hospital. He just said reduce the amount of codine and go see doctor.
I said to my self NO MORE but next day 2 codiene at 11am. 2 at 3pm. 2 at 7pm then the final 2 11pm. I just decided not to have any sulpadines for awhile. A few days later I thought to myself I'll have the sulphadine and only 1 codine cos I liked the bitter taste of the fizzies.
I felt OK doing the 2 fizzies and only one codiene so I have been doing that for a few years going to different pharmacies and getting codine from my docs when I can.
It's now 23rd August and only a few weeks ago I stopped getting the codine and 3 days ago I stopped the fizzys.
I needed to get off them there are going to kill me slowly and painfully. I woke up one morning and had enough of them little white fucking tablets ruining my life. I'm walking around like a zombie I want my life back.
So here I am. Going through cold turkey.
No sleep. Muscle aches. Depression. Restlessness.
But I dont care about cold turkey I know I'm there on the other side of this.
Sorry if this sounds a bit rushed. I'm doing a 7-7 night shift and using my phone.
Ohhhh this might sound a bit daft but what helps me is listening to my music that gives me goosebumps. Camomile tea. And I hope I don't offend anybody but w***ing helps(sorry!!)
It's an awful addiction and I wouldn't wish it on anybody. It should be more controlled I honesty can say I will never take it ever again.
I just hope the cold turkey doesn't last long.
Good luck to anybody who wants to stop. It is hard but worth it.
I better go and do some work X