[IhateAddiction]

Hi

I have been a migraine sufferer for over 20 years. Roughly 5 years ago I was put on Imitrex and it did work well at first, but then it stopped working for me altogether. About 3 to 4 years ago my Dr. at that time prescribed me Fioricet on a regular basis. I didn't know that this drug was addictive since I was told at that time it wasnt.
about 8 months after taking it on a daily basis, I became severly depressed and was put in a hospital for depression. I saw a neurologist while I was there and when he heard the word fioricet and how much I had been taking, he immediately put me on 1000mg of Depakote and he started a taper plan which I did at home. I followed his plan by the book and was off that drug in 6 weeks.And to be honest I had no Mental cravings at all. I was kept on the 1000mg of depakote even after I was off, well I was feeling so good after a few months I weened myself off the depakote.BIG MISTAKE. The headaches returned within a week and all I could think about was the Fioricet. My insurance had changed so I had to change primnary Dr's.
The new Dr. is very cautious with the fioricet, only dispensing 60 a month and that worked fine for the first few months, but then I would take them for every reason in the book and I still do.At my highest I was taking 20 Fioricet a day, knowing I had become addicted to them again, I tried my own taper plan but could never get below 6 a day, next thing I know I am back up to 10 to 12 a day, and I think some stressful days more than that. Online pharmacies is where I got my supply until my prescription with the Dr. was 30 days since last refill and I could get another refill. It has turned into a vicious cycle. It no longer helps Migraines or tension headaches, it causes them and I know they are rebound headaches. I finally fessed up to my Dr. about my addiction to fioricet and asked if she could do a medical detox for me. She didn't want to do it and has prescribed me to a Pysciatrist who I will see on Monday. She says they have a lot more experience at that. I know the dangers of coming off Fioricet as I have researched it and have a good friend who recently went through Medical detox and is doing wonderfully. I hit Rock bottom about 5 months ago but at the same time I am scared to death of seizures and other unpleasant side effects while coming off the horrible Medicine. I have to do it as an outpatient as my insurance doesn't cover detox of any kind. I did it as an outpatient last time, I am sure I can do it again. Has anyone had experience with Fioricet addiction and has come off it with a Pysciatrist's help or any other Dr.? Another reason I have to do it as an outpatient is I am now a single Mom and have a 10 year old and 8 year old son to take care of, I don't have anyone else to do it. Like I said before my biggest fear is seizure's, although I have never had one before, I would like to keep it that way. I will deal with the rebound headache's although they are the worst headaches I have ever felt, I do know they pass. Please if anyone has been through anything like this, I would like to know how your experience was. Thank you!!

[Oshkosh]

quote:Originally posted by IhateAddiction

Hi

I have been a migraine sufferer for over 20 years. Roughly 5 years ago I was put on Imitrex and it did work well at first, but then it stopped working for me altogether. About 3 to 4 years ago my Dr. at that time prescribed me Fioricet on a regular basis. I didn't know that this drug was addictive since I was told at that time it wasnt.
about 8 months after taking it on a daily basis, I became severly depressed and was put in a hospital for depression. I saw a neurologist while I was there and when he heard the word fioricet and how much I had been taking, he immediately put me on 1000mg of Depakote and he started a taper plan which I did at home. I followed his plan by the book and was off that drug in 6 weeks.And to be honest I had no Mental cravings at all. I was kept on the 1000mg of depakote even after I was off, well I was feeling so good after a few months I weened myself off the depakote.BIG MISTAKE. The headaches returned within a week and all I could think about was the Fioricet. My insurance had changed so I had to change primnary Dr's.
The new Dr. is very cautious with the fioricet, only dispensing 60 a month and that worked fine for the first few months, but then I would take them for every reason in the book and I still do.At my highest I was taking 20 Fioricet a day, knowing I had become addicted to them again, I tried my own taper plan but could never get below 6 a day, next thing I know I am back up to 10 to 12 a day, and I think some stressful days more than that. Online pharmacies is where I got my supply until my prescription with the Dr. was 30 days since last refill and I could get another refill. It has turned into a vicious cycle. It no longer helps Migraines or tension headaches, it causes them and I know they are rebound headaches. I finally fessed up to my Dr. about my addiction to fioricet and asked if she could do a medical detox for me. She didn't want to do it and has prescribed me to a Pysciatrist who I will see on Monday. She says they have a lot more experience at that. I know the dangers of coming off Fioricet as I have researched it and have a good friend who recently went through Medical detox and is doing wonderfully. I hit Rock bottom about 5 months ago but at the same time I am scared to death of seizures and other unpleasant side effects while coming off the horrible Medicine. I have to do it as an outpatient as my insurance doesn't cover detox of any kind. I did it as an outpatient last time, I am sure I can do it again. Has anyone had experience with Fioricet addiction and has come off it with a Pysciatrist's help or any other Dr.? Another reason I have to do it as an outpatient is I am now a single Mom and have a 10 year old and 8 year old son to take care of, I don't have anyone else to do it. Like I said before my biggest fear is seizure's, although I have never had one before, I would like to keep it that way. I will deal with the rebound headache's although they are the worst headaches I have ever felt, I do know they pass. Please if anyone has been through anything like this, I would like to know how your experience was. Thank you!!

[Oshkosh]

hello, i am so happy to have found others who are addicted to this horrible drug. i feel so alone and like nobody understands what i am going through. my doctor is trying to taper me off, but it is not working. any advice?

[kellrx]

If you can't get into a detox program or can't afford it, perhaps your doctor or psychiatrist can help you get off of them in a different way. One thing that crossed my mind is switching to another pain medication and then weening off of that. Unfortunately anything strong enough to get rid of the headaches and rebound headaches may be addicting as well. But if your doctor starts you on migraine prevention meds, like propranolol or others used similarly, you can perhaps get yourself off of them this way. I know it sounds awful, and if you have a fear of addiction to other pain meds, this may not be your solution. Speak with a doctor or psychiatrist about all of your options and try anything they suggest. Also, try calling around to drug rehab places or mental phacilities in your area and see if they have hotlines or programs. Also try calling your local Alcoholics Anonymus and see if they have any ideas. Good luck, and post any progress or losses, I'd be interested in hearing how you all are doing.

[kim glunz]

HI

I don't know how old the post I'm replying to is, but had to tell whoever it is, that I can relate 100%. When I got a bleeding ulcer from taking too much aspirin many years ago, I was given Fioricett as a way to get rid of sinus/tension headaches. I was given them by the truckloads because, as you said, they weren't seen as addicting. Also, I don't think many people have had the trouble with them that we have but only because either they didn't like the pill or their doctor didn't. I have been addicted to this pill for 20+ years. I've been to a treatment center in Minnesota (Hazelden) twice, and several smaller facilities over the years. In the course of my treatment travels, I have only met one person who was addicted to Fioricett in treatment. So I was glad to hear I'm not alone when I ready your email.

I will get off them for a while, but it never is over a year before I'm back on them. I just don't know of another headache medicine that works as well, if only temporarily. Right now, I am looking at getting off them again because, they are depressants, and my husband died and I'm depressed enough. I am going to see a neurologist tomorrow to see if he will detox me, but I know they don't like to do that.

But today I'm out of them, and I know I'm headed for some pretty rough days ahead if he won't help me. As you say, lots of horrible headaches, and the last time I withdrew cold-turkey, I vomitted violently and at one point I thought I was seeing something out of the corner of my eye. It really is a terrible drug and my body just doesn't bounce back the way it used to. But I don't seem to get it through my thick skull that this is not the way to go, because it ALWYS gives back worse than it helped.

I pray there is a deliverance for both of us ahead from Fioricett.

Let's keeping hanging in....God is mighty to save!
kim