Fioricet - My story

[Nik_79]

I wanted to share my story about fioricet addiction so that I could possibly help someone else. I started taking Fioricet 11 years ago, I was asked by a " friend" if my dr would call me in a script for it ( my so called friend is heavly addicted to fioricet ) my dr did call me in 90 with 3 refills , I gave my friend 40 & kept the rest. I decided to take 1 & liked the way it made me feel so I took 2. Now back 11 years ago I had these " rules" I would follow.. I would only take 6 per day & no more than 6 a day and never any after 8pm, that was for about 2 years until I accidently took a few extras. I loved the buzz! My dr continued to prescribe them to me & I found a way to get them without my dr. This is when I got bad. 90 would last me 1 week so 10-11 per day. My dr cut me down to 30 a month no refills so I had to get them another way and I would get 1 to 2 orders of 90 every week ( just in case ) well the just in case was my addiction, I never stopped taking this drug because I was afraid of stopping. I didnt like feeling tired and nasty headache every morning but I still every day took them. about 3-4 years ago I had some major issues going on in my personal life and the 90 fioricet was not enough anymore. I again found a way to get 180 and I would spend a awful amount of money every week to do so. I was getting 360 fioricet per week because I was sooo afraid of running out. I knew I was addicted,  I was scared, I wanted to stop & I tried to cut down but every time I got more I be back to where I was & that was taking 180 fioricet per week. At this time I was taking 30+ per day, I was tired, I felt sick, I looked sick & I was sick. but I still took them every day. The end of april 2014 I wasnt able to get them any longer & got VERY scared. I had 60 fioricet left & decided to TRY to cut down, I did... the 1st day I took 25 the next day I took 20 & the few days after I took 10-8 & it was bad!!! I called a family member to come over I was soooo scared & knew I needed to do something or get them some how , well I couldnt get them so I came online & found this forum & read & read and still didnt know what to do, I didnt want to call my dr because its a new dr & I never seen him yet, I didnt want to go to a rehab but I did call 1 but  they couldnt do anything. I decided to ask a friend of mine about a hospital she worked at & she begged me to go to the detox there and the next day I did. I was very scared and asked the detox nurses how they would wean me off & they said phenobarbital taper & that was fine with me. So the 1st night Im in detox , scared & hungry... they infact did not give me phenobarbital but just non addictive medications to help with the withdrawl, I was closley monitored. The 1st night was pretty bad, cold sweats, legs cramping but nothing horrible. When I woke up I was surpised I had no headache and didnt feel like I was in withdrawl besides my shaky hands. I wasnt as scared then. on my 2nd day in detox I felt sick but I still was able to eat & sleep. I had a headache but ibprophin took my headache away, The dr seen me there & went over my lab tests & to my suprise I had NO liver or kidney damage the lab work was perfect except my potassium was low. 11 years I abused this drug and no damage at all?!?!! well I took that as a blessing & continued to fight this nasty addiction & to be finally free of my old best friend known as Fioricet. After 4 days in detox I was able to go home. I was excited but also scared. At home I did not feel the urge to take fioricet until the phone starts ringing & my anxiety is running rampid but I still didnt answer the phone & I never took any fioricet. My anxiety was bad for 5 days, knock at the door my heart is pumping so fast & hard, the phone ringing the same thing, any loud noises, sounds or anything really would set off a anxiety attack. I survived though , I never had a horrible headache that 2 advil would cure. My energy is back, I can think normal again, I dont look like I havent slept in 15 years & I actually get excited about tomorrow or later or about little things like shopping for food. I wanted to write this because when I was taking 30+ per day and wanted to quit I was so scared and couldnt really find anything that helped me know I would be ok. Yes alot of posts made me feel better but none actually made me feel like Id be OK . Please if you are looking for help Im begging you to get help!! medical help!!! I know from many failed attempts that I couldnt of done this by myself even under a Drs care but that is just me, the way I did this worked best for me & I do not regret it at all. Fioricet addiction is not anything to mess with, I truly believe that Im still here because Im suppose to help someone else. Today I am 15 days clean from fioricet!!! :) I feel great and I never ever want to take 1 more of anything. I do hope this helps someone!! Thank you for taking the time to read this :)

[fiorihell]

Wanted to tell you great job on your detox, you have accomplished a huge step! I know this is an old post, but wanted to give congrats to you, hope all is well and your still going strong!!...: ).songbird

[Nik_79]

Thanks Vicki595 ,

I did sign up to go to aftercare at a outpatient rehab but I never made it due to car issues. I know its very important to do something for aftercare so Im looking into some na meetings. Luckily I have awesome support from friends & family so that makes it so much easier I think, but I do plan on going to na meetings. :)

[vicki595]

Good job on two weeks clean from Fioricet.  Do you have a recovery plan in place? Aftercare?  Having been where you are, it's extremely important.
Good luck-