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Fiorinal with Codeine Addiction
Hi everyone! I have been drugging since I've been 14 years old... Then I started my "career" and got whacked with a
migraine. Over 20 years later and finally I'm ready to stop. I've been off them now for 12 days and it's been the hardest thing ever!!! So many inspirational posts on here... Thank you all... And I hope I can do this! I have a Drs appt Friday and will no doubt get a new scrip... How do you stop the craziness??? The RLS??? ahhhhhhh!!!!! I just want to be ME again. How do you all do it??? Thanks!!!!
migraine. Over 20 years later and finally I'm ready to stop. I've been off them now for 12 days and it's been the hardest thing ever!!! So many inspirational posts on here... Thank you all... And I hope I can do this! I have a Drs appt Friday and will no doubt get a new scrip... How do you stop the craziness??? The RLS??? ahhhhhhh!!!!! I just want to be ME again. How do you all do it??? Thanks!!!!
Is anyone on this thread. I need a taper plan for Fiorinal with Codeine. I am finally down to 6 a day. What do I do from here?
4 Comments
Hey SMLangley,
this is a super old thread. If you start a new post you'll get more responses. Sadly things have gotten pretty slow here but if you post a new question and be patient you'll responses. Generally there's a rule about not giving tapering instructions however as a general answer why not continue tapering?
If you're at 6 why not go to five a day for a couple weeks, then four etc?
The easiest tapers are the slowest. The negative is that you then drag out the symptoms over a longer time. So, severe withdrawals for a short time or light ones for longer.
For some people(like myself)tapering just doesn't work. I never has the discipline. But for those with the self discipline it seems the best way(thats just my opinion).
What dosage were you at when you started your taper? How long were you one them?
this is a super old thread. If you start a new post you'll get more responses. Sadly things have gotten pretty slow here but if you post a new question and be patient you'll responses. Generally there's a rule about not giving tapering instructions however as a general answer why not continue tapering?
If you're at 6 why not go to five a day for a couple weeks, then four etc?
The easiest tapers are the slowest. The negative is that you then drag out the symptoms over a longer time. So, severe withdrawals for a short time or light ones for longer.
For some people(like myself)tapering just doesn't work. I never has the discipline. But for those with the self discipline it seems the best way(thats just my opinion).
What dosage were you at when you started your taper? How long were you one them?
never had, not has
I just saw your comment. Sorry. I have been on these for 30 years, sad to say. I was taking 12 a day. I did that up until about 3 years ago when I could not get anymore. Then I had to start taking the prescribed amount, 6 a day. With my doctor retiring and my new doctor not wanting to continue prescribing, although he is for now, I knew I had to start tapering. I am just so worried because of everything I have read. Two weeks ago, I cut down to 4 a day. It has been so hard. Not unbearable, but just hard. After all, I have been on these for more than half of my life. So, right now I am at 4. My doctor will only prescribe for 3 more months. Any advice? I am so worried.
Typo above. I reduced to 6 three years ago when I could not get any extra. I was still getting prescribed 6 a day.
I'm really pleased that you told your husband. You really need the support of someone you can trust and talk to openly right now.
I have migraine too, and tried ergotamine but I really didn't like. Later I was started on sumatriptan (Imigran) which did actually work. Luckily they have been going away the last couple of years, and I've only had about 3 this year, which all responded to simple pain killers. I'm sure the same thing will happen to you too, eventually.
The problem is that I think now, that some of those headaches were just every day normal headaches, but because I was so terrified of them developing onto full-blown attacks, I'd take the migraine meds anyway. At other times, I would think that I might have an attack coming on, so would take them 'just in case'.
Anyway, you are lucky that you didn't get any seizures, but that doesn't take anything away from the fact of your incredible achievement.
I do hope you will pluck up the courage to tell your doc about this. she/he needs to know so they can stop that script, otherwise temptation will always be in the way, and if you're feeling low or weak.....
Take care
I have migraine too, and tried ergotamine but I really didn't like. Later I was started on sumatriptan (Imigran) which did actually work. Luckily they have been going away the last couple of years, and I've only had about 3 this year, which all responded to simple pain killers. I'm sure the same thing will happen to you too, eventually.
The problem is that I think now, that some of those headaches were just every day normal headaches, but because I was so terrified of them developing onto full-blown attacks, I'd take the migraine meds anyway. At other times, I would think that I might have an attack coming on, so would take them 'just in case'.
Anyway, you are lucky that you didn't get any seizures, but that doesn't take anything away from the fact of your incredible achievement.
I do hope you will pluck up the courage to tell your doc about this. she/he needs to know so they can stop that script, otherwise temptation will always be in the way, and if you're feeling low or weak.....
Take care
Thanks for your feedback, you are certainly right! I'm on Topomax as a preventative - 100 mg 2x per day - but i don't take it regularly... the neuro really does hate the fiorinal and prefers treximet or relpax as a rule. I started on the Fiorinal with Codeine and ergotamine (which they don't even PRODUCE in this country any more as it's so dangerous!) back when i was 19 and lived in Canada. That's how it all started, completely innocently enough. I ended up in the ER after a 3 day headache that turned out to be a migraine - and the attending physician gave me a 2 prescriptions - one for the fiorinal with codeine and the other - the ergotamine that was vile and sat under your tongue and dissolved... but i will never forget the feeling of euphoria after taking those two pills - one, my headache pain went away and two, i felt so freaking amazing! But i never abused them until many, many years after... probably not until my mid to late twenties. But I know you are right... and I actually feel pretty dam good about where i am today. Hopeful you know? Like i've accomplished something good. I've told my husband. I'm thinking about coming clean to one of my best girlfriends who is also a recovering cocaine addict and who can probably help out from the AA side of things. I told my husband last night how very horrible the wd's were last night... when i would pray to the skies just to make it through... and you are so right - WHY would i throw all of that away???? And the more i read about the seizures - i have no clue how i made it through that without any medical assistance. Yes, I did take zanac and perhaps that helped... but i've also been taking about 50 pills every 5 to 6 days for the last 5 plus YEARS. It could be worse - but that's clearly not normal!!! Anyway - thanks again - and i sure love the support and advice and real world EXPERIENCE on this site. It's amazing how many people are going through the exact same things around the world at this very moment. Humbling and pretty dam scary.
Hannah
Hannah
You really shouldn't be scared to tell your doctor.
She/he knows full well that these things contain barbiturates, and that they are addictive. I really don't think they'll be surprised, and it's nothing they haven't seen a hundred times before.
And you shouldn't want to get any more for your migraines, so please don't ask for a new script otherwise you'll have gone through hell for nothing!
There are lots and lots of migraine treatments around, from acute treatments to preventatives. I'm sure you can't have tried them all To be perfectly honest I am astonished that the company receives a license to produce a medication containing barbiturates for migraine.
It may work, but it's dangerous, and certainly not appropriate.
Take care
She/he knows full well that these things contain barbiturates, and that they are addictive. I really don't think they'll be surprised, and it's nothing they haven't seen a hundred times before.
And you shouldn't want to get any more for your migraines, so please don't ask for a new script otherwise you'll have gone through hell for nothing!
There are lots and lots of migraine treatments around, from acute treatments to preventatives. I'm sure you can't have tried them all To be perfectly honest I am astonished that the company receives a license to produce a medication containing barbiturates for migraine.
It may work, but it's dangerous, and certainly not appropriate.
Take care
Day 14!!! I'm so excited to have made it to this point. I finally told my husband everything last night - he was shocked but totally supportive. I only hope he still feels the same way today! I suppose I'm really on the hook now! Well, here's to Friday and a nice relaxing weekend ahead! Looking forward to Monday when I'll be on day17... And just one day away from my longest time off this crap.
L
L
That is one of the biggest steps you will take. I mean telling your dr. Most drs will help you get through it any way they can. He is your advocate,we look to them for help. I think you will be happy when you do tell him. You wont be doing it alone anymore. we are here for support,but your dr will help with the physical stuff.
Just tell the doctor everything. You don't want to take this crap everyday!!! The codeine is one thing but the Fiorinal is a barbiturate and hangs around for a while. Keep drinking and flushing your system. I don't mean to alarm you but facts are facts. You've been lucky and I'm sure the Valium helped. It has a long half life. There are other meds for migraine that work well. Also,the headaches now are probably rebound headaches.
Why did you stop if you're just going to ask for another rx for this? It doesn't make sense...
Good luck and tell the truth...and you're not going to stroke out from THIS...the cigarettes maybe....
Why did you stop if you're just going to ask for another rx for this? It doesn't make sense...
Good luck and tell the truth...and you're not going to stroke out from THIS...the cigarettes maybe....
Ahhhhhh!!!! You've sort of got me freaked out on the seizure issue! I normally run a few miles a day - obviously during the wd's I've not been out for awhile - but def wanted to crush some mileage this weekend... NOW I'm scared in case I end up dead! K - I know this is ridiculous - but I'm afraid to tell my DR. Once she knows, she would never prescribe these again to me... And I'm freaking out because when I do get my next migraine - I'll be stuck with OTC stuff. But I suppose there is no middle / happy ground huh. I also quit smoking last week - it's strange that w/o being high - they tasted like garbage! Thanks for the support, please stick with me... Here's hoping I don't stroke out today!!! Yikes!!!
You are 12 days out,I wouldnt get a new script for the codeine. If you are already through that far,why start over. Here to support you no matter what.
well, u really have to be strong to do it...
try to keep yourself occupied most of the time...
DONT sit idle....
be with your family, friends, kids, n that love will help you leave the pills....
Best of Luck......!!!
http://www.cellhub.com
try to keep yourself occupied most of the time...
DONT sit idle....
be with your family, friends, kids, n that love will help you leave the pills....
Best of Luck......!!!
http://www.cellhub.com
Pattifan~ I don't give a hoot what you're on line data sheet says...the risk of seizure sticks around for several weeks just like the drug. I don't want to have a pi$$ing contest with you but you're wrong and I'm right. I wouldn't make those statements if I didn't know they were true.
Way to confuse the poster...thanks!!
PS I use reference books for my information...
Way to confuse the poster...thanks!!
PS I use reference books for my information...
Hi
Just checked the Fiorinal pharmaceutical data sheet on line.
Risk of seizure activity following abrupt withdrawal is from 16 hours to 5 days. Obviously you're well past that so I think you're in the clear (obviously no guarantees).
Vicky is quite right. You should tell your doctor for further reassurance.
Keep on going Hannah, and bring the list another success story!
Take care
Just checked the Fiorinal pharmaceutical data sheet on line.
Risk of seizure activity following abrupt withdrawal is from 16 hours to 5 days. Obviously you're well past that so I think you're in the clear (obviously no guarantees).
Vicky is quite right. You should tell your doctor for further reassurance.
Keep on going Hannah, and bring the list another success story!
Take care
Hannah~ I'm glad you feel so good~
I'll only suggest that you are still at risk for seizure activity. The Valium you've been taking has pre empted this,I'm sure.Tell your doctor tomorrow...
I'll only suggest that you are still at risk for seizure activity. The Valium you've been taking has pre empted this,I'm sure.Tell your doctor tomorrow...
THANK YOU!!!! Yes, day 13 and I'm jacked! In the beginning it seemed like it would never get better. Unfortunately I hadn't found you all and this forum until the very worst was over - wish i would have had all the tips to make it back on day 3!!! And my poor husband - I told him I had the flu - I was throwing up, hot and cold sweats, REALLY, really painful stomach cramps, bone aches and the worst - couldn't sleep for a week practically due to jumping around like a jumping bean. After making it through that - I don't know WHY I would ever get back on them. Except Sunday I got a left sided migraine and it stuck around till early Wednesday morning. I took excedrin migraine, motrin, advil and aleve... At one point I wondered if it was the addict in me seeking the drugs by faking pain??? Oh well - looking forward to moving forward and I kind of like this clearer head of mine! Whodda thunkit??? Thanks again and much luv to everyone! We can do this!!!!
Hi Hannah,
Congratulations on getting to day 13! Well done.
I genuinely do think your well over the worst now, and things should soon be getting a lot better for you.
As has already been said, be honest with your doctor when you see him/her, and don't you dare accept a new script!
Thinking of you
Take care
Congratulations on getting to day 13! Well done.
I genuinely do think your well over the worst now, and things should soon be getting a lot better for you.
As has already been said, be honest with your doctor when you see him/her, and don't you dare accept a new script!
Thinking of you
Take care
Thanks for your posts. I've been reading the message boards on here for a few days now and have for the first time not felt so alone in this. I went from 8 - 10 capsules a day to ct. I've read about seizures - but thankfully never had one. On day 13 w/o anything - do you think I'm out of the woods on that point? Last night was the second night that i actually slept thru the nite! Encouraging! But like a lot out there - I'm most afraid of who I'm going to be off the pills. I looked forward to waking up and taking them and then lying back in bed until they worked their "magic" and then could take on the day... BUT - I know that they were interfering with my work, my memory is shot and I believe that they had turned me into an unemotional person - def not ideal for a new marriage. No libido at ALL - just a former shell of myself. I do however legitimately suffer from migraine headaches - and take preventative meds, plus either Relpax or Treximet at onset. And obviously the fiorinal with codeine. Whew! I've tried this before and either couldn't stand the wd's (amazing but awful how taking a few take all the wd pain away.) or would go back on them just because. The longest I've ever gone w/o is 18 days... Here's to everyones sobriety... Cheers! Have a great day!!!
1 Comments
I know it has been a long time but can I ask how you are doing? I am in the same boat.
Well,not everyone can do it. You need a lot of support and you need a reason and you have to love yourself more than the pills.
Now,It's very bad to stop this med cold turkey. The codeine is not a problem but the Fiorinal needs to be tapered. You're very lucky you haven't had a seizure yet. Are you completely out of the meds? If not,I suggest you take a couple everyday until your appt.
At your appt. don't BS the doctor. Tell the truth and tell him you want off!
Good Luck~
Now,It's very bad to stop this med cold turkey. The codeine is not a problem but the Fiorinal needs to be tapered. You're very lucky you haven't had a seizure yet. Are you completely out of the meds? If not,I suggest you take a couple everyday until your appt.
At your appt. don't BS the doctor. Tell the truth and tell him you want off!
Good Luck~
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