Tapering off butalbital with a goal of NO MORE PILLS

[showoff]

Hi, I have been tapering off butalbital for migraine headaches for about a week now.  I am down to four and 1/2 tablets per 24 hrs.  My average daily dose recently has been 6 to10 tabs.  I am lying low at home as much as possible during this process.  My migraine journey began 35 years ago when I couldn't get a headache to stop hurting.  I had an office visit with a local doctor, who diagnosed me with a migraine and prescribed Esgic.  I have had many bad migraines since then (some lasting longer than a week), taking Esgic or Fioricet to dull the pain.  When the triptans came out, Zomig worked pretty well; Imitrex worked against me, leaving another migraine in its wake that only Imitrex could control.  Also, at some point fairly early on, I began to notice that butalbital not only helped control my pain but also made me feel more comfortable in my own skin and energized me.  I learned a little about triggers, and so on, far into the journey, which also helped.  So I stayed with the Fioricet/butalbital (and occasional triptans).  In fact, I began "using" Fioricet to lighten my mood and to relax my nerves when going out socially.  I guess that was the beginning of my dependency.  Way back then, the maximum daily dose was 12 tablets, which I built up to and often took and sometimes exceeded if the headache was unbearable.  I also began to take seriously the medical advice to "not wait" to take the migraine medicine, and it probably did save me from a lot of pain.  I had my first full-blown seizure in dec. 2005 while shopping and was taken unconscious to an ER.  After testing me, my neurologist said "they" thought I had a caffeine-excess seizure.  Shortly thereafter, I took myself off of all caffeine-laden products, including Fioricet/butalbital. I stayed mostly inside, zombielike, and this lasted for around 7 weeks, when I decided I was curious what taking one tablet might be like.  I became re-addicted very quickly. The max dose had been cut in half at some point, and I tried hard to keep near the limit.  I had a second seizure in oct 2011...same scenario, same ER.  I have begun to not love butalbital anymore. It makes me dizzy and afraid to walk outside, especially in rain or snow.  I only go out for food, hair appts, and an occasional group function.  My tapering is going well again so far, although I am still dizzy, and I think I could go faster, but I am acutely aware of the dangers.  If I get down to two tabs/day, I plan to ask my PCP for help with any withdrawal symptoms that may arise.  Is w/d as scary as everyone seems to believe?  And is this a viable approach I am taking?  I would greatly appreciate any comments, advice, info.  Thank you so much, whoever is reading this.  I wanted to post a poll, but I don't know how to yet.  


This discussion is related to butalbital.

[vicki595]

Hi there- You'll be fine if you taper very slowly; dropping a small amount at a time. Wait to adjust to the drop in dosage before you drop again. I tapered over many months because I took a bit more daily than you did and I took it for a long time.

Check with your doctor, as well, and let him know what you're doing; just to be safe.  I'm happy to help so post with any other questions. I know the taper advice is a bit vague but MH does not want us to post specific taper plans.

You can begin your own thread if you'd like. Just click on the 'post a question' button at the top right; you may get more responses when your post appears current.    It's late now where I am but I'll check back in later.  Vicki

[sindellen]

I have been taking 10-15 per day as I had migraines, the prescribed dose quit working & I kept upping the dose for relief. I do understand the migraines were probably rebound migraines. What was your taper schedule? I quit cold turkey & had a seizure (tonic-clonic). My doc put me on Depakote & subsequently gained 20 lbs, then I relapsed. Short story, I cannot afford $250 per visit. So I want to try tapering. I am SO very done with these evil pills. Thank you for reading my post  

[catherine13]

Thank you all so, so much. I have read everything here about getting off Fioricet and just sent my doc a request for a taper plan. I've been on 4-6 per day for years. Have successfully made it down to 3 (way too quickly, as i realize now from reading all your posts), and can't do it alone.

Many, many thanks.

[overopiates]

Im amazed how many people get addicted to these(I guess I got strung out on opiates but didnt take the fironal n excess luckily as I had no clue they were addictive/abused til I came here&vicki told me about her story).I would definitely talk2ur doctor as u said.I would take what works that isnt addictive but prescription.Also U should remember u will jave those rebound headaches when u quit.U could try excedrin@1st when u quit or better yet otc med with no caffiene(the caffiene w/d causes wicked headaches and there is a ton n the fiorcet as u know)u could take otc&drink coffee or soda for a little while until u r feeling better and getting less rebound headaches.I went from taking my whole script of90every month or getting awful headaches because they do cause them to taking excedrin only.Now I have only had2take my prescribed meds3-4times n the last5-6+months.Thats awesome.I take excedrin when I get headaches.No other otc med works except that but its huge2go so long w/o taking the prescibed meds I took for so long.U CAN DO THIS

[vicki595]

Hi there...What you've written essentially mirrors my experience with Fioricet...and I commend you for trying, once again, to leave it behind. For people like us, it's a dangerous drug. One of the problems being the dose that gets us "comfortable" becomes much higher than the toxic dose, after a period of time.

I tapered off over months and have been free of this for over three years so I know you can do this!!  As Cork said, you may find that your migraines diminish. I seldom have a headache now that Motrin or Excedrin Migraine can't relieve and Maxalt works very well for me if I need to drag out the "big guns".  

I'm happy to support you in your efforts and will only advise that you go slowly with the taper, dropping only small amounts at a time.  This will prevent any drastic withdrawals. Let me know how I can help and the best of everything to you!

[cork712]

I just saw this and felt I must add my 2 cents (for whatever it's worth!). I too have had severe migraines for 39 (gasp) years. Imitrix was a life saver for me, but I tried many daily meds that were supposed to help (beta blockers, small doze anitdepressants, Topamax, etc.) Nothing worked. I was given Fioricet when pregnant (can't take Imitrix then). Later on, I got it again and also got hooked by the Butalbital. I took it for over 3 years and I know now that it gave me terrible rebound migraines, besides all the other terrible side effects (hair-trigger anger, moodiness). Took me a couple go-'rounds to get off it, but I am SO much better now. Migraines are virtually gone. Life is good.
Others here who have had a longer history with this med can guide you in getting off it; tapering is best so you don't get a seizure.
But now that it is out of my life, I feel so good and free. There's Maxalt and many other triptans that may help you when you get a migraine. But once the Fioricet clears out, even Advil can help (at least for me!). By the second month, I felt like a new person. I went to some women's AA meetings for support (quiet and listened), and that got me through those early times.
You are on the right path--you will feel so much better once that horrible med is out of your system. You will become yourself again and feel real feelings--and that is GOOD!! Just don't ever try that "one pill" again. Not worth it! Hang in there, give yourself the benefit of time, and before you know it, you will engage with your life again!