Codeine For Anxiety?

[Bedbug]

You can get it over the counter in Canada.

In the UK too. At least, in combination with ibuprofen, paracetamol, cough syrups, etc. I don't think you can buy it on its own.

 

[Bedbug]

as time went by I found that sometimes - my heart would pound like crazy and I would feel crazy anxious.

I wonder if this was a symptom of your dependency on the codeine, rather than an affect of the codeine itself.

the constipation problems except to say - Quel drag!

Ha ha! Yes, I remember that.

 

[Laurajayne27]

I also find the odd codeine has calmed my anxiety when taken for physical pain. As long as it's just every now and again. Obviously you are now aware of addiction problems. Stay safe.

 

[Nonexistent]

I'm a naturalist so here's my 2 cents.

For relieving anxiety, mint helps me, as simple as it may sound. Also physical movements to calm down. Oh, and yelling, yelling is the best. Singing and music are classic. Cats, also cats.

 

[Bedbug]

I just read the leaflet in the box:

"Codeine, an opiate, is used as an antitussive, analgesic, antihypertensive, sedative, anti-anxiety, and anti-diarrheal drug."

So, taking it for anxiety is not "off label". However, it can cause this paradoxical reaction:

Codeine may cause the following symptoms that are related to panic attacks (sudden, time-limited experience of extreme anxiety that may cause racing/pounding heart; light-headedness; nausea; sweating; trouble catching breath; hyperventilation/rapid breathing; numbness/tingling; sensation of doom; trembling/shaking; people having panic attacks can feel as though they are dying, going insane or, having a heart attack):

• Agitation/excitation.
• Anxiety.
• Drug withdrawal symptoms. Especially if drug is stopped or dose is lowered too quickly
• Restlessness

I don't fancy taking the chance. In any case, my pills are long out of date.

 

[Bedbug]

physical movements

I have found that exercise often helps with the physical symptoms of anxiety. It seems to "make use" of the adrenaline and energy and burns it off quicker. Today, however, I went beyond general anxiety into full-on panic attack while experiencing a flashback. I needed to focus on not acting out, so exercising would not have been appropriate. I needed stillness. That was why I wondered about taking codeine.

Cats, also cats.

Oh, yes! :-)

 

[Nonexistent]

Yes, I understand. Those things are all only temporary, until you deal with the source itself...

 

[Maggiemay]

I am prescribed codeine for physical pain - primarily sciatica. I also suffer from fybromyalgia and although not prescribed foe it directly, it helps. I try and be good and not use it everyday and try only taking 1 dose but the difference it makes is big. Because it reieves pain primarily, it in turn makes me feel relaxed :D

 

[susieb]

I have codeine for pain relief. I've never felt any difference in anxiety levels while on it. Diazepam ma...

I know exactly what you're talking about. I had stitches in my toes and was prescribed Lortab's for the pain. The helped the pain but also put me in a welcomed state of calm. Made me actually feel human
again. I had no anxiety, no depression and no extreme irritation which I feel every day. My question to anyone... Is there a medication that can suppress these feelings that isn't a narcotic?

Hi, I know that you will probably already know this but:

Do not under any circumstances take the codeine. If it has hi...

So what would you recommend or the anxiety depression and constant irritation?

I don't think it's a good idea to ask anyone on the Internet about taking a controlled substance off la...

You are so right but I thought this was just a forum nothing more.. Just to see if anyone else
has the same problems you do. Then we should all speak to our doctors. Maybe this will give people
the words to tell the doctor just what is happening if they cant find them on their own. You know what I mean?

 

[mary gold]

Of course you can take a codeine you have on hand for anxiety, ( I m an RN and drugs come in categories) the category of opioids has pain relieving & anti anxiety effects that is why doc prescribe them!

 

[Steve75]

Hi, I know that you will probably already know this but:

Do not under any circumstances take the codeine. If it has hi...

Get off your high horse. I'm having a panic attack now and it's the weekend so I can't go to my doctor. If codeine would mellow me out till Monday then hell yeah down the hatch. Couple of days won't get you addicted.

 

[Chava]

Of course you can take a codeine you have on hand for anxiety

Really hard for me to understand why anyone (RN or whatever) would tell someone online that they can take opioids off-label for anxiety. I'm on a small amount of tramadol for chronic pain. It is a terrible go-to med for anxiety because you become hooked on the mellow pink cloud and it does not last long without increasing doses. Take at your own risk but I wouldn't tell anyone to take an opioid medication off label for anything. They should be used only as prescribed, and then even quite carefully and responsibly when used for pain. Don't mess around with them. And don't ask an internet forum to validate your off-label use of opiate medications. You are completely responsible for your decisions. If you wouldn't ask a doctor, you already know it's a sketchy choice and are just looking for someone...anyone...to tell you it's "okay". Well, probably not. But that's all for none of us to tell anyone here.

Personal responsibility lays on the individual willing to take meds off-label without consulting their doctor. And anyone giving them advice here, like telling them it's okay, might better serve others through responding to other posts.

I realize this is an old thread, but for anyone reading: if your current anxiety meds aren't working, instead of asking an internet forum if you could take your opioid pain meds for anxiety (no, doctors do not prescribe opioids for anxiety), how about talk to your doctor and find an anxiety med that works for you. There are some meds prescribed off label for anxiety, such as gabapentin (an anti-convulsant...I also take this for pain), but that's a discussion for your doctor, not the internet. But opioids are not prescribed off-label for anxiety. Are they abused off-label for anxiety? Sure. Prescribed that way? No. If you know your doctor would not approve, don't seek approval from an internet forum.