Codeine Withdrawal
Discussion
I was on Codeine for two weeks following a shoulder operation (dislocated it about a month ago). Came off Codeiene last Thursday and have felt st since.....feel a bit like you do when you are about to get the flu....craving sugar, light headed and feeling cold.
Anyone else felt "odd" after being on it and how long it has lasted ? Quite surprised that I am still feeling st 5 days later.
Tried googling it but all the web hits are talking about people that have long terms opiate/codeine addiction.
Anyone else felt "odd" after being on it and how long it has lasted ? Quite surprised that I am still feeling st 5 days later.
Tried googling it but all the web hits are talking about people that have long terms opiate/codeine addiction.
I've been on Codeine for the last two weeks myself following a broken foot, I'm due to speak to the doctor later. My current prescription runs out on Thursday, plaster not due to come off for another 4-5 weeks.
I was taking 2 every 6 hrs, but have reduced this to 2 every 8 hrs with little difference on pain.
I'll ask about any "withdrawal" effects
I was taking 2 every 6 hrs, but have reduced this to 2 every 8 hrs with little difference on pain.
I'll ask about any "withdrawal" effects
Cheib said:
Maybe beer is the answer! I managed to go to Lords and Wembley on Sat without partaking...really didn't fancy it.
Yeah it's a bugger - 'flu like symptoms and pain after only a few weeks. Opiates destroy nerve synapses so whilst you're on them it feels great, but when you come off it can feel very, very uncomfortable - not nice!goldblum said:
Cheib said:
Maybe beer is the answer! I managed to go to Lords and Wembley on Sat without partaking...really didn't fancy it.
Yeah it's a bugger - 'flu like symptoms and pain after only a few weeks. Opiates destroy nerve synapses so whilst you're on them it feels great, but when you come off it can feel very, very uncomfortable - not nice!ChrisnChris said:
I've been on Codeine for the last two weeks myself following a broken foot, I'm due to speak to the doctor later. My current prescription runs out on Thursday, plaster not due to come off for another 4-5 weeks.
I was taking 2 every 6 hrs, but have reduced this to 2 every 8 hrs with little difference on pain.
I'll ask about any "withdrawal" effects
I was taking 2 every 6 hrs, but have reduced this to 2 every 8 hrs with little difference on pain.
I'll ask about any "withdrawal" effects
I believe every is different! Though you are on a higer dose than I was....I was on one or two tablets for every dose. Mostly that was a single dose.
ChrisnChris said:
I'll ask about any "withdrawal" effects
She said it was unusual to have any withdrawal effects unless you are a long term user. I don't seem to be having any detrimental experiences apart from being a bit constipated but not uncomfortably so.One of the first questions I asked at the hospital was "Is it OK to have a couple of glasses of wine, will it destroy the meds?"
"NO, that's fine, best not to over do it though"
ChrisnChris said:
I've been on Codeine for the last two weeks myself following a broken foot, I'm due to speak to the doctor later. My current prescription runs out on Thursday, plaster not due to come off for another 4-5 weeks.
I was taking 2 every 6 hrs, but have reduced this to 2 every 8 hrs with little difference on pain.
I'll ask about any "withdrawal" effects
I would be asking about soemthing like DHC if you still have pain.I was taking 2 every 6 hrs, but have reduced this to 2 every 8 hrs with little difference on pain.
I'll ask about any "withdrawal" effects
It got me through broken leg, though I did need a week or so before the brain was working properly when coming off.
DHC = dihydrocodeine
Du1point8 said:
I would be asking about soemthing like DHC if you still have pain.
It got me through broken leg, though I did need a week or so before the brain was working properly when coming off.
DHC = dihydrocodeine
OK, what is the difference please? Is DHC a stronger pain killer?It got me through broken leg, though I did need a week or so before the brain was working properly when coming off.
DHC = dihydrocodeine
My "pain" reference was possibly not clear............I have no, or very negligible pain when "at rest", which is most of the time, it's driving me nuts
If I move awkwardly or put any significant pressure on my foot it can be painful................I reduced the dose from the original 2 tabs 4 times a day.... to 2 tabs 3 times a day with no significant difference in "pain" level, that level being pretty close to zero.
Or are you saying that DHC is a "better" or "less invasive" drug with fewer side effects so if I can take a reduced level of Codeine I should consider taking DHC...........does any of that make sense
Cheib said:
I was on Codeine for two weeks following a shoulder operation (dislocated it about a month ago). Came off Codeiene last Thursday and have felt st since.....feel a bit like you do when you are about to get the flu....craving sugar, light headed and feeling cold.
Anyone else felt "odd" after being on it and how long it has lasted ? Quite surprised that I am still feeling st 5 days later.
Tried googling it but all the web hits are talking about people that have long terms opiate/codeine addiction.
Opiate withdrawal is one of most misunderstood subjects in medicine, it appears, which is why doctors still hand out opiates like sweeties.Anyone else felt "odd" after being on it and how long it has lasted ? Quite surprised that I am still feeling st 5 days later.
Tried googling it but all the web hits are talking about people that have long terms opiate/codeine addiction.
I was on dihydrocodeine for 13 years after a prolonged back problem. Coming off it was very, very unpleasant even with the right meds and good advice. It was 2 years before I stopped experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms, 5 years before my sleep was anything other than disturbed and it's still not right 6 years later. For some people sleep never returns to normal.
But as for you: You could try going back on the codeine and tapering off. Though you will still experience withdrawal to some degree and if you're even slightly tempted to just keep going with them to stave off the discomfort then avoid this strategy.
Take plenty of vitamin C.
Use paracetamol / ibuprofen to lessen the physical symptoms, though be aware that they will have only moderate effect because what your body really wants is opiates.
Lots of hot drinks, stay hydrated.
Eleven said:
Prof Prolapse said:
Why vitamin C?
It helps some people with opiate withdrawal symptoms. Something to do with sharing the same receptors as opiates as I recall.I've read a paper on it in mice. But the effect was not significant.
I was hoping someone had finally found a use for the great placebo that is massive amounts of Vitamin C!
Prof Prolapse said:
Eleven said:
Prof Prolapse said:
Why vitamin C?
It helps some people with opiate withdrawal symptoms. Something to do with sharing the same receptors as opiates as I recall.I've read a paper on it in mice. But the effect was not significant.
I was hoping someone had finally found a use for the great placebo that is massive amounts of Vitamin C!
Lofexidine definitely helps, but possibly a bit heavy duty for this application.
Eleven said:
Opiate withdrawal is one of most misunderstood subjects in medicine, it appears, which is why doctors still hand out opiates like sweeties.
I was on dihydrocodeine for 13 years after a prolonged back problem. Coming off it was very, very unpleasant even with the right meds and good advice. It was 2 years before I stopped experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms, 5 years before my sleep was anything other than disturbed and it's still not right 6 years later. For some people sleep never returns to normal.
But as for you: You could try going back on the codeine and tapering off. Though you will still experience withdrawal to some degree and if you're even slightly tempted to just keep going with them to stave off the discomfort then avoid this strategy.
Take plenty of vitamin C.
Use paracetamol / ibuprofen to lessen the physical symptoms, though be aware that they will have only moderate effect because what your body really wants is opiates.
Lots of hot drinks, stay hydrated.
13 years I was on dihydrocodeine for 13 years after a prolonged back problem. Coming off it was very, very unpleasant even with the right meds and good advice. It was 2 years before I stopped experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms, 5 years before my sleep was anything other than disturbed and it's still not right 6 years later. For some people sleep never returns to normal.
But as for you: You could try going back on the codeine and tapering off. Though you will still experience withdrawal to some degree and if you're even slightly tempted to just keep going with them to stave off the discomfort then avoid this strategy.
Take plenty of vitamin C.
Use paracetamol / ibuprofen to lessen the physical symptoms, though be aware that they will have only moderate effect because what your body really wants is opiates.
Lots of hot drinks, stay hydrated.
I have been drinking a lot of water...I do drink a fair amount anyway but more than normal so maybe that has helped a bit.
I am starting to feel better but had a god awful nights sleep on Monday I was really, really restless....as the wife pointed out the next morning!
Today I am definitely feeling much better but it's always evenings when I have felt worst,
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff