A suggestion

[ig_me]

Fioricet addiction is a pain, expensive, embarrasing....I hate it.  I was addicted to Ambien and Cloranzepam and got off both of them by slowly shaving a bit of the pill away every three days.  It takes a while but is possible and it made it bearable.  I, too, wonder how I will manage my migraines without it.  I also have 3 herniated discs in my neck, C4-C6, and the Fioricet helps with the neck spasms and pain.  Any suggestions on how to handle the challenges without Fioricet?  Getting off of it has to be totally.  If I get away from it but then take one it then turns to 2 and on and on until I'm taking 4-6 every day.  I'd like some suggestions.  Zomig is incredibly expensive.  What else works?  I've tried herbs but found nothing that helped.  I've had my liver enzymes be elevated before due to the Fioricet but currently they're ok.  Thank God I'm allergic to Xanax and Percocet.  I'd love life without drugs, headaches and neck pain.  I can't believe people who say they rarely get a headache...I wish.

[botchedup]

It might be worth your while to have your hormone levels checked.  Salivary tests also have been shown to provide more accurate results.  Doctors are now paying better attention to different markers for men vs. women.  Endocrinology is far too often the last set of testing.  Chronic pain, no matter the origin if left untreated can exacerbate pain and become a disease itself.  I've never heard that narcotics work great for migranes but as mentioned above, staying ahead of the pain and actually TAKING your meds can help you in the long run. I have to say this often:  I'm not encouraging narcotic dependence for chronic pain however, everyone needs to start somewhere, everyone's needs are different, but pain doesn't differentiate.  It is no respector of persons and is a personal experience.  Doctors paint with a broad brush, The government gets to tell us what medicines are safe and which ones we can have, and the insurance-drug companies complete that perfect little triangle where all three can gang up and point the finger at you.  It is sick and awful and the stigmas and preservatives that coat everything slowly work themsleves into the people, the victims, the dependent and addicted to where you play the game to manage your pain, feeling guilty and uncomfortable with feeling good and not feeling good.  My motto is this:  Do the work to find a doctor who understands, empathizes, and treats your specific issue no matter what it is.  Stay informed on the latest info reading med journals, articles, etc.  Also stay informed on who is funding the research for the info you find.  DO NOT if you are injured/damaged/permanently let the medical community treat you like a guinea pig.  You have rights and are able to have a say in your treatment.  Keep your medical files current and a journal of your own personal work.  Let them know how much you care about yourself.  Never go to the doctor alone, and be responsible with your medication.  There is alot of turnover and chronic pain people and new doctors are a very scary thing.  I know someone will probably post that this post belongs on the "chronic pain" site but that wouldn't be being honest because all of this goes hand in hand.  The technicalities are for dorks or those who have yet to be comfortable in their own skin. aka:  non-judgement of others. :)  I had a migraine once and it was THE WORST experience of my life so I CANNOT IMAGINE having to deal with living in fear of one of those.  I SO feel for you all sho suffer migraines.  My point being I have seen evidence in my "whole health"education that migraines can often be triggered by hormone levels being too high, too low, spiking, etc.  A full work up on those might reveal something.  I do know for sure that docs who are current know this about salivary vs. blood and docs who don't think it's a bunch of "hippy hogwash" (actual quote).  I agree also that other meds given adjunctively can help the pain meds to work better.  Can someone explain bein allergic to percocet but not fiorecet?  Isn't it strength and apap?  I guess I rant bcuz in her first statement she says embarrassing yet has disc pathology.  Again--stigmas they just creep in.  

[road2recovery]

I take imitrex for my migranes..And thank god for insurance..Now my pharmacy just told me this week, that a generic imitrex will be out in 2 months...I hope this is true...
I have taken fiorcet, and it did ok, but very addicting....I also found it gave me "rebound headachs"  ..It is not migranes, but just everyday, and nothing would help , except to stop all meds....Good luck..

[HR_PuffnStuff]

Yes, Excedrin is Acetaminophen 250mg., Aspirin 250mg., and caffeine 65mg. Excedrin Migraine is the same formula (from what I have seen). I'm not sure why they put another label on it that says "migraine" when it is the same thing as regular Excedrin. Don't get me wrong, I think Excedrin is the best OTC pain reliever but for actual migraines....they don't touch them. At least for me. A Triptan drug (Imitrex, Zomig) is about the only thing that works and yes, they are very expensive. I just paid $225.00 for 9 pills yesterday. I get the 100mg. so that I can cut them in half and make eighteen 15 mg. pills. If I am wise and take one as soon as I feel one coming on, I can stop it with one half of the pill. Sometimes it doesn't work and I have to take the other half. That's just one way of stretching them. Also, I have my Dad buy them for me in Mexico where you don't need a prescription and they are about $50.00 for 9 pills.

ig_me: I feel you with the Fiorinal. I used to take it and for me, it wouldn't take away the migraine but if I took one early enough, it might make it possible for me to go a bit longer before taking an Imitrex, thereby making the expensive Imitrex last longer. But, like you, I started taking them too often. Luckily, I have a doctor who does not like to prescribe pain pills so he shut me down. Then my new doctor refuses to prescribe them. So I haven't taken them for years. I am so sorry that you have this problem. Migraines are not something I would wish on anyone. I know what you mean about people that don't get headaches...my husband is one. I just wonder what it would be like to live like that...no headaches. It's beyond me. I'm sure there will be more people on to give you advice. Like you, I've tried herbs, vitamins (magnesium supposedly helps...not for me), SamE, Elavil, Topamax. Nothing works except of course the Triptans.

[lirelda]

Do you know if excedrin contains caffiene?

[cathy5841]

hi, i too suffer horribly with migraines, so i feel your pain.  for years i tried every narcotic made but none helped my headaches.  i finally took some excedrin migraines and within an hour my headache was gone.  i have recommended it to many on this forum and they have gotten relief.  i know it is hard to believe, but its true.  give it a try.