Suggest Remedy For Pain While Weaning Off Codeine

Brief Answer:
pain killer, chlordiazepoxide & be busy. good luck

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for posting your query. I can undersatnd your current distress due to drug withdrawal &will try to help..

You have been taking codiene from past one year (but there is no specification of the amount anywhere) and now from three days you are trying to quit. The most common withdrawal symptom of any opioid is pain in abdomen and calf muscles or body aches. There are ceratin steps to be followed to reduce the pain and discomfort and make withdrawal time more bearable.

1. Reduce the amount of drug you consume slowly. When some one is doing home based treatment and not under guaidance ( though it is always recommended to do it under expert supervision) then one should not stop all dose abruptly.

2. You can use pain killers - like aceclofenac or diclofenac three times a day for 2-4 days and then gradually reduce the same.

3. One is advised to take more liquids and fruits and avoid all spicy - fatty food during this time. Also take antacid or omprazole capsule in morning to help appetite.

4. If sleep is also disturbed- chlordiazepoxide 25-50 mg at night is very useful. It is a prescribed drug.

5. Loose stools are part of withdrawal & stop completely after 3-4 days themselves. Nothing should be done to stop them. In case of severe loose stools: one can take electrolye supplements or ORS , water regularly all day long. Prevent dehydration.

6. Try to be busy with something...take a walk if possible or talk to someone who is sober or see a movie or listen a song...sitting idle makes withdrawal more difficult.

You have done a very right and healthy thing in leaving drugs...now have courage and stay focused...all these problems are just for few more days. The worst part is for first 2-3 days & you have already crossed that...now only minor is left!

Good luck and have speedy recovery.
Please ask more questions for any clarification.

Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

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Brief Answer:
lorazepam or chlordiaxepoxide or zolpidem

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Three bottles rexcof and last use was three days back.. so, ideally you should take aceclofenac 150mg ( for pain ) three times a day and add two more tablets if needed.

For sleep- you can take zolpidem 12.5mg or chlordiazepoxide 25-50 mg or lorazepam 4mg ( which ever is easily available in your area). These are prescribed medications.

Try to eat what ever you can & dont bother about loose stools if you have..continue to eat and take adequate fluids.

If pain is very distressing- you may go for injection of aceclofenac 150mg with perinorm 5 mg. And repeat it next day ( if needed).

Also, add clonidine 0.1 mg three times a day and reduce one tablet daily till it finishes. It is a prescribed medication. This will prevent rise in blood pressure in withdrawal. Do not take it if blood pressure falls below 90/60mm of Hg.

Discuss all about this with your doctor.

Good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

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Brief Answer:
liquid/ good diet/ multivitamin and walk

Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are very right, one feels weak during withdrawal...but I would like to tell you that very soon you will start feeling good & healthy.

Take lots of liquid, water, juice, fruits and veggies..
Take walnuts and almonds in daily diet.

Add a good multi vitamin in your daily regimen for another 6 months. They really are very useful.

Try to avoid tea, coffee or liquor.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Take a walk regularly...may be join a gym

the fastest way to recovery is this only...do not depend on medicines completely as they would harm in long run.

Almost all my addiction patients get well with these measures. First is liquids, then diet and multivitamin and then when body allows- start walk or gym.

Good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

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