Codeine Withdrawal

[Cheib]

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.

[Cheib]

Maybe beer is the answer! I managed to go to Lords and Wembley on Sat without partaking...really didn't fancy it.

[Cheib]

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!

I wouldn't mind but I didn't really get the buzz!

[Cheib]

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 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.

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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 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,

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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.

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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.