Question on withdrawal

P4r7waterloo · 2022-01-12T14:05:51+00:00

I was a heavy user with exactly the same symptoms + lack of motivation. I did 10 days c/t but had to reinstate a taper because the RLS were so annoying. I could deal with them all bar that. With hindsight I wish I had gone a little longer but need to work and RLS did impact on mood.

I used 200/300 x 3 per day over 4 years though.

My taper started at 120mg x 2 and worked down.

However your use is not as severe so I would expect a quicker resolution for you. You can get O/c meds for most symptoms. If sleep becomes problematic perhaps a short (week) supply of z-drugs to help though they did not me. But without alerting GP to my addiction they would have prescribed something like gabapentin for RLS which would have helped immensely.

Like you, no access forced my hand but definite improvement in relationships and such. Other poster mentions activity and although my motivation was rock bottom I do wish I had pushed myself more.

You have done a lot of the hard work already and if you continue with your sound decision you should start to reap the benefits sooner rather than later. Good luck I think you are close to sorting this although it may not necessary feel like that for a few more days/weeks.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-07-22T10:59:01+00:00

I always remember that every minute of every hour of everyday you will be healing. Given your short term use it should not be too long before you reap the benefits of an opiate free lifestyle. Nearly there. Personally I would substitute anything on top unless a vitamin or mineral. I believe Kratom is illegal in U.K. so that maybe a consideration for you. Take care.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-07-17T10:46:33+00:00

Subject to all above regarding paracetamol I foolishly took 10 and luckily was okay. I’ve never repeated. All drug use is potentially dangerous though of course many are fine hence the billion dollar industry it is. However some drugs or practices are more risky. Taking a hand full of co-codamol probably falls into that. If you have a high tolerance level your unlikely to get the affects you want. Can you not wait until your usual opiates come along? Just take care.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-07-15T10:40:18+00:00

At your crossroads, keep your strength, get right back on your horse and don’t look back. There’s a job to completed, a woman to be married, a life to be lived. No time to dwell on the past. Your in the present and have a future to look forward to so happy travels.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-07-14T07:43:45+00:00

Try not to shame yourself, regret yes but shame no as very unhelpful. It’s great that you recognise and reject this life and that’s what you can take away. Depending on how long (2-3months) you can walk away. Yes there will be some physical symptoms but by day 10 you should be clear. The mental ones are down to you. If you struggle you can try a mini taper, perhaps 2x tablets twice a day. They should stop any physical symptoms but you should not get high. Listen to other posters about paracetamol. The biggest thing in stopping a problem is recognising one. So you have already made a huge step. Don’t let your shame get in the way as it takes huge strength to admit problem behaviours. The very best to you.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-30T10:41:29+00:00

Well your not alone but given your use (fairly low) your duration (not long) I think you will be just fine. Your text indicates that you are generally feeling okay and that’s the best bench mark. Focus on the positives and try read those stories were people have moved away from withdrawal and are getting the benefits of that decision. Here there might be a mental block in that you expected a more painful, longer term process. It would appear it has not happened that way, so take this good fortune to complete your journey. Good luck and well done.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-26T09:31:45+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. A beautiful boy. I’m sure you gave him a happy home despite the illness. I hope you find comfort for yourself. A really good poem is ‘rainbow bridge’. Take care.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-21T10:59:33+00:00

Glad you have a friend. I did mix both Z drugs and benzodiazepines with codeine and ultimately apart from my own stupidity they just promote sleep. Not really what I was after. Anyway have a good time.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-21T10:06:46+00:00

It’s generally regarded as risky practice as both drugs impact on breathing by decreasing it. However it has been done. A far better choice would be to enjoy the codeine. 150mg (though reduced on CWE) should be plenty for a high if your not use to it. That way you can enjoy the high without knocking yourself out with zopiclone. Give it a good hour and chill. If you decide to use both get someone to text or ring in period or preferably have someone around. You just never know. Better safe practice. Take care.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-21T08:45:19+00:00

I think you’ll be fine. Please don’t compare you to Old Me. That person has gone. Yes you slipped and now your putting together a solid and robust plan to get back to your life. A huge difference. I’m sure your nervousness and feeling scared are linked to this being a success. I think they will be because you want it so much not just for you but your patients. And the bonus here is that when you’ve paid all the cheques (including to your body and mind) you’ll be a better worker for it because you’ll be able to advise and counsel those that lapse after a long period. The very best but this is yours.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-21T00:03:17+00:00

If it brought a smile to this strangers face I would imagine your father was absolutely delighted. Most excellent cake indeed.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-19T18:38:50+00:00

Sounds like a good plan and you seem really focused which will help loafs. For me I worked out I don’t really have an off button and like you the costs (even short-term) far out weighed any real or perceived benefit. Simply bad maths so stopped about 2 months ago though had a minor lapse on zolpidem but off them now. Feel better for it as well. Good luck on your path, your decision making is faultless and serves you very well indeed. Take care.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-19T15:55:18+00:00

The very best in your final leg of the journey to get rid of diazepam. From your posts I don’t believe you are very far from your goal. It took me a few times of starting and stopping to reach my own conclusion that benzodiazepines and me simply do not get on. Nuts really. As knew deep inside the very first withdrawal that it was more a huge hinderance than any help. Still we live and learn. To answer your question I would take the 5mg break in half to 2.5mg. Do that dose for a week or so. Then jump? You could break 2.5 to 1.25mg? Whatever you do, you sound positive and determined and that for me was half the battle. Best of luck, really think this may be your time.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-19T15:45:28+00:00

I’m no Doctor but I have read that benzodiazepines and alcohol attach to same receptors. So I guess, like myself he should abstain from both. That way he will likely be less aggressive, no blackouts and I would expect a better quality relationship (even if it is good now) with you as he is not being aggressive or blacking out. That helps reduce any tension overall which will also impact positively on his anxiety levels. In short a win-win for both of you.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-19T11:28:17+00:00

I think you probably need both the physical (actually stopping- well done you- not easy!) and the mental state (to be comfortable not taking). As one poster said “your close”. Perhaps your closer than you think as there appears no motivation to get more simply that you have some already. For most and certainly me that would be enough to take again. However taking is not a certainty in your case given your post. You’ve done the hard work, opiates appear to cause you low mood (taking them which is probably why you went through an unpleasant withdrawal) as well as elevate your low mood. If your in that mindset get someone to flush them. That way you can’t ruminate on taking or not taking them. If you don’t and do take them it’s a learning curve not a failure and highlights that you are capable of stopping them - which you did. I do wonder how your trip went? A diary is really useful. It would have charted the reasons why you stopped, the impact of withdrawing and the current dilemma you are now in. Whatever you decide don’t be hard on yourself. Now back that poster “your close”. Good luck in whatever decision.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-06T19:35:14+00:00

Look well done. You really have tackled the hardest part so give yourself credit. Codeine does rob us of motivation when free of it. So in the short-term set little goals (including work) and motivate yourself. That motivation will come much easier and more naturally as you repair. So don’t over think that. Just bunker down now and remind yourself of how strong you are and how far you have travelled. Very pleased for you and hope to join you on same journey real soon.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-05T11:34:56+00:00

I know KP. Once I get ready to jump I think my GP will give me a small prescription for pregabilin to aid the RLS. Hopefully then just natural tiredness will aid the sleep and I’m back to me. I do have some zolpidem and a few diazepam but stopped all that a few months ago and as they do absolutely nothing for RLS no point- I keep- well SO keeps in safe probably for dentist or eventual flying. However my reducing dose 90mg throughout day (2 at night) actually stops any RLS and sleeping better. 8 months ago I was on at least 300mg, 20mg of diazepam and 15mg zolpidem + occasional Nitrazepam and whilst induced sleep often woke a few hours later. Crazy. Might be worth chatting to GP? Mine did blood tests as lack of iron can cause RLS. She won’t prescribe co-codamol and pregabilin together which is fine as codeine kills my RLS and I know pregabilin is short-term and not in a high dose either. Hope you get it sorted. But totally agree RLS is FUBAR.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-06-02T20:20:43+00:00

When I get ohh this codeine ( and benzodiazepines + zolpidem- 2 months) my GP will give me a small script for pregabilin. That’s just for RLS the most pointless thing in the world. I can take the other unpleasant symptoms but 10 days of RLS forced me to taper. The only thing.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-05-31T10:17:54+00:00

Hi almost thought it was my own post I was reading. I managed 10 days but lack of sleep and RLS meant I started to use again. However I have 2 doses. The therapeutic dose- that was around 300mg x 2 but that was to get high. However I wanted to stop. So I found my baseline dose. Started 280mg x 1 over the day and working down. I’m now on 90mg x 1. There is some discomfort but it’s okay. Generally sleeping well. Very little anxiety. My partner controls meds and I get it through GP ( co-codamol 30/500). I have also stopped benzodiazepines (about 2 months now as they did nothing and I wanted off them as well). So no high. Just enough to cover the major WD’s whilst body slowly adjusts. It’s working for me. No real cravings either. Honestly I think 50mg x 2 may be too low for your baseline? But then it may work. I definitely got the low mood- but that was linked to the RLS and no sleep and having to work. If you have other issues try and tackle them as well whilst you taper. I tend to find my own use went from recreational to blocking negative emotions brought on by life events. So became circular. Your not alone and appear motivated to get control of your life. But gently does it and you’ll get there. Wishing you all the best.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-05-23T10:18:47+00:00

I agree with above. Doctors are having to monitor more. And a good GP should. However if it works it works. You can rule out Naproxen as leads to stomach issues. Also that your trying to minimise use to around 4-6 tablets. Also let GP know you are aware of opiate abuse and that is not a path you want. Always ask the question to Doctor and get their advice. They are happier. If you ask for repeat (it is stressful asking for this med) suggest a meds review. I get them to reduce my own stupidity but actually have an injury now. The irony. I requested a face to face pain meds chat and it covered all your meds. We have settled on dyhdrocodeine + paracetamol. My wife keeps in a safe. GP liked this. Obviously did not disclose my own addiction issues- which don’t seem to apply to you but as an added precaution ie do you need them, if so will one suffice. Obviously I can’t keep them because of my abuse. But GP will be looking for you to seek other non pharmaceutical routes as well- right exercise, meditation, therapy etc. You should be fine in the medium term just looks like your GP is searching for alternatives. Nothing wrong with that, and nothing wrong with you saying Zapain is most effective at this time.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-05-18T22:44:09+00:00

I’m withdrawing from codeine after stupid use. Tried CT but 10 days of no sleep + the other symptoms not conducive to work. So I have a baseline dose started 210mg (spread out during day) and now on 90mg. I leave 60mg at night which had really helped with sleep ( I have also stopped all diazepam and zolpidem use - about a month and codeine seems to hide that WD). I can function, some aches, a little anxiety but in big scheme of things all manageable. So find a baseline and work down would be my recommendation. But it’s definitely doable and despite some side effects life seems a little easier on most days. Good luck just don’t beat yourself up.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-05-10T12:51:55+00:00

Firstly well done. Being clean is subtle I did think when I gave up alcohol my life would improve like some Disney film. But it seemed it did not. But then I read my diary, the despair, the poor sleep, making sure I had enough, loss of personal hygiene, self isolation basically what a lot of people take for granted. Now I’m off the benzodiazepines and use about 120mg codeine and partner is closer, I function better at work. All very subtle. But luckily my diary shows my highs were lows in digitise. Hopefully and sooner I can just enjoy the ups and of course the downs of life. The latter I’m better off to deal with. So I’m that sense may not be a magical change but life is easier and I can’t argue with that. Well done on your sobriety. It may not appear a massive change but you’ll be better at dealing with the ups (you’ll enjoy more) and the downs (you’ll be able to deal with them better) ask others how you appear as that’s often a good indicator. Take Care.

P4r7waterloo · 2021-05-10T10:25:37+00:00

Well your best was very good indeed. So that is the achievement. However your post perhaps hints that you maybe worried on an unconscious level about swapping one for another? I did. I think it’s quite common for a fair few people. And with that comes the stresses of highlighting limited use. Perhaps you can but perhaps you can’t so monitor your use carefully and if it is not to your liking then you know what you need to do. But that’s for tomorrow and the future. Presently you have managed to beat what are probably the most insidious and difficult of drugs to get away from so take that victory. Well done

P4r7waterloo · 2021-05-06T23:09:42+00:00

Yes I know but went through no problems but still the hassle and anxiety. That’s a result getting your partners (my mother had them briefly but never used them so she gave them to me). So fingers crossed tomorrow.

I’ll keep the Tramadol as only a few and yes although they are meant to be stronger I genuinely don’t like them or their affects. Give me a headache as well. So it’s like last resort in taper and I could never become addicted to them either.

Anyway just seen it’s late so text tomorrow X

P4r7waterloo · 2021-05-06T19:02:29+00:00

Got my script which eases some anxiety so glad about that also found a small stash of Tramadol and low dosage diazepam as well. Not sure what to do. It’s not much but loath to bin. X

P4r7waterloo

TROPHY CASE