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You’ve achieved so much in such a short time so well done! The restless feeling is definitely worse by night. And it’s hard when you can’t sleep then. Nothing worse than being awake by night feeling like that. You start to get so annoyed with yourself. Taking each day as it comes is the best approach so you’re doing great! Hope work goes ok for you today!
That crawling feeling is awful. It’s common for restless legs to happen during withdrawal. Some get it all over their body. Hot baths can help. Some people get prescribed meds from their GP to help. The quick drop in codeine is going to cause withdrawals nearly as severe as cold turkey. A slow taper like Ruby did can prevent the severe withdrawal symptoms from happening but it sounds like you’re determined to keep going now. I promise it gets easier. That feeling will go away. Take one day at a time x
It spirals so quickly. It can happen to anyone so don’t think bad of yourself. I started taking codeine for a serious back injury 6 years ago. I stuck to the recommended amounts for awhile but to get that original feeling I had to keep taking more and more. That feeling lures you in and before you know it you just can’t stop. And honestly you don’t want to! Then something clicks and you realise the codeine is controlling your life.Getting your life back is a huge motivation.
I’m not too sure about tapering as I went cold turkey but the fact you went from 522 to 32 so quickly you’re going to experience withdrawals even with the 8mg pills. To avoid withdrawals you’d need to taper really slowly. There are people here who tapered that might advise you better on that.
Physical withdrawals last around a week and that agitated/overwhelmed feeling lasts around 2 weeks cold turkey. Once you pass the 2 week mark you start to feel so much better. Anxiety and insomnia can linger longer but nowhere like the initial couple of weeks.
I promise it gets easier and it’s so worth it.
Hi, well done on deciding you want to break the cycle. The thing with codeine is you’ll always need to up the dose to get the same effect that you’re looking for so it spirals as you say. Good for you realising this in the first year, it took me 6! The best way to give up is down to you and how you feel. Some taper, some go cold turkey. I went cold turkey as I simply wasn’t disciplined enough to taper honestly. However, you obviously do if you’ve cut down to 32mg! That’s a huge achievement!
It’s normal to have no motivation and feel out of sorts when you’ve reduced your amount but I promise it gets easier. Take each day as it comes and be proud of yourself! This isn’t an easy journey but so worth it for a better life. You can do this!
I agree there are too many of us left in this position. I was never even told at the beginning I could become dependant on these pills. None of us wanted to be in this position. But we can get out of it together. Best of luck with it. Keep chatting to us, it helps x
Hi Dotty, well done on day 6. The cravings can intensify around now. Day 8 for me I struggled and so nearly took some except for Maggie giving such good support. By then, I was just done with being tired and I was so overwhelmed. But the following day, I felt so much brighter! Keep chatting to us. x
Oh Betterlife, I am so so sorry. You fought this battle with pills because of how much you wanted this baby so please don’t feel that this is karma. Nothing I can say will make you feel any better I know that but please know this is not your fault. We’re here for you. Sending so much love❤️
Hi Ruby, day 3! Well done! Yes, I was sneezing and had a runny nose for the first week too. The first week is definitely physically the hardest and you do start to improve after that little by little but as you get to the end of week 2, things just start to get better and better! I kept telling myself 2 weeks for the rest of my life to be free.
Havehope, don’t feel guilty! It’s a hard process tapering and you’re bound to feel irritable. Take your time with it. Do it slow and steady and you’ll get there x
You’ve got this ❤️
Oh Dotty, the restless legs are awful. I found those the worst. I can’t even imagine it in your whole body. It’s so ironic we need sleep to recover and it’s nearly impossible to get any when in withdrawals! I’m glad you’ve gotten something to help. Day 5 is amazing! You’re doing so well! x
Well done Ruby! Day 2, that’s amazing! X
Hi Havehope,
Everyone here has felt like you. It’s feels scary to take the step of quitting these pills but honestly it’s the most liberating feeling to be free of codeine. Yes it’s hard but it’s so worth it. It’s a crappy 2 weeks for a better life which you deserve! I’m a month in and feeling great. I feel like me for the first time in 6 years. You can do this and we’re here to support you x
Hi Ruby, glad you find our chats helpful. Hearing other people have gone through this and come out the other side is so motivating. It really got me through it.
I think cutting down to 1 tablet is amazing! Don’t be hard on yourself. That in itself is a huge achievement! I just couldn’t taper. I wasn’t disciplined enough so be proud of yourself!
Hopefully today will be day 1 for you since you’re feeling ok but if it’s not today, it will be soon when you’re ready. I really do wish you the best of luck. You’ve got this and we’re all here for you x
Wow 4 months Maggie! That’s amazing! Yes I’m looking forward to a Christmas too where I’m not worrying about how many I need in the house to get me by! Everything just feels so brighter without those pills in your life????
Hi Betterlife, delighted to hear you’re feeling so much better! Day 19, that’s amazing! It’s so freeing not to be worried about pills all the time! I’ll be 4 weeks tomorrow and am feeling pretty much back to my normal self now. Hope everyone is doing is ok x
Hi Terry, just checking in to see how you’re feeling? X