warning to all Nurofen Plus or OTC codiene pain meds...please read and view picture..

[Antagonistix]

Hi all,

I've introduced myself on the NMI thread, and been posting here for a few days now and got a lot out of this place.
Thanks for all your support.

So I thought id share my horror story with Nurofen Plus/codiene addiction her as a warning.
It almost killed me.

I've been a codiene user for 6 years and probably a a serious addict for 3 or so.

Any way, I ued to get prescribed strong 500/30 tablet painkillers for back ache.
I got a buzz out of them so I started going through my monthly prescriptions in no time.
So i would buy nurofen plus tablets. The highest codiene content tablets available her in the UK. Ibuprofen based so the harm wasn't instantly noticeable, I had omeperazole which prevented stomach ulcers but it was lower down dammage was being ddone.

Net result. Burst intestine, Burst abdominal wall,.
This was after 3rd or 4th hospital admission, also I was having kidney failure, losing protiene and potassium and other vitals in my urine.

Then I had an emergency hospital admission with serious stomach ache.
Peritonitis I was told, basically, a completely infected intestinal system.

I had to have 5 major surgwries, nd still had a huge gaping wound.
Please see pic, which is a month after healing. 2 months after surgery.
Story isn't over yet, I've just had another surgery a year later to regraft abdominal muscles, and reconstruct my abdominal wall.

The reason im telling this story, is that this can happen to many opiod users, through constipation alone so beware.

Please see picture.

I'll be happy to help where i can. A few people have been asking why im so desperate for sleep and aafter euphoria, well I hope u guys can understand now.'but please don't follow in my footsteps.

NSFW:

 

[Ashley]

You poor bugger.

What caused this? Excessive ibuprofen?

 

[Antagonistix]

You poor bugger.

What caused this? Excessive ibuprofen?

Well friend, it was a combination of a couple of things. Yes mainly over use of ibuprofen, which knackered my kidneys. But also, and please ALL opiod users beware of this, chronic constipation added to the overall conditions you see here.
A burst abdominal wall caused by peritonitis, which has a less than 5% survival rate.

I hope this post serves to put off codiene pill swallowing, and specially here, now that CWE is feasible, people switch to that. The problem is that not many people know about this !

Still being a druggy if that's the right words to use, I still seek getting high but i now try to do it safely !

 

[tenderjuice]

Shit I was just about to go and buy some due to running out this morning. Ive noticed Ive been taking them more and more lately. I really hope you get better. You poor thing. Thats so bad. Unbelievable. How much were you taking and over how long?

 

[Antagonistix]

Shit I was just about to go and buy some due to running out this morning. Ive noticed Ive been taking them more and more lately. I really hope you get better. You poor thing. Thats so bad. Unbelievable. How much were you taking and over how long?

I was taking for over 5 years, but medical issues started just 2 years in I think. Lost potassium like crazy, got very weak, weight loss etc..
At my peak I was taking between 64 to 90 tabs a day, but that was rare.

Most days just one packet of 32.

Please stop now, go on to the CWE method, explained in many posts here, just search CWE, then u can safely get the codiene from those tablets.
Beware though N+ in my experience is the hardest to do CWE on.

Start oñ generic co codamol, very simple and quick.

Please let me know how u get on, I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through what I did. Not for ANY high.

Ant - good luck friend.

 

[maxalfie]

The OP is a good reminder that we always think that bad stuff will never happen to us cos it always happens to other folk.
But we can never say for certain that one day we could just be that person that bad shit happens to.
Be careful out there people.

 

[Tryptamine*Dreamer]

I hope you get better soon, that sounds like a really terrible ordeal. It would be hard/impossible for me to imagine what going through such physical trauma would be like as I have never experienced anything remotely that bad. I don't even know if my mental state during suicide attempts could come close to the pain you must have gone through (just so you know, my latest severe depressive episode ended abruptly about a week ago and I have mostly been happy since, wish the same was true for you.

It sounds like you are incredibly lucky to still be alive (I assume you do not want to die but I could be wrong). I have heard of people dying from constipation from opiates and other causes. Seeing how much trouble they have caused you, please be very careful if/when you use in the future. If you do use them, perhaps combining the opiate(s) with a laxative might prevent it from happening again, using the lowest dose of laxative that is effective and trying one of the milder ones with few side effects. Don't know if it would work. If you do still use or resume use, do yourself a favor and stop at the first sign of constipation. If anyone here has tried using laxatives to prevent or stop opiate induced constipation, it might help this guy if you give him some info on the efficacy of mixing them. I personally see no reason why it would not help but I can't claim knowledge there.

Also, if the ibuprofen played a major role, you could buy the kind with paracetamol and do a cold water extraction to remove nearly all the paracetamol. Paracetamol is not very water soluble and get less soluble as water temperature drops. The codeine dissolves well in water. Just crush the pills, mix well in a cup maybe a third full of water (amount depends on how many pills), chill in the freezer until water is cold and clear or almost clear. The paracetamol and pill binders will be at the bottom of the cup and you can remove the codeine containing liquid for use. A shot glass might be better than a cup. Please understand I am not recommending you to do this, I'm just trying to come up with potentially safer ways to use than your current method if you do choose to use.

I have never used codeine much. Maybe codeine is worse than most opiates at causing constipation. I don't know the answer. I primarily have used hydrocodone and poppies. I've never had constipation from opiates. Before starting opiates I had diarrhea more often than not though which I'd still have a couple days a week on average when I use lots of opiates so I've never needed to try anything to treat opiate induced constipation.

Whatever you do, just make sure you stop at the first sign that problems could be brewing. If you stop at the first sign of trouble, you could probably start back again after a good break with limited risk as long as you keep listening to your body and don't put your body through punishment and peril for the sake of a high.

I honestly do not think I would have the willpower or strength to make it through what you've been through. I would surely die in that situation.

Edit: I see you already knew about CWE of pills

 

[RobotRipping]

sounds terrible; it's a good reminder that you should do your research before consuming drugs. CWE has been known for a long time and if done properly will avoid most of these terrible issues. Unfortunately the people who really need to learn about the dangers of ibuprofen/acetaminophen probably don't frequent these forums and just take their pain meds because the doctor prescribed them.

I do hate the constipation opiates give me and i'm careful to take magnesium every day and laxatives when necessary.

^personally i find codeine causes far less constipation than other opiates, i could have a great shit once a day while on it, still i never go more than 1 day without having a shit, after getting hemorrhoids i have learned my lesson.

 

[Antagonistix]

TD, thank you for such a supportive post. Im really glad I found this site in time.
Firstly im really sorry to hear about your severe depression and i can empathise because i suffer from it also. Its reactive for me.
I guess now I am a bluelighter, I can tell you a bit more about me. You see I was a highly successful senior professional in the telecoms field, director level, when all this trouble started. Due to drugs, I lost EVERYTHING. A long story, but i ended up in the state of which you have seen on the picture, last year.
But I've been sick and unable to work for 5 years or almost that. The depression this left me with was yes, almost suicidal and i did think about it. Im in my mid 40s now, but been using some form of intoxicating agent excessively since i was a teenager, like a lot of people here I guess. Im guessing though that your depression is probably also reactive and drug induced, similar to mine.
The problem I have is that i am addicted to being high. I just can't seem to be able to survive without knowing I can escape from reality or whatever at least once or twice a week.

However, I have learned many lessons. I haven't touched codiene now for 3 days, even though I learned and tried CWE, its one goal I wish to achieve, is to be opiate free.
Im currently taking benzos but only been on them a week because i was addicted to zopiclone and overdosing them. You see people don't understand, how bad it feels to not be able to sleep when you have suicidal levels of depression. Im sure you know what i me,.
So im conti using to search for a safer solution. This place has taught me benzos long term is bad so I wont be renewing my supply next week. I'll be trying temazepam though. The reason for this is because I don't want to be ch#sing a high all the time, so if I can get a tiny high from a sleeping pill, its my safest option.

Anyone else got any better ideas please say.

I am improving daily. My final reconstructive surgery was in the end of may, im in recovery.

Its was my birthday a couple days ago so I've got a little celebration this weekend. I've posted about it. Im going to be safe as much as possible but I need it after the crap ive been through.

And you know mate, what saved my life in the end were probably my 2 kids. I couldn't leave them behind. Alone. And i know how it feels, my father died of cancer just 3 months back. Can u believe this shit!,,!!

Well I've probably rattled on too much about me but thanks for your support and you're lucky not to get constipation, as I know even heroin users have this issue.

But wise people learn from others mistakes. I don't think opiates are worth it as other after drugs are available.
This place helps put it all I perspective but one this g I know. Once you're a junk, you are for life. You can just vary the amounts.

Best of luck dude, and thanks again.

And RR, does magnesium work, as alot of laxatives don't work well for me but i am hoping to get over opiates one day. Its the PAWS that gets me each time but if i have an alternative, then I can avoid. The recent surgery has motivated me to do it. Give up opiates. Now I got benzos to deal with and sleep issues. ,!!

Cheers
ANT

 

[RobotRipping]

yeah magnesium works pretty well for constipation, i have a BM once a day and i drink poppy seed tea twice a day, so i am otherwise insanely constipated. Magnesium has other benefits as well, like reducing anxiety and muscle tension. It can also prevent tolerance to opiates/benzos.

have you looked into kratom? it's an interesting plant, although i am careful about recommending it as some people end up dependent/addicted to it but IMO it has far less potential for disaster than codeine. I think kratom is a great maintenance med, helps you to focus, gives you energy, relaxes you and fulfills that constant desire to be high. I'd consider it but tread with caution as it is still an opioid of sorts. It's also pretty constipating but if you try magnesium (citrate or chelated is recommended) then it's probably quite manageable.

definitely be careful with benzos, i'd take a serious opiate withdrawal over a benzo withdrawal.

 

[Antagonistix]

Hey RR,

Ill try poppy seed tea but isn't it an opiate Or?
And this kratom , i take it is a high producing intoxicated ?

Can't be as bad as codiene or morphine.

 

[Tryptamine*Dreamer]

^
active ingredients in poppies are morphine and codeine.
kratom either contains opiates or something that feels very similar to them, though it can be a bit psychedelic if you use enough.

Temazepam is actually a benzodiazepine and IMO is stronger dose for dose than alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and phenazepam. Nitrazepam is the only benzo I've used that I like about as well as temazepam. Temazepam or nitrazepam is my favorite benzo. Perhaps I am just unusual in feeling that way about it.

Just a quick read on Lunesta seems to indicate that even after up to six months of nightly use, nobody in a group of patients showed signs of tolerance or dependence. This might be a better choice than temazepam or other benzos. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunesta

Lunesta is chemically similar to Ambien but I have heard from a couple of people that the effects are quite different. Both drugs work similarly to benzos. They can also worsen depression as can most or all benzos.

If you just want something to help you sleep without getting high, I have found Trazadone to work better for me than zolpidem/Ambien and Temazepam.
Some tricyclic antidepressants also work better for me than any benzo, benzo-like drug, phenobarbital, or anything I have used for sleep except for the OTC supplement phenibut. I have used amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and doxepin - all very effective. Downside is you'll likely feel drowsy during the day.

Phenibut is the most effective sleep aid I have ever used. I enjoy the high I get from it at least as much as a benzo high. 4-5 grams of it will make me sleep soundly all night and 1-2 grams is effective for anxiety. It is completely legal and OTC too. It is very easy to find online because it is sold as a dietary supplement by a number of places that sell herbal and chemical supplements. Some offline health food stores or supplement stores may have it. GNC may even sell it, I don't know.

As is said, a number of things work better for me than benzos and similar drugs. I can take 12mg alprazolam/Xanax, 150mg temazepam, 100mg zolpidem/Ambien, 487.5mg phenobarbital, 2.5 grams primidone (it is mostly converted to phenobarbital after ingestion), 20mg clonazepam/Klonopin, or 6 carisoprodol pills (don't remember the dose per pill) is not enough to reliably put me to sleep. This is not due to tolerance either. The first time I tried a benzo or any drug with a similar mechanism of action was with diazepam/Valium. I took a typical dose and felt very little. I raised it to 50mg and the effects were still pretty weak. Doubling that to 100mg gave a moderate, pleasant high. I think I'd need 200-300mg of diazepam to get strong effects that would make sleep come more easily.

 

[footscrazy]

Antagonistix, I'd avoid poppy seed tea if I were you. You'll generally be receiving a much higher dose of opiates in a poppy seed tea than you would using even 90 codeine pills. I think that in your case, using poppy seed tea will worsen your habit, in terms of raising your tolerance and increasing, or causing, withdrawals if you don't get them already. The long half life of poppy seed tea means that a habit with withdrawals can develop even if you use just 3 times a week, and similarly, the withdrawals are much longer and drawn out than an opiate like codeine.

What are the long term implications of this condition? Will you require another surgery? Does it cause you any limitations, in walking for example? And does it still hurt? I really wish you all the best

Have you tried meditation to help with your depression and sleeping problems? I've found mindfullness meditation probably the single most effective tool in recovering from a truly horrible period in my life, when I was suffering from severe anxiety, panic attacks and was suicidal.

Also,

Also, if the ibuprofen played a major role, you could buy the kind with paracetamol and do a cold water extraction to remove nearly all the paracetamol. Paracetamol is not very water soluble and get less soluble as water temperature drops. The codeine dissolves well in water. Just crush the pills, mix well in a cup maybe a third full of water (amount depends on how many pills), chill in the freezer until water is cold and clear or almost clear. The paracetamol and pill binders will be at the bottom of the cup and you can remove the codeine containing liquid for use. A shot glass might be better than a cup. Please understand I am not recommending you to do this, I'm just trying to come up with potentially safer ways to use than your current method if you do choose to use.

Cwe's must be filtered. Simply letting the powder settle carries a far greater risk of ingesting harmful amounts of paracetamol or ibuprofen.

The best/safest way is to dissolve the pills, then filter through a wet tightly woven shirt, then again through two wet coffee filters at once. Then you can place it in the freezer to let any remaining paracetamol/ibu settle at the bottom. For interest's sake, below is the mg of paracetamol dissolved in ml of water at degrees celcius. Source.

0 - 7.21mg
5 - 8.21mg
10 - 9.44mg
15 - 10.97mg
20 - 12.78mg
25 - 14.90mg

Ibuprofen is much less water soluble, less than 1mg dissolves at 25 degrees.

 

[RobotRipping]

Hey RR,

Ill try poppy seed tea but isn't it an opiate Or?
And this kratom , i take it is a high producing intoxicated ?

Can't be as bad as codiene or morphine.

i wouldn't recommend poppy seed tea, it is much stronger than codeine itself and it causes a pretty big dependence. I only use it as it is the lesser of all evils for me and it's incredibly cheap. I think my post may have been confusing lol. I was referring to magnesium in the first paragraph. Poppy seed tea is incredibly constipating so probably not a great idea in your case.

Kratom will give you a high but it's not really intoxicating, it's quite subtle but enough to avoid cravings. Kratom can be sedating and/or stimulating depending on the strain and dose used, so it has more applications if you're trying to live a functional life. I only recommend it if you just have to be high and are trying to reduce the damage that getting high brings to your life.

 

[Antagonistix]

Antagonistix, I'd avoid poppy seed tea if I were you. You'll generally be receiving a much higher dose of opiates in a poppy seed tea....

What are the long term implications of this condition? Will you require another surgery? Does it cause you any limitations, in walking for example? And does it still hurt? I really wish you all the best

Have you tried meditation to help with your depression and sleeping problems? I've found mindfullness meditation probably the single most effective tool in recovering from a truly horrible period in my life, when I was suffering from severe anxiety, panic attacks and was suicidal.

Also,



Cwe's must be filtered. Simply letting the powder settle carries a far greater risk of ingesting harmful amounts of paracetamol or ibuprofen...

0 - 7.21mg
5 - 8.21mg
10 - 9.44mg
15 - 10.97mg
20 - 12.78mg
25 - 14.90mg

Ibuprofen is much less water soluble, less than 1mg dissolves at 25 degrees.

Thanks mate, some useful info. Although im not on 4th day off codiene, and mild withdrawels are kicking in, im adamant to not give in just yet, but if I get weak during the PAWS stage (post acute withdrawel syndrome), I will need this CWE info.
I wont ever, or can't ever take otc pills whole again, even a few. I risk death very easily.

To answer your question, I've been in so much pain, it was unimmaginable, even though they were pumping me full of morphine in hospital I was screaming in agony for days.

But in the last 2 weeks its settled. My last reconstructive surgery has given me a new set of abs, a new six pack!!!
But its all still stitched internally until mid august when they will dissolve.

I dan walk about 10 to 20 yards now, and can finally sit upright.
So im getting there, I can see light at the end of the tunnel.


From you guys advice, and my intentions to,be opiate free means no poppy tea. But I'll try the magnesium. But the constipation shouldn't be an issue if im not on codiene. Btw, my intestines have been repaired Nd remodelled, will take six months to function normally. But im ok really compzritively speaking.

I was damned lucky.

But I have to face the fact that I will always want to get high somehow, every now and than, I have to be realistic so im trying alternatives, from suggestions here. Have to find something with the lest abuse potential and something I'll be happy to do just I ce I. A while. Like I used to have a beer or two once or twice a month.

RR where do I get kratom and how to extract and use it. Is it like valarian root, cos that doesn't work on me, no herbal remedies do, and

Footcrazy mate, I can't meditate, I go into mentke states of depression too easily and can't switch off. Its an issue im trying to tackle but its deep rooted since what ife been through.


Well my birthday bash tonight,

I got a little speed, a little k and some benzos for the come down.
Iw will be a social event just a few friends in my bedroom cos of my limited mobility.
I want to try k, but DONT want hole ir trips, just chatty social, energised conversations fun. In want more of an amphetamine/coke experience from it which i understand is possible in small doses after reading stuff here. Im just wary of taking too much my first time.
BUT I might well avoid it totally, after what I've read here. I hate bad trips or anything similar where im not in control of my mind to that extent. I'll just stick to the speed and later use valium to come down and chill.

Should be safe.

And No opiates.

And TD, my requirement for temazepam is that it will satisfy my high craving, which is usually only short lived daily, ie I don't constantly crave a high. And it will serve its purpose in helping me sleep.
Addiction is a risk I'll have to deal with but its a strategy I want to try next. Just finding it hard to get temazepam, my doc wont give me any. He only give me zopiclone but he doesn't know how much I used to abuse it through high tolerance.

Cheers again guys, a real pleasure chatting to informed fellas.
Stay safe.
ANT

 

[RobotRipping]

^kratom is much different than valerian root; kratom has noticeable effects. The best place to get it is online, unfortunately can't tell you where, as that's a rule here but find some kratom forums and look for vendor reviews, tons of great places are selling fresh kratom. Only buy plain leaf, you basically take a spoonful, throw it in ur mouth and wash it down as quick as possible. I used to put mine in gel caps though as it tastes pretty bad. Don't get into the extracts or you'll run into a problem with them as they are quite strong sometimes and addictive for many people.

 

[Antagonistix]

ok, cheers rr, that's one more on my list to try.
BTW is it known by any other name. I've noticed that lots of british pharma names are different to american ones.

Kratom eh?

Is it another empty stomach jb then.

 

[snare2]

Help!!

Hi Antagonistix,

Am I glad I read your thread.

Been addicted to N+ for 3 years now gradually creeping up to 40-50 at its worst, but taking that amount made me ill.

I too take omaprezole thinking I am being clever, but every 14 days or so I get an attack on the lower bowel. Jeez its painful, I get the runs, feel like I need to go but cant, and eventually I do go. A few times its had blood in it and left me aneamic, the docs are scratching their heads.

I end up really weak for a few days then off I go again, as soon as I take the N+ I feel ok.

Fact is I know its not ok, and after reading your thread I know where I am heading if I continue taking the pills.
I am desperate to stop. Tried cold turkey lasted 2 days, tried weaning but realised I was trying to cut down too many too quick, and now taking the advice from other forums to cut down by a few tablets a week.

I am down to 30 right now, I did try 24 but again the withdrawel was a bit too much.

I am soooo bloody scared. After reading your thread the penny dropped as to why I was getting the attacks in the lower bowel.

Was thinking of getting into an NHS rehab and quick. Addictions are so powerful, letting you think it wont happen to you, delusion total delusion.

Wish I could stop as quick as it started but thats a dream, I have to go through the pain. Can you advise me at all?

When your problems began how long before it got serious? I have been getting the attacks for about 4 months now about every 14-21 days.

If there was something good about these pills I could understand, but like you, I have lost a lot of weight, I look haggard, my hair is dropping out, I am getting rashes on my skin, the stomach problems, my life is a mess and I am just about bankrupt, all for the sake of a little grandious feeling for a few hours.

Hope you can offer some advice, after reading your story I wanted to throw the pills away, but again........little voice saying it'll be ok.....my god!!

Hope you and others can offer advice. I think being able to share and offer support or advice to others is a good way to start getting clean. Your right we will be addicts all our lives, but something inside my head tells me we dont have to use though, there has to be something else and not drugs.

Hope to hear from you

Thanks to other people on here too who have told their stories.

Hi all,

I've introduced myself on the NMI thread, and been posting here for a few days now and got a lot out of this place.
Thanks for all your support.

So I thought id share my horror story with Nurofen Plus/codiene addiction her as a warning.
It almost killed me.

I've been a codiene user for 6 years and probably a a serious addict for 3 or so.

Any way, I ued to get prescribed strong 500/30 tablet painkillers for back ache.
I got a buzz out of them so I started going through my monthly prescriptions in no time.
So i would buy nurofen plus tablets. The highest codiene content tablets available her in the UK. Ibuprofen based so the harm wasn't instantly noticeable, I had omeperazole which prevented stomach ulcers but it was lower down dammage was being ddone.

Net result. Burst intestine, Burst abdominal wall,.
This was after 3rd or 4th hospital admission, also I was having kidney failure, losing protiene and potassium and other vitals in my urine.

Then I had an emergency hospital admission with serious stomach ache.
Peritonitis I was told, basically, a completely infected intestinal system.

I had to have 5 major surgwries, nd still had a huge gaping wound.
Please see pic, which is a month after healing. 2 months after surgery.
Story isn't over yet, I've just had another surgery a year later to regraft abdominal muscles, and reconstruct my abdominal wall.

The reason im telling this story, is that this can happen to many opiod users, through constipation alone so beware.

Please see picture.

I'll be happy to help where i can. A few people have been asking why im so desperate for sleep and aafter euphoria, well I hope u guys can understand now.'but please don't follow in my footsteps.

NSFW:

 

[Ashley]

Please tell me you're extracting those Nurofen Plus into cold water, snare2? If you are not, then start doing so. I fear for your health, and so do you it seems.

Ash.

 

[$ublimaze]

awww man now your taking K and speed? As if your organs havnt had it hard enough! SO what happened, how long did you go without taking a crap before your intestines burst? Ive had to go to the hospital for constipation, and now if it gets bad, I used an enema or CITRAMAG