Fioricet with codeine addiction??

[sp34]

Hi! I cant even believe I am asking this question.... this is the first time I am facing this head on.... Bear with me while i tell my story.

Over 10 years ago (when I was about 16) I had a dr prescribe me Fiorinal with codeine for my terrible migraines. I literally sat them on the shelf and noticed some friends would steal them and I knew they were a very wanted drug. I never took part in taking them. ONLY when I had a migraine.... Well when I was 21, I went through a terrible divorce with a 2 week old baby and a 2 year old. I called my mom one morning when I was struggling to go on with life.... she asked if I had any meds that I took (depression Im assuming...) I said no but I had some Fiorinal with codeine that made me feel happy when I took them. I only took them with migraines so didnt know the effect without the headache. She said to go take it and get the girls ready and go to work. Well after about 30 min of taking it, I was so euphoric that I could go on with life. I ended up going back to this dr and getting about 40 a month. I only needed one dose a day of 2 tabs and somethings a little more... Well a couple years later I lost insurance and this dr moved away....

I went years without this medication but longed for the euphoric feeling so bad. I caught myself thinking about it BUT this is the only med that took away my terrible migraines that sent me to the hospital many times.

Well I went to a new dr a year ago and asked for this med. He said and I quote "no dr will prescribe this. Its highly addictive" I went on and was pretty upset that he just "didnt understand." He gave me some Tylenol with codeine and sent me on my way. I came back a couple months later with the bottle of Tylenol and loaded the bottle up with all the Tylenol #3's that I had so he wouldnt think I took them too much. He looked in the bottle and asked if they worked. I said no... would really like the Fiorinal. He ended up giving me Fioricet with codeine which is pretty much the same thing. I only get 30 a month. Well the last dose he gave me, I took the whole bottle in like 8 days!!!!! I called back for more and was told to call back in 21 days.... I then found a new dr who gave me a script for 30 a month and 3 refills... I was shocked.... I had to go back to the other dr for a kidney pain I was having and he prescribed it to me too again since it has been 21 days!! I then take it to a different pharmacy and pay out of pocket to not allow my insurance co to catch on... So now I have 2 drs prescribing the same med. It made me happy to know I will get this med when I need it and I can take 2-4 a day without feeling like Im running out.... So now Im feeling the need for this med MORE! Help! How do I stop? I tried taking just 2 a day and it makes me a nervous wreck. My favorite thing about this med besides the euphoric feeling is the intense great feeling I have when I smoke a cigarette on it. I can smoke 5 in a row and be so happy.... I just hate when it wears off. I get SOOOO tired and irratable. :(

[Dane74]

As of now you are in a good spot where you can get off of these with a slow taper, if you continue to use its only going to get out of hand and before you know it you will lose all control.  You are here, and you are scared so that is  a great start now take action and tell your hubby.  You said " I have the best husband but im so scared to admit it. That would mean he would monitor me and my euphoria would end."  YES YES YES, thats exactly what you want to happen!!!!!  ITs time to say goodbye to the "euphoria" and in time you will feel euphoric again the good ol fashion way, chocolate, sex, dancing in the rain...etc......  Now believe me i am not saying its easy to tell our little secret as i had to tell my hubby and i was scared poop, and i was ashamed and embarrassed and just miserable, i told him ALL of it, and it wasn't pleasant by any means, the crap i did when i was using and putting my life and my kids life in jeopardy talk about shame.....I felt it all and at times i still do, but at least i can say i am trying and i am clean.  The truth shall set you free my friend....  It was  a huge weight lifted off of me as i need all the help i could get.  Lean on your hubby, he will support you and hold you accountable. Please go to your doc and get on a taper plan, and do not be messing with two RX's imagine your hubby finding out that way?  Be truthful with him, cry and ask for help, tell him the pills took control over you, show him that you want help and guidance.  I wish you only the best....

[vicki595]

I'd like to add my support to you and suggest a few things. First, I'll tell you that I had a very long love affair with Fioricet. I took the plain, without codeine, and was beyond addicted. I couldn't breathe without them.

You're fortunate that you're recognizing the problem now, believe me. It gets worse with the butalbital being the big baddie here...it stops making you happy in time but keeps you physically tied.
Taper NOW.
Tell your husband. It sounds like he's a good guy and will be supportive. He may not judge you as harshly as you think and you'll feel a lot better when you share this burden with him.
Taper slowly to avoid all the discomfort but get this done and for Gods sake, stop using two separate rx's!   I promise you...you'll be caught.
You'll need to come clean with the doctors and ask one to help you with a taper plan. The most important thing here is to eliminate your sources.

Please stay in touch here...it's a wonderful place for support and good advice.

[VICourageous]

Hi..I just want to Ditto what my MH friends said above. I would like to just add that I am no young chic and I used substance most of my life. We do use this for the "I feel good" or "It gets me going" or "I feel like Superwoman" etc. We build up a Tolerance to all substances and we need more and more. Like it says at the meetings; "We use to Live and Live to use". I would like to encourage you to please get out now why you are still young. It gets harder and harder as we grow and the unbalancing of the Transmitters in the Brain get worse. It takes a whole lot of work to stay clean and to learn to live in your own skin and deal with your emotions in a normal way. Honesty and Support are Two keys to Recovery. I sure wish you the best and that you try to stop now before it is to late.
Bless

[atthebeach]

I am glad you posted today if you were at that point yesterday.
this is a good thing.
take some deep breathes and think about this.
stay at the lowest dose possible now.
you will need to come up with a plan in moving forward.

[sp34]

You are very right atthebeach. Its scary. I actually took a dose yesterday and felt nothing. Almost took more :(

[sp34]

Thank u!!!