Codeine Withdrawal

Author
Discussion

Silent1

19,761 posts

236 months

Wednesday 21st May 2014
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If you're feeling really bad you can try taking loperamide (Imodium) as there's quite a bit of anecdotal data that it can help.

Eleven

26,295 posts

223 months

Wednesday 21st May 2014
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Cheib said:
13 years yikes

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,
Poor sleep is a factor that most people don't realise is a major issue with opiate withdrawal. It is in fact the biggest issue for those coming off opiates after prolonged use.

However you've only been on opiates for a couple of weeks so prolonged issues are unlikely.


Cheib

Original Poster:

23,268 posts

176 months

Wednesday 21st May 2014
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Prof Prolapse said:
You don't get off opiates with more opiates you silly man!

The use DHC in Heroine addicts!

Edited by Prof Prolapse on Wednesday 21st May 11:17
Hmmm...small confession, I was actually on DHC.

Pleasd to report I am now feeling much better. Took a week and I was only on the blinkin stuff for two weeks! Lord knows what long term use would do.

Craphouserat

1,496 posts

202 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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jeebus...I've been on DHC since 2007 - double disc prolapse - 2 operations since and permanent nerve damage. Still on them everyday. Starting a new job shortly and want to come off them....not looking forward to it one bit.

Big_Dog

974 posts

186 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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Lots of Paracetamol will help (no more than 8) it's an opiate agonist and can help with the side effects also withdrawal.

Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

191 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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Big_Dog said:
Lots of Paracetamol will help (no more than 8) it's an opiate agonist and can help with the side effects also withdrawal.
An agonist by definition would induce the effects of an opiate, which it doesn't? Do you mean an antagonist? This would compete and block receptors but its a pretty serious drug. Like Naloxene, which actually induces withdrawal extremely rapidly, but it subsides very quickly afterwards.

Paracetamol however is part of the formulation in codeine. Stopping Paracetamol alone could cause medication induced headaches. So you could be trading one evil for another. For that reason I would see what my GP recommended as they're best place to advise you have to cope if you're suffering from withdrawal.



Eleven

26,295 posts

223 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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Prof Prolapse said:
Big_Dog said:
Lots of Paracetamol will help (no more than 8) it's an opiate agonist and can help with the side effects also withdrawal.
An agonist by definition would induce the effects of an opiate, which it doesn't? Do you mean an antagonist? This would compete and block receptors but its a pretty serious drug. Like Naloxene, which actually induces withdrawal extremely rapidly, but it subsides very quickly afterwards.

Paracetamol however is part of the formulation in codeine. Stopping Paracetamol alone could cause medication induced headaches. So you could be trading one evil for another. For that reason I would see what my GP recommended as they're best place to advise you have to cope if you're suffering from withdrawal.
I'm no chemist but I am doubtful about your explanation regarding agonists and antagonists. Lofexidine, which is used to combat opiate withdrawal, is an alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist.

Are you sure that Paracetamol is in the formulation for codeine? I stand to be corrected but as far as I am aware it's not.

On your second point you are almost certainly incorrect, the chap's GP is unlikely to be best placed to advise regarding withdrawal, whether that be after short or long-term use of opiates. Even pain management specialists find themselves referring patients to drug and alcohol abuse specialists to assist long-term users of opiate prescription meds.

I have several times seen GPs try to switch long-term opiate users to other analgesics with no consideration at all for the fact that this will lead to withdrawal. Given that the long-term use and abuse of prescription opiates is apparently rife this is somewhat alarming.


Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

191 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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Eleven said:
Prof Prolapse said:
Big_Dog said:
Lots of Paracetamol will help (no more than 8) it's an opiate agonist and can help with the side effects also withdrawal.
An agonist by definition would induce the effects of an opiate, which it doesn't? Do you mean an antagonist? This would compete and block receptors but its a pretty serious drug. Like Naloxene, which actually induces withdrawal extremely rapidly, but it subsides very quickly afterwards.

Paracetamol however is part of the formulation in codeine. Stopping Paracetamol alone could cause medication induced headaches. So you could be trading one evil for another. For that reason I would see what my GP recommended as they're best place to advise you have to cope if you're suffering from withdrawal.
I'm no chemist but I am doubtful about your explanation regarding agonists and antagonists. Lofexidine, which is used to combat opiate withdrawal, is an alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist.

Are you sure that Paracetamol is in the formulation for codeine? I stand to be corrected but as far as I am aware it's not.

On your second point you are almost certainly incorrect, the chap's GP is unlikely to be best placed to advise regarding withdrawal, whether that be after short or long-term use of opiates. Even pain management specialists find themselves referring patients to drug and alcohol abuse specialists to assist long-term users of opiate prescription meds.

I have several times seen GPs try to switch long-term opiate users to other analgesics with no consideration at all for the fact that this will lead to withdrawal. Given that the long-term use and abuse of prescription opiates is apparently rife this is somewhat alarming.
Genuine question about paracetamol. Genuine question about the agonist. I just couldn't see how it worked.

Yes, if this is necessary you'll need a referral. From context this would seem the GP.

You're right, error on my part, I assumed he was taking co-codomal which is the typical one prescribed with paracetamol.

mph1977

12,467 posts

169 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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Paracetamol Is NOT an opiate agonist

Codeine does NOT contain Paracetamol , Co-codmaol contains both of them ...

anonymous-user

55 months

Friday 23rd May 2014
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An emergency doc put me on Dihydrocodeine, only on it for a week. Horrible stuff, not fit for work as a result and stopping it wasn't nice. Worst thing was feeling sick and nauseous when stomach was empty.

Cheib

Original Poster:

23,268 posts

176 months

Sunday 25th May 2014
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gottans said:
An emergency doc put me on Dihydrocodeine, only on it for a week. Horrible stuff, not fit for work as a result and stopping it wasn't nice. Worst thing was feeling sick and nauseous when stomach was empty.
I got stuck late at work one night when I was on DHC and all I had handy to eat was an apple and a banana....which I can tell you doesn't count as food as far as DHC is concerned. 30 mins after taking my dose I was in a cab feeling god awful....though I was going to puke, cold sweats etc.

Nom de ploom

4,890 posts

175 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
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I've been on and off codeine 30g codeine sulphate for a couple of years as I get intense Gout in my ankles.

if brute force anti inflams don't clear or I get sick of the stomach cramps that come with it, I need the codiene to be able to sleep.

I'm sure taking one with a slug of scotch isn't best advised but I do sleep.

symptoms include constipation whilst on it but I'm not taking them for long enough to cause withdrawls. If I take two then after about an hour there is a loss of lucidity which can be quite a nice feeling. I'd never take more than that though even at my tolerance to most meds.


moanthebairns

17,942 posts

199 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=139...

I went on and off due to bike crashes.

in total ive been on and off it for almost a year. each time with withdrawal symptoms.

Best advice is get it down to two a day, then cold turkey.

you feel st for about 3 days then fine after.

the flu like symptoms are spot on, sore legs was my biggest problem, agony I was in I was

Eleven

26,295 posts

223 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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It may only have taken you a few days but for those who have been on it for a long time it can take much longer. The acute symptoms will disappear within a few days but unpleasant symptoms such as leg pain, lethargy and stress can cycle for up to two years. Sleep problems for significantly longer. Some long-term opiate dependents report continued challenges even ten years after they cease using, though I believe these are rare and extreme cases.

Kinkell

537 posts

188 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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A friend was taking solpadeine for neck pain and ended up in a clinic on cold turkey with a sad bunch of anorexic girls. He suffers all sorts of diverse lower leg, hip and knee pain and is sworn off codeine for life. Nasty stuff.