Side effects while tapering

[Erin178]

Hello,

   I am new to this board, and have received such kind thoughts and advice from several different members.  I am tapering off fioricet with codeine  - I was taking up to 8 or more a day.  Like most of you, I started due to physical pain (back, neck, and jaw), and it just escalated from there.  My doctor up and moved, and left me with 30 pills and no new doctor.  I fessed up to my general practitioner, who gave me another 30 to taper.  I am doing the best I can, but it's been tough.  
   Has anyone who has tapered off any of their medications felt really dizzy?  It's weird, because even though they said dizziness is a side effect of the medication, I never had it until I started tapering off it.  My heart just races too.  
   I have to get off this medication, but I am scared.  After several surgeries that did not accomplish what the doctors had hoped, I am afraid to face that pain.  However, I know I cannot go on like this with the narcotics, either.  I worry about being able to physically go to work.  How do all of you manage with your pain, once you are off the medication?   Any hope anyone can give me to see a light at the end of this tunnel would be wonderful.  Thank you!   Erin

[Erin178]

I completely agree about the mental addiction.  The pull toward that bottle, and to take just one or two extra, is overwhelming.  So far I have resisted, but I don't know how it will turn out as I take fewer and fewer.  

You are also right about the quality of life issue.  I did try OTC medication and it just didn't make a dent in my pain.  That's when the doctor put me on this medication.  I think, though, after taking so much for quite some time, it's not really helping any longer anyway.  I have such a tolerance to it now it's almost like I am popping my morning vitamins.  I sort of looked at my doctor's moving as a sign that it was time to get past this dependence.  

  Time will tell, and I will keep posting.   Thanks to both of you, beentrying2quit and allaboutmary.  It's invaluable hearing of others' experiences.  It makes me feel much less alone.  

[worried878]

Fioricet is considered a barbituate....therefore it must be tapered...different from narcotics...If you have 30...you must slowly taper...seizures can occur with abrupt cessation...do you have someone with you?

[beentrying2quit]

There is a thing called "Quality of Life" that you have to take into account here.  Dont beat yourself up if you are taking pain meds for the right reason.  Yes.....it can change into a full blown addiction where you are selling your body to get meds....or....it can be managed properly.  Are you able to take any OTC pain meds?  You might try substituting Advil if you can but be careful.   Taking too much Advil can cause ulcurs and a host of other stomach problems.

I wont lie to you.....the first 4-7 days can be a real bi tch with the physical symptoms.  In my opinion this is where the real fight begins....the mental addiction can sometimes be overwhelming but it can be done and people do it every day.  How bad do you want this and are you able to live a productive life without any type of pain meds?

I'm not able to take any OTC pain meds have tried to quit taking opiates several times and when I do the pain can be enough to keep me from work and other physical activities.  I do realize that after time a person's body will quit making it's own type of pain killers and begin to rely on the opiates we are taking which makes the body ache when we quit.  Currently I am only taking two 5/325 norcos per day and the rest of the day I suffer with othere problems.  At one time I did let this get out of control and wound up on a 75mic Fentanyl patch every 2 days...only supposed to change them every 3 days.

I am suffering from nerve damage due to a disease the doctors NEVER caught but is fairly common....I think they were just lazy.  So my options are quite small if I want to live fairly pain free.  Good luck to you and I hope you find your answers.

[allaboutmary]

The pain pills can actually make your pain worse.  It did mine.  I know that sounds crazy but it is a fact.  I can take Advil now to deal with the pain I have.  You really won't know your true pain level until you are off the pills for about a month.  Your pain will also increase considerably during your taper and detox.  The heart racing and dizziness sounds like anxiety wich is also very common in tapering or detox.  If you could get the Clonodine from your doctor it really will help. Hang in there and if the tapering gets to be to much, flush those pills and get it over with.  I always felt tapering was just dragging out the enevitable.  Stay strong and keep posting .  It does help.

[Erin178]

Hi Mintz,

  I tried to post this once and it didn't work, so let's try again.  I had never heard of the Thomas recipe,but I did look it up and think it's definitely worth a try.  I do know what you mean about not being numb all the time, it's just weird how used to that feeling you actually get.  Nothing bothers you, nothing upsets you, all is right with the world.  Of course, it's not that easy, but I guess for a short time you fool yourself into thinking that.  I definitely want to try a non narcotic pain reliever.  I haven't heard of levitin, but I am going to check it out.  Thanks so much, Erin

[mintz]

It is difficult both ways on the pills and off but trust me you are better off the pills so you can live a life that is not numb feeling if you know what I mean?  Have you tried any other medicine besides narcotics like levitin.  I am tapering myself this week from being on 80 mgs  a day on Oxy's and I am down to 15 mgs today and tomorrow I will be down to 10, the 5 and then off.

Do a search for the Thomas recipe, that will help you with W/D;s.  Also, if your doc will give you Clonidine, that will help with RLS.  It is a high blood pressure med but works.