Please Help... Fiorinal and Codeine

[SMLangley]

Hello, I am looking for information regarding fiorinal and codeine. I have been taking for 30 years. For many years, I was able to get extra and was taking from 12 - 14 pills a day, sometimes more. Three years ago I was forced to reduce to 6 pills a day, my prescribed amount, as I could not obtain extra. My doctor has retired and it is now time to find a safe way off of this medication. My current prescribing doctor does not like prescribing this medication. I know what everyone will say. Tell my doctor. I just can’t at this point. I need to try and get off of this on my own. Two weeks ago I reduced to 4 pills a day. It has been hard but not so hard that I cannot do it. What scares me is when I continue to reduce. I have read all of the posts about seizures, etc. I would think that logically, if I cut down by 1 pill each month, that should work. Am I kidding myself? This is very scary. Can anyone offer any advice? Thank you.

[Blakester77]

You will be alright. Kick that codeine and in about three days you will crap regularly and You will be fine.

[SMLangley]

Thank you Blakester77. I noticed a huge difference in that area when I reduced to four. Today is Day 5 of three. It is extremely difficult.

[Danny111]

Hey SM, seizures are not an issue with getting off of opiates however the butalbital in fiorinal apparently does carry a risk and that's the reason tapering is recommended.  You probably knew that.  

We're not supposed to give tapering schedule advice/instructions here but going down one pill a month or maybe even 1/2 a pill once you're closer sounds like a good easy taper.  

You're already down to four a day from a high of 12-14 so that's really good.  Keep pushing and let us know how it's going.

[SMLangley]

Thank you Danny. January 19 was when I reduced to four. Today is Day 13. I created a log before I started this plan. I log each time I take one. I also put the “four” in a separate bottle each day. So far the worst physical pain was on day six. I woke up at 3:00 AM. My heart was racing and I had the worst headache. I could not go back to sleep. It was horrible. So I waited for an hour and then I took a pill. Of course, that meant I could only take 3 the following day, which, by the grace of God, I managed to do. I have been using NyQuil each night to sleep. On day six, I had taken NyQuil the night before, but once I woke up at 3:00 AM, I never did go back to sleep. Other than that one instance, physically I am okay. I am very tired, but I was tired before the reduction. More than anything, mentally this is exhausting. I spent half of my life taking these pills. It was like my whole life revolved around these pills. Now I am constantly looking at my log to see how long it has been since the last pill. Four is doable for sure. I am dreading going to three. I don’t have anyone to talk to about this. Thank you for being here. And yes, I like your idea about 1/2 of a capsule at the end. I pray I make it to that point. I will definitely keep you posted.

[Danny111]

You'll make it sm.  Keep pushing, keep posting here.  Getting a good nights sleep seems to be the last physical thing to return to normal.  I spent a lot of time on the couch.  Either lying in the dark or watching tv.  Try not to stress over the sleep thing.  If you manage to sleep til 3:00 am that's not bad.  Just accept the fact that sleep will probably suck until a couple of weeks after your last dose.  

[SMLangley]

I thought it might help to post here everyday. That is about all I do is watch movies. The worst thing is that every second, or it feels like every second, I am looking at the clock to see how much longer I have to wait until my next dose. When will my brain stop thinking like that? The funny thing is that my headaches are less now that I am taking four. Usually when I take my second one of the day, I get a headache. So hopefully, when I cut down to three, I will still be ok. I just don’t feel like doing anything. The medicine always gave me that, “get up and go, feeling. I had that one night where I woke up at 3:00 and could not go back to sleep. That was Day 6. Other than that, I have been able to sleep because I take NyQuil at night. I don’t have any other medicine and so I figured NyQuil would work. It has been a life saver. Thanks for being here.

[Danny111]

You're welcome SM.  The waiting for your next dose isn't going to go away until you're finished with your taper.  Until that time things will kind of suck but you're making tons of progress, you've come a long way and you're headed in the right direction.  Keep pushing and just give yourself permission to lie around and do whatever you feel like.  Any exercise you can get yourself to do like even going for a walk or hike will help with sleep and it stimulates the brain to release endorphins which help with the mood.  Also taking a hot baths helps.  It feels good, and passes some time as well.  

[SMLangley]

Thank you Danny. It feels so good to know that someone is listening. I just took my first pill of the day. I was going to try and take half of the capsule, since I don’t even have a headache. But taking a pill is the only way I can get myself out of bed.Anyway, I got up and without even thinking, popped the pill in my mouth. Oh well.
Thank you for easing my mind about my brain constantly thinking about the next dose. I can’t imagine that feeling ever going away so your words helped.

[Danny111]

Any time SM.  We've all been through what you're going through.  It's amazing how you can just pop a pill without even thinking about it.  Don't beat yourself up if that happens.  Just take less the next time.  Hope you got through the weekend ok.

[SMLangley]

Thank you. I did. I had a horrible headache yesterday for the first time in a while. I even have a headache right now. But I still managed to only take four.  Tomorrow is 20 days of 4. Then I have to reduce to 3. I am praying I can do it. If I don’t reduce to 3 tomorrow, I won’t have enough for my taper plan. I am dreading it.

[SMLangley]

Actually 4 tomorrow, then I reduce to 3. The bad thing is, I tried cutting a capsule in half today, so I could see how it will work when I get to that point. Most of the capsule flew all over the place even though I was holding it right over apple sauce. The capsules simply do not open. Any ideas?

[SMLangley]

And, the only time I feel anything from these pills is when I take the first one in the morning. I don’t feel a thing when I take the other three. Ugh. This feels more mental than anything.