Fiorinal, Butalbital Comp-Codeine and suboxone

[teardrop0247]

I am a 10+ year addictive user of opiates, everything from hydrocodone to oxycontin80, ending up on very large doses of methadone pills with roxycodone for breakthrough,(I lived in Jacksonville, FL, a veritable paradise in the early 2000's for addicts, although I must say, I began my addictions to opiates for very innocent reasons, I had legitimate pain issues....)However, I sought recovery aprox. 21/2 years ago, because I became pregnant with an unexpected child... I was placed on liquid methadone and I have been on a dose of 90 mg. for almost 11/2 years,...I recently decided, due to constant pressure from my family, especially my spouse, who has been in recovery for 4 years, to switch from methadone to suboxone. I have become tired of the constant visits to the clinic. This is Sunday, my last dose was at 7a.m. on Friday, I went to the doctor for suboxone at 11.. he prescribed me suboxone strips and Fiorinal with Codeine for my severe migraine disorder that is exasperated by withdrawal symptoms, and sent me on my way with instructions to take my sub. on Sat. or Sun. I began to experience severe migraine symptoms later that evening... and took a total of 3 Fiorinal with Codeine pills ... I am not experiencing severe withdrawal yet on Sunday... but mild to medium .When can I take my sub. I am terrified of the withdrawal that I have read sub. can cause... and if I take the dose of  sub...(half a strip, as prescribed). can taking another in a few hours cause the withdrawal to go away... thank you for any answers... Perplexed and Terrified
p.s. I am in a supportive recovery situation... a.a. is my choice of meetings....so few folks know anything about sub. +

[Amandag78]

Hi, i hope you get sorted out for the better soon, and good luck to you : )

[Mremark]

I have been on subs for 2 1/2 years. I have recently stopped taking them. I am now in my seventh week and things are getting marginally better. It is slow going but if you can get to about week 5 or six ( depending on length of use and dosage) then you will notice some improvement. At least I did and I am no mental giant believe me.
My only advice to you would be that if you do decide to go the sub route. Use them for the shortest amount of time and at the lowest dosage that you can safely handle. It will make the jump to total sobriety a bit easier. I do believe that is our goal to be free from these pills that control our lives. If I had to do it over agin I would not have went the sub route it only prolonged my misery and cost me thousands of dollars. But I realize any situation is different and you must do what you think is best. As long as you are sincerely focused on being free from the drugs that control you. Good luck teardrop

[teardrop0247]

Thanks everyone., I am just recently back from the e.r. because I decided to just try this doctor's prescription and just see what happened ... I took a half of an 8 mg. strip and I was plunged into HELL.... I have never in all of my withdrawing life from oxycodone(large doses) mixed with benzo withdrawal(which ***** itself), felt this bad.. I was writhing in my bed, having uncontrollable movements, chills so deep and overwhelming, and all while feeling as if someone had poured lukewarm water on me...this is terrible...but I still want to do it. The doc gave me clonidine, and vistiril and Zofran in the iv..(the other two for home too) ... He instructed to take a opiate type med, and because I couldn't take it anymore, when I got home I took some more liquid methadone and slept like a veritable baby.... what is the best way to start tomorrow... I want to be on suboxone.....I am so sad and terrified to go through that again...

[Merri12]

Everything they say is correct. I do not like Fiornal. What is does is give you a rebound headache when it starts wearing off. So then you get into a viscious cycke of headaches and Fiornal. They are so addicting. All he is doing to you is trading one thing for another addiction. You will get headaches because of the methadone wds. They will go away. I like their advice. Use the fiornal in small doses to get through the wd. Then don't use anything.

Or find a Doctor who isn't going to mske you worse. You want to be better!!!! Keep strong and push through.

[vicki595]

I know! Crazy, huh?  For all of that, the doctor may as well taper her with the butalbital and codeine...and skip the Sub all together!

[clean_in_ks]

This sub dr is blowing my mind!!!  Since suboxone binds to the opiate receptors......why did this sub dr give you a drug for headaches that has a dang opiate (codeine) in it?  And Fiorinal has a bartiturate in it too, which isn't what I'd be given to an addict???  
Was the Firoinal w/codeine given to take BEFORE you inducted on the subs?
Does this sub dr have a program that goes along with his prescribing of subs?  Like monitoring, counseling, outpatient program, meetings, etc?

I had a 28 day experience with subs....and my dr was a wacko, imo...but this dr makes mine look like a good one...LOL  
You have to go a certain number of hours without ANY opioid/opiate before you induce the subs.  So what Vicki said above....you took 3 of the Fiornals and now have 90 mgs of codeine in your system.  The clock needs to start from last ingestion of an opiate.....before you begin the subs.
Hope this makes some sense to you....and that you'll ditch the Fiorinal too.

[vicki595]

Hi there- As far as I know, you shouldn't begin the sub until you're opiate FREE and in moderate withdrawal. If you take it now you'll most likely go into precipitated wd's.  You've got 90mg of codeine on board so you are no where near able to begin SUBOXONE.

I've never heard of prescribing an opiate for breakthrough pain while on SUBOXONE. It's stupid, in my opinion.  I'd consult another doctor so you get adequate care...

[teardrop0247]

No, the doctor, who claimed to treat over 2000 patients for sub. said that it was ok... I did extensive internet search about information and what you said is similar to what I read over and over, but  I told him all of these things and he said it was ok to start sub. at half a strip 24 to 48 hours... I am worried that he just doesn't care about the precipitated withdrawal I will endure.. .but I homeschool my children and I am an extremely busy person... I am worried to death... thank you for your quick response...

[StonedTexan]

Did you cut your methadone dose before starting the Suboxone? It is best to get down to 25mg of methadone and then wait until you are in withdrawals to start the Suboxone. I got mad at my clinic and switched at 80 mg. I waited 4 days to take my 1st dose and it was tough but doable.  It took a couple days until I felt normal again.