some questions about fioricet

[bpbeelen]

I've been taking these for a week because of tension headaches. I went to the ER this morning because of some involuntary muscle movement. Nothing too severe, it disappeared quickly. Also, I have hardly slept at all the past 2 nights. It's like I fall asleep for five minutes and then wake up. The doc said I should discontinue the fioricet. I've been taking 2-3 pills a day for a week. I last took one at 8pm last night. Is it possible to go through withdrawals after using this drug for only a week? I cannot fall asleep at all and it's really irritating.

[fogmussher]

Oh yeah. Don't underestimate the power of chemicles in your body and mind. How are the head aches? You may need to to something to make you tired if you can. Get your blood pumping and get the fioricet out of your system.

[bpbeelen]

My head really isn't too bad at the moment. I think I might be getting minor rebound headaches, but I can deal with that. I've had a ctscan and everything was normal.

I've read that you can get seizures by quitting fiorecet cold turkey, which is basically what I've done. The thing is I've only been on them a week. And the doctor never mentioned any hazards about quitting these things cold turkey. Like I said, I was in the ER this morning after some minor muscle spasms. I also feel some discomfort in my stomach right now.

What's killing me though is that I did not sleep at all last night, and the night before I only got a few hours. I've tried all day to fall asleep, but it just won't happen.

[dominosarah]

I would let your doctor know about the side effects you are having with this med.  They are addicting as well.  They can definently wire you up and make you not sleep.  Get ahold of the doc......sara

[bpbeelen]

I was literally in the ER this morning, and the doctor didn't really react to the fact that I'm having trouble sleeping. He told me to quit fioricet cold turkey, which also kind of worries me, even though I've only been on them for a week.

[dominosarah]

Did you see your regular doctor in the ER?

[avisg]

you have only been on it a week you would not have to worry about seizures durning wd .

I am surprised you are having any wd with only 7 days but anything is possible .


My18 yearold doctors gave her the floraset  I was not trilled but I watched over her.She took it about a week and was fine but everybody's body reacts different to different drugs .

Hopefully it will pass in a day or too if not I would go back to the doctor to see if anything else happens to be going on .

Let us know what happens

[bpbeelen]

Yeah, I'm not really worried about having a seizure. But I have this kind of a burning feeling in my stomach that I assume to be related to quitting the fioricet. Also dry mouth. Plus the insomnia. Is it anything that requires immediate attention? I just really don't know how I'm going to be able to sleep.

[dominosarah]

If you have a tummy ache, dry mouth and insomnia i wouldnt think it would require immediate attention.  This may take a couple days to go away.  Have you taken pain meds before?

[avisg]

I agree with Sara I would watch your symptoms the next few days and see what happens .
I really think in the next few days you sleep pattern should go back to normal .

Try getting exersise the next few days as well that will help as well.

[dominosarah]

Try taking a warm bath or shower before bed too so you can relax.

[bpbeelen]

Thanks for the advice.

And no, I've never been prescribed pain meds any time before this. I admittedly have abused Vicodin before for recreational purposes, if you really want to know.

Honestly, I wish I had never been prescribed this stupid drug. It's given me horrible insomnia and now symptoms of withdrawal. Its a terrific pain reliever, but the side effects absolutely suck. I'd rather deal with the pain of the headache than have to deal with being physically unable to sleep despite my best efforts.

[beatingthis]

Just a FYI It has caffeine in it. Here is the breakdown. I was on this for migraines.
Yes it will wire you up.

Fioricet® (Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Tablets USP) is supplied in tablet form for oral administration.

Each tablet contains the following active ingredients:
butalbital USP . . . . . . . . . . . .50 mg
acetaminophen USP . . . . . . 325 mg
caffeine USP . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 mg

[bpbeelen]

Thanks for all the prompt replies. I've been all over the internet trying to get responses from anyone, and this is the only forum that appears to be somewhat active.

Do you think Tylenol PM would help me sleep? My doctor said not to take any other medicines with acetaminophen in it, but I've been off the fioricet for about 24 hours now. Is it safe?

[flob]

fioricet discontinuation will cause increased anxiety and probably trouble sleeping for the first night or 2...even though you're not taking it as a sleep aid. those are the most likely effects of discontinuation.

most commonly, seizures, etc. will occure when a barbiturate is used over an extended period of time...and usually in large doses (500mg-1gm+)

if your doc told you to stop cold turkey, then i feel comfortable saying you've got very little to worry about other than possibly an increase in anxiety and trouble sleeping for a couple nights....even though it wasn't being used to treat either, it still has an effect on both of them.

[bpbeelen]

I think I'm suffering from a "rebound headache". This really makes sleeping even harder. I had to take 2 Tylenol PM just to get a few hours of sleep last night.

Is it okay to take ibuprofen for rebound headaches? Or will that just give me more rebound headaches? I feel trapped in a bad cycle of headaches.

[vicki595]

Hi~    I've read your post and I have to say I wish this had happened to me 25yrs ago.
I would never have become addicted to fioricet!  I'm not making light of your situation,trust me.  I've just dealt with that devil and it's a horrible drug that works really well!!  YUK !!     Anyway,what you're saying sounds all too familiar to me even though you've only taken 20 or so pills.   Our bodies are all different;amazing.  I'm thinking the Dr. told you not to take tylenol because there's already tylenol in the Fioricet. But you've been off that for two days now.  If you've taken Motrin/Advil before and you tolerate it well maybe you should try that but call your Dr. first just to get it on the record and hear what he/she says.   I feel for you and I'm happy you're not taking Fioricet anymore!!   I'm not either...it's been 6 weeks   :)    Now I take Excedrin Migraine otc.

Post back so we know how you're doing~

Vicki

[bpbeelen]

ugh, my head feels horrible. I don't know if it's a rebound headache or what. On one hand I want instant relief, on the other I know more medicine might lead to more rebound headaches. again, does ibuprofen contribute to rebound headaches, or is this just because of the fioricet?

[vicki595]

Hi again~   Ibuprophen worked very well for me for rebound headaches.  It did not seem to "feed" the headache at all.

Good luck with this~

V.

[bpbeelen]

Thanks Vicki.

I desperately need a good night's sleep. Hopefully tonight is the night.

[vicki595]

No problem Sweetie~  Do you have Benadryl?  You could try that for sleep or even the TylenolPM with some ibuprophen...follow label directions   :)

Goodnight~   V.

[bpbeelen]

yeah, I'm just gonna do TylenolPM again. I don't want to make a habit of it but it's literally the only way I can get any rest.

[vicki595]

That sounds good actually.Then later on or tomorrow try the ibuprophen.  I really feel for you...I've been there many times...headaches are awful.  In this situation EVERYTHING will feed them: lack of food,lack of sleep,lack of good hydration.  Water will really help you,as simple as that sounds.   You'll feel better~

Vicki  xo

[bpbeelen]

Thanks Vicki. It's nice to hear from people who have actually dealt with stuff like this before. My family really doesn't get it.

[vicki595]

This is hard for most families especially in your situation where you only took Fioricet for a week.  It's hard to imagine having trouble after such a brief period.  But...it happens and I know it. I do hope you feel better soon.  Did you have a bite to eat?Fluids?  Be good to yourself right now...lay down,cool cloth etc... You will feel better soon.
Vicki  xo