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Ditto Dotty!
How you doing today? xx
Yep, with you on the big towns. Much easier.
The lack of energy, and depression for me was the worst. It seemed to last forever but looking back, it didn’t. The aches, I would say 5-7 days. You can do this! Not easy but so worthwhile.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen do help with the flu type aches as does Imodium for the tummy. I also took berocca which seemed to help and I understand that magnesium is excellent although I haven’t tried it.
If you can deal with the psychological you can deal wit anything xx
Hey 5yrsofhell, I so remember you! Its great to see you even though under difficult circumstances. I too had bleeding somewhere in my stomach a few years ago. They wanted me to go for an endoscopy but was too afraid and when I felt better I started again as has been the same pattern for so long.
I have also been on Prozac which unfortunately didn’t help with my addictions although it did help me with depression.
That unseen force driving you to a chemist is me to a T. And I have failed so many times. This time, it has to be different. I have a few reasons and bargains I have made myself that I cannot fail. I KNOW deep down I can be happy off them. I have to learn to manage the cravings if an when they arise. That is my fear too BUT I have put some plans in place to help myself. 1. I have someone who I met on here who I have promised to call if I feel I am falling.. I have never made a bargain like that before. It means I have to give myself some thinking time before I career like a lunatic to the pharmacy. 2. Being a woman of a certain age, I have asked the doctor for HRT as my habit has got much worse over the last few years and I think some of it might be menopausal. 3. I am practising imagining my life without my crutch and counting the blessings and money I am saving.
The other things I would do if it got too tricky would be to seek medical help for addiction. I have spent most of my life addicted to something including alcohol, amphetamines and for a period of time, heroin. NP is the one thing I have not been able to remove from my life. This time, they HAVE to go. I don’t want to live this way ever again.
I hope some of my ramblings help you a bit, but also stick around and soak up some of the support here.
Lastly, it is all in the mind to stop, then the work begins and it is the mind, body and soul that you will need to keep you off them. That doesn’t mean its always going to be a fight, but get your mind in the right place to start and then lean on us or anyone to get you through. Once you are through, help others.
Best wishes xx
I just don’t know how you do it either Mads. Having them there, taunting you (at least that’s where my head would be 🙂 ) Same with alcohol. I don’t have it in the house. Although if people drink around me Im OK with that, just don’t want it sitting there calling my name as I have the willpower of a wet lettuce xx
I have to ask, how do you have 100 in the cupboard? Unless I travelled to numerous chemists in one day I would never be able to stockpile that amount. Oh, I lie, over one Christmas and new year I didn’t want to be panicking so put together a spreadsheet of all the chemists and opening times, so that I could go to multiple ones and build a stockpile over the break. Thinking of it now, is mortifying. What on earth was I thinking and how desperate to spend all that time and money doing that.
Its so nice and such a relief to be free of that along with the obsessive counting, rationing and worrying that was my life before
Hiya Oobs and a massive welcome to you.
I have heard of others that dose as you do and also the CWE technique. At least you are not getting super high doses of ibuprofen which will sure help. However you are still getting 825 mg of codeine which I am sure you know is converted by the liver to a morphine equivalent so as far as withdrawal timeline etc it will probably run along the same lines as most of us. Having said that, we are all different and respond in different ways.
The symptoms you have noted seem to be similar to what I experienced. I too never had restless legs but did have stomach issues.
I think the main thing is you are here and fighting so that is amazing. Well done. I found after day 4 I just needed to get through the days. I still felt horrible and that took a little time to lift. I am day 29 today and still plagued by sleep/anxiety but that could possibly be other issues causing that too.
Stick around and we will support you as much as possible xx
I hear you on the addictive personality Dotty. I have only ever been addicted to stuff that’s given me the feeling, but I can see the traits with something like sugar and I do have to be careful.
I am so pleased that sharing my journey has helped you. It helps me too to get it all out there. Its not something I feel I can share with my family and friends and its quite convenient to put down my unusual behaviour to the menopause!
I do wish some of the old timers on this thread would chip in sometimes. It helped me so very much at the beginning to see others walking this path and I would love to hear how they are doing now xx
Those little things are so important to acknowledge aren’t they? I went to Tesco this morning and didn’t have to dive into the pharmacy for my fix. It felt monumental. I track pharmacists. So if it is the same one, I will go to another chemist. Wearing a mask has made this much easier. The only time it backfired was when I went round the corner smack bang into the pharmacist. I am ashamed to say I ran away. He knew full well what I was after. He even called after me. Traumatised I was!
Life is so much simpler, and richer. I have more money left over this month and its nice. I bought 2 books to treat myself 🙂 xx
Hi Ladies,
How you doing today? That’s a great explanation of the Imodium Dotty. So true. They are a lifesaver in the early days and even seem to settle the nausea in my case.
I am coming up to 30 days codeine free (Saturday) and I cannot believe a) what I have been through and b) how relatively quickly our bodies heal. Going through it seems like it will never end and feels like the end of the world. Looking back now, I cannot believe that its not that long ago that I felt that life wasn’t worth living any more. That feeling of doom, followed by crushing depression is so so awful but it does lift even if we don’t think it will.
I know Ive a long way to go. I haven’t had a craving yet. I know I will get one and they scare me rigid. I have found it so hard to fight them previously and failed at every turn. I can’t do that anymore and the battle if/when it comes is worrying.
Hopefully, the measures I have put in place will mitigate anything coming down the track.
Have a lovely evening everyone and keep going. Its so worth it. xx
I think you are doing brilliantly. You have a fab attitude and a sense of humour. That’s pretty amazing in my book.
With you on the lack of relaxation protocols. I have absolutely none. Must find one soon before any craving strikes.
Day 26 today. Looking forward to day 30! xx
That’s an incredible drop! Your plan seems like a good one too.
Tapering is definitely the kinder way to go, I just know it would never work for me. Way too little discipline.
Nearly 31 in my room today. Melting xx
Hi Ladies,
You are doing brilliantly Dotty! So your restless legs have calmed down completely now? Do you think the magnesium is helping?
And you also Finally. You have just about halved your usage I believe?
I love how determined you both are to kick this to the curb.
Rest will definitely help with what you have to do on your return. Will you continue to taper or try cold turkey? Either way, it will be something to focus on clearing this rubbish from your system.
Have a good night both xx
Hi Ladies,
How are you all doing? Hopefully feeling OK although I know how awful the early days can feel. Remember, they do pass and you are one step further to freedom.
Wishing you all a decent day even if it is hotter than hell out there xx
Hi Finally,
Sounds like you are off to a great start.
Have you thought of Imodium for the upset stomach? It was a miracle for me when things were bad. The sweats/aching I just had to get through and although not nice, they were a good reminder as to why I was doing this. You have cut down an awful lot in one go. I see why you are doing this and hopefully it doesn’t put you off.
Not sure what to suggest about DHC and travel. Its a worry for sure but hopefully over this week your body will become accustomed to less codeine over the week.
Hang in there, life really does get better even though sometimes it feels it won’t xx
Hi Ladies!
Yep I too can relate to that hollow empty feeling. The thing with being clean is feeling that empty feeling for a while. Usually something with happen or an idea pops up of something you have perhaps always fancied or been interested in. The key is allowing that hole /void to be there so it can be filled (not with something crappy either) Its so hard, and I am not a poster child for this in any way as I have fallen so many times, but I have had some longer periods of sobriety and I know it to be true. Then the key is to ensure that you don’t allow moments of weakness/boredom or I can just have one thoughts to sneak in! Its a lifelong journey.
As an aside, if that void makes you realise you might need therapy/extra support, get that too as its the perfect time for a bit of naval gazing and retrospection.
You’re both doing great and talking is a wonderful motivator ! xx