Fioricet help anyone???????????

[Wishiwerenormalagain]

Does anyone have experience with fioricet?  I have recently been weaned off of fioricet after 5 years.  I have been off of them a week.  The doctor that weaned me off of them them gave me a script for klonopin .25 mg every 6 hours for 10 days.  I am on my 2nd day of the klonopin and I feel like a zombie.  He said this would help prevent seizures but that I couldn’t take the klonopin for more than 10 days (which is fine by me) but can anyone out there tell me what to expect when I quit taking the klonopin  and when I will get back to feeling normal.  I feel like a shell of a human being to say the very least.  

[my_mayberry]

Sam,

There is dependence and abuse potential with fioricet. If you are aware of this and have a good, open relationship with your doctor about watching for this, they may have therapeutic value. That would be between you and your doctor. Just because a medication has abuse and addiction potential does not mean that it cannot serve a therapeutic need. I suppose my question would be whether you are experiencing any problems with dependency or addiction currently? If not, self-educating and conversations with your doctor are key to using the medication properly.

[Sam1918]

I take Fioricet only for migraines and it is the only thing that works for a full blown migraine.  Don't know about long time useage.  

[my_mayberry]

yeah...i do believe that in its biggest year, it accounted for 1/3 of all prescriptions written. it was one of the biggest selling drugs up till that time. i can't remember where i read that....

well its not much different today, though. seems to still be xanax, valium, or ativan for every ailment. difference is not as many people die from these...so all is well in the eyes of the doctors.

[vicki595]

Mayberry~~

I remember that drug from back in the day...and thought you would know about it. Just curious...     I know it was way over prescribed in the 60's and 70's,maybe earlier,and mostly to women :)

I did NOT know that info on Soma.  I knew Soma was addicting and I've never taken it
but I had not a clue that it breaks down to meprobamate!

[my_mayberry]

see vicki....thats another one like butalbital. miltown was waaaaay over prescribed back in its day and eventually they phased it out and made it a C-IV...however, soma is not a controlled substance in most states and so its pretty easy to order online. infact the biggest money makers for online pharmacy's tends to be butalbital, soma, and tramadol.

[my_mayberry]

sort of....the actual drug itself still is, but its hardly ever rx'd. soma is though....and soma's active metabolite is meprobamate. why do you ask?

[vicki595]

Mayberry~  I hope I AM wrong!!     Hey,you would know this: Is meprobamate still around??

[my_mayberry]

well vicki, you might be wrong...they just MAY eventually be taken off, but i suspect thats a good 10 years off. its getting closer though. doctors are slowly phasing them out. i suspect they will never completely go off market, but i believe far fewer doctors will be willing to prescribe them. who knows...maybe if we're lucky, they'll slap a c-II on it and just leave it at that. that would reserve it only for the last-resort treatment....right where it needs to be!

[vicki595]

Exactly!!   It just takes time.  My worst problem was the crushing anxiety...that took a lot of work!

You're nearly a month clean!!   That's wonderful!!  Everyday gets better. Just remember: You can NEVER touch a Fioricet again.  It will easily fly you right back to where you were!

They won't be taken off the market. They work too well. Not every one gets hooked on them.  Most people get pain relief and a bit drowsy.  I got pain relief,euphoria over the top,and energy!!  It's how MY brain reacted and I suspect yours also.

It gets better. I don't miss it one bit now!!

[Wishiwerenormalagain]

I took the last fioricet on October the 8th.  Then had the ten days of klonopin.  I have been exercising and eating well.  I slept better last night that I have in 5 years.  Maybe I am getting one foot back in the land of the living.  I swear those fioricet should be taken off of the market.  At least that is my opinion.   I know it will take time to feel normal again but I am impatient and I have to keep telling myself I didn't get this was over night.

Mary Beth

[vicki595]

Hi~  First I'll say that I sleep well. I was born tired!!   Once in a while I can't sleep but it's fine usually...

After the Fioricet days,I did fine. BUT,I tapered for 9 months so I was adjusted. On the rare night I had difficulty,I took Melatonin which works great for me.

I,also,changed up my routines. I started taking vitamins,eating better,and getting MORE exercise. I never napped during the day.

It all takes time. Just put it all in the past,don't think about the pills,and don't worry about sleep.  No TV in the bedroom either!

So,how long has it been since you last took any Fioricet?

[Wishiwerenormalagain]

Well I talked to my doc's office and they say it is normal, whatever normal is, anyway did you have trouble sleeping after you got off of the fioricet. I go to sleep but then I wake up about 1 or 2 am and can't go back to sleep, also I am having a lot of anxiety.  Did anyone have these problems, if so how long does it last?

[vicki595]

Good...they'll call back.  Most of this is normal. Actually it's all normal except I was thinking you should be feeling better by now.  We're all different though.

Let me know what the doctor says...

[Wishiwerenormalagain]

I put a call in to my doc, haven't heard back yet but the ONLY thing I was taking was the fioricet and the Klonopin for 10 days.  I can't even look at an opiate with out getting sick.

[vicki595]

This is normal BUT it's sounds a lot like opiate withdrawal,too.  Anyway,replace fluids and stay calm.

Call your doctor and just let them know how you're feeling.

Post back...

[Wishiwerenormalagain]

Thanks everyone.  I have more question.  Since this drug from hell is a CNS depressant and now my SNS is no longer depressed, is that why everything is in overdrive?  I mean I eat something, it goes right through, I hiccup, yawn sneeze, etc.  I sweat like I have never sweated before.  Is this all part of it because about an hour ago I was ready to call 911, I guess I am scared.

Mary Beth

[sweatinit]

Hi!
Wow does what you're going through bring back memories...Wehn my anxiety was off the charts; I would take a deep breath and know that the feeling I had was going to pass. Baths & heating pad helped along with just relaxing. Emoitionally I was a train wreck for a little while too, but again I took a deep breath and remembered that everything I was going through was needed to be clean from this wicked drug!
It's uncomfortable but in the end really~really worth it! Hang in there and try to just take a minute at a time if you have to...

[my_mayberry]

thats kind of what i expected to happen...a delay of the inevitable. wild mood swings are to be expected. during my withdrawal i would go from laughing hysterically to being very angry at the flip of a switch. this actually lasts a while....but luckily the really bad anxiety doesn't last as long.

this is one reason having a therapist during this time would do you a lot of good. the next few months will be a huge emotional roller coster. best thing is that you have the hardest parts done...now just look forward. it can only get better. you're feeling the worst that you will feel emotionally....it will slowly start to get better.

[vicki595]

Yes,it's normal. Do anything to relax yourself (except for pills,of course).  Get in a hot bath. You have to concentrate on relaxing. Take deep,slow breaths in and out. It's very normal and your body and brain are trying to adjust.

There's a lot of anxiety associated with getting clean from this drug and it can persist. It gets better over time so just push through. Stop worrying.

If,at any time,you feel confused or disoriented,call your doctor right away. I doubt it will happen but be aware.

The mood swings are normal, as well.  All you can do is ride it out,distract yourself,and relax.

Let us know how you're feeling...

[Wishiwerenormalagain]

Okay, I need help!   I took the last Klonopin day before yesterday and I am beginning to feel like I am going to shake to death and I am crying all the time and feel like this is never going to end.  My moods are swinging from one end to the other.  Is this normal.  Vicki, I asked my doctor on friday about what to expect and he said "I reallly can't tell you"  we mostly see people hooked on opiates.  I love this doc, he has been so helpful but I was a little shocked by the answer but at least he was truthful.

Mary Beth

[vicki595]

Linda~   Go to the top of this page and click on the green "post a question".  Follow the prompt.  See you there!

[linda235]

It is fioricet w/codeine.  No, I do not really have a plan.  How do I start my own thread so you, vicki, and others who want to help can give me some ideas on what worked for them?

Thanks for answering back.  I don't feel quite so alone.  I really do want to stop and like the person who says they wishiwerenormalagain, me too.

Will await your replies.  Thanks again!

[vicki595]

Linda!!!   Hi!   Listen,start your own thread and let's work on this!   You know you have to taper so start doing that,a little bit at a time.

I'll help you as much as I can but you really,really have to WANT to stop. It just won't work otherwise. But,trust me,you can do it!

You won't believe how much better you can feel !

xo

[my_mayberry]

i'm very sorry to hear that. as much as we try to avoid relapse, and as much we tell ourselves its not ok to give in to the urge...unfortunately all too often its a very real reality of being an addict. i know that all too well. i also know how easy it is to relapse and end up taking more than the first time. what are you doing to start over? relapsing is one thing, but not having a game plan to deal with it means trouble. not engaging in activities to avoid relapse to begin with also is asking for trouble...i'm an example of that.

how much are you taking now and is it with or without codeine?