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Questions about fioricet. Is there an expert around?
I have been taking fioricet since march 26, 2011. Started taking as prescribed. 1-2 every 4-6 hours as needed but did not take them everyday. But then around May I started taking them every day and then I started increasing the dosage. I went about a week without them in July and had the the worst anxiety I have ever experienced in my life. My personality started to change and I didn't want to leave me house, not because I wanted to stay home and do drugs, it was because of anxiety. Since July I have had them almost every day and since the beginning of October have had them every day. I had worked up to 8 and 10 a day. My question. Was I on them long enough to have seizures??? I have not had any since Sunday and it has been rough but I can handle it. I am just worried about seizures? Any information would be appreciated.
I was going to ask you about other meds...There are all natural supplements that are great but not with an antidepressant. I know you haven't seen the new doctor yet but you can ask him when you go tomorrow what he thinks. That being said here's what I've taken with good results: Melatonin and L-Tryptophan, together or separately sometimes. When I took them I was taking Paxil and I never had a problem but I wanted you to know that it's best to check with the doctor or even your pharmacist. I always took a very small dose and it was effective. You could try Benadryl also...it's fairly benign in small doses and it may get you drowsy enough to sleep.
Hope that helps...Oh and then there's Valerian Root which is very calming... and sometimes used for insomnia. It's called "Natures Valium". Again, use with caution with AD's. It can increase or slow down effects depending on the type of AD.
I don't know how long it will last for you...it waxes and wanes,you know? You may feel like this for a few days and then be fine and then it will return for a day or so. It's different with everyone I think. I DO know it didn't last that long with me. But I did things a little differently too. When I stopped the Fioricet, I was only on 2 tabs per day per my taper so I think I had less of a "shock" to my body.
Talk with the new doctor about all of this tomorrow. Please let me know how the appt. went...
Hope that helps...Oh and then there's Valerian Root which is very calming... and sometimes used for insomnia. It's called "Natures Valium". Again, use with caution with AD's. It can increase or slow down effects depending on the type of AD.
I don't know how long it will last for you...it waxes and wanes,you know? You may feel like this for a few days and then be fine and then it will return for a day or so. It's different with everyone I think. I DO know it didn't last that long with me. But I did things a little differently too. When I stopped the Fioricet, I was only on 2 tabs per day per my taper so I think I had less of a "shock" to my body.
Talk with the new doctor about all of this tomorrow. Please let me know how the appt. went...
I have nothing in the house except elavil which I take at night 30mgs. Please any suggestions or help. I am desperate how long will it last???
Yes...it's part of it and I'm sorry. The lack of sleep will further increase the anxiety. Do you have anything in the house to help with sleep? If so what? Would you like some suggestions?
Vicki:
Help!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have not had any fioricet since the 13th of November and I was rocking along just fine and then night before last I did not sleep all night. I slept a little last nigh but I am having the worst anxiety I have ever had in my life and nothing I do, exercise, etc. helps it. Is this part of it.
Help!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have not had any fioricet since the 13th of November and I was rocking along just fine and then night before last I did not sleep all night. I slept a little last nigh but I am having the worst anxiety I have ever had in my life and nothing I do, exercise, etc. helps it. Is this part of it.
You're so welcome! AND a new doctor! Excellent!
Low grade fever? I wouldn't worry about it. Check it a few more times to see if it's increasing but I doubt it's related.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Low grade fever? I wouldn't worry about it. Check it a few more times to see if it's increasing but I doubt it's related.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Vicki:
Thank you and My-mayberry for your support. I have an appointment with a NEW doc on the 1st of december.
Thank you and My-mayberry for your support. I have an appointment with a NEW doc on the 1st of december.
I am feeling pretty good. I am running a low grade fever. Is this because the barbiturate suppresses the cns???
to answer your question, i've been a barbiturate addict through and through since i was around 8 years old. i know virtually ever barbiturate there is and whether they are ultra-short, short, intermediate, or long acting barbiturates. i know all their colors and styles and which ones are still available (very few are).......
unfortunately i've dedicated too much of my life to this. i identify closely with judy garland because she was given barbiturates at a very young age and simply couldn't live without them from then on. for a very short period in her life, she was sober...just like me....but ultimately it didn't last. in any event.....these days, the last of the barbiturates is a relatively little known drug named butalbital. it often isn't thought of as heavy-duty and it often isn't even thought of as a drug of abuse, since fioricet isn't even a controlled substance. however, a drug with a similar half-life is amytal. that drug is a C-II and is only available in injection form these days. nembutal is also only available in injection.
anyway......people know a lot about the cars they love or the teams they love or the people they love. sadly, my life from a very VERY early age revolved around the drugs i love and so i know a lot about them. in those days, you could still get seconal and nembutal. i even took phenobarbital along with fiorinal and literally slept for DAYS only waking up long enough to make bathroom trips and sometimes eat. i had a round with chloral hydrate, as well.
today, its impossible to get those drugs. i often get depressed about it......but that just goes to show how deep the disease of addiction goes. i know its a good thing i can't get them because if i could, i'd be dead.
enough about me, though. i'm glad you're doing well. using the klonopin longer than 2 weeks will make it possible to experience withdrawal from the klonopin...even at low doses. it probably wouldn't be severe, but it would be uncomfortable and would defeat the purpose of using it to begin with beyond the window of seizure risk.
i can't tell you when to quit using it......only that as you close in on your 2 week mark, you're pretty much out of the worst of it. beyond that, i don't know that the klonopin would do any good and it would be very easy to become dependent on it. i can tell you one thing from experience......barbiturates are much easier to stop cold turkey than benzo's. the seizure risk is much higher with barbiturates than with benzo's.......however, once a tolerance is developed with benzo's, it's VERY hard to stop taking them. the seizure risk is lower, but the physical withdrawal symptoms are HORRIBLE. i would avoid benzo's any longer than absolutely necessary.
you're lucky. something to mention about barbiturates is that going cold turkey isn't a guarentee that a person will have a seizure. in fact, the majority dont. its just that its totally unpredictable who will have one and how bad it will be if they do....and also a person can go cold turkey once and be fine, but the next time it could cause seizures or worse. its an unknown....but cold turkey isnt a guarentee for a seizure. the ugly truth is that most people don't. however, its always best to be far too cautious with this drug than to be not cautious enough because of the consequences of guessing wrong.
unfortunately i've dedicated too much of my life to this. i identify closely with judy garland because she was given barbiturates at a very young age and simply couldn't live without them from then on. for a very short period in her life, she was sober...just like me....but ultimately it didn't last. in any event.....these days, the last of the barbiturates is a relatively little known drug named butalbital. it often isn't thought of as heavy-duty and it often isn't even thought of as a drug of abuse, since fioricet isn't even a controlled substance. however, a drug with a similar half-life is amytal. that drug is a C-II and is only available in injection form these days. nembutal is also only available in injection.
anyway......people know a lot about the cars they love or the teams they love or the people they love. sadly, my life from a very VERY early age revolved around the drugs i love and so i know a lot about them. in those days, you could still get seconal and nembutal. i even took phenobarbital along with fiorinal and literally slept for DAYS only waking up long enough to make bathroom trips and sometimes eat. i had a round with chloral hydrate, as well.
today, its impossible to get those drugs. i often get depressed about it......but that just goes to show how deep the disease of addiction goes. i know its a good thing i can't get them because if i could, i'd be dead.
enough about me, though. i'm glad you're doing well. using the klonopin longer than 2 weeks will make it possible to experience withdrawal from the klonopin...even at low doses. it probably wouldn't be severe, but it would be uncomfortable and would defeat the purpose of using it to begin with beyond the window of seizure risk.
i can't tell you when to quit using it......only that as you close in on your 2 week mark, you're pretty much out of the worst of it. beyond that, i don't know that the klonopin would do any good and it would be very easy to become dependent on it. i can tell you one thing from experience......barbiturates are much easier to stop cold turkey than benzo's. the seizure risk is much higher with barbiturates than with benzo's.......however, once a tolerance is developed with benzo's, it's VERY hard to stop taking them. the seizure risk is lower, but the physical withdrawal symptoms are HORRIBLE. i would avoid benzo's any longer than absolutely necessary.
you're lucky. something to mention about barbiturates is that going cold turkey isn't a guarentee that a person will have a seizure. in fact, the majority dont. its just that its totally unpredictable who will have one and how bad it will be if they do....and also a person can go cold turkey once and be fine, but the next time it could cause seizures or worse. its an unknown....but cold turkey isnt a guarentee for a seizure. the ugly truth is that most people don't. however, its always best to be far too cautious with this drug than to be not cautious enough because of the consequences of guessing wrong.
Yes...I'm a new person. Believe me.
The Klonopin is addicting. It's a benzodiazepine. I think you're slowly crawling out of the woods for sure BUT I want you to talk to a physician about the Klonopin now. It's helping you but I really can't tell you when to stop taking it,okay? It just wouldn't be safe for me or for you.
Anorexia IS part of the process. Just keep trying to eat. Try things you love and do small amounts at first.
The Klonopin is addicting. It's a benzodiazepine. I think you're slowly crawling out of the woods for sure BUT I want you to talk to a physician about the Klonopin now. It's helping you but I really can't tell you when to stop taking it,okay? It just wouldn't be safe for me or for you.
Anorexia IS part of the process. Just keep trying to eat. Try things you love and do small amounts at first.
Hello Vicki:
I think I am doing pretty good. I feel quite cranky today and still shakey but other than that I think I am doing pretty good. I am taking the klonopin at bedtime like the script says. Last night I woke up a lot but my heart was not pounding as hard each time. I have been drinking and trying to eat but I just can't seem to get it down. Is this part of it? Can you give me any advice on how long I should take the klonopin. I have been reading about it and I sure don't want to get addicted to something else and I don't like how they make me feel. I REALLY appreciate your support. I am sorry that you have had a problem with the pills but glad to hear you talk about how much better you feel. It gives me hope. All in all, I am glad the doc didn't refill them, I just think it is crappy how she did it. But as long as I am ok I can deal with it.
I think I am doing pretty good. I feel quite cranky today and still shakey but other than that I think I am doing pretty good. I am taking the klonopin at bedtime like the script says. Last night I woke up a lot but my heart was not pounding as hard each time. I have been drinking and trying to eat but I just can't seem to get it down. Is this part of it? Can you give me any advice on how long I should take the klonopin. I have been reading about it and I sure don't want to get addicted to something else and I don't like how they make me feel. I REALLY appreciate your support. I am sorry that you have had a problem with the pills but glad to hear you talk about how much better you feel. It gives me hope. All in all, I am glad the doc didn't refill them, I just think it is crappy how she did it. But as long as I am ok I can deal with it.
I'll answer for him...LOL!
Mayberry is very smart and has a load of first hand experience! He is MY "go to guy"!
He'll be back and explain more probably...in the meantime, what have you decided? A good way to determine how you're doing and what to expect is by how you're feeling right now compared to how you felt on Monday and Tuesday. If you feel substantially better, then you've eliminated a good amount of the drug. I know that I have a very fast metabolism so I knew when I was on the mend, back in the day...
We'll be hanging here with you so keep checking in! I need to scoot now but I'll check on you later! Keep drinking and peeing! xo
Mayberry is very smart and has a load of first hand experience! He is MY "go to guy"!
He'll be back and explain more probably...in the meantime, what have you decided? A good way to determine how you're doing and what to expect is by how you're feeling right now compared to how you felt on Monday and Tuesday. If you feel substantially better, then you've eliminated a good amount of the drug. I know that I have a very fast metabolism so I knew when I was on the mend, back in the day...
We'll be hanging here with you so keep checking in! I need to scoot now but I'll check on you later! Keep drinking and peeing! xo
Thank you for the support and the explanation. Wow. How do you lean all this. I really do appreciate everything. Did you have a problem with fiorict. How long have you been off of it?
Dont worry about seizure though. Just stick with your klonopin and hope for the best. Seizure can be delayed a while...but the worst is always the first week. I think you will be in the clear. Dont worry about the things u cant change. Do what u can do, hope for the best, and get to the ER if u have ANY major problems.
Well the half-life is 35 to 95 hours. Lets say your average is 50 hours, though its hard to know from person to person an exact half life. This means in 50 hours of your last dose, you will eliminate half the drug. That means half a gram will be reduced to 250mg. Heres the catch...it takes another 50 hours for that to be reduced by half...and so on. So 100 hours in, you are down to 125mg (just over 2 tabs)...but that will only reduce to 62.5 after another 50 hours and 32.25 after another 50...and thats only half a gram dose. Theres no telling what your steady state had built up to, but it was much higher than half a gram.
That's a good question. There is a window when we're the most vulnerable and,of course, it's different for everyone. For me(and I know this) it's 5 days.
If I get past 5 days I'm on the home stretch! Not now though! I'm 19 months free of this junk! But, in the past that was MY window. So many things factor in to this: amount taken daily, length of time,etc...I took this med for many,many years. You've taken it for 8 months. That IS in your favor but how much I really don't know...
They use Valium? Wow! Okay, Valium and Klonopin are similar benzos in that they both have a long half life. Withdrawing from Fioricet is generally done WITH Fioricet and truthfully I'd love to see you back on it so you can do this properly!
I understand about the driving. Can anyone go with you? Can your daughter come home early? I really think this is important enough to pull out all the stops, you know? I'd also drop that doctor's name EVERYWHERE! LOL!
The ER is closer. I'd go there and lay it out to them. They'll know the score.
What do you think?
If I get past 5 days I'm on the home stretch! Not now though! I'm 19 months free of this junk! But, in the past that was MY window. So many things factor in to this: amount taken daily, length of time,etc...I took this med for many,many years. You've taken it for 8 months. That IS in your favor but how much I really don't know...
They use Valium? Wow! Okay, Valium and Klonopin are similar benzos in that they both have a long half life. Withdrawing from Fioricet is generally done WITH Fioricet and truthfully I'd love to see you back on it so you can do this properly!
I understand about the driving. Can anyone go with you? Can your daughter come home early? I really think this is important enough to pull out all the stops, you know? I'd also drop that doctor's name EVERYWHERE! LOL!
The ER is closer. I'd go there and lay it out to them. They'll know the score.
What do you think?
My pharmacy is a walmart 16 miles away and they don't want to help. I guess I am just a number
I put in a call to the answering service. Guess waht my doctor is on call. Didn't leave message.
So all of the fioricet should be out of my system since I haven't had any since last Sunday? Am I to be more vulnerable now? I found practice guidelines for the Texas State Department of Psychiatry on butalbital detox but they use valium and I don't know how to compare the two. I just cannot believe this.
I am staying well hydrated and taking vitamins and to be honest I am afraid to drive alone to the Urgent care. I haven't driven all week. I don't want to chance having a seizure and killing myself or someone else. I want to tell you how much I appreciate your help and support. It means a lot.
So all of the fioricet should be out of my system since I haven't had any since last Sunday? Am I to be more vulnerable now? I found practice guidelines for the Texas State Department of Psychiatry on butalbital detox but they use valium and I don't know how to compare the two. I just cannot believe this.
I am staying well hydrated and taking vitamins and to be honest I am afraid to drive alone to the Urgent care. I haven't driven all week. I don't want to chance having a seizure and killing myself or someone else. I want to tell you how much I appreciate your help and support. It means a lot.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Thanks Vicki and My_mayberry for helping out here.
Jones, you are in good hands here with these 2.
Jones, you are in good hands here with these 2.
It seems that some doctors do as you've suggested but more often they don't. I'm sorry this happened to you...
Fioricet has a long half life. It can be up to 5 days before the drug is totally eliminated. It's different with all of us though. When can you feel safe? I don't know exactly but everyday that you get further ahead of this without incident is a good thing! The Klonopin will help. So will keeping well hydrated.
I still think going to the urgent care is the best thing to do. I know it's a distance but I think it's worth the piece of mind. Also, speak to your pharmacist about this. He/she is able to get to your doctor and advocate for you. Often times, a pharmacist is friendly with a few doctors that he knows will probably help you. Ask about this. I know that my pharmacist is very helpful with folks in the neighborhood (it's his pharmacy;not a "walgreens").
No. You are not going to die. You could hit your head if you have a seizure though and that's more realistic.
I think we'll all feel better if you can find someone there to talk with about this. See what you can do. Oh and I just had a thought: It's the weekend and I wonder if your doctor has someone covering for her. You might try to get to that doctor. Not all think the same...
Stay in touch!
Fioricet has a long half life. It can be up to 5 days before the drug is totally eliminated. It's different with all of us though. When can you feel safe? I don't know exactly but everyday that you get further ahead of this without incident is a good thing! The Klonopin will help. So will keeping well hydrated.
I still think going to the urgent care is the best thing to do. I know it's a distance but I think it's worth the piece of mind. Also, speak to your pharmacist about this. He/she is able to get to your doctor and advocate for you. Often times, a pharmacist is friendly with a few doctors that he knows will probably help you. Ask about this. I know that my pharmacist is very helpful with folks in the neighborhood (it's his pharmacy;not a "walgreens").
No. You are not going to die. You could hit your head if you have a seizure though and that's more realistic.
I think we'll all feel better if you can find someone there to talk with about this. See what you can do. Oh and I just had a thought: It's the weekend and I wonder if your doctor has someone covering for her. You might try to get to that doctor. Not all think the same...
Stay in touch!
I am ok. I was better before I read all the posts. I guess whatever happens happens. I didn't sleep well last night and I feel awfully tired. I am not shaking as bad but I guess that is because of the Klonopin. What is a half life and when will the drug be totall out of my system.. I know from what you have sad that you can have seizures for two+ weeks after stopping. When can I feel safe? Thank you for helping me. Is that what doctors do to people? Get them addicted to drugs and then stand back and take a hands off attitude? If so they should be sued.
Its more than enough...the 6 to 8 a day had already built up in your system and that alone was enough to cause problems if going cold turkey.
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