My doctor gave me 30mg codeine 4 times a day for three weeks because it was the only thing that would help with my sciatica pain. However I have stopped taking these now and am having some withdrawal symptoms - diarrhoea, upset stomach,loss of appetite. Can anyone tell me whether this is normal as I was only taking them for a short time. Any advice much appreciated.
Codeine
- Thread starter Maisie123
- Start date
Daisy the Dog
New Member
- Location
- SE Wisconsin
https://www.addictioncenter.com/opiates/codeine/withdrawal-detox/
Call your doctor, too. Let us know how it goes.
Call your doctor, too. Let us know how it goes.
Lee
Senior Member
- Location
- Chatham, Ontario
Sorry you are having problems Maisie. As Daisy said, call the doctor, maybe a different drug.
About 15 years ago here in the area I live, we had a real bad Codeine issue in the school system from grades 4-12. Someone had a tooth pulled and the dentist gave the young man 30 Tylenol w/Codeine tablets. It kind of exploded after that. We found the source and interviewed the fellow, who told us that he shared them with 2 friends just to give them a try and then everyone wanted to try them. Another kid found a dealer and bought like 100 of them and passed them around. One night, the hospital Emergency Room was filled with kids sick from the Codeine. That's what brought it to light. Within probably about 6 weeks, with the help of the borough's PD, we had it off our streets. The borough's PD actually called us and asked us to take the case because they never had dealt with illegal drugs, other than MJ.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
I think the OP is asking how she can deal with the symptoms she's experiencing now she's STOPPED taking the codeine
Best bet is to always consult the attending doctor. I remember when I took narcotics after surgery, I got constipated and had to take a few pills they gave me to go. I remember the nurse telling me that if the pills didn't work, they would give me an enema. I think that was what made it work.
Amanda76
Member
- Location
- Eastern US
Assuming that you still need Codeine, ....., in my suggestion, ... try to cut a tab in a half using 'pill-cutter.'
I have a very similar severe pain issue, Scoliosis that is the severe to excruciating pain radiates in my left leg, even sometime a lower part of my right leg that is really debilitating, days and nights.
Luckily, my orth-doctor rx'ed Tramadol 50 mg, three tabs per day. At first, I took two 50 mg., however I got headache, stomach cramp, conspitation and among others. After that, I cut back to one tab, 50 mg. per day, but I still feel 'strange feelings' in my head even though Tramadol 50 mg. alleviate my severe pain in the legs. After that, I cut even more, ... 25 mg.(cut a tab in half) that dosage does help, but not like 50 mg. However, it's bearable to work around the house.
Currently, I cut even more, only 10.25 mg. (cut 25 mg. in half) to get most benefit from the least dosage to alleviate my severe pain. As a supplement, I take Tylenol(500 mg) and Gabapentine 200 mg.(for nerve).
In my personal experience, the Ortho-doc. does not tell you how to manage the dosage. Only person who knows well is us, patients.
I have no idea about Codeine, but try to cut a tab in half whether that dosage is a right dosage assuming you need a med. for daily tasks. You also could call doctor's office for any advice whether you could cut a tab in half.
Just my suggestion through my personal experience how to manage and live with Opioids.
Lewkat
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey, USA
Drugs of this nature should never be stopped abruptly. Call your physician ASAP. This has to be withdrawn on a schedule until your body adjusts to returning to functioning without it.
jujube
SF VIP
Codeine causes nausea for me, too. It didn't always, but started doing that in my 30's.
There used to be a Canadian cough syrup called 2-2-2 that could be obtained over the counter that had more codeine in it than was allowed in the U.S. Every time anybody heard someone was going over to Windsor for the day, it was always, "Get me three bottles of 2-2-2!" That was the only thing non-prescription that could calm a nasty Detroit winter cough. And EVERYBODY had a nasty Detroit cough. It was a given.
I never came back from Windsor without a purse full of 2-2-2 bottles. I guess I have to say I was a codeine smuggler....LOL.
There used to be a Canadian cough syrup called 2-2-2 that could be obtained over the counter that had more codeine in it than was allowed in the U.S. Every time anybody heard someone was going over to Windsor for the day, it was always, "Get me three bottles of 2-2-2!" That was the only thing non-prescription that could calm a nasty Detroit winter cough. And EVERYBODY had a nasty Detroit cough. It was a given.
I never came back from Windsor without a purse full of 2-2-2 bottles. I guess I have to say I was a codeine smuggler....LOL.
Rose65
Well-known Member
- Location
- United Kingdom
Indeed, taper off from it. I find codeine is a good painkiller as I take co-codamol for my aches and pains. But I take only a couple a day and treat it with respect as it is addictive. If stopping it, I advise doing it gradually and with a doctor's guidance. This goes for many drugs.
I have come off others, I had to take strong painkillers for a back injury, but always under supervision.
Amanda76
Member
- Location
- Eastern US
In addition to three meds., Tramadol, Gabapentin (300 mg. now) and Tylenol (500 mg. to 650 mg.) per day, my orth-doc. rx'ed topical Cream that gives me 'instant relief' by apply and rub(massage) affected area to get the prompt and most remedy whenever excruciating pain popping-up in the middle of the nights.
Please let us know if there is/are more information you need.
Severe to excruciating pain is a sort of 'illness,' like Diabetic and any physical illnesses. Just my opinion tho' through my very personal experience , as a senior citizen in severe pain because of Scoliosis that started in my early senior years. In my guess tho', probably I had one even in my early 20's, but didn't show it until my senior years started hitting.
Please let us know if there is/are more information you need.
Severe to excruciating pain is a sort of 'illness,' like Diabetic and any physical illnesses. Just my opinion tho' through my very personal experience , as a senior citizen in severe pain because of Scoliosis that started in my early senior years. In my guess tho', probably I had one even in my early 20's, but didn't show it until my senior years started hitting.
Rose65
Well-known Member
- Location
- United Kingdom
Gabapentin made me go weird mentally. I had it for back pain and decided to get off it. My doctor helped by making me a schedule to come off over several weeks. I felt much better, clear minded again. Some drugs are just so powerful even in small doses, they may relieve pain but give you a foggy mind.
Amanda76
Member
- Location
- Eastern US
Actually, I took more than 300 mg. .... close to 500 mg for years. For me, Gabapentin is one of 'wonder' drugs. I've been taking 300 mg.(yellowish capsule) at bed-time and making 'sleep-well' like 'sleeping-pill.' On the otherhand, Tramadol is quite strong to me, even my primary doctor does not recommend, instead 'Injection' on which I'm very hesitant. I can tolerate many of drugs. In the past, after one of teeth extraction, the dentist rx'ed Oxydone(narcotic) or a very similar drug to help the healing-process very comfortably.
At least, I can well tolerate many drugs at my twilight-age which I feel very lucky, even though I need to take care of my debilitating pain with Scoliosis. Probably, God is fair as long as I'd like to live more years.
Murrmurr
SF VIP
- Location
- Sacramento, California
If you stopped taking it suddenly, that can cause symptoms. You're supposed to gradually taper off the dose.
Murrmurr
SF VIP
- Location
- Sacramento, California
Me, too.
Capt Lightning
Well-known Member
- Location
- Historic Buchan, Scotland
Codeine does not work well on its own. it is generally used in combination with another drug such as paracetamol in over the counter medicines such as Co-Codamol. As an opioid, it carries a warning that it is addictive and is only for short term use. Not surprising that you suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Amanda76
Member
- Location
- Eastern US
It's a good point! No wonder Tramadol itself does not give a relief as described. After that, I added two, Tylenol and Gabapentine and I have been doing very well now, even though severe pain I can no way avoid because of Scoliosis.
As for as I know many of drugs need, so-called, 'med. cocktail/combo' to work good. Thanks for your insight and knowledge as to Medications.
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hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
yes I take Co-codamol as well, I have it on repeat prescription : 8/500 for the arthritic pain .... I try not to take it every day , only when the pain is bad...
