fioricet

[scared2]

i have been addicted to fioricet without codeine for over 6 year s, i take just about 6 or 7 a day, i take about 3 every morning to get me going, because i feel it is the only way to get me going.  i want to stop.  i am scared that i may have caused liver damage, and i do not want to die.  i also in addition at night right after work pop 1 1/2 of vicodin es, but not any more than that.  but none the less still addicted.  and i have been doing that for the same amount of time, but just in the past year taking 1/1/2 everyday, it used to be just on the weekends.

i need some advise on stopping, what kind of withdrawls i might have.  what kind of herbs can i take to help maybe correct my liver damage.  i am 31, and i think i still have a chance to reverse any damage, if i can just stop using.

please help

scared

[chronicheadaches]

I've been taking Fiorcet (without Codeine) for over 10 years now for migraines.  It was like a miracle drug at first, probably because I didn't take it everyday and if I did it was never more than 2 a day.  Over the years I got off it a few times, with no real withdrawl symptoms (I wasn't taking enough of it.)  More recently my migraines worsened so I upped my intake to 4-6 a day, and eventually I became dependant on it meaning I was getting headaches because I wasn't taking it (not addicted mind you,) and also quite tolerant to it.  I was then prescribed Hydrodcodone because the Fiorcet just wasn't doing it's job.  I stopped the Fioricet again cold turkey with again no withdrawls.  Quit for 3 months straight and it regained it's strength.  I'm now taking about 2 a day again, and am currently weaning off of it as fast as I can.  Really it's not that strong a of a drug, it only contains tylenol, caffeine, and a small amount of barbituate.

[Kat49]

If you are staying at such a low dose then, of course, your withdrawals won't be much to write home about!  If you're supplementing with hydrocodone, it'll mask the major WD's, also. And if you say it's not a dangerous drug - IT IS!!!!!! Why do you think so many of us are on here?  It's the butalbital - it's a freakin' barbiturate!!  Maybe your brain chemistry doesn't get "turned on" like some of us and you can start and stop as you please. It's like vicoden - look at all the addicts on this forum!!!  I can take it or leave it at any time.  Fiorinal is my drug of choice and it's very difficult.  I take Imitrex to supplement it - hydrocodone will cause major rebound or hangover effect. Ask any specialist. It's NOT for headaches alone unless mixed with fiorinal/cet. Maybe in the beginning of using it, but after awhile it won't stop a headache alone.  Kat

[FiorinalJR]

Kat, if you're the original "Bultalbital Babe", am I the original "Butalbital Hunk" (or something like that)?  Am I the only guy on this, and the drugabuse.com boards?  I wonder if I'm the only guy with this problem (F's), or if there are many more, but they are just too macho to seek help.

Whaddya think?

JR

[chronicheadaches]

There's a very small amount of butalbital mixed in with a large amount of Tylenol and a low dose of caffeine.  I fail to see how this is a real abusable drug.  In my opinion, if you have a problem getting off of it get some Phenobarbital and ween off of that ...it should diffuse any withdrawl symptoms without having to take anymore Tylenol.  

And yes, my situation is different because I basically switched over from 6 Fioricet a day to 6 Hydro's.  I also use Imitrex to supplement my pain along with Ativan and Phenergen.

[Kat49]

I think you're right about guys not wanting to come forward and seek help.  I personally know just women addicted to fiorinal, but I'm sure there are guys out there, too.   As far as the post above by the person who thinks it's not an abusable drug - you should visit a rehab center and see all the people coming off a long addiction of fiorinal.  The "small" amount of the barb. is multiplied with each pill and just because you don't happen to be addicted to it, doesn't mean it isn't a dangerously addictable drug!  I fail to see how hydrocodone or even Oxycontin is addicting!!!  I can't stand to take it - it works, but I feel no "high" from it, just an "out of it" kind of feeling. So, I would never get into that drug.  Everyone's different!

[chronicheadaches]

I'm not trying to cause any trouble here, I would just find it impossible for myself to get addicted to a drug such as Fioricet.  That's what makes this my opinion.  The tylenol is in there so you can't abuse it, that's why I never would.  If I had some straight up bultabital it would be easily abusable.  I guess you can abuse anything though if you don't care about the consequences of taking high amounts of it, i.e., destroying your liver with the Tylenol for what little high you can eek out of Fioricet.  I've been addicted to drugs before but found all my strength in God to help me through it.   This is all just my opinion, just as ya'll have stated yours I have stated mine.   You don't have to read it or believe it, it's just what I think.