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painkillers and personality
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Hi, looking for advice from anyone who's been on long term opiates ideal codine.
Since a bike accident I've been on 240mg of codine a day for a year now (come the 26th of june).
The pain is starting to ease but I still have trouble at times, but lately especially in the last 3 months or so I've really started to notice a change in my personality if I haven't taken the pills I'm getting mean and short tempered with the people I love and when I'm on the pills I am still not myself I've become more self absorbed and less concerned with the consequences of my actions.
so it's pretty clear that I am now addicted to the painkillers.
I'm deciding it's time I got off the tablets now I still have over 100 atm and I'm thinking I might just use them as one or two before bed or if it's best to stop cold turkey (god help the people in my life for the next month or so).
Anyone else been through this? I've tried off and on again but the night sweats and general feeling like crap + causing massive arguments because of my short temper over completely pointless things the stress builds up and I take the tablets again. It's strange as soon as I've taken them I can't figure out why on earth I was angry or arguing.
So yeah any advice on quitting opiate based painkillers and Any ideas on rebuilding some bridges. I just want to be myself again. |
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I am on warfarin for life due to a pulmonary embolism about 9 yrs ago. This means that the only painkiller which doesn't effect my dosage of that is codeine.
As I have developed Psoriatic Arthritis over the last few months, the levels of codeine have increased. Now it's just like taking Smarties 
I have an appointment with a specialist Dr later today and hopefully he can give me some treatment to help me get back to work.
I work on building sites and sitting on my fat ass posting bollox on here all day is not an option I would like to consider 
Hope this helps, and good luck anyway  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I don't suggest going cold turkey, at all.
Speak to your doctor, who can refer you to a specialist pain team to revise an analgesic management plan that suits you.
Great news to hear your pain is decreasing! But maybe that is also a sign that codeine is working for you?
I know it's a kicker having some sort of dependency to them, but if it's working why knock it? If you're really concerned about that, again ask for a chronic pain team referral that may be able to do something differently for you.
But in the mean time, take your medication! 
It's helping your pain, and as you've clearly experienced it's altering your mood if you don't.
Good luck! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I take the same amount of codeine as you do but can't say it has affected my personality. The only thing I have trouble with when I take fewer of them than usual, which I do on the days I'm not working, is problems getting to sleep. In the past I have gone a week without them, during a spell when I wasn't in so much pain, and by the end of that week I was getting over the sleep problems.
If I were you I'd cut down gradually rather than go cold turkey. I'm guessing you take two 30/500 co-codamols four times a day. Try taking one co-codamol a one paracetamol four times a day instead and see how you manage. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I don't suggest going cold turkey, at all.
Speak to your doctor, who can refer you to a specialist pain team to revise an analgesic management plan that suits you.
Great news to hear your pain is decreasing! But maybe that is also a sign that codeine is working for you?
I know it's a kicker having some sort of dependency to them, but if it's working why knock it? If you're really concerned about that, again ask for a chronic pain team referral that may be able to do something differently for you.
But in the mean time, take your medication!
It's helping your pain, and as you've clearly experienced it's altering your mood if you don't.
Good luck! "
I'm also on paracetamol (4 grams a day) and ibuprofen (3.2g a day). The occupational health woman said that codine really shouldn't be being used for years at a time.
The pain is decreasing in general the codine is not a help for the healing like the ibuprofen it just masks the pain.
The injury is tissue damage to my spine/back so one of those wonderful "err it's fixed when it's fixed" deals  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I take the same amount of codeine as you do but can't say it has affected my personality. The only thing I have trouble with when I take fewer of them than usual, which I do on the days I'm not working, is problems getting to sleep. In the past I have gone a week without them, during a spell when I wasn't in so much pain, and by the end of that week I was getting over the sleep problems.
If I were you I'd cut down gradually rather than go cold turkey. I'm guessing you take two 30/500 co-codamols four times a day. Try taking one co-codamol a one paracetamol four times a day instead and see how you manage."
How long have you been on them? I didn't really notice any difference till about 9/10 months of being on them solid.
And yeah the sleep thing is a killer. |
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Id go for a gradual withdrawal and also some yoga or meditation. The latter to help with your self awareness and relaxation. Outbursts are avoidable, especially if you cultivate a more calm state of mind. Another option could be something like anger management. Youve had chronic pain which is likely to affect you and your personality, so it may not all be a direct or indirect side effect of this medication. Your family will be more forgiving if you explain and also are seeking help to overcome it. Ask for ideas on how you could better cope too. If they know at the time you have an issue, they may give you time out, or talk instead about how you are feeling underneath, if you or they recognise what you are experiencing. And pain management refer to specialists. Good luck! |
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By *londeCazWoman
over a year ago
Arse End of the Universe, Cumbria |
I went cold turkey off 10 cocodamols plus diclofenac plus a handful of tramadol and amitryptilene when I had my hip replaced...2 weeks of moodswings, codeine headaches and shakes and I was starting to get back to normal - I was a complete veg for a lot of the time I was on them (about 14 months), fortunately I live alone so no-one to bear the brunt of my arsiness! I'd say check with your Dr before doing anything - best of luck |
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"I don't suggest going cold turkey, at all.
Speak to your doctor, who can refer you to a specialist pain team to revise an analgesic management plan that suits you.
Great news to hear your pain is decreasing! But maybe that is also a sign that codeine is working for you?
I know it's a kicker having some sort of dependency to them, but if it's working why knock it? If you're really concerned about that, again ask for a chronic pain team referral that may be able to do something differently for you.
But in the mean time, take your medication!
It's helping your pain, and as you've clearly experienced it's altering your mood if you don't.
Good luck! "
DO THIS .....NOTHING ELSE |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I don't suggest going cold turkey, at all.
Speak to your doctor, who can refer you to a specialist pain team to revise an analgesic management plan that suits you.
Great news to hear your pain is decreasing! But maybe that is also a sign that codeine is working for you?
I know it's a kicker having some sort of dependency to them, but if it's working why knock it? If you're really concerned about that, again ask for a chronic pain team referral that may be able to do something differently for you.
But in the mean time, take your medication!
It's helping your pain, and as you've clearly experienced it's altering your mood if you don't.
Good luck!
DO THIS .....NOTHING ELSE"
I will just think it's that time of the month for you. You wil be fine handsome xx  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I take it you are on 2 x 30/500 four times a day, shouldn't you try gradually dropping off
I am on the same above but have cut back with no adverse effect, but everyone is different so as many have said, the doctor should be your first contact
Doctors are fully aware of the addiction and also the constipation they cause and they will help
you also get various doses from 8mg/500 upto 30/500's
reduction is better than complete stop |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Whilst many here may sound and even look a little like drug dependants, I would advise you seek counsel from your GP or pharmacist.
"
Thank you. I have been telling him for many months! |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Due to forgetting to put my prescription in this is day two of just ibuprofen
Head feels like drilling a 2 inch hole in it would be a massive improvement and I feel like I want to vomit everything I've ever eaten out |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Don't go cold turkey!! It'll be one of the worst experiences ever, I done it off tramodol once by mistake and I've never been so ill in my whole life. See your GP who will gradually reduce your dosage so you don't feel like you do now. I take the same as you and if I miss more than one dose I start to feel dreadful so I can sympathise with who you feel now hun. See someone ASAP and get sorted by professionals. Good luck sweetie |
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By *ENGUYMan
over a year ago
Hull |
Due to bad arthritis in my knees and spreading to my hips and hands, I have been on 200mg of ARTHROTEC daily for the past 5 years.
However, since that medicine has developed "bad press" owing to its potential to lead to thrombosis, it has been withdrawn from the market & my GP took me off it 3 months ago.
In its place, he has put me on 30/500 Co-Codamol tablets, of which I can take up to 8 per day. In reality, compared to the Arthrotec, they were no match and on review last month, he advised me to incorporate my medication with Voltorol Gel, plus use a TENS pain relief machine.
I was sceptical to say the least, but wow, it works. I am still on 4 tablets per day but the overall regime seems to be working.
Maybe for some, it could be a way forward?? |
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"Due to forgetting to put my prescription in this is day two of just ibuprofen
Head feels like drilling a 2 inch hole in it would be a massive improvement and I feel like I want to vomit everything I've ever eaten out "
your in cold turkey.go take one and you wil feel better then just reduce slowly or you might lose your mind and not find it again.
You did ask  |
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"Hi, looking for advice from anyone who's been on long term opiates ideal codine.
Since a bike accident I've been on 240mg of codine a day for a year now (come the 26th of june).
The pain is starting to ease but I still have trouble at times, but lately especially in the last 3 months or so I've really started to notice a change in my personality if I haven't taken the pills I'm getting mean and short tempered with the people I love and when I'm on the pills I am still not myself I've become more self absorbed and less concerned with the consequences of my actions.
so it's pretty clear that I am now addicted to the painkillers.
I'm deciding it's time I got off the tablets now I still have over 100 atm and I'm thinking I might just use them as one or two before bed or if it's best to stop cold turkey (god help the people in my life for the next month or so).
Anyone else been through this? I've tried off and on again but the night sweats and general feeling like crap + causing massive arguments because of my short temper over completely pointless things the stress builds up and I take the tablets again. It's strange as soon as I've taken them I can't figure out why on earth I was angry or arguing.
So yeah any advice on quitting opiate based painkillers and Any ideas on rebuilding some bridges. I just want to be myself again. "
go and see your doctor, mine prescribed me codeine in varying strengths so that I could gradually decrease it. Have you had any other methods of pain relief offered, such as acupuncture, tens machine, meditation (I know I was pissed off with that one)that sort of thing? That might allow you to function on lower doses of codeine while allowing you to come off it comfortably? |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Hi, looking for advice from anyone who's been on long term opiates ideal codine.
Since a bike accident I've been on 240mg of codine a day for a year now (come the 26th of june).
The pain is starting to ease but I still have trouble at times, but lately especially in the last 3 months or so I've really started to notice a change in my personality if I haven't taken the pills I'm getting mean and short tempered with the people I love and when I'm on the pills I am still not myself I've become more self absorbed and less concerned with the consequences of my actions.
so it's pretty clear that I am now addicted to the painkillers.
I'm deciding it's time I got off the tablets now I still have over 100 atm and I'm thinking I might just use them as one or two before bed or if it's best to stop cold turkey (god help the people in my life for the next month or so).
Anyone else been through this? I've tried off and on again but the night sweats and general feeling like crap + causing massive arguments because of my short temper over completely pointless things the stress builds up and I take the tablets again. It's strange as soon as I've taken them I can't figure out why on earth I was angry or arguing.
So yeah any advice on quitting opiate based painkillers and Any ideas on rebuilding some bridges. I just want to be myself again.
go and see your doctor, mine prescribed me codeine in varying strengths so that I could gradually decrease it. Have you had any other methods of pain relief offered, such as acupuncture, tens machine, meditation (I know I was pissed off with that one)that sort of thing? That might allow you to function on lower doses of codeine while allowing you to come off it comfortably? "
That's the thing the pain isn't the issue now. Its only if i'm stationary a long time such as sleeping that the pain is bad. So aside from bed time i don't need the pills for the pain. Its now i just need the pills for the addiction to the pills.
Two before bed and one when i get up is all i need foe the pain.
The rest is just for the withdrawl side effects.
I know i need to go to the docotor its just feel so ashamed and guilty walking in say im addicted to the tablets |
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By *horltzMan
over a year ago
heysham |
I took them for a good while , and when I stopped I was irritable and couldn't sleep , I was tempted to take them to help me sleep , but decided to cold turkey , it was.hard but once I got through it I'm glad I completely knocked them in the head , good luck |
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"Hi, looking for advice from anyone who's been on long term opiates ideal codine.
Since a bike accident I've been on 240mg of codine a day for a year now (come the 26th of june).
The pain is starting to ease but I still have trouble at times, but lately especially in the last 3 months or so I've really started to notice a change in my personality if I haven't taken the pills I'm getting mean and short tempered with the people I love and when I'm on the pills I am still not myself I've become more self absorbed and less concerned with the consequences of my actions.
so it's pretty clear that I am now addicted to the painkillers.
I'm deciding it's time I got off the tablets now I still have over 100 atm and I'm thinking I might just use them as one or two before bed or if it's best to stop cold turkey (god help the people in my life for the next month or so).
Anyone else been through this? I've tried off and on again but the night sweats and general feeling like crap + causing massive arguments because of my short temper over completely pointless things the stress builds up and I take the tablets again. It's strange as soon as I've taken them I can't figure out why on earth I was angry or arguing.
So yeah any advice on quitting opiate based painkillers and Any ideas on rebuilding some bridges. I just want to be myself again.
go and see your doctor, mine prescribed me codeine in varying strengths so that I could gradually decrease it. Have you had any other methods of pain relief offered, such as acupuncture, tens machine, meditation (I know I was pissed off with that one)that sort of thing? That might allow you to function on lower doses of codeine while allowing you to come off it comfortably?
That's the thing the pain isn't the issue now. Its only if i'm stationary a long time such as sleeping that the pain is bad. So aside from bed time i don't need the pills for the pain. Its now i just need the pills for the addiction to the pills.
Two before bed and one when i get up is all i need foe the pain.
The rest is just for the withdrawl side effects.
I know i need to go to the docotor its just feel so ashamed and guilty walking in say im addicted to the tablets"
you have nothing to feel ashamed and guilty about, the one who should feel that is the medical professional who prescribed codeine and kept prescribing it in quantities that allowed addiction with no plan to help you come off them. I was lucky in that my doctor discussed addiction with me when she first prescribed them and when I had surgery to alleviate the problem introduced the plan of varying strengths in order for me to stop slowly.
Truly there is no shame in this it isn't your fault, see your gp and if they aren't helpful ask to see someone else...if that doesn't work I'll come up there and talk some sense into them  |
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