Misc Codeine and combinations

[jadegreenteapot]

I have a question concerning codeine. I was recently prescribed codeine for pain issues, but take only 1 20mg pill of codeine phosphate per day (should take more). I had/have no opiate tolerance, so it's kind of hitting me. Now, I just took the codeine, but I have a birthday tonight (it's 11 am here). I'm assuming I'd be OK to drink, but I want to make absolutely sure. I know it's a newbie question, but better safe than sorry.

Additional question: that same doctor who told me to take 3x20mg of codeine phosphate a day earlier prescribed me temazepam 20mg to take up to three times a week. Isn't that quite dangerous? Sometimes I get the feeling she has so many patients that she only skims over the files, and I know the pharmacy doesn't double check because I've gotten weird prescriptions before.

If it helps: I'm 58 kgs, 1,77 m tall and female, have low blood pressure

 

[Changa707]

I think you would be fine combining 20 mg codeine with alcohol, as long as you keep it under 20 ml alcohol consumed...so that is about 1 beer. As per the temazepam, I would not combine alcohol..temazepam..and codeine together in one.

But if you want to combine the temazepam with the codeine that will be ok as long as you are familiar with the effects of each drug individually. If 20 mg temazepam makes you KO I would not combine it with codeine...but if 20 mg T gives you a nice relaxing feeling then you may want to add some codeine to add to the buzz.

So it sounds like you are relatively new to this, so i'm not sure exactly what you are trying to achieve...a buzz, or theraputic effects?

 

[jadegreenteapot]

Like I said, they were prescribed to me for legitimate reasons, just want to know if 1. I can take 20 mg of codeine in the morning and drink normally in the late evening and 2. whether it's safe to take 3x20 mg of codeine in one day and then take 20 mg of temazepam as prescribed! Because it doesn't sound safe to me, especially since I'm new to codeine and practically never take the temazepam even if I should (because I don't want dependence)

 

[Changa707]

So what exactly are you prescribed the codeine for, just out of curiosity? If you take codeine, just don't take it alongside the temazepam...wait at least 6 hours after your last codeine dose to take the temazepam (before bed im guessing).

Also, if you take 20 mg codeine in the morning you don't have to worry about drinking in the evening.(just don;t take the codeine whilst drinking because you have low tolerance and don't want to risk lethal respiratory depression...although it would typically require rather large doses of codeine and alcohol)

 

[jadegreenteapot]

Ok thanks Was prescribed codeine for a cough (not even joking) which I think is very strange because the cough is due to trouble breathing, also I have brain damage, all reasons not to prescribe codeine as far as I know... I don't think my doc is very good. It does help with the cough though, I'll give her that.

 

[Changa707]

What sort of cough do you have? It is actually very common to prescribe opiates for cough...codeine, hydrocodone, & hydromorphone are all used for cough because they induce respiratory depression (moreso than thebaine derived opioids like oxycodone).

But if you want to avoid opiates just stick with dextromethorphan (OTC medication, aka DXM)...it is a morphian derivative which is very effective for cough and colds. You could combine the codeine with the dxm and it would help keep your tolerance to opiates down also.

 

[jadegreenteapot]

A cough I got after smoking (probably extra sensitive due to palsy), but none of that was really factored in, strangely enough. It's not like I have a cold.

 

[Changa707]

Not sure how palsy factors in, but I couldn't imagine it is dangerous. As long as you are not allergic to codeine you will be ok..and it seems like so far you have not experienced any negative symptoms.
But yes opioids are generally prescribed for painful and dry coughs.

 

[LilikoiMoon]

Play it safe, especially with LBP. I find it odd too that your Dr. would RX that combo, especially when you have LBP.

 

[jadegreenteapot]

Play it safe, especially with LBP. I find it odd too that your Dr. would RX that combo, especially when you have LBP.

Thanks. Not sure what LBP is, google was not very helpful and gave me several LB-abbreviations connected to palsy. I have cerebral palsy, hemiplegia to be exact.

 

[Changa707]

Might want to take a drug that increases your blood pressure, because opiates tend to decrease blood pressure. But it shouldnt be a big deal with small amounts of codeine.

 

[jadegreenteapot]

Ahh I understand now, thanks. I think I'm going to stop using the codeine altogether though. I'm getting tolerant extremely fast and getting super itchy and after I take it I become very irritated and angry. Yesterday someone accidentally bumped into me at a party and I just started yelling and made an ass of myself. The codeine helps with the cough and my chronic headache but it's not worth it, especially since my dad was addicted to H. Thanks for the advice guys. Just thinking btw, maybe the irritability is due to the aggravated LBP?

 

[Changa707]

Ahh I understand now, thanks. I think I'm going to stop using the codeine altogether though. I'm getting tolerant extremely fast and getting super itchy and after I take it I become very irritated and angry. Yesterday someone accidentally bumped into me at a party and I just started yelling and made an ass of myself. The codeine helps with the cough and my chronic headache but it's not worth it, especially since my dad was addicted to H. Thanks for the advice guys. Just thinking btw, maybe the irritability is due to the aggravated LBP?

This is interesting that you are already experiencing the irritability-side of opiates so early on into your use....I remember it wasn't for years of sporadic hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine use that I began to experience irritability (especially when coming down).

Oxycodone is probably the worst for me when it comes to mood...I will get quite angry sometimes over the smallest things, and want to get away from people generally. However, I have never really experienced this irritablity with codeine, even at dosages over 100 mg at once.

I don't think the irritablity is due to LBP....this symptom you speak of his very common amongst opiate users, and what makes opiate addiction so much more...the fact that you tend to distance yourself from people.

The only opiates that seem to make me sociable are the ones that also have effects on serotonin (ie. Demerol, Tramadol, Kratom)....those three can be great for social events and sex imo!

Ps. If you are having trouble with itching try taking 25 mg diphenhydramine with your codeine next time.

 

[jadegreenteapot]

Might be the palsy aggravating the effects? Or because my organs are different due to the palsy? I honestly have no idea why, but I respond very strongly and bizarrely to anything mind-altering, took me a year of drinking coffee every day to stop sweating buckets and staying up all night after one cup in the morning (not even joking). I also never build up any alcohol tolerance. So in that light it's not surprising to me that I respond in a more volatile way than another person would, even though I don't know how to explain it myself? But yeah, I find myself unable to control my snapping and getting way more irritated than I should over small things, yelling at a simple RPG if I encounter a monster, etc.
Thanks for the itching tip!