Hi can anyone help.I have a chronic lumbar complaint and have been taking solpadol 30/500 mg for 2 years, steadily increasing the frequency of dosages and now am completely reliant on them to function normally. I feel deeply ashamed as I have not shared this with anyone and feel dirty and very depressed.
I have tried, with no success, to come off them but feel so down and ill when this happens that I revert straight back to taking them.
This is now blighting my life as well as causing the untold damage to my body, I really need help but going to my GP is not an option I feel comfortable with.
I know I am not on my own, but admitting this is the hardest thing I have ever done as I feel very few people understand the trauma of this and feel stigmatised.

Desperately need to gett off these

Hi all i am hopeful this is the first step to coming off solpadol effervescent 30/500 tablets which are now controlling me.To abbreviate I was prescribed them 2 years ago and my frequency of dosage has risen steadily and I find the side efffects of trying to stop taking them difficult to handle, while at the same time feeling ashamed, depressed and very alone.
Pete

it would be nice to hear from wonderwall again i hope she gave up,
im 10 months off them now !
cold turkey all the way

Hi folks,

Jacky, sing for me whenever you want. X

Dave, yeah, addiction can have far reaching effects, it's not always easy for the addict or those close to them. I think we support best by being an honest reflection of the before and after pictures whilst giving and promoting respect and compassion for all involved.

Downs, the situation for you is uncomfortable - as it is for your partner. For what it's worth, my advice is be clear but non-judgemental in letting her know that you understand she is addicted and cannot help herself. That you are willing to love and support her but she needs to tell you how best to do that - without supporting her addiction, (you won't go to the chemist for her!). Don't look for confrontation or the need to make your point. She needs to both learn and experience a deep trust in you first. Her honesty and openness will come when that is at a level she feels safe and comfortable with.

Louie, 10 months now - does it seem like a different life now? BTW have we ALL come out of hibernation at the same time?

Finally, and importantly...

Petewilf, welcome! You'll learn a lot from the postings in this thread of the forum - it'll take some time reading back but can be worth it.
Many of us empathise with the emotions you feel. Those come on top of the physical pain. In my own case I fractured vertebrae at L3 and L4, and compressed L6 some 17 years ago. That started an auto-immune response and a whole host of other stuff. It still hurts - a lot!

I decided that I am better coping with the pain in my own way rather than relying on tablets which only added another layer of issues, but the feelings of shame and depression you mention are ones I relate to. For me the hard part was having the courage to defy doctors, well-meaning family and still have strength to cope with the extra irritability, withdrawal symptoms and at that time unknown levels of pain. I went cold turkey and being honest had five days of exhaustion, dodgy tummy and heightened awareness of the underlying pain. After that life started to settle down and then get better. The people in this forum were there for me. It meant a lot and still does.

My advice? Think deeply about your situation (like you haven't already, right?) and decide how you can best take it forward. Maybe cold turkey, maybe gradual weaning off, maybe just giving yourself time to be honest with yourself about where you are and where you want to be. Think seriously about support from medical people - they are there to help and can support but you need to tell them honestly what you feel. All of it.

If the GP really isn't an option, do you have a medical walk-in centre or drop-in centre? Do you have a local addiction support agency? Even the NHS help line has offered surprising support on the issue lately.

Finally, come back here, share with us where you are, what you want to do, and your anxieties.

You CAN get through this, and we're rooting for you!

It may have been L5 that compressed and not L6 - I'm at that funny age where I get my vertabrae mixed up a bit

Thanks Jack it is a real comfort to know that what has happened is not unique to me, thats how it feels sometimes as you are probably all too aware.
I have read the posts on here, which are enormously supportive and have decided to take a positive stance.I am going to attempt a gradual reduce in intake, I couldn't come straight off them at present and without setting unreallistic goals, am going to diary my daily regime and intake and make a real effort to steadily reduce useage.
I have,last night, shared my problem with my Father, who was very supportive and already feel much more uplifted for doing that.
He has suggested attending a counselling advice service and will accompany me if I need him to.
I really feel that at my lowest point the only way now is up and realise that this will be a difficult journey but one that will benefit me much more than any medicine.I cannot believe that my GP has prescribed this medication,freely, in 2 x packs of 100 at 3 weekly intervals without any warning other than the heightened risk of constipation, which ironically, has never materialised, quite the opposite in fact. However the blame for this situation lies at my door and not his so I must act to reverse this.
Thanks all for listening, you may or may not know how tremendously helpful this is, a salvation in fact!
Thanks again

Pete

im like a new man jack its weird !
I got so much self belief and willpower from giving them up i then gave
up ciggs easily and joined a gym !
Now im a fitness freak(which helped to rebuild my natural endorphins therefore killing the need for painkillers too)
so id recommend swimming to anyone who is giving them up it helped ease the headaches i got when giving up the solps,
so pete do it and dont wait to do it,
if i were you id take a week or two off work and get into bed
and stay there,
no painkillers of any kind and just get through it its the best way,
any type of compromise as in "i'll cut down or just have 2 wont work
trust me ive been there,
if your serious about giving up just do it,
you wont die it'll just be tough for about 10 days but you have the support of your dad,
and then like me and so many others here you'll be clean and get your life back
good luck and like i said NO COMPROMISE

Thanks Louie,
I've got some annual leave due (12days) so am going to try your approach, starting Wednesday.
I've spoken to my Father and for that period, I am moving into his spare room so at least I will have the support of someone to help me through the hardest bit.
I am serious about this, it has controlled what I do for too long, always making excuses as to why I carry tablets everywhere and if I am honest, which is the starting point now for me, the reason I went onto the soluble tablets was a mental thing, it doesnt actually feel (in my head) as though I am taking tablets when they're diluted by liquid thereby giving me some perverse sense of justification.
I am not expecting this to be easy, (what is?) but the stories and encouragement I have read on here have given me a new focus after half hearted attempts previously.
Just a question, how long after I stop will it take to begin feeling better? I know from past attempts how unpleasant and positively ill I will feel but if I have a tangible end product to aim for it will heighten my resolve.
Once again thanks one and all on here, this has been a revelation for me and I cannot wait to be free of this addiction for good, I am now so determined after reading how it can be done with the required effort and resolve.If I feel like slipping back I will post on here knowing that encouragement is never far away.

Pete

Pete im delighted to hear that i honestly think its the only way and its great your dad is going to be there for you,
if you read back over the thread you will get my entire story but basically
i was hooked on solps and paracetomal for years dealing with rebound headaches,giving up was nasty so expect sleepless nights restless legs and a week on the oul armitage shanks(toilet) and like you i didnt leave the house without tabs,id take 6 while playing a simple game of golf,
but to answer your question i started to feel much better after about 10 days but had a residual headache for another 2 weeks at least,
this is because your natural endorphins have been dormant while solps made you fake ones,it takes time to build them back up,
thats why i suggest swimming after the 10 days,i also used a migrastick from the chemist that had lavender oil in it and you just rub it on your temples it helped ease the headache,
then after about three weeks i was headache free for the first time in about 6 years it was mad,i still carried 2 paracetamol in my wallet for another month fearing i might get a killer migraine but it never happened,
now i have no painkillers in the house and havent had a headache in about 9 months,im so much better for it,
go to a health store and get some milk thistle too and take while you give up the solps,its for the liver and will help rejuvenate any damage thats been done,be strong pete if i can do it you can,
and like i said get your mind ready and primed for no comprimse no matter how bad a rebound headache gets,
it does pass trust me and everyone else here whos done the same thing,
well done and keep going you'll be free soon

Pete,

Sharing the problem with understanding family can be a big help, especially when they are prepared to follow it up with practical support. I also know that just taking the step to share your story and concerns - even with family members - can be a big thing in some circumstances. Often the actual result is much better than the expected result! A big "well done" to you on that step alone!

My own take on counselling is that it has a great potential to help provided you accept that ultimately you take responsibility for the decisions and actions you make. I think counselling can help you clarify your assessment of the current situation, the situation that you would like to be in and the feelings surrounding the whole thing. With that clarity you are then better able to move forward. That "moving forward" may be getting more information before taking any action and it may be saying, "Yes, I see where I am now" and going a whole lot further. Importantly, it may be a case of helping you re-assess yourself and discover that you're a stronger and more capable person than you may have thought. Often that person was there all the time - just hidden away from view on a regular basis!

Louie gave some excellent advice, especially on the exercise. (Nice one Louie!) Yes it does help replace natural endorphins, not only that but it stimulates the limbic system which helps flush toxins from the body. Along with toxins you remove unwanted immune responses and inflammatory and pain responses.

Personally, I've never been one for swimming, although it is excellent exercise and the water gives support for the skeletal-muscular system. In my case I took up regular cycling, it could just as well have been walking, Tai Chi or a myriad of other things. This isn't top-flight Olympic performance stuff - just a little exertion on a regular basis leaving you with raised endorphin and adrenalin levels and a nice rosy glow of self-satisfaction. Cool, huh? :dance:

I read what Louie said about being a fitness freak, and think that's great as a personal choice. At the risk of being over-cautious I would advise that you don't "have" to be a fitness freak. I fully understand where Louie is coming from on this though and would strongly back her message. Regular exercise will show definite benefits, both in physical health and your mental and emotional states. Importantly, your pain levels will likely reduce as time goes on. (Standard terms and conditions apply of course, make sure it's safe for you do such exercise and if in doubt seek professional advice first! ;))

Before I leave the exercise topic, I would mention that in my area the NHS has an exercise promotion and support programme. It means that people with injuries, long-term illness and disabilities can get "paid for" access to leisure facilities, which includes teaching and supported training facilities. It includes warm hydro-therapy pools with physiotherapist support. If such a programme is available in your area, your doctor should be able to put you in touch, or contact your local NHS/primary care trust. You hospital, consultant or pain management clinic may also be able to refer you

I've never looked back, and it all started with accepting that codeine based painkillers won't make me feel better in the long run. It really is great to see that you've already started to take back control of your own life. We're rooting for you Pete!

Jack

Pete,

sound advice from all I believe.

Personally I went for the cold turkey approach and even though I never went anywhere without 3 or 4 doses as back up while still addicted, after the decision was made to quit everything went into the bin.

We are not all the same, and as I was addicted for over a long period of time, ( twenty years fully and over thirty years taking them for migraines), you must work to your own needs.

Family were good & also some of friends that we lost because of this addiction were also told. Some were sympathetic & returned others kept away.

After 8 months of a painkiller free body I am almost normal.

If I could do it I'm sure almost anyone can.

Good health to all.

Dave :soapbox:

Hi all,

I decided after reading the reply form Louie, to start my fight to stop on Friday night, leaving it until Wednesday felt a bit like the other times I have attempted this, kind of prolonging the inevitable and have binned every tablet in the house and gone to stay at my Father's house.
Work is a big struggle and I feel lethargic, irritable and unable to concentrate, almost in another world with people commenting on how unwell I look, which I have passed off as a touch of manflu.
I am having major sleep issues, seems like every two hours through the night I awaken and stay that way for another couple of hours and have had some very bad stomach cramps today.
I look terrible, dark panda eyes and am sweating a lot but its not as bad as I always imagined, I guess this time I really mean it and there is no going back now, the hardest bit is still to come I am sure but I am ready to face this now.
Please believe me , your advice and support have been enormously helpful thus far and will no doubt be needed again soon but I am coping (just) and every hour that passes without a tablet seems like a victory at present.
Thanks again

Pete

Well done Pete your words remind me so much of the thoughts i had at the time i gave up so well done your on the right road,
and dont worry your symptoms are totally normal your body is getting used to life without codeine,
i harldy slept for 10 to 12 days and i was waking up in cold sweats but then one day it was all gone,
i kept saying to myself im not going through this again so I HAVE to give up this time.
Stay strong Pete your on the way if you have any worries or questions you can ask away,
it pleases me to know theres someone else out there breaking the cycle,
try the migrastick or a wet towel on the forehead at night it helped ease my headache for those first few days until it disappears,
and dont lose faith the headache and addiction does disappear

Hello again

Well today has been a real struggle, probably the hardest day so far in truth but still no tablets and staring to feel a little less needy now, probably due to the support of my Father who has been a tremendous help.
Am off work from today for 12 days so I will hole up with some good dvd's and carry on this fight which I now know I will win.
Stomach cramps really bad today, near exhaustion due to sleep depravation but this is all part of the bigger long term benefits I am sure to feel by beating this.
Starting to feel a bit dehydrated, really thirsty and for some bizarre reason needing to visit the toilet frequently which I am sure will pass in time.
Going to see an advisory service on Friday where I am told my confidence is guaranteed and this will help I am sure as they are said to be very supportive and non judgemental which is what I need because the feeling of guilt and shame is still very much to the fore of my emotions at present.
Thanks again everyone and speak again soon.
Pete

Stick with it Pete. You're absolutely right there are bigger long term benefits that you really will appreciate. You can do this!

Jack

PS A Dad like that is something special indeed!

Thats great Pete and like i said all these symptoms and feelings are normal,
and hey dont feel too much shame we were all caught by these supposedly safe and legal drugs,
nobody told me id be physically dependent on them after a week
they should be banned.
Just think when you go back to work you'll be a free man,
try get out for a walk or a swim the sooner your natural endorphins are built back up the better.
Well done Pete its great to see you doing so well

Sleep at last!!!!
Feeling much better today, probably due to the fact that I actually slept 5 hours unbroken and my stomach feels a little more as it should, though still not 100%, which is to be expected.
Not had any wobbles or even taken an anadin, such is the determination to get off these things, I actually believe a lot of it is in the mind now, because the back pain although constant is nowhere near as bad as I remember so these things are an addictive placebo that trick one into feeling better.
Been using forehead strips for the headaches and they really help which is a great relief and dosing up on my Father's Hancocks Half Hour DVD collection which I had previously never seen and which are very funny, if a little dated.
Well I will keep you posted, which I know is a little self indulgent but your posts keep me focussed and reassured and I am sure I am not out of the woods this quickly but all the signs are positive.
bye for now and thanks one and all.

Pete

Hi pete,

Thanks Jack it is a real comfort to know that what has happened is not unique to me, thats how it feels sometimes as you are probably all too aware.
I have read the posts on here, which are enormously supportive and have decided to take a positive stance.I am going to attempt a gradual reduce in intake, I couldn't come straight off them at present and without setting unreallistic goals, am going to diary my daily regime and intake and make a real effort to steadily reduce useage.
I have,last night, shared my problem with my Father, who was very supportive and already feel much more uplifted for doing that.
He has suggested attending a counselling advice service and will accompany me if I need him to.
I really feel that at my lowest point the only way now is up and realise that this will be a difficult journey but one that will benefit me much more than any medicine.I cannot believe that my GP has prescribed this medication,freely, in 2 x packs of 100 at 3 weekly intervals without any warning other than the heightened risk of constipation, which ironically, has never materialised, quite the opposite in fact. However the blame for this situation lies at my door and not his so I must act to reverse this.
Thanks all for listening, you may or may not know how tremendously helpful this is, a salvation in fact!
Thanks again

Pete

Sleep at last!!!!
Feeling much better today, probably due to the fact that I actually slept 5 hours unbroken and my stomach feels a little more as it should, though still not 100%, which is to be expected.
Not had any wobbles or even taken an anadin, such is the determination to get off these things, I actually believe a lot of it is in the mind now, because the back pain although constant is nowhere near as bad as I remember so these things are an addictive placebo that trick one into feeling better.
Been using forehead strips for the headaches and they really help which is a great relief and dosing up on my Father's Hancocks Half Hour DVD collection which I had previously never seen and which are very funny, if a little dated.
Well I will keep you posted, which I know is a little self indulgent but your posts keep me focussed and reassured and I am sure I am not out of the woods this quickly but all the signs are positive.
bye for now and thanks one and all.

Pete

Hi Pete
you're really going great.

this is my first visit and I've been totally enlightened by everything I have read.
I have no doubt that our ordinary friends would be chuckling to themselves if we were to tell them we were addicted to a fizzy drink !!! thus the fear of people "finding out"
really uplifting to read the trauma, pain and private suffering everyone has gone through to simply to get back to the normal state of health we were all in before the pain arrived which necessitated the use of these solps.

I had started to wean off the habit ( having tried unsuccessfully a couple of years ago, problem started back in 1998. 12 years flies !! )

rethinking strategy after absorbing some really stunning comments. get rid of the dependence NOW.

Pete, you'll have another colleague from today. you're a few JSS (subtle calender note if you wish French abbreviation for " Jours Sans Solpadeine")
ahead of me . I'm starting the journey to be FREE now 4th March ...........bring it on...........

others who may be reading this and considering action develop your own personal plan and share the feelings , slips, pain and ultimately SUCCESSES which I have read so much about on this thread

Well done, a friend of mine has a Solpadine addiction - I try to limit my Solpadene intake to once a month (I suffer from Migraines) but because I am lucky enough to have a friend with an addiction I knew from the start to stay clear and be careful - good luck

Well done Joey and good luck,
reducing the intake just doesnt work trust me,
but i think you already know that,
be strong if we can all do it so can you

thanks Louie. everyone who has actually gone through kicking the addiction is a complete hero to me at this point. just past the first 24 hours. every hour is a gain from here. lots of temptations today specially passing regular pharmacy suppliers at lunchtime today, the urge to go in and just buy ( just in case !!! ) was unexpected. ( had to pass 3 of them in village near where I work).
i'm sure each time an urge is suppressed it acts as a building block and barrier to the cravings. looking forward to them diminishing.

Pete , keep posting your progress and continued success
louie keep commenting please. 10 months fantastic. no headaches even in slightly stressful situations workwise or personal relationship wise?

Good morning all,

Yeaterday was a bit of a false dawn, last night was very restless not a great deal of quality sleep but strangely I feel much better in myself today.
Joey welcome on board these pages gave me the spur I needed to start my fight and I am sure that they will inspire and help you too when the going gets hard. Louie's advice works for me, throw out all the tablets and just face it head on and do the cold turkey with all it's unpleasantness.Tonight is my first full week free of these and its getting better everyday I get up and remember what it was like and why I am doing this and it all makes perfect sense so keep on at it and draw strength from everyone on here just as I have.
Good luck comrade!

Pete

Hey Joey well done comrade the hardest part is the inital stopping,
and let me tell you,
the joy you will get from walking past these chemists when the addiction is gone is something else,
and yes i have no headaches at all anymore and i was addicted for years because of rebound headaches, and ive had nothing now in 10 months,
so stay strong,after 10 days the symptoms will grealy ease and after 20 your totally back to normal so stay strong,
look at Pete there he's taking the bull by the horns and is halfway through it now,
well done pete and you will get a few false dawns but trust me when you go back to work you'll be better with just a lingering headache for another week or two and then that'll be it,
i cant advise enough a bit of walking or swimming too for the endorphins they are the key to build them back up,
keep going comrades your winning the war !

5 months +

Hi all,

Just thought i'd pop by and say i have been off solpadene now since september, not had a single one nor want one the addiction has truely left me for good.

Even though i've not had great health since christmas (broken rib, major chest infection with 3 courses of anti-biotics) i feel so much better in my head for ditching the solp's. I swear they make you fuzzy to everything, i just feel much more in control of everything.

If you are reading this and struggling to give up, i know what you are going through. It's a tough road kicking the demon of solp's but it can be done, i've done it and you can too just do it.

Hi Louie and Pete,
thanks for advice. throw them away.......
Have just ceremoniously thrown the few I was keeping in the office drawer ( the "just in case" emergency stock ) into the bin.
Amazed and surprised even, at the lift that gave!
Celebrating with a cup of tea. Feels as if I've just set down another marker and sending a strong message of intent to myself.
Its funny how it works, this brings back all the little tricks I used when giving up cigs around 25 years ago which I had completely forgotten.
i will try some exercise jogging or walking both of which I enjoy.

really great support. keep it up please:o

Good morning all,

Wow what a weekend! Got some good quality sleep, my appetite has returned with a vengeance and stomach feels , well like a stomach should! Still had a few headaches but nothing like the ones I got when I first quit so if you're reading Joey, stick with it 9 days and you start to feel normal again. I know on the scale of problems and addictions that this doesn't probably rank in the higher numbers but for me thats where the problem lies and too many people are ignorant of just how many people are affected by this issue.
With that in mind, these pages are totally invaluable and certainly proved the salvation for me so thanks to everyone who posts here with facts, advice and above all, empathy, you are all wonderful and have been the greatest help to me thus far.

I will now return to work on Wednesday, cautious but refocussed and free of Solps, which I never would have believed , even 3 weeks ago.

Bye for now

Pete

im delighted for you Pete well done,

Hi Pete,
that's huge progress. I'm just behind you , day 5 now, so more than half way to feeling "normal". next weekend should do it.
every day now feels like a significant building block.
I agree with you about the real inspiration gained from reading others words.
I would not have started without their help.
let's know how Wednesday goes..........i'm vert confident you'll be fine. well done.

well done joey good to see a fellow irishman beat the addiction !
Keep it up your nearly there.
I just wish are crappy government would do something about these chemists selling all these addictable products.
You walk into any chemist in Ireland and you see a wall of Solpadeine behind the counter,
on the ads they show the tablets fizzing in the glass,
its worse than a coca cola add,
it really is disgraceful

Hiya solpadiene used to be prescription only until the government decided to allow the population to self medacate to ease GPs surgery times. Just a point the pharmecuitcal companys controll more then we know imho. jaxx