So here I am, with roughly 35 years of taking these things - maybe 25 - 30 on a regular basis. I have had a couple of long pauses in that time but always gone back. I used to take them for headaches - more recently it's been for arthritis in my knees as I can't handle Naproxen and their ilk (hello IBS!) However, I've known for a long time that I'm addicted really - alternating between chemists, enjoying them as a mid-morning drink for God's sake and basically taking them when I don't really need to. I ALWAYS have a stash - one in the medicine cabinet, one in my handbag and one hidden in the shower room (hubs does NOT approve) but I'm terrified of running out. This is silly and it's pathetic. I rarely take more than 6 a day, but then again, I rarely take less. So, after reading my way around this forum last night, it's firstly a relief to find out that I'm not alone and that this actually is a thing; and secondly, I have drawn up a withdrawal timetable - basically losing half a tab a day till I'm down to zero. I'm not kidding myself that it's going to be easy and may have to adjust the rate. However, I'm not prepared to go cold turkey. After a major illness, a friend stopped her prescribed cocodamol cold turkey and went into a complete tailspin,resulting in hospital treatment for withdrawal. Not fun. I've got a strong instinct for survival and I'm fed up with all the nonsense. Wish me luck, and any tips would be gratefully received. At the very least, it's good to have the space to talk about this stuff.
Starting Now
