Tapering down on Butalbital

Twang51 · 11-23-2005, 07:18 PM

I started taking this medication, Fioicet, for migraines. It did the job on my migraines but I found myself taking it too often. It contains a Barbituate and the problem is like it way too much.

My wife has noticed it's negative side effects. I have tried to taper down and would like evenutally quit taking it altogether, however, when I do not take "enough" I experience really bad side effects.

I've been trying to take several vitamins, B-12, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and a general muti-vitamin. I do not seem to be making much progress.

I would really like to be totally clean. This is the only drug I take on a regular basis.

Can anyone give me some words of encouragement, advice on tapering, etc.

Thank you

rk33 · 11-23-2005, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twang51

I started taking this medication, Fioicet, for migraines. It did the job on my migraines but I found myself taking it too often. It contains a Barbituate and the problem is like it way too much.

My wife has noticed it's negative side effects. I have tried to taper down and would like evenutally quit taking it altogether, however, when I do not take "enough" I experience really bad side effects.

I've been trying to take several vitamins, B-12, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and a general muti-vitamin. I do not seem to be making much progress.

I would really like to be totally clean. This is the only drug I take on a regular basis.

Can anyone give me some words of encouragement, advice on tapering, etc.

Thank you

How much and how often are taking? How long have you been on it? Kev

sk777 · 11-23-2005, 08:37 PM

I have chronic headaches and have seen that stuff and thought, yeah, I'd probably get hooked on that, too.

I don't know much about barbit withdrawal, but I'm going through benzo w/d right now, I'm guessing there are some similarities.

My advice? Get some medical advice if you haven't already. You're not the first or last person to get hooked on a pain med and your doc should be able to help you with this. Also, hang in there, I was afraid on Monday that I was dying. Yesterday I was afraid I wasn't dying but would live through it. Today, Wednesday, better than yesterday. Every hour, day is a step toward out of your system, something I'm trying to keep remembering myself!

I've found just being here on this board very helpful, both to realize others have lived through it and so will I, and also have learned a few things about myself along the way. Hope to learn more still.

Twang51 · 11-24-2005, 03:49 AM

I have been taking this medication for about 5 years. I am ashamed to admit this but sometimes I will take 20 pills per day.

It is about 3:00 am now I can't sleep, sweating, anxious, I really want to take a couple of pills but I am determined to break this cycle.

I am at a very low point right now in terms of self-esteem. I see myself in a downward spiral if I don't do something.

I don't smoke, but I have been told it is harder to stop taking Barbs then to quit smoking.

I have so much in my life to be thankful for, yet I see all that at risk.

sk777 · 11-24-2005, 04:06 AM

Don't feel ashamed. I'm sure most people here has done something similar.

Hang in there, you'll get through this. I feel like, if I can, so can anyone. It's been helpful to me to read and reread everything I hate about being on pills. I wrote it all down when I was addicted just for those moments when I remembered only the high.

It's been suggested to me over and over again to make small, short-term goals. Hours right now. I'm trying to do that.