Hi There!
Sorry that you are having to face your work day with clusters! I have taken Fioricet off and on since I was 10-almost 20 years now. Side effects differ for everyone, but I wouldn't recommend driving while taking it. I've found that for me it chats me up and then knocks me out. My mother would concur. :) I've found them to be VERY effective if I only take them once or twice a week, otherwise, I will get a "Rebound" headache when I stop taking it. If you're taking them more than a couple of times a week, you may want to talk to the doc again. Good luck, I hope it works for you. I should add, I was able to work while taking it (Customer service computer job)...again, just don't take it when you're going to drive some where. I would take it toward the beginning of your shift if you can...

Katie

I've been having cluster headaches for 4 weeks straight now. I haven't found anything that helps. The doc has tried oxygen, vicodin, zomig, percocet and I was in the hopsital for a day with IV pain meds. Usually the IV pain meds break the cycle and I'm good to go again but not this time. We are leaving for Disney World tomorrow and I am hoping the change in climate will knock out the headaches. We've recently done some remodeling and I wonder if there is something in the house that is triggering the headaches. If the headaches are still occuring when I get back I think I will talk to the doc about Fioricet and see what he says. Driving is not a concern as my headaches mainly occur at night and I also work from home.

My 16 yr old takes fioricet. She's been on it for a week, now. In fact, she's under the influence of it now. She had a chemistry make-up exam at 8:15 this morning.. I waited to see if she would feel like staying at school for the rest of the day.. She came back to our car about 30 minutes later.. In a zombie like state. She doesn't even remember the test. She wanted to stay at school so she wouldn't be absent. I refused. What's the point in just being a body in a seat?

Fioricet makes the headache go away. Driving, sitting up, walking, talking... is not an option for her on this drug. Take it with much caution. Hope this helps.

Oh yeah.. Katie just reminded me that fioricet can cause rebound headaches. OMG!

So Katie... I have a question. How soon after you stop taking it can you get the headache? It's amazing how well this drug works, but.. if it CAUSES headaches... what's the point? I can't stand to see my daughter so zoned out on this one. But she'd rather have the side affects than the headache. What do you do??

Please help! what have you found that help this! my husband has been dealing with this for 7 years now! Any insight would be of so much help

Personally, I don't think Fioricet is really that 'dangerous'. Afterall, it is just acetaminophen, caffeine, and a small amount of a barbiturate. Maybe it bombs some people out. For me .. it simply stops the cluster headache ... and the prescription is 'take as needed' ... and one does it. Only problem I have is it doesn't last very long. About 4 hours (or more) later, I have to take another one.