Xanax / Fioricet Use

I have a question dealing with the occasional use of these two medicines.  I've suffered over the last year and a half with coronary artery spasms / complicated migraine w/stroke like manefestations.  Needless to say, it's been a difficult road.  My Drs. have prescribed both medicines (xanax 0.25 1 every 8 hrs as needed and fioricet every 6 hrs as needed).  I only take them when I really need them - pain or anxiety really bad. Not every day and maybe only 1 xanax and/or up to 3 of the fioricet.  I'm such a ninny about taking pills.  My rx for xanax is over a month old and I still have 45 of the 50 left and 27 of the 50 fioricets left.  Fioricet has definitely helped my migraines and has been prescribed for thyroiditis pain.  This may sound really stupid and elementary, but at what point do i become addicted to these medicines.  On painfree, low pain days, I don't take anything.  How will I know I've got a problem?  Thanks for your comments.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You are certainly not addicted at the level you are taking them, and indeed you should be careful about xanax, but you have plenty of room to spare at this point. Medications used wisely can be very useful...so up your use when you need it..stay away from it on pain free days...use as little as possible but as much as needed.