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Fioricet with codeine addiction??

Hi! I cant even believe I am asking this question.... this is the first time I am facing this head on.... Bear with me while i tell my story.

Over 10 years ago (when I was about 16) I had a dr prescribe me Fiorinal with codeine for my terrible migraines. I literally sat them on the shelf and noticed some friends would steal them and I knew they were a very wanted drug. I never took part in taking them. ONLY when I had a migraine.... Well when I was 21, I went through a terrible divorce with a 2 week old baby and a 2 year old. I called my mom one morning when I was struggling to go on with life.... she asked if I had any meds that I took (depression Im assuming...) I said no but I had some Fiorinal with codeine that made me feel happy when I took them. I only took them with migraines so didnt know the effect without the headache. She said to go take it and get the girls ready and go to work. Well after about 30 min of taking it, I was so euphoric that I could go on with life. I ended up going back to this dr and getting about 40 a month. I only needed one dose a day of 2 tabs and somethings a little more... Well a couple years later I lost insurance and this dr moved away....

I went years without this medication but longed for the euphoric feeling so bad. I caught myself thinking about it BUT this is the only med that took away my terrible migraines that sent me to the hospital many times.

Well I went to a new dr a year ago and asked for this med. He said and I quote "no dr will prescribe this. Its highly addictive" I went on and was pretty upset that he just "didnt understand." He gave me some Tylenol with codeine and sent me on my way. I came back a couple months later with the bottle of Tylenol and loaded the bottle up with all the Tylenol #3's that I had so he wouldnt think I took them too much. He looked in the bottle and asked if they worked. I said no... would really like the Fiorinal. He ended up giving me Fioricet with codeine which is pretty much the same thing. I only get 30 a month. Well the last dose he gave me, I took the whole bottle in like 8 days!!!!! I called back for more and was told to call back in 21 days.... I then found a new dr who gave me a script for 30 a month and 3 refills... I was shocked.... I had to go back to the other dr for a kidney pain I was having and he prescribed it to me too again since it has been 21 days!! I then take it to a different pharmacy and pay out of pocket to not allow my insurance co to catch on... So now I have 2 drs prescribing the same med. It made me happy to know I will get this med when I need it and I can take 2-4 a day without feeling like Im running out.... So now Im feeling the need for this med MORE! Help! How do I stop? I tried taking just 2 a day and it makes me a nervous wreck. My favorite thing about this med besides the euphoric feeling is the intense great feeling I have when I smoke a cigarette on it. I can smoke 5 in a row and be so happy.... I just hate when it wears off. I get SOOOO tired and irratable. :(
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Avatar universal
I did try all those triptans. Like imatex. They cause me to have severe lock jaw. They have even tried putting me on blood pressure meds cause those sometimes help. The only med that took my migraine away is fiocicets. My migraines are so severe that I can black out vomit and many other symptoms. With have my kids I would much rather be able to function on fiorocet than be miserable. Im at a crossroads. I do agree that they give rebound headaches. I took double the dose once because of one. Omg. Don't ever do that. I was literally not aware of where I was. Scary moment for me. Doing a lot of praying. Hoping for some relief from this need to have them daily.
Helpful - 0
4804873 tn?1360162537
Like other posters said, do not be embarrassed!  Addiction happens to ALL kinds of people!  Years ago, before I got myself addicted to pain pills, I would see people addicted to drugs and think "how could they get there?"  Well I certainly found out how as I ended up there myself!  It's really opened my eyes! It's a disease, and you should not feel embarrassed- you have come here and obviously want help, so bravo!

I am a fellow migraine sufferer, in fact that's how I got started taking Percocet...have you ever tried any of the non- narcotic triptan migraine meds they have available now? Like Imitrex, relpax, etc?  (There's loads of them).  They work for my migraines 90% of the time.  I know some people can't take them for other health reasons. So obviously you would have to talk to your dr about it.  I really really can sympathize with you though...migraines are horrible.   But even the fioricet will give you rebound headaches after awhile.  I wish you the best of luck.  Keep posting, this board helps so much!
Helpful - 0
4341997 tn?1514588688
don't be embarrassed....it's a disease....you didn't wake up one morning and say, hey i think i'll get dependent/addicted to pills.....we've all been there hon...don't beat yourself up about this....turn that embarrassment into strength to stop the pills...being open and honest will make you feel sooo much better...we are here to help...i've been there...i know it's not easy...we've all been right where you are now.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
don't think of this as an embarrassment it happens to the best of us, its a fact of life.  You cant lose control, the outcome would be bleak, take control now while you can!!!! we are all here for you....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Don't lose control. Keep posting here and let us help you make a plan...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you ladies for this support. Makes me feel a lot less alone now :( this addiction is so embaressing but I feel myself losing control.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
As of now you are in a good spot where you can get off of these with a slow taper, if you continue to use its only going to get out of hand and before you know it you will lose all control.  You are here, and you are scared so that is  a great start now take action and tell your hubby.  You said " I have the best husband but im so scared to admit it. That would mean he would monitor me and my euphoria would end."  YES YES YES, thats exactly what you want to happen!!!!!  ITs time to say goodbye to the "euphoria" and in time you will feel euphoric again the good ol fashion way, chocolate, sex, dancing in the rain...etc......  Now believe me i am not saying its easy to tell our little secret as i had to tell my hubby and i was scared poop, and i was ashamed and embarrassed and just miserable, i told him ALL of it, and it wasn't pleasant by any means, the crap i did when i was using and putting my life and my kids life in jeopardy talk about shame.....I felt it all and at times i still do, but at least i can say i am trying and i am clean.  The truth shall set you free my friend....  It was  a huge weight lifted off of me as i need all the help i could get.  Lean on your hubby, he will support you and hold you accountable. Please go to your doc and get on a taper plan, and do not be messing with two RX's imagine your hubby finding out that way?  Be truthful with him, cry and ask for help, tell him the pills took control over you, show him that you want help and guidance.  I wish you only the best....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'd like to add my support to you and suggest a few things. First, I'll tell you that I had a very long love affair with Fioricet. I took the plain, without codeine, and was beyond addicted. I couldn't breathe without them.

You're fortunate that you're recognizing the problem now, believe me. It gets worse with the butalbital being the big baddie here...it stops making you happy in time but keeps you physically tied.
Taper NOW.
Tell your husband. It sounds like he's a good guy and will be supportive. He may not judge you as harshly as you think and you'll feel a lot better when you share this burden with him.
Taper slowly to avoid all the discomfort but get this done and for Gods sake, stop using two separate rx's!   I promise you...you'll be caught.
You'll need to come clean with the doctors and ask one to help you with a taper plan. The most important thing here is to eliminate your sources.

Please stay in touch here...it's a wonderful place for support and good advice.
Helpful - 0
4522800 tn?1470325834
Hi..I just want to Ditto what my MH friends said above. I would like to just add that I am no young chic and I used substance most of my life. We do use this for the "I feel good" or "It gets me going" or "I feel like Superwoman" etc. We build up a Tolerance to all substances and we need more and more. Like it says at the meetings; "We use to Live and Live to use". I would like to encourage you to please get out now why you are still young. It gets harder and harder as we grow and the unbalancing of the Transmitters in the Brain get worse. It takes a whole lot of work to stay clean and to learn to live in your own skin and deal with your emotions in a normal way. Honesty and Support are Two keys to Recovery. I sure wish you the best and that you try to stop now before it is to late.
Bless
Helpful - 0
1235186 tn?1656987798
I am glad you posted today if you were at that point yesterday.
this is a good thing.
take some deep breathes and think about this.
stay at the lowest dose possible now.
you will need to come up with a plan in moving forward.
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Avatar universal
You are very right atthebeach. Its scary. I actually took a dose yesterday and felt nothing. Almost took more :(
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Avatar universal
Thank u!!!
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1235186 tn?1656987798
you have only been taking them for a couple months but you like them too much. that is the dangerous part. you will need to take more to accomplish the euphoric feeling that you are looking for, the longer you take them the more you will have to hide from your husband.
the euphoria will only last for so long, then you will be continually chasing that feeling and it wont come.
Helpful - 0
4202953 tn?1377183506
It will be okay *big hugs*. Just take it one day at a time, and first talk to your family doctor. Come up with a taper plan and begin the steps that you need to take to get off of the pills. Your mind is in the right place and you can kick this habit and move forward with your life. Don't be too hard on yourself and worry about your mom and your husband after you take care of yourself. Please call your doctor and make an appointment soon. The sooner you talk to your doctor the sooner you can be on your road to recovery. Congratulations on taking the first big step towards recovery!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Im not taking them like crazy. Actually denied the ones without codeine for DAILY  prevention becomes of addiction worries about a week ago. Just so happened that my family dr gave me a new script and I realized that I was that person with 2 scripts from 2 diff docs and now take 2 to 4 daily. Its only been a couple months of doing this. Just didnt know what to do and need support. My best friend my mom is highly addicted to pain pills so shes not much help. Im even trying to get her to get help and here I am being a hypocrite.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
He knows I take them and knows I had a little issues when I was 21. I can tell he notices so I started hiding them. He tracks people like me for a living. Just scared of how he will react. Only married 9 months
Helpful - 0
1235186 tn?1656987798
no, there is nothing good that is going to come out of this. your addiction will only get worse.
hun don't be ashamed. he knows you take them or not?
if he knows then just tell him it has gotten out of control.

the pills also have Tylenol and caffeine in them.
Helpful - 0
4341997 tn?1514588688
i know it's hard to tell the ones you love, but sounds like he will be supportive....it was hard for me too....but hang in there...talk to your doctor as well...good luck with it and keep posting when you need support....you will be so glad you stopped!  
Helpful - 0
4341997 tn?1514588688
I meant to say tylenol #3 instead of tylenol#??  lol  
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Avatar universal
I take fiorocet with codeine
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Avatar universal
No I don't see anything good coming out if I KEEP taking them. They have such bad side effects. I think u read my post all wrong. Im ashamed to tell my hubby but know he will be supportive.
Helpful - 0
1235186 tn?1656987798
the fioricet is a combo of caffeine, Tylenol, codeine and  barbiturate
Helpful - 0
4341997 tn?1514588688
sorry, i guess i'm confused....are you taking fioricet with codeine now or the tylenol #??  in either case you do need to stop romanticizing the pills like atthebeach says...tell you secret, talk to your doctor about wanting off the pills....if you truly want this, you can do it. But the fioricet needs to be tapered off of.  Good luck in this....telling your hubby everything will give you the freedom you need to continue this path for yourself and your family.
Helpful - 0
1235186 tn?1656987798
you don't see any good coming out of this situation..........
the good of you stopping? the good telling your husband?
the good you continuing taking them?

ok you are with the Tylenol that would only be at the most 1200 mgs a day.
hun you cant keep romanizing  the pills. they will turn on you.
accountability is a good thing. honesty is a good thing.

Helpful - 0
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