my insurance has reduced the amount of fioricet

[kaylie185]

I really need help. For the last 15 years my doctor has prescribed generic fioricet because of severe migraines and fibro, and incroched nerves in my neck due to cervical spine surgery He priscribes 2 -4 times a day. I have taken fioricet for about 30 years for migraines but in the last 10 years I have been taking 8 a day. Now my insurance company is only going to pay for 2 fioricets a day. How can I go form 8 a day down to 2?  Will I have withdrawal symptoms?  Also I am new here. How to I find the answer here on this board.

[tooklastdose]

take this drug off your mail order and go to the pharmacy to pick it up.

Mail order does not like large quanities or sending via mail pain medication

[flob]

glad to hear you've reduced your dose and you're feeling better. i haven't taken any for 2 weeks now! i think about them every day, and who knows how long i'll continue...but for now, my mind is clear.

[flob]

well withdrawal from them could potentially be dangerous. you really should speak with your doctor. going from 8 per day down to 2 per day will probably cause withdrawal effects...the extent of which can't be known. with barbiturates, withdrawal is mostly guesswork. you never really know what will happen. it's also a good idea to call your insurance company. don't just go by a letter...perhaps that's the limits on their mail order, but what about retail pharmacy? give them a call and make sure you know all possible solutions before making a decision...because withdrawal from this medication isn't something you want to do without a plan from your doctor.

[GottaQuit]

Hello and welcome!
As a testimony to what everybody here has been saying, it's essential that you talk to your doctor for help!  I was rx'd 240 Fioricet w/Codeine per month for migraines and fibro as well ... and desperately wanted to cut down and ultimately stop taking this drug after realizing how seriously addicted I had become over the course of 30 years.

The Butalbital in Fioricet is a highly addictive barbiturate, and you run a high risk of seizures if you try to cut down as dramatically as you're talking about.  I went ahead and talked to my doctor, and with her help, and the support of friends here, I've been able to taper my use down SIGNIFICANTLY in a fairly short amount of time.

And I have to tell you, I feel better than I have in years!  My pain is actually BETTER since not taking so much of this drug, my head is CLEAR, and I have so much more energy!!

Please, talk to your doctor!
My very best to you!

[vicki595]

Hi~   If you decrease your dose you will "feel" some kind of withdrawal along with rebound headaches. It's not pleasant.  I know this because I've taken Fioricet for many years and just recently stopped.  I know I'm addicted to them and they were controlling my life.  I have not had one in 2 weeks and don't intend to EVER take them again!!

That said, I'm going to assume you are addicted as well but don't want to stop taking because of pain issues. That's something you should address and,as others said, try to find an alternative med with your Dr.'s help.  In the meantime, that really doesn't help your situation at the present time.  So,here's what I would do :  First, make an appt. with your Dr. to discuss all these issues. With that scheduled,keep taking your regular amt. until you see your Dr. See him soon.  Because you are alone, it's not a good idea to stop or decrease by 6 pills.  This drug needs to be slowly tapered.  Forget about the mail order rx's and fill your prescription locally and pay cash.  This is only what I would do...and let me be very clear:  You need to see the Dr. and discuss all of this as soon as that storm passes.   Please don't be scared. There are many here to offer support,at all hours.  Keep posting on this thread...  :)

Good luck~

Vicki

[avisg]

You have too work out a plan with your doctor take the letter into him so he can help you either find an alternative or make a taper plan because you are right there are very dangerous to come of off the can cause fatal  seizures. So plz try to work something out with the doctor .

[10356]

I'm really sorry that you are in this position.. You may want to start a taper until you can get in to your Dr. Start by taking 6 instead of 8 then reduce by one every 5 days. You will experience wd but not to the extent as others that have quit ct. although your Dr. does not return calls I would still put one through and explain the seriousness of your situation.. Hot showers/baths do wonders. I would cut the ones out in the morning/day so you are still getting sufficient sleep and definitely as soon as you can speak to your Dr.

[kaylie185]

I'm assuming that it's my insurance company since they sent me a letter telling me that my mail in prescription benifit has quantity limits for certain drugs. I had one refill left for 720 for three months and I got only 180 for three months. I don't think it's my doctor since I saw him about two weeks ago and he give me another prescripton for 720.  I am not going to send in that script because I know it will only be filled for 180. I'm really afraid to go from 8 a day down to 2. I'm close to 70 yrs old and not married and live alone. I moved to a new town about an hour away from my doctor and where I live we have a big winter storm and I can't get to my doctor right now. It won't do any good to call him as he won't return calls. Does anyone here know what will happen if I reduce my meds that much?  I'm really scared after reading some of these posts.

[kolo13]

You really can't afford to pay for a partial prescription of generics?  If it is really the insurance company and not the doctor he should be willing to help you find a way to afford your pills. Maybe he could write two and you pay cash for one; or maybe there is a higher strength available.Often ins.co.'s have a limit on number but not strength; or maybe samples -don't laugh - my doctor has gotten a case of samples of expensive med's from the drug rep for me; Insurance company decisions can also be appealed with the doctors help. If the doctor insists that this is what you need the insurance company will often back down. But if it's the old game whereby the doctor thinks you should cut back but let's the insurance company play the heavy you have a different situation. I think you should talk to your doctor and ask for help. Most doctors just hate it when the medicine they want to prescribe cannot be obtained because of money and will look for ways to fix that.  -Good luck-

[GA Guy]

I'm not exactly sure, but because Fioricet has been around so long, there are multiple companies making generics. Have you looked at the cost without insurance? Just because insurance won't pay doesn't mean you can get them by paying for them. I'm assuming you don't have addiction issues. If you do, then it may be beneficial to look for alternative medications.

[dominosarah]

I would also talk with your doctor about this.  He should be able to help you.      sara

[10356]

Hello and welcome to the forum.. You have come to the right place. there is also ask a Dr. forum where you pay a small amount and a Dr. answers..
You need to speak with your Dr. as there will be wd symptoms and he/she should realize this.. maybe he can prescribe something to go along with it for wd and break through pain.. Please speak with them and be Honest about your concerns.. lesa