Migraine Headaches Support Group

Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.

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bzzykaz 04/15/2015

Hi all,

I get migraines which seem to come in clusters. I also have chronic vertigo. Not sure if the two are related (for many people they are). Anyway, usually Fioricet is my "go-to" medication. But, apparently you aren't supposed to take them often. I had one doc who said no more than once a week! My current doc says 3 in a week is ok, but try to only do once a day. Typically, one Fioricet knocks the thing out, but there are times, like today, when my headache laughs at anything, Fioricet included. I don't know what to do but suffer and try to sleep so,I can escape the pain.

Hope someone has some words of wisdom. Also hope this post finds the rest of you having pain-free days!

jcpmoore 04/16/2015

I find that peppermint oil can help with acute cases of migraine. I put two drops on a cold wet washcloth, put the cloth on my forehead and lay down. I usually get some relief in about fifteen minutes. For a more portable option, I use the "migrastick", which is basically peppermint oil and lavender oil together. You can just dot it on where it hurts.

HTH

angee7 04/17/2015

Fioricet is also my first choice, but if that does not work, then I take a Maxalt.
If the nausea is bad, then I will also take Zofran.
If my neck is in pain (or spasms), I also take Flexeril (muscle relaxer).
I then try to sleep and hope it all goes away.

I am also on a preventative, Topamax.

Good luck to you!

YvetteK 04/22/2015

The rule of thumb by most headache specialist is no more than 2x per week. After you have used a pain med for the 2nd time in a week, you are at risk for a rebound. That also includes OTC pain meds for headaches like excendrin, advil, aspirin, tylenol, etc.

I myself do notice this to be true. If I take excedrin more than 2x per week, the rebound is just god awful.

You may want to ask your doctor for an abortive such as imitrex, or zomig, or relpax. you also run the risk of rebound with those drugs also, but if you only use them once a week, you should be find.

fjgirl 04/29/2015

I also take Maxalt and Fioricet for Migraines. There are many times when Maxalt won't even take the edge off; this is when I take Fioricet.

My doctor said I could take two Fioricet at a time and there aren't any restrictions on how many per day or week. I try to not take them so often but I get migraines almost every day.

You have me concerned now and I will specifically ask my doctor about the frequency of taking Fioricet.

nikigirl 05/23/2015

I have tried fiorocet and many other meds without any success. My neurologist put me on a preventative of Inderal LA, when the migraines break through she increases my dose and it works well without any notable side effects.

mspoeticjm 06/17/2015

I never heard of a limit on Fioricet, but it's a controlled substance, so I wouldn't be surprised. I have migraines at least 15 days or more per month. I have taken almost everything under the sun & they either used to work or don't work. I take Tizanidine which is the generic for Zanaflex, which is a muscle relaxer. Recently, I had a lumbar puncture & it was determined that I have extra fluid around my brain causing pressure. My Neurologist added Lasik for this fluid, which is a diuretic. I have to follow up to get some kind of pain management. I think they wanna try Botox injections next. It's quite frustrating. My headache yesterday was a ten. I took Tylenol & Fioricet, and I'm doing well today. Today is the first day without a headache in three weeks. I hope you find relief immediately. Sometimes, you have to mix some of your meds together to get relief. Hope you feel better soon!!

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