Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Good morning everyone!
How are you all doing? Those early days are horrible, so taking it one hour at a time is sometimes helpful. Remember, it really does get better and treating each symptom and trying not to panic is essential. Rest, water, Imodium and eat healthy food if you can xx
OMG you have lurchers? Amazing, I have a lurcher and a retriever! They are a godsend and never judge. They are the only ones I have told ????
I know exactly what you mean Star. I felt alone until I found this group too. I have been looking for years for somewhere that has people with my issue. I joined a forum back in 2012 and read some of my old posts yesterday. The other contributors were mainly American and on different stuff which didn’t help as much as Id hoped although they were lovely. Honestly, NOTHING had changed for me since then and I was desperate at that time too. 10 years on and I hope Im older and a bit wiser.
Dogs are a blessing even if they drive you nuts ???? xx
Thanks Oobs I have reserved that book from the library !
Hi Emmie, Betterlife, Havehope, Star and Mads!
Its great to see you all here and fighting for this with such passion! It is doable and we can all dig deep to find such strong reasons for doing this.
I too have been at this for so many years that its become part of me. Its a part I hate and despise but nonetheless I have been on the codeine/withdrawal roundabout for decades. Its my comfort blanket, my reason for living and my utter hatred of myself and my filthy habits.
Withdrawals are so horrible, and then when we are done, and seemingly through the worst, we have to face reality without our protective bubble. It’s a tough one indeed.
I am at the stage where I have done the withdrawals and now I need to carve a life with no drugs, no booze and just myself to navigate all the peaks and troughs of a normal life.
I won’t say this is it for me or never again, as I have failed so many times. What I will say is I am working towards a drug free, happy and fulfilling life one day at a time.
Emmie, that’s such a great move taking yourself away to do this. You’ve got the tools and the drive and definitely the reason to get through this.
Betterlife, the withdrawals absolutely suck but a bit of preparation and support, you can do this.
Star, I am so sorry your camping trip was cut short. I have to say I don’t blame you with the runs. Not long now until you get some answers and then I am sure you will be able to cut down some more.
Havehope, one foot in front of the other is how you keep going. Tapering is not my forte, but there are some vids on YouTube. It might be that you cut 10% per week off your usage rather than waiting until your comfortable. You’ve had such a big drop I am not sure that you will avoid discomfort. Stick at it though and its a step closer to freedom.
????xx
Your story has some similarities to mine Oobs re the obsessive compulsive actions. Its great that your main obsessions (work and exercise) give you that buzz to replace the opiate use. Like you, I took heroin many years ago but stopped it due to the realisation of certain death if the habit carried on. I then went back to amphetamines and alcohol before finally settling on codeine which has been with me for so many years.
I really want this to be my final time of going through this. I am 60 next year and do not want my later years blighted by this dreadful all consuming habit.
Thanks for sharing your story. I find it fascinating to hear our different experiences that all lead us to the same place in the end.
That’s amazing Oobs How long were you taking them for? I can relate to that empty feeling which was so bad early on. I don’t really get that now and I do have more energy thankfully. My sleep is still bad but think that’s probably down to other stuff.
Are you confident you will. be able to stay off this time?
Hey Dotty, how are you getting on? You must have a good few days too ?
Hey everyone, how are you doing today?
I just had a look at my tracker and noticed tomorrow is day 42 or 6 whole weeks without the pills. I truly cannot believe this as it has not happened since 2019.
Stick at it, it really is possible to live without them xx
Hi Havehope, well done on the decision to quit. I had to stop taking tramadol when they ran out and used solpadeine to help. I would say they would take the edge off for you but you’d likely still feel pretty horrible.
I have worked through quits before and it has been awful but doable and also looked after my dogs. If you have support from your family, maybe they can help you out of r a few days? Yes the toilet issues are just that, an issue. Imodium will definitely help there.
Do you know how many mg’s of codeine you are taking each day?
Whatever you choose, we are behind you all the way xx
Morning all,
Stacey, I have worked through all of my withdrawals. It is doable but horrible. It does have the effect of making the days pass quicker though.
What Oobs said about his doctor, must be a comfort to all of us as I think everyone worries that they will quit and then be ill with something else!
Never apologise for rambling. Your words will help the next person going through this as they have done for me and many others. It serves as a reminder where we don’t want be agin. So please do carry on.
My recovery wasn’t a quick one. It took me longer to be able to fully get back to my walking although I did do a few miles each day and the mental stuff still hangs around a bit BUT the pride is there and the determination to keep going so my life is free of this rubbish.
I have just ordered magnesium for my sleep and ashwagandha for anxiety feelings. I think all these things are useful and healthy options.
Good luck and remember, all those rubbish. feelings will pass xx
I was taking up to 32 nurofen plus per day so I about 400mg codeine. I was never able to taper as cannot have them in the house or would simply take them. Ive been on them on and off for decades and been through more withdrawals than I care to remember. I think if you can taper, you will save yourself a whole heap of awfulness. As long as you can stick to your guns long term and then say your final goodbyes when the time comes to jump fully off them. I just knew I wouldn’t be able to do that. Apart from anything, I am way too impatient!
Whatever you choose is good and its great that you recognise the potential for usage increasing as it always does when the good feelings don’t come so easily.
Hi Stacey and a huge welcome to you.
Well done on recognising that you want to stop taking the pills. If you have had a read back, there are so many inspiring stories that hopefully will give you inspiration that this can be beaten.
Not sure if you have ever quit before? If so, you’ll know that the first few days aren’t pleasant with the physical withdrawals. After that, the mental stuff kicks in and it can be hard to realise that the world will look brighter eventually.
For the first few days I just let nature take its course and felt absolutely rubbish, then added in some Imodium and berrocca which seemed to help. If you get headaches, or body aches just plain para and ibuprofen. Loads of water to flush everything through.
You can do this and it will be the best thing you ever did!
Hello everyone,
Today is day 38 for me. For the first time, my stomach issues seem to be resolving which is great and a long time coming. It has amazed me that it has taken almost 6 weeks for that symptom to improve. Sleep is better. Still have some issues with a flat mood and little energy or motivation but think that might be more attributed to menopause. I wanted to mention this in case anyone quitting feels that their recovery is taking longer than they thought.
Star, its great you are having a colonoscopy quite soon. Although scary, the likelihood is that its something simple and probably nothing to do with your tablet use. Understandably scary. Any medical test when we aren’t sure is a worry. It will be wonderful when it is done and you can focus on your goals.
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband Dotty, that is such a worry. I think worries to do with others are somehow worse than worries about ourselves. The only thing I think we can focus on in these times is that if we haven’t taken anything, we will be fully present to deal with whatever comes up. That although hard, is a blessing. You are doing so well against some really difficult situations. You are much stronger than you think. I do hope you have some positive news soon.
Star, you are still in the game, never giving up. Your procedure is soon isnt it? I am hoping that everything turns out well for you.
Mads day 33 is EPIC! Especially when you are in pain. Tough cookie right there!
I hope you all have a peaceful evening xx
I know for a fact I don’t have the strength to stick to a taper. I always prepare myself for the horrors of CT and I can never quite believe how horrific it is when I do it.
Its good there are options and one size definitely doesn’t fit all.
Gorgeous day today I hope everyone is having a good one.
Oh 35 days for me today! ODAAT xx