Experiences - OTC codeine in Canada

[uncynd]

SWIM had been doing CWE of T1s for about a year. Last months doses were 600-800mg per day in three batches. SWIM was looking to get a better high and had some success with diphenhydramine but wanted more. SWIM started taking a baking soda solution before dosing also with some success.

On the day in question SWIM took his big dose in the morning after taking 2 tums and 25mg of diphenhydramine what followed was life changing. SWIM's shortness of breath and heart palpitations started at about 30mins just after vape'ing some weed. At first SWIM was just waiting for it to pass and the opiate warmth to ensue. But @ ~50mins SWIM knew something was wrong.

SWIM panic'd was starting to feel light-headed and losing equilibrium, drinking water was pinnacle now. SWIM induced vomit, went for a light jog (which made things worse). SWIM managed to put himself into a panic attack. The palpitations seemed gigantic like SWIM's heart was going to explode. If not for SWIM's wife coming home to calm SWIM down SWIM is scared to think now how bad the panic attack could have gotten.

SWIM did "come down" finally (never actually felt high the entire time) after a few hours but was a wreck physically, still palpitating and short breath. SWIM was convinced he had done some permanent damage and was now resolved to quit codeine cold turkey.

Cold Turkey:

If you, for whatever reason, are going to stop taking codeine please listen to SWIM's advice.

- If you are strong enough to quit with codeine it is by FAR the best method.
Reduce your doses by 15mg/16mg a day until you get down to a single dose of ~10-16mg then quit cold turkey. You will experience little to no withdrawal.

This has worked awesome for SWIM before took 30-45 days. That said, this time SWIM was scared his liver was damaged so SWIM did not want to take anymore pills. The 2nd best option in my opinion is in hind sight...

- Go to your doctor and tell them everything. They have an unreal amount of understanding and compassion for you. MANY people get addicted to pain meds and do retarded things like CWE to get high. You will not be judged. You will get better and your withdrawals will be signifigantly reduced by the medications you will receive.

OK cold turkey, well SWIM made it 4 days completely cold turkey before I went into the ER. During the 4 days the w/d's were unreal the heart palpitations and shortness of breath being the worst. That said SWIM felt every single symptom of withdrawal the palpitations and shortness of breath being the worst. Also on the 2nd day SWIM started having panic attacks at the times when SWIM would normally dose. At first SWIM could meditate his way out of it but by the 4th day of cold turkey SWIM's withdrawal was peaking and the panic attack in the afternoon left SWIM gasping for breath.

ER:

Upon entering the ER SWIM was in 1/2 panic mode (SWIM had no idea it was a panic attack as he had NEVER had one until this experience) and the nurses got SWIM in very quickly. SWIM's heart was racing and was still short of breath. They took blood, urine and an ECG. After being honest with the doctor she told SWIM what was going on. Long story short SWIMs body was not producing any endorphins yet and lack of morphine was seriously tripping SWIMs body and causing panic attacks. I was given Clonidine and Ativan both which helped SWIM a ton and SWIM was done the Clonidine in 3 days and Ativan (for the panic attacks) wasn't needed after 5 days. The clonidine was the real saver for me, it made the heart palpitations nothing and SWIM was kicking himself for not going to the doctor sooner. All tests confirmed SWIM's liver and kidneys were still in perfect health despite all this abuse, SWIM considers himself lucky.

P.S. Weed did little/nothing for my w/d symptoms but it did help SWIM sleep at night. Best sleep aid SWIM found was called "Sleep MD" in Canada.

A few after thoughts:

SWIM was really ignorant to my addiction, in that, SWIM really thought this cold turkey was going to be a cakewalk. If you have been taking med - large doses of codeine per day (600-1200mg) for any extended period of time, your body is actually dependent on morphine made from the codeine in your liver. You are dealing with OPIATE withdrawal nothing less. Very serious stuff.

Some very good info here;

http://www.centerforaddiction.org/Opiate-Withdrawl

In hindsight, SWIM's initial incident could have been ALOT of things. Most likely a combination of caffeine overdose coupled with a codeine rush larger then SWIM's ever experienced before, likely put SWIM's body into panic mode. SWIM is very happy he got "scared" away from codeine, who knows how long it would have continued.

Best Advice:

Get off the drugs. If you aren't part of the "one in a million" club that can keep his/her opiate use to 2-3 times a month, It's SWIM's humble belief that you will be faced with tough decisions regarding your addiction. SWIM has been clean now for nearly two weeks, and has never feel better. It's difficult when bad feelings pop up or SWIM is faced with problems because the endorphins really aren't there yet, slowly but surely they will be replenished. SWIM is very grateful to have taken the ER doctor's advice to contact a drug counselor(offered free in Canada) to help with the cravings and mental downturn.

SWIM wanted to write this for anyone using T1s in Canada. SWIM knows some of you aren't cold water extracting, you need to know, YOU ARE KILLING YOURSELF. If you aren't going to CWE....PLEASE stop using! PLEASE! Even if you are CWE'ing it's just not healthy or cool at all. Codeine is a drug that begins to OWN YOUR SOUL, you live your life around your dosing schedule, not unlike a heroin addict. SWIM's not judging anyone but SWIM can honestly say SWIM has his life back SWIM's back in control and that feels pretty damn good. SWIM wants the same for you.

PM SWIM anytime SWIM'll try to offer support when SWIM can.

Take Care

[Hover]

Thanks for sharing this, sounds like SWIY went through really rough time.

SWIY must have done something right with CWE 'cause if not at those doses SWIY wouldn't still be with us, or at least SWIY's liver wouldn't be the same one.

[uncynd]

Yea SWIM was very lucky. SWIM's pretty sure its been 17 days clean. SWIM still has the odd anxiety attack (maybe every 2nd day) w/ palpitations..... Can anyone confirm this is somewhat within the scope of normal?