Fioricet Withdrawl

[dhill7111]

Hello! This is embarrassing because I thought I could handle taking fioricet and not get addicted. I have been taking it 2-3 times a day for about five months. I started taking it 1x a day for my migraines and I felt like wonder woman taking it. Well my headaches started coming back sooner and before I knew it I was taking more. This past Wednesday I decided to come off it cold turkey (this is my 5th day off). Thursday I could not get out of bed with a big fat migraine. I messaged my neurologist and she said to stay off of it and take tylenol with caffeine. I only had bc powders which has caffeine and aspirin so I took one (this is the first time I have ever taken it) and within 10 minutes my migraine was gone. I am having terrible withdrawals like nausea, jitters, headache, muscle soreness, shortness of breath etc. How long will this last? I am taking the ativan for the anxiety which I know I will also need to come off because my PCP says I take it too much (0.5mg 1x a day). I figured one withdrawal at a time right? Sorry this is so long I really need to feel better so I get back to work! I have missed too many days with this already. Thank you in advance ❤️

[Adriana5631]

Dear dhill7111, coming off meds is hellish - period. I have experienced EVERY withdrawal symptom you mention. It took me 5 days every time to come off painkillers and Sumatriptan or to break a rebound cycle and it’s a terrifying experience because of the intensity of the pain involved! Though the withdrawal symptoms are very unpleasant, they’re more bearable than the actual pain which seems to grow inside your head like a monster. No wonder Dr Josh Turknett calls it ‘slaying the beast!’ But I promise you you will get through it and one morning you will suddenly wake up painfree! Drained and worn out, but having slain the beast👏🏻👏🏻 You could ask your Neurologist for Steroids to make things easier. Or he could admit you to hospital and help you come off your meds that way. (I’ve had my Neurologist suggesting that route). At home on your own with no Steroids to ease the pain, is a nightmare! I’ve taken both routes. I’ve learned through Dr Turknett’s book just how easy it is to become dependent on meds again - frighteningly easy - and I am now in control of my migraines. And I have been a migraineur for the past 45 years. Read his book “The Migraine Miracle” - follow his advice and your life too should change radically! He is also a Neurologist and a migraine sufferer himself. This doctor gave me back my life after years of trying everything under the sun fighting daily headaches/migraines. I sincerely hope you realise that synthetic drugs and medication will NEVER cure your problem. All they do is mask the symptoms of an underlying problem. Don’t underestimate your body’s own capabilities! By stop takng your meds, you’ve taken the first step in the right direction. Best of luck!

[dhill7111 in reply to Adriana5631]

Thank you so much! I am so desperate at this point that I even joined this group on Facebook that is the Stanton protocol. Ever hear of it? I am going to check out that book for sure thank you! I am on day 6 now of the withdrawal. Missing work again. How many more days do you think it will take? I am so happy you are migraine and med free that is amazing! Thank you so much for replying ❤️

[Adriana5631 in reply to dhill7111]

I suppose the difference might be in the tablets you're taking, hence the longer period for you to come off of it. I've always been able to break the rebound cycle around day 5 or 6, so hopefully there is light at the end of your tunnel too. At first I also started my journey to recovery with the Stanton Protocol, which initially worked, but then I had a relapse (what a disappointment!!!) and couldn't get rid of my migraines again. I also found it rather complicated to follow. Then I discovered 'The Migraine Miracle.' I receive weekly emails from Dr Turknett and he keeps one inspired and has ongoing live discussions wrt migraines and situations around it. Also recipes. His website is mymigrainemiracle.com. I will start my Health Coach training in a couple of months because I feel I have something amazing to share with others who have, like me, been plagued by migraines all their life. Whereas I used to fight DAILY migraines, I now get about 2 per month. I think I can deal with that You just have to change your diet! It really is that simple. And don't give up not until you've given it a genuine try. I started seeing results (migraine-free days) right from the beginning and the migraine-free gaps between migraines just grew bigger and bigger over time. There is a solution to migraines out there and I have the personal T-shirt to show for it! Best of luck and please keep me posted on your progress. I would love to read your success story later on in the year

[dhill7111]

Wow! I ordered his book lol so it will be here Wednesday. I am praying this helps! Is it hard to follow if you're vegetarian? I noticed with the Stanton Protocol you have to eat many of the trigger foods which seems odd to me since everything I have read says that is a big no no. You are right it is very hard to follow and I was confused a lot. I am so grateful you reached out! Thank you so much 🙏. I am on the fioricet without codeine btw. Day number 7 and woke up with headache but less intense. Took a bc powder and it is gone. Once the butalbital is completely out of my system I will taper down the bc which right now I am only doing once a day which seems to be enough. Thanks again!

[Adriana5631 in reply to dhill7111]

When you go cold turkey and you come off meds, you come off it 100%. Do not even take headache powders or anti-inflammatory drugs, as it will defeat the object of the exercise. You shouldn't take ANY pain medication during this time. That's what makes it so hellish! But you just have to bite the bullet and literally suffer through the pain. Two hot water bottles - one on my eyes and the other in my neck - and Vicks rubbed all over (which causes a burning sensation but blunts the pain somehow) was my saving grace. Some people prefer a cold compress rather than a hot water bottle. You also need to get yourself the following supplements: a) Magnesium (all migraineurs seem to be Mag deficient), b) Riboflavin (you must take 400mg/day), Vit B12 and get some electrolytes which balance the magnesium, potassium and water levels in your brain. I buy Ener-C sachets from my local health shop. It contains 25 nutrients and vitamins. I have had occasions where I could feel a migraine coming on, drink a sachet of these electrolytes in a glass of water and a bit later the migraine would simply vanish. I have experienced this for myself first-hand. There are other supplements, like Butterbur, Milk thistle and Feverfew you can also take. Shout if you need help or support or simply a shoulder to cry on ... My email address is [e-mail] if you'd rather contact me personally.

[dhill7111]

Thank you 🙏