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Fioricet Addicts
Anybody there? Wanting to talk with someone about this horrible addiction. Going to DR next week, any comments would be greatly appreciated!
BTW, I posted earlier on here with quite an extensive amount of concern regarding my appt this p.m. Directed to the only addiction Dr (female) on this forum I could find- with no response- does anyone know if she's still on here? Feel free to read what I wrote- barbituates are hell! So impressed by the people on here that found the strength to beat them- I am not feeling very strong right now! Later my new found friends & wish me luck!
Hi all. I just wanted to thank everyone for advice, input, support & kind words! Sorry for not responding until now- not feeling well with a stInking head cold. Anyhow, I will try to get back to you with questions/responses after tonight OR if time permits- before I leave for my first appt (consult) this evening. I am trying to not freak myself out about it :(
I too am a fioricet abuser and have read ALL of Vicki's posts and taken it all to heart. Although I am not clean yet, with the help of my husband and Vicki, I am continuing my taper and doing it slowly and feeling good. Best of luck to you, I know it is very difficult.
I'm sure the doctor will order you to have a liver function test.
What have you been "hooked" on before?
If these doctors order meds for you, you probably will want to get a few more opinions. You have a pretty complicated history. Have you had a CAT scan?
MRI of your head/brain? Are these new doctors neurologists?
What have you been "hooked" on before?
If these doctors order meds for you, you probably will want to get a few more opinions. You have a pretty complicated history. Have you had a CAT scan?
MRI of your head/brain? Are these new doctors neurologists?
You are taking Fioricet as opposed to Fiorinal? Please try switching to Fiorinal ASAP. Let me explain why. Fioricet is composed of Butalbital (a bariturate, Tylenol, and caffeine. Fiorinal is identical only has aspirin instead of Tylenol. Taking that much Tylenol can DESTROY your liver. So first off make the switch. I used to take both and couldn't tell the diffence, effectiveness-wise between the two, but at least you will be protecting your liver. I used to take them for migraine headaches. Never knew what exactly was in them but just that they made me feel "great". Some days I would take them when I didn't have a headache because they gave me such wonderful energy and made me feel like Superwoman. No wonder someone can get addicted. At least switch to Fiorinal first. Then get a doctor to help you get off of them. There must be someone who can work with you (adding additonal meds) to help you taper. Good luck and God bless!!!
Thanks, much appreciated for your support & I agree with you- some day sooner than later for both of us!
Absolutely! Last month snow skiing with my husband, I fractured my thumb, tore one of the tendons in it & sprained another- I always refuse pain meds- hydro codons, Tylenol 3, Percocet, etc. I am in a splint up to my elbow, but have & have always had a high pain tolerance. They give me too many side effects & have no desire to take them. The FIORICET doesn't really help with pain for me- it's just a horrible "maintenance/normalcy" drug unfortunately. I too, used to have a very active life & now every day things are a complete chore for me.
Hey, you know, it's pretty common to use this drug along with opiates to self medicate. Tell me something: did the Fioricet help you more than any of the other meds?
Don't be ashamed. There are so many of us right now around the world going through this with you. We aren't bad people just in a bad situation. I went from being an extreme athlete to now a couch potato suffering with the 2 week dt's. We will get our lives back!
I am sorry to continue to pour my heart out to you- this forum, support group is looking as if it might be my new addiction.
Thanks Vicki! It's so nice to talk with someone who has battled this same addiction & beat it! I have a lot of other issues as well, have been diagnosed with & going un-medicated even when not taking the fioricet:( this disturbs me knowing I have to let it all out @ my Dr appt & therapy appt.....driving me crazy! I have severe depression, Complex PTSD, anxiety, and recently possible adult ADD (but did not follow up regarding it). 5 yrs of psychotherapy with 2 different therapists- so I learned a lot about these issues, cognitive behavioral therapy, time management, meditation techniques, tried light therapy (SAD), Alpha-Stim & I am still a complete wreck, especially considering my age. I even left my psychiatrists (playing lab rat with me), left my family to fly over to Montana 3 yrs ago to enter into a dual diagnosis treatment facility to detox me & help get off of 8 psychotropic meds- 14 RX's total- and not one of them @ the time was FIORICET!!! Well, that turned out to be a complete nigtmare as well:( I feel like the biggest burden to my entire family- and after all of that & what I'm hooked on again now, it's so hard to keep hope.
Good. I'm glad you were referred to these new doctors. You know, once you decide that you have to stop,accept it, and change up your thinking; you'll do just fine. It sounds like that's where you are right now...it's a start!
My appt is next week & yes, I too have been completely screwed & pissed on as well as misdiagnosed by multiple Drs- so, my therapist that I see with my husband was the first to know (besides my husband). But he knows my history & how hard it was for me to ask for help & a lot of the distrust I have with physicians- so he was awesome & directed me to the right people! He even made the initial phone calls for me as well. The receptionist where I will be seen was the one asking about subaxone & methadone. I know I won't be a complete headcase with constant anxiety & worsening insomnia (worrying about getting proper care), after I finally have my appt. I have to get going now, but thanks so much for your input & giving me some hope! Congratulations to you beating the devil and "affair". I will check back later this p.m.
I hope they're knowledgeable too! It's a concern but you'll tell them. I get so pissed off at the lack of education in this arena! Asking you about Sub or Methadone....pitiful.
I tapered for 9 months. It just has to be slow, decreasing by small amounts. Looking back, it was worth the time. Otherwise you just suffer everyday. I had tried a faster taper and it was awful. This one was great with very few symptoms; I actually felt good. I worked at getting healthier at the same time and I had a long way to go in that department,as well.
I'm sorry about the seizures. Withdrawing from this drug is very similar to withdrawing from alcohol and as dangerous. There should be a warning label on every rx.
It's great you're going to the doctor. Are you planning to ask for their help or you already had an appt? I ask because I'm on the fence about confessing this from my own personal experience. I do recommend a therapist during the taper process, however.
I tapered for 9 months. It just has to be slow, decreasing by small amounts. Looking back, it was worth the time. Otherwise you just suffer everyday. I had tried a faster taper and it was awful. This one was great with very few symptoms; I actually felt good. I worked at getting healthier at the same time and I had a long way to go in that department,as well.
I'm sorry about the seizures. Withdrawing from this drug is very similar to withdrawing from alcohol and as dangerous. There should be a warning label on every rx.
It's great you're going to the doctor. Are you planning to ask for their help or you already had an appt? I ask because I'm on the fence about confessing this from my own personal experience. I do recommend a therapist during the taper process, however.
Off & on for about 8 years- initially prescribed fiorinal with codeine for migraines, which was taken for about the 1st year, then it went to the generic fioricet. It's awful. Other medications I take include Wellbutrin XR for depression & Keppra as an anti-seizure. I was reading one of your old posts about Dr's assuming this is an opiate, & indeed it is a BARBITURATE, not an opiate...........so, I am hoping during my appts next week they are aware of that; however, during my intake over the phone I was asked if I had ever been suboxone or methadone (which I have not). Also, in one if you posts- I think you mentioned having to taper FOREVER- scares the crud outta me. Super anxiety for my appts next week- just hoping for good knowledgeable docs (internist & addiction specialist). Thanks for responding.
Hi! I was addicted to Fioricet for most of my life. No kidding... I've been clean from them for almost two years. I understand all about it: it gets in your head and you really do need to keep taking them to feel normal, it's the first and last thing you do every day, you know you'll die without them, never recover, don't want to give them up,on and on....I know.
How long have you been taking them? What other meds are you taking?
I'll be here for awhile...
How long have you been taking them? What other meds are you taking?
I'll be here for awhile...
GOOD FOR YOU. I cannot wait for the day to say that! Thanks for the support.
Struggling with this off & on for approx 8 years....just hoping this new DR/addiction specialist is the right one for me & I can beat this! My husband is proud of me for telling him ( this time around ) & is supportive, but it's nice to talk with someone about this particular addiction. He used to binge drink a lot & has been doing great for about a year now. He also encouraged me to get on here for support from other addicts :). We have a 5yr old daughter that needs her Mommy around!
I too feel your pain- physical, mental, emotional, etc. I have had multiple surgeries, injuries & other medical ailments as well as personal tragedies too. Don't worry about the novel- I completely empathize with you & living in world of darkness for much too long. Thanks for responding & hang in there...it *****! Especially relapse, asking for help instead of pretending everything is fine, and feeling like a loser failure.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You dont have to feel ashamed here. We all know how you are both feeling. I came here feeling the same way, that was almost 4 yrs ago. Today i have my life back and it is better than it ever was. There is always hope......dont worry about writing a novel, you need to get it all out.
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