Esgic Plus Addicition

[Rosie61]

I am a complete wreck and need advice.  I have taken Esgic Plus for about 10 years off and on. The last 5 years I am up to at least 10 pills per day.  I want to quit and tried once, but the pain was so horrible and I couldn't concentrate at all.  I have a high profile position in sales, so I have to be on my game and cannot miss work.  However, if I keep it up....at this rate I'll be dead.

Are there any vitamins or herbs I can take.  I plan on trying to wean off again in August because I  have a week off.  I do know this process will indeed take months.  My family is aware of my problem, but no one can help me, but me.  My husband has tried everything to help me, but I hide the pills like a little kid.  I just can't stop on my own.  My sister is going to research some outpatient help when she is here visiting me in a couple of weeks.  It's a catch 22.  I'm a workaholic and don't take any time out for me.  This is how I got this way.

If I can get through 1 week of tapering and then immediately start in group sessions I'm hoping I can stop. The Doctor who originally gave them to me used to give me 100 pills with unlimited refills.  What an idiot!!  He is no longer around.  I think he was originally from Canada. I still find ways to get the pills...it's not too hard.  It's so embarassing I just don't know what to do.  Now my GGT levels in my liver are raised and I'm hoping and praying they will go back down if I stop....can any help with any advise or even words of wisdom going forward?   Thank you for listening.

[joann1975]

Rosie...I am not familiar with the drug you are taking so I am sorry but I can't give you a lot of info on that. However, someone should be along soon that can!

What I do know is this (lol) on the right side of the screen is an option to click on Health Pages there is so much info in there as far as amino acid protocol and the Thomas Recipe. However, since I don't know what your drug is I can't say if it is something you should cold turkey or not for safety reasons.

Welcome to the forum...you will find lots of support here and information here (there is more than just me LOL) and keep posting because you can get through this!!!

JoAnn

[ladyboop]

If I remember right Esgic Plus is a brand name, or just another name for Fioricet. They had tried to give it to me years ago. it has caffine in it. That is why I could not take it..

Is that right Rosie??

Good luck with that. I wish I knew more about it. I know there were some people on here that took the Fioricet like that. Hang in there. People will help you...

  Lady

[sadinmichigan]

I used to take esgic for migraines..as far as that specific medication goes..I'm not sure what the w/ds would be like..but regardless of what the drug is..you have to really want to do this..give the pills to your husband and try to wean now..then go for it in Aug when you can just quit and stay home for a week..either way..it is going to take alot of effort to do this..it won't be something you can just squeeze in when you have time..this forum is a good place to start..there is so much support here..I wish you well..you can do this..and it sounds like you really need to with your liver enzymes elevated..take care..

[joann1975]

OK.....as I typed the earlier message I have "The Pill Book" right here! DUH...just look it up JoAnn... yes you girls are right it is Fiorcet it is acetaminophen + butalbital + caffeine. The book does say it can become habit forming and could have wd symptoms to contact your doctor before stopping suddenly. Of course I think her Dr is gone.... I have read that you should not stop barbiturates cold turkey....so Rose I would say tapering...and possibly contacting a dr would be the best idea.
There is my 1 cent + what the book said!
JoAnn

[Rosie61]

Thanks for your kind words and advice.  I'm going to really put my mind to it. It is the same as Fiorcet that is correct.....which is why I'm sure my liver enzymes are so high.  There is a lot of acetaminophen.

If you know anyone who has ever sucessfully got off this drug and stayed off that would be helpful.  

Since I have never been to rehab, where is the best place to start looking for some sort of outpatient program?  Thanks!

[joann1975]

Glad you are doing this...not sure of anyone who has done this but someone may come along that has.... thought I had read about it the other day!

I would google your town's name with outpatient rehab....and see what you come up with. I don't know any other way to look.

Good luck and please keep posting!
JoAnn

[Rosie61]

I will keep everyone posted.  I have struggled with certain addictions throughout my life.  Growing up in the early 80's in my 20's at the time ...you can only guess what I was exposed to.  I am very insecure. People don't understand.  They tell me how beautiful  I am and how much I have going for me. Being attractive and doing well in life does not help with addiction.

I'm the bread winner in our family (just my husband and I) as I make more than he does. This responsibility is very stresful. I started to track when I take the pills.  Many times I take them when something has upset me with work, home or family. When you go off of these pills ...as I tried once before "cold turkey" your body cannot function because it affects your central nervous system.  I have a very long haul here.

I read about something last night entitled the "Executive 7 day Rehab"  Where it gets you started and then you follow the program from an outpatient schedule.  I have so  much coming up with work in the next 8 weeks.  My plan is to decrease very slowly.  I pray by August I can start rehab.  I hope insurance covers this or I'll be back to square one. Certainly, if I continue down this path I will die.  It's way too hard on my body for way too long.  It's time to stop, but it's a very lonely process.

[joann1975]

I understand how hard it is to stop no matter what your DOC is. I also know how lonely it can be. I wish I had come clean to my husband sooner b/c he was SO understanding. He always is about everything but to me my addiction seemed so dirty and shameful.

You do have a lot on your plate that does not make it any easier for you. I would just keep tapering down for now the best you can and try to get into rehab. That will be so much help to you! I think most insurance plans do cover it but it is at a lower rate than your normal benefits. (i worked at a major health ins co. for years and that is how it was at that time)

Best of luck...please keep posting!

JoAnn

[Fen871]

Hi  Rosie my name is Fen 871 you will find me under fiorcet addiction.  I had just cut down my self form 30 to 8 I did 8 for one whole month then down to 7 1/2 a day right now in feel good in another monthe down to 7 you should ask you husband to hold your pills in a safe in lock them up and only he can get into the safe and give you your dose every day. That is what I do and write down in a journal every day Plus I walk every day it really helps. I know you are having a hard tiime but you can do this I was the same way get upset in started taking more pills but this only makes things harder in the long run. So if you can take a walk wrtie down your feelings don't have to share them just write what your heart feels. then go back once and a while and read what you wrote in your jornal and you will see how strong you really are. I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!! BEST OF LUCK IN HOLD ON DON'T GO BACKWARDS GO FORWARDS!!!!!!

[Fen871]

That was 20 to 8 pills sorry made typo error now to 7 1/2

[worried878]

Tapering is recommended with barbituates so write urself out a taper that is doable, hand ur pills over to ur hubby and go for it...i am not sure how nmany u take each day but u could drop a pill a week or whatever u feel comfortable with and go from there...stay positive and keep posting...addction is a nasty disease but it is something we can control if we set our mind to it

[Rosie61]

Thanks for the support here! I really appreciate it. I didn't do too well on Tuesday. My boss was in town and we went on joint visits.  The thing is that I remember when I was able to do all of my work and more without these stupid pills.  I am probably up to 15-20 pills a day.  It's so hard and I have been trying.  I am starting a journal as of today.  Once I take the pill, I am going to write down why I did.  

Typing this I am in tears knowing there are people out there who can understand this.  It's so hard for anyone who has never been addicted to understand.  I woke up at 5 am today and it's 11:00 am............I already took 5........why?  I wish I knew, but I can't answer that.  And.........when I don't take them my sense of humor and wit are on. The old me......the one every one knows and loves.  This me is the drug addict me.....same, but different.  Talk to you soon!!!

[brownie6366]

I was prescribed the same thing for my headaches.  They make Fiorecet with Codeine is that what you are taking?  When I went to fill my precription I had researched and read that it was only habit forming if it was the type with codeine.  I still haven't taken it because I am fighting the battle against the pain pills (neck injury).  I still take muscle relaxers but that is it for now.

Check with your Dr. to see if they can reduce the mg. and then taper you.

Good luck

[Rosie61]

Hi Brownie,

Actually it's the barbituate that is the worst part in this med.  I sure am trying, but the week of the 21st I go on a trip to my HQ......ugh.  It's always worse when I travel.  This is not easy because I keep reaching for the bottle and asking "why??"  It's helping some.  I put it down.........wait.  Come back and then take 1/2.  I guess it's a start.  Thanks for the good luck wishes.

[Fen871]

Hii Rosie
You are going to beat this battle I know you can just stick in there. Like I said cut down in go for walks and stck to your schedule don't go back. Always look at this way do you want to keep going back I know the answere in no. so if you can just invest in a small same at stapples in make sure to give your meds to your husband in have him lock them up. Then he can give you your daily dose. it makes it a little eaiser you don't have acess to you meds. just give it a try in keep writing a journal it help alot. I;m on 7 1/2 and doing goood there are some weird feelings but I know these will pass. so just hang in there in keep postitive attidude you are a great person in keep telling yourself that. I promise we wll make it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Fen871]

Sorry about the spelling I meant Safe. was trying to type to fast. You should try by just a half every mont then cut it down that is how Im doing it. at first I was taking 15-20 a day but went down to 8 cold turkey was sick for a least a good month. but turst be it got better every day during the 1st month now on second month in down to 7 1/2 in doing great if I feel really bad I have A excedrin in between this seems to help. but I never look back on forward can't wait until the day don;t need them any more which is soon. I have such a loving husband he has stuck by my side he understands what I have gone through. he is the one like I said before that gives me my meds in the morning and I take them through the day. They are locked up in the safe. It is so nice not to have to go through so many pills so fast I see how much is left in the bottle my husbans shows me in i;m so proud of myself. you cand do it to.

[Rosie61]

Hi everyone!

I have an update. My Father passed away in November. I was up to 20 pills per day again. Actually the increase in pills started in August after my husband was laid off after 22 years. Bad news, he still has not find work, so I'm the sole source of income.

I never was able to taper off in August.  I am finally down to 10 pills per day.  My husband monitors my pills every day.  You have to have a VERY strong willed spouse for this to work. I was getting pretty mean at first.  I didn't want anyone cotrolling me.  He's been fantastic and if anyone needs any advice please ask me. I can't seem to get past the 10 pill a day mark. I do try, but I use the excuse to take the 10 every day without tapering as an excuse because now I'm going through probate with my Father's property and the siblings are at each other every day.  This is a HUGE accomplishment for me nonetheless.  I hope to get down to 5 by summer. It's not easy, but dertermination in belief in myself WILL get me there!!