fioricet addiction

[Connie51]

I have been reading this forum for a couple weeks. I have admitted my fioricet problem to my husband and am ready to help myself. I have tried before but am now determined. There does not seem to be much online about this drug but am desperate to find someone who has had the same addiction. It has a barbituate it so it is tricky to come off of but I hear it can be done.
Anyone who has been there it would be a miracle to hear from you as I have never met anyone with the same addiction.
A bit of information as to where I am at.
I am 51 and have been addicted to them for around 7 years. I take between 8 and 10 EVERY day. It started from needing pain relief from migraines and took off from there. The migrains are no longer a problem.
I am in very poor condition in the morning till I take two.
Please if any one knows of a tapering schedule or has been there I will appreciate anything you have to say. I am aware of seizures. That is why I need help from another fioricet addict (recovering)or on a taper. The people on this forum are so kind, I am so glad I have found you all.
Thank you

[pilot116]

Good morning.

Well, this tapering thing has made me an absolute lightweight!!  Used to, I would have to take 2 pills within 2 hours before I noticed slurring, dry mouth, etc.  

Well, I had a heck of a headache since last night.  I ate something I should not have.  Shame on me.  Anyway, I took 1/2 last night and went to bed.  This morning, still a killer headache so took 1/2 right when I got up.  It helped but of course, started wearing off after about 2 hours.  So I took another 1/2.  Then 45 min later took 1/2 more.  Sum total, 1 1/2 pills in 4 hours (only 1/2 more than my tapering schedule).  Dag nab if I didn't just slur a few words on my last teleconference.  I was so aware of it and oh, how stupid that sounds!!!!  

I have not blown my daily limit.  I still have 1 pill to get me thru the rest of the day.  After this little incident, I think I will stick to 1/2 at a time, and wait a full 3 hours before the next 1/2!  I may end up blowing it by 1/2 a pill, but hey, compared to taking 6 or more a day, 1/2 a pill I can handle.

I am sure you guys are thinking 2 1/2-3 pills a day...that is not much of a big deal.  It is small compared to what some of you are or were taking.  But, wimpy though it may be, it is a bear to get off these last few!!

1/2 a pill at a time, right JR.  

Nothing like a little awareness of how stupid you sound to make you stick to your program.  

Hope you guys are having a great day.  I am going to get a soda and try to sober up a bit.  

Dancing and Kat,  I am pretty close to the twig description.  I am 5'3"  but only about 104

[The Golden Slipper]

My MRI came out completely negative. The doc suggested I try physical therapy. I asked him if it could be from the rebound and all he said was "possibly" but I would just have to wait and see if it goes away.

Dancing in the dark - Welcome to the forum I've enjoyed reading your posts. I have done all those crazy things that have been mentioned.  The one about the early refill due to an upcoming trip really got me.  I used to pull that one all the time. I was quite the world traveller!!!

Hope everyone has a good night and LinnieSue are you out there? Back from your vacation yet??  Please post to us.

Golden Slipper

[Kat49]

Forgot to ask you: how did you manage when you did "without" as you say?  Didn't you get sick or grossly anxious or anything physical? If you did as much as you did, I would think that nausea would set in after a few days of not having any! And, no, I'm really not a twig! I'm 5'3" and am normally around 110lbs. and was well-proportioned. Now, I'm eating like a pig and all the wrong stuff and it's settling in my butt and thighs. I agree that 118 isn't fat, but my body has changed metabolism since I've given up my "kick in the ass" drug! I do drink green tea like Pilot suggested and have for years. It's good for your bod and especially the stomach. Take care!   Kat

[Kat49]

To hear your experiences of what desperate measures we sank to in order to get our precious pills is what every addict could probably attest to if asked.  I've never binged on them probably because they did make me sick after 9 or 10. When I've run out and it reached the 32hr. mark, I started throwing up like a junkie without a fix.  Like you both say, every person is different.  But, without 5 or 6, I was scared to death that my doctor wouldn't refill.  I haven't taken any in almost a month and I haven't had the horrendous migraines or withdrawal headaches since week 1.  I do get tension headaches - did since highschool and have always used prescription meds for them. I know that the F does cause rebound headaches around the clock for me. Since I quit (and everytime I quit) the severe pain I get that seems SO deep has gone and is pretty much under control. So, that's why I'm positive it's the fiorinal. I never got drowsy from it either. I don't know one person who does!! I gave 2 to a girl at work who was suffering so bad one day, that I couldn't bear it any longer. After 45 min. she knocked on my office door and exact words were: "what the f--- did you give me? That **** is UNREAL!  My f---- headache is not only gone, but I finished the report and don't have to stay after work now!" She called her doctor and asked to have a small script because the tension headaches and PMS ones were getting too close together and more intense  - almost debilitating. He said, "only 30 w/no refills because it's highly addictive." Every time she wants a refill, she has to physically go in and take off work and that, to me, is overkill!!! Give me a break! This girl goes through 30 every 6 wks! But, that's how this stuff makes you LOVE it immediately. By the way, she NEVER says f--- in the 12 yrs. she's worked for me!  The F does F you up!!!!  Have a great evening everyone.   And Golden Slipper, how did your MRI come out?   Kat

[dancinginthedark]

Pilot,

I appreciated your insight & comments re: the binge/yearn ;-) syndrome.  Thank goodness I'm not the only one!

You mentioned you would be horrible for the 1st 3 days & then jog (or whatever) it off the next 3 & then get your refill.  

My question is:  Were you horrible AFTER you'd run out or while bingeing?  

I'm being very good this wk. for some strange reason but when bingeing, I get very energetic, accomplish heaps, sleep next to none & love the world.  1st day w/out is great.  Then I go down down down & feel positively listless & depressed.  However, I wonder how much is psychological.  In that I'm expecting it.  I recall times I've HAD to get up & go & once I was up & so forth, I was fine.

Take care, hang tough & congrats on your progress & courage.

Joods

[dancinginthedark]

PILOT!  Are you telling me I have to give up the buzz only to become a blimp??????  It matters not that I need to gain a few & that my breasts are positively concave.  I AM WOMAN!  I AM WEIRD! (And damn, I should have gone off that codeine before cuz I feel so great!)

Nonetheless:

(A visceral cacophony reported thousands of miles away). I've become accustomed to women hating me because I don't gain as I get older & I'd certainly miss that to be certain!

Best,

Joods

P.S.  Pilot, loved your last missive.  I was howling & will reply later.  Just finished 1 pc. & while I'm on a fiorinal roll ;-) I'm getting to the next one!

P.P.S.  I remembered this one as I was reading yours can't believe I forgot it. (We try!)

I was running a conference in some exotic port of call & while standing in the meeting room discussing "weighty" issues with my chairmen, I expertly snuck a pill into my mouth knowing I'd be even more brilliant ;-) on like pill #37 ;-) Swallowed the capsule & it went down sideways, transmogrified into something of Biblical proportions & wedged right between these uh, bumps on my chest.  I was horribly uncomfortable & thought I might choke so I made some lame coughing noise & rapped my chest HARD.  An odd sensation followed & I suddenly felt rather liberated, shall we say.  As the cause of my newfound "freedom" dawned on me, I noticed my treasurer & the v.p. of standards furtively not looking me straight in the eyes but a tad further down.  Yip.  The front door flew open!