Am I the only Fiorianl addict left ? Help needed, please

[Claire_7]

I am trying to stop a 20 year addiction to Fiorinal 3. I have contacted so many addiction specialist that my head is spinning. None treat Barbituate addiction. One said she hasn't heard of anyone addicted to this in 10 years. So, I am attempting to wean myself. I went from 8 a day down to 1 a day in 9 days. I could not tolerate the anxiety-jittery feelings on 1 so I'm trying 1.5 a day. I'm not sure if going back to 1.5 is a sign I am failing, and an excuse to use more? Or was the taper down too quick? I am alone and afraid.  I have to function somewhat normally at work.
If anyone has any thoughts or advice on how to taper successfully, I could use the help. I can't go to my prescribing doctor(s) because they found out I was getting scripts from both and pulled their scripts and won't see me.
Without any available professional help, I am hoping I can get some help from someone here.
I should add that I am a 62 year old female and was taking between 7-8 pills daily.
I am committed to ending this!            
Yes kids, a 62 year old professional woman, mother and  grandmother is an addict.
Alone. Afraid.
--Special thanks to 2 posters out there Vicki and Mayberry. Your older posts are my daily 'motivational reading'. I wonder how many others have found courage, inspiration, compassion, and even an occasional (much needed) reality check from your shared experience.  Regardless of weather there is anything new for me out here, I appreciate your courage in sharing. Stay Strong -

[NeverAgain127]

Hi Claire:  Whatever doctor told you that, should be fired.  By you.   Any MD worth his/her salt will know where to do to find resources for barbituate addiction.

It's an old line drug...in fact, Marilyn Monroe supposedly died from an OD of Nembutal (or was murdered; either way, she had a ton in her system on autopsy).  

It was replaced by the newer anti-anxiety drugs (benzos) but both are dangerous to withdraw from and should ONLY be undertaken under medical supervision.   Fiornal and Fiorcet are still routinely prescribed for migraines.

Please, find another doctor, or call the number suggested above.  We want you to be safe.

[vicki595]

Nausea is a symptom of Fiorinal withdrawal. Did you abruptly stop or taper off? It's dangerous to just stop because there's a risk of seizure.

[bigredtruckisleaving]

I tried substituting Excedrin Tension Headache for the fiorinal/no codeine, and my stomach has beens so nautious.  Is this characteristic?

[my_mayberry]

how are you? I am really nervous about how quickly your dose was reduced. I need to understand a bit more before I can really comment...first, does your taper have to be this aggressive based on a limited supply? and second, when will you be out and how are you feeling now?

[Claire_7]

Thank you to all who responded. I'll let you know how I make out. I'm feeling a little down tonight... As I should be. A little self recrimination is certainly in order for me.
It is however, so very nice to know that there are people out there who take time out from their busy days to reach out to a stranger.
That is the lesson I'm taking from all of you.
I will make a conscience effort from now on to stop during my own day and listen to, or reach out to someone who may need a moment or a kind word.
Thank you for that!

I have to succeed. I can't let this continue to control me.

[vicki595]

Hi Claire- I'm happy to hear you've gotten strength from my old posts! You can do this so just relax, okay?

First of all...you dropped too much!  The secret here is to drop by small amounts over a longer period of time; much longer than one week. This requires a good supply of Fiorinal but I think it's the best way.

I was taking Fioricet without codeine and I took it for a good part of my life; some days taking over 20 plus pills a day. I was out of control with a dangerously high tolerance. You've got a double whammy here with the two addictive substances but the fix is essentially the same. Slowly taper off.

I'd be happy to help you and I'll shoot a message to Mayberry so he can help as well.  Tell me why you were taking Fiorinal + codeine...how you feel about quitting and if you want to quit because you got caught by the doctors.  

Check back in and I will be back later- V.

[liliansdream]

Hello Claire,

Addition knows no barriers...all ages, races so don't think you are alone.. I too am a mother/grandmother..  

I was just doing a quick search on google for Barbituate w/d and I don't want to scare you but it does look like a serious drug to come off of.  The worst symptoms are in the beginning, but these can include seizures... so please go to ER if you are running out. 20 years is a long time, and will take some time to get off of.   Going from 8 pills a day down to 1.5 in 9 days is a very rapid drop.  Is there anyway you could call one of the doctors and tell them you are willing to come off but you need to be tapered.  Call the one who prescribed the most, for the longest period.  I'm sure they must be aware of the dangers of withdrawing too fast from barbituates and wouldn't they be liable for stopping you suddenly.  You are not the first to double doctor to get drugs.  

I know it can be embarassing "I am not that far behind you in age", to seek professional help with an addiction .  It's like we should ahve known better,  Claire it can happen to anyone.  Please get professional help

Keep posting and let us know how you are making out.

liliansdream

[Heather8448]

I dont know much about barbs but I do know cutting the caffiene (I notice one of the ingredents is caffiene) can cause jitters. after I became clean I started on a caffiene kick...cause I wanted to feel anything but what I was feeling...I was on diet pills coffee and redbull and a LOT of it...I cut it cold turkey and had anxiety pannic attacks and head aches...so that may be something to look into, cant give medical advice but if it were me as you lower I would drink maybe a couple cups of coffee a day more than normal to balance it out for a bit...good luck

[Frogger76]

Hi!! Sorry to hear about your struggle. There's a website called Recovery Connection, it gives info on barbituate addiction. I think it also provided a phone number so you can chat privately with someone. I hope you find some answers there. I wish you well!!