Fioricet with Codeine for headaches - Opinions?

[Dedpuhl]

I’ve had a constant, dull headache for about 11 years now. I would describe the intensity as 5 out of 10. It bothers me and it has a moderate impact on my ability to function “normally.” In the morning, the feeling is slightly worse (6); however, it tapers off once I start getting ready for work. I’ve been to several docs, including 2 neurologists, and they have no idea what the problem is. I’ve had CAT scans and MRIs. Everything seems normal.

I’ve been prescribed dozens of meds to try to control the headaches. I was finally given a prescription of Fioricet with Codeine. I thought that it wouldn’t work and that it was a waste of money. Surprisingly, it’s actually bringing the headache down to an intensity of about 1 or 2. This is the first time I’ve felt relief in a long time.

Anyway, my doctor (GP) is hesitant to refill the prescription as it’s apparently highly addictive and can cause rebound headaches. I’ve also read horror stories of people that become addicted to the barbiturate. Has anyone had experience with this drug? I’m just wondering how I should approach my doctor about continuing to take the meds as safely as possible.

I do have another appointment with a headache specialist on Sept 10. Maybe she will prescribe something else that’ll work or just give me the only thing that’s worked.

 

[Invisible Evil]

I'll say this Codine makes me feel like Jesus... I love that stuff.. I had to tell my Dr. To get me something else for my neck because I could have easy style been hooked.. Hell I sometimes miss the euphoria it gave me.

 

[BoomerD]

IE, I'm just the opposite. I'm allergic to codeine...so it makes me feel like crap...

OP, out of curiosity, have you ever tried Excedrin? I suffer from nasty headaches and Excedrin gives me relief that I can't get from any prescription pain reliever.

 

[brainhulk]

medical marijuana? j/k

 

[preCRT]

OP, out of curiosity, have you ever tried Excedrin? I suffer from nasty headaches and Excedrin gives me relief that I can't get from any prescription pain reliever.

Excedrin is nothing more than the equivalent of 1 aspirin tablet, 1 tylenol [acetaminophen] tablet and 65mg of caffeine [same as you'd get in an average cup of coffee]. No magic there.


When I get a bad headache, I reach for a tylenol & a can of Mountain Dew. Fantastic pain relief.

 

[Dedpuhl]

IE, I'm just the opposite. I'm allergic to codeine...so it makes me feel like crap...

OP, out of curiosity, have you ever tried Excedrin? I suffer from nasty headaches and Excedrin gives me relief that I can't get from any prescription pain reliever.

Excedrin migraine was the best over-the-counter drug that worked for me. BUT I ended up with an ulcer for taking it for so long. My GP said she'd smack me if I touch aspirin again.

 

[preCRT]

I’ve had a constant, dull headache for about 11 years now. I would describe the intensity as 5 out of 10. It bothers me and it has a moderate impact on my ability to function “normally.” In the morning, the feeling is slightly worse (6); however, it tapers off once I start getting ready for work.

Does it ease up when you drink coffee?

 

[Dedpuhl]

No it stays rather constant. It's odd. It also baffles all the docs I've seen...

 

[Crono]

Seems like most medications that could help would cause problems with side effects since your headache is so persistent.

I would suggest going even to more neurologists, if possible.

 

[BoomerD]

Excedrin is nothing more than the equivalent of 1 aspirin tablet, 1 tylenol [acetaminophen] tablet and 65mg of caffeine [same as you'd get in an average cup of coffee]. No magic there.


When I get a bad headache, I reach for a tylenol & a can of Mountain Dew. Fantastic pain relief.

I'm fully aware of the mix in Excedrin. (I should...I take enough of it)
Tylenol by itself does nothing for me. Sometimes in the evening, if I don't want the caffeine, I'll take a couple of aspirins with one tylenol. More or less makes 2 Excedrin w/o the caffeine.

Excedrin migraine was the best over-the-counter drug that worked for me. BUT I ended up with an ulcer for taking it for so long. My GP said she'd smack me if I touch aspirin again.

yeah, once you start getting stomach problems from the aspirin...it's time to stop using it.

Have you tried Tramadol? Doesn't do much for me, but it works well for some folks.

 

[eits]

chiropractor

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

I’ve had a constant, dull headache for about 11 years now. I would describe the intensity as 5 out of 10. It bothers me and it has a moderate impact on my ability to function “normally.” In the morning, the feeling is slightly worse (6); however, it tapers off once I start getting ready for work. I’ve been to several docs, including 2 neurologists, and they have no idea what the problem is. I’ve had CAT scans and MRIs. Everything seems normal.

I’ve been prescribed dozens of meds to try to control the headaches. I was finally given a prescription of Fioricet with Codeine. I thought that it wouldn’t work and that it was a waste of money. Surprisingly, it’s actually bringing the headache down to an intensity of about 1 or 2. This is the first time I’ve felt relief in a long time.

Anyway, my doctor (GP) is hesitant to refill the prescription as it’s apparently highly addictive and can cause rebound headaches. I’ve also read horror stories of people that become addicted to the barbiturate. Has anyone had experience with this drug? I’m just wondering how I should approach my doctor about continuing to take the meds as safely as possible.

I do have another appointment with a headache specialist on Sept 10. Maybe she will prescribe something else that’ll work or just give me the only thing that’s worked.

I'm not a doctor, but if I were you, I would want to figure out the root cause. Taking a pharmaceutical product is a band-aid.

Have you seen a chiropractor?

 

[eits]

I'm not a doctor, but if I were you, I would want to figure out the root cause. Taking a pharmaceutical product is a band-aid.

Have you seen a chiropractor?

:thumbsup:

 

[SlowSpyder]

I had the Fioricet w/o codeine in the past. It worked, but really not much better than some Aleve in my case.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Anyway, my doctor (GP) is hesitant to refill the prescription as it’s apparently highly addictive and can cause rebound headaches. I’ve also read horror stories of people that become addicted to the barbiturate. Has anyone had experience with this drug? I’m just wondering how I should approach my doctor about continuing to take the meds as safely as possible.

You most certainly can become addicted (doesn't have to be junkie level, just physically dependent) and suffer withdrawals that make the headaches worse, or cause full blown migraines. My wife has had to deal with this a couple times with her kidney stones (though she was prescribed dilaudid).

Have you tried topomax?

 

[disappoint]

I'll bet anything your doctors now think your headaches are withdrawal symptoms from drugs they think you may have taken.

 

[disappoint]

I'll say this Codine makes me feel like Jesus... I love that stuff.. I had to tell my Dr. To get me something else for my neck because I could have easy style been hooked.. Hell I sometimes miss the euphoria it gave me.

It makes you feel like you got nailed to a cross? How the hell can that possibly be addicting?

 

[ahenkel]

It makes you feel like you got nailed to a cross? How the hell can that possibly be addicting?

probably more like Jesus in the desert when he fasted.

 

[Invisible Evil]

It makes you feel like you got nailed to a cross? How the hell can that possibly be addicting?

Well played sir.

 

[D1gger]

I use Tylenol 1 OTC. It has 8mg of codeine and seems to do the trick for me unless it is a full blown migraine, in which case I switch to Tylenol 3's.

 

[olds]

I've suffered from headaches all my life. Been to countless doctors and even tried a couple of witch doctors (chiro's). No one knows why I get them.
I started getting migraines when I was about 30. I've taken various meds for them. Imitrex seems to work the best.
But now, when I get a normal headache, Tylenol, aspirin, Excedrin, etc don't work. I have to take Imitrex. I get 9 a month and they never last.
I ordered some from India but they charged some porn to the ATM card that I used to order.

For the past couple of weeks, I've had a constant headache. Luckily it's only annoying. But my neck is jacked up too. I've tried different pillows. A hot shower helps and I started taking some Claritin as the head pressure is in my sinus cavity area.

But, I am used to being miserable. I am married.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

I use Tylenol 1 OTC. It has 8mg of codeine and seems to do the trick for me unless it is a full blown migraine, in which case I switch to Tylenol 3's.

That stuff will rot your liver.

OP, really, see a chiropractor.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I’ve had a constant, dull headache for about 11 years now. I would describe the intensity as 5 out of 10. It bothers me and it has a moderate impact on my ability to function “normally.” In the morning, the feeling is slightly worse (6); however, it tapers off once I start getting ready for work. I’ve been to several docs, including 2 neurologists, and they have no idea what the problem is. I’ve had CAT scans and MRIs. Everything seems normal.

I’ve been prescribed dozens of meds to try to control the headaches. I was finally given a prescription of Fioricet with Codeine. I thought that it wouldn’t work and that it was a waste of money. Surprisingly, it’s actually bringing the headache down to an intensity of about 1 or 2. This is the first time I’ve felt relief in a long time.

Anyway, my doctor (GP) is hesitant to refill the prescription as it’s apparently highly addictive and can cause rebound headaches. I’ve also read horror stories of people that become addicted to the barbiturate. Has anyone had experience with this drug? I’m just wondering how I should approach my doctor about continuing to take the meds as safely as possible.

I do have another appointment with a headache specialist on Sept 10. Maybe she will prescribe something else that’ll work or just give me the only thing that’s worked.

You need a cerebral angiogram, and if it's negative, stop taking narcotics and get on some anti depressants and or take a yoga or meditation class.

<---Works with a neurological interventionalist on a daily basis... We jam stuff into people's brains all day, every day.

A primary physician isn't going to be much help at this point.

 

[Dedpuhl]

You need a cerebral angiogram, and if it's negative, stop taking narcotics and get on some anti depressants and or take a yoga or meditation class.

<---Works with a neurological interventionalist on a daily basis... We jam stuff into people's brains all day, every day.

A primary physician isn't going to be much help at this point.

To answer some of the other peeps, I've been to a chiro and they didn't help. I've been to a voodoo doctor for Acupuncture and that didn't help.

I've been given so many different prescriptions for headaches that I've honestly lost track. I'd have to look back at my prescription files to see. IIRC, only one was a muscle relaxer. The rest were geared towards migraines and complex headaches. I would say that the meds are causing continual withdrawals, but I did nothing for the headaches for months and still felt the same.

This 29-day stint with Fioricet is my first time using something with a narcotic. I'm going to a neurologist (DO) on Friday to get a 100th opinion on what to do...

 

[Pliablemoose]

The CT scans/MRI's were all negative?

Have you had an angiogram?