I am struggling to get off the codeine/paracetamol 30/500, my GP prescribes me since 1994, for endometriosis.
I've tried cutting the dose slowly, but need the pain relief, I suspect I am more 'dependent' on them than 'addicted'.HELP!?
Answer:
Cut down the dose yourself, but very, very slowly, and replace it with something else like caffine. Your body has been taking the drug over many years and has adapted to it and expects it, so weaning off it will be very difficult. First step is mental victory; you're neither dependent or addicted, but you're in control of the situation to a point. Go for herbal and natural remedies, and maybe try something new like acupuncture.
Dependant is just another word for addicted.
I'm not trying to be rude, because I have gone through this myself. I was on a Duragesic pain patch for 3 years, and was physically and emotionally addicted to it I was using the drug as prescribed, but it was hell coming off of it.
i am now very strongly anti pain meds, and prefer chiropractic treatment and exercise over drugs.Good luck, the withdrawal won't be easy. I hope you have a strong support group around you.
Hello, my name is Katina and I am a recovering "Addict" of perscribed narcotic and non-narcotic pain relievers and antidepressants. I am still in a lot of severe pain, however, my pain specialist and family physician has prescribed me drugs such as Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Tramadol to combat the pain. I have also recently had a procedure done called RFA, which is where the nerves are burned at the source of pain. I am not sure if this procedure is something offered in the area of pain that you have. I do know that I lost my three beautiful children, all of my photos and journals, and the lawsuit I was in against the woman who was speeding the evening of Nov 13, 1998, when we were waiting at a stop sign just around the corner from our home when we were plowed into by two cars. Since that time, I have been in so much pain that I have almost took my own life, it is very hard to live with pain, it is even harder to make the decision to give up pain meds. I had no other choice but to give mine up, I had hit rock bottom, drove a van off the side of a highway, began to steal, and directed the only man who ever cared for me. When I gave up the pills, I honestly thought I could not survive it. However, I did, and with in a year after I got my GED, enrolled in College and now have a business and book on the way. I have the pain still, but I also have my life back, more or less. Photographs are all I have of my children to hold and tell them that I love them. If I could go back, I would demand the doctors not to prescribe me anything that could become addictive. I am not sure if I have helped or not. I can only tell you my story in hopes that you will reflect on your own situation, it may not be as severe as mine was. In addition, I cannot know your pain, as all people experience pain differently. Pain is debilitating, so please do not stop/start anything unless your physician is aware of it. I would call your physician and explain your concerns, it will be scary to do this, but you must. Then he/or she can evaluate you and possible wean you off and then replace the addictive meds with alternative ones. I take several meds that have a low risk for addiction. Tramadol has really worked for me, but also some nerves were burned recently and I see a chiropractor on a weekly basis for neck, mid, and low back problems. I cannot do everything that I use to, however, today; I can remember everything that I can do. My mind is not fogged over, I can feel everything, and pain is a sign that something is wrong. I feel that doctors do not do enough to get the problem FIXED, and are excessively apt in prescribing meds as the prime solution. Insist that this disorder be dealt with promptly; tell them you are tired of being overly prescribed and for them to take care of the ailment, before it turns into something life threatening. All the best to you.
Email me anytime. PS. I have a site opening soon, there will be a forum for people suffering with pain, and or disabilities, free of charge, and contest for writing about stuff like this. I want to help people in the same circumstances, as I have lost so much from my past addiction; I know in my heart that all of it was for some unforeseen reason. Good Luck to you.
Katina Woodruff
katinawoodruff740@yahoo.com
One Stop Write Shop
I took 10/500 Lortab for 2 years while my leg was rotting away. The pain was severe and I was removing bone dust almost everyday when I cleaned the leg each day. Each person is a little different. If you need them for pain, then take the medication. If you don't really need it for the pain, then don't take them. Only you know the real answer as to whether or not you should take the meds.
I can tell you from personal experience that the only way to quit is to not take any more. Thats what I had to do. My leg is gone but I still have pain. I just live with it. I cannot take pain medication. If I do, I will take all of mine, ask you for some of yours and then check with your neighboors too. Its tough.
Pain meds are good if they help you function normally or at least have somewhat of a normal life. You should not feel guilty if pain meds help you go to work, excersise a bit, go out with family and friends, etc. There is nothing wrong with being dependent on medicine to improve and prolong the quality of your life. Having said that, I would think after taking the same pain medication for over 10 years, it stopped being effective long ago. I would switch to a different class of medicine and see if it improves your daily function. I would try Cymbalta as it would help your withdrawl symptoms too.
All people who take pain killers need to be aware of the fact that there are likely to be side effects such as kidney damage and therefore you had better do some research on the side effects of the pain killers that you are taking.An Internet search for "side effects" + codeine (OR paracetamol) might be of interest to you.
You should be seeing someone for pain management beofre you try to wean yourself off something you've been taking for so long. I've been taking narcotics for pain for about 17 years. What has kept me from becoming an addict is rotating meds, and working closely with my doctors. When I had surgery on Feb my surgeon called my GP, orthopedist, and neurologist to discuss pain management options. One of the things that has worked most for me is knowing when I really do need to take something. If you feel like you may NEED the meds you should see someone who deals only with pain management. Make sure you bring a list of all meds you're taking and the names and numbers of all your doctors.
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