fiorinal for tension headaches

[k devlin]

I have taken fiorinal for many years now on a prn basis for L neck tension headache that goes up and around my Left eye. I find it to be the best medication for me. I find that doctors look at the potential risks via the literature rather than my individual success with this drug. I have never used it with the opioid component and not on a regular schedule--only in times of headache, and sometimes that can be a run. I'd like to hear from anyone out there who is feeling the same frustrations I am. I have been taken off of this drug and put on so many "migraine" meds that didn't work and the side effects were horrendous. Fiorinal works, is an easy fix for me and I have not built up a tolerance nor am habitual. HELP

[sunny]

I have migraine headaches the best for me is Imitrex. I've also took Zomig but it don't work as good for me.(? but might for you) They HAVE to be took at the onset of the headache, just as quick as you can.I also have "cluster" headache's,& have to take other pain med.,sometimes just 2 aspirns work,sometimes not & I have to take a percocet.

[sharon]

k devlin wrote:

I have taken fiorinal for many years now on a prn basis for L neck tension headache that goes up and around my Left eye. I find it to be the best medication for me. I find that doctors look at the potential risks via the literature rather than my individual success with this drug. I have never used it with the opioid component and not on a regular schedule--only in times of headache, and sometimes that can be a run. I'd like to hear from anyone out there who is feeling the same frustrations I am. I have been taken off of this drug and put on so many "migraine" meds that didn't work and the side effects were horrendous. Fiorinal works, is an easy fix for me and I have not built up a tolerance nor am habitual. HELP

My doctor has had me on the same medicine for many years and it works wonders for me. He did however try me on other things and none of them worked.This is a great medicine to take and you don't need to worry about becoming addicted, unless of course you are the type of person who has had a problem with addiction to other things.The most imporant thing to remember....... NEVER TAKE MORE THAN YOUR DOCTOR'S RECOMENNED DOSE! If you follow those simple rules you should not have a problem.Always tell your doctor of any changes of any kind concerning your medicine.

[Mary]

I take fiornal for tension headaches as needed. I used to take fiorocet, but since I'm also on tylenol with codeine, I don't need the extra tylenol in fiorcet. I have degenerative disc disease and have had cervical fusion surgery on four discs, but I still get headaches. If you take the medication as directed, it should not cause an addiction and if you're doctor doesn't agree with your decision maybe it's time to find another doctor. Fiornal is an inexpensive treatment. I was given Imitrex, but that elevated my blood pressure.

[Judy]

Same thing has happened to me, way back in the early 90s i was having bad headaches for some years, tension headaches apparently, not migraines yet pretty disabling, ruined quality of life, work, etc. then my friend said "have you tried fiorinal?" i asked my then doctor for some and it worked, reliably, every time. My headaches were fairly frequent, at least a couple of times per week, but in the mid 90s i went on a narrow simple diet which cleared up most headaches, along with other symptoms. Part of my new lifestyle involved avoiding environmental toxins and chemicals as much as possible (even though i do not have multiple chemical sensitivity in the usual sense) and this included prescription drugs, but liked to keep a bottle of fiorinal on hand for that rare headache that didn't go away on its own. In recent years, i had a doctor who prescribed it for me, with refills every 6 months or so. Then she left and the new doctor also prescribed in the same manner, covering several years between them. I have not increased the dose or frequency, unless the headaches were more frequent, but overall, i haven't shown any addiction. The reason i keep using it is just that i get the headaches and nothing else works. I don't want or need codiene because of constipation, and also get constipation from NSAIDs. I have some liver vulnerability from HCV and do not want to take anything with Tylenol. My daughter has migraines and i've read up on the typical migraine meds she's been prescribed, imitrex, relpax, most don't work for her, relpax does, but personally, i would not like to take anything wiht those potential side effects; no one knows the long term results.
Fiorinal has been around for a long time and its effects are well known. It's a safe effective medication for bad headaches.

In June i was told my doctor had left the practice and the new doctor who called me said she wasn't comfortable renewing my prescription. She said she would rather have me try imitrex, etc.

I am going to try another doctor in that practice, otherwise i will have to find an international pharmacy where i can buy online. It's frustrating that this new doctor cant just respect and trust me, i live a high functioning life, full time job, caring for disabled mother, put daughter through college, have my share of stress but take it in stride, the other doctors knew i do not like to take meds and won't take unless needed, but the new doctor was just rigid and also insulting. She said "You are putting me in a bad position by asking me to prescribe this," and implied that i'm an out of control drug addict, when i had NO IDEA my previous doctor had left the practice and had just called and left a message for them to renew my prescription as usual, just as had been done over many years. I had no idea the request would be given to another doctor i've never met, and she acts like i've called her personally to ask her to go against her comfort level. It made me mad. I don't ever plan on seeing her. She did end up giving me one prescription with one refill but i'm getting low on that now, so i have the stress of having to find a doctor who respects and supports me and is not a fool, unable to look at the history and see there's no abuse, it's a mild medication, there are no red flags, it works, it helps me cope with a very stressful life, hello?

[Jane]

I have taken fiornal for migraine headaches for over 20 years. I have found doctors who are reluctant to prescribe it for extended periods. If you find a Dr who has headaches you can bet he will prescribe fiornal. Imitrex injections work for me if I take them, but I would rather try fiornal first. My current Dr gave me a RX for 180 at one time, realizing that when you have chronic,cyclic headaches you don't have time to call in for refills all the time. Fiornal is a lifesaver for me, as it has enabled me to continue teaching for 36 yrs! Good luck!

[Mimi]

I used to take fiornal for headaches and it usually worked well. However, my present doctor will not prescibe it for me, so now I just use Exedrin or aspirin if I get a headache I don't get a bad headache very often, now that I have found out which foods to avoid (ripe bananas, chocolate, peanut butter, turkey with additives, monosodium glutamate, etc.). I am also on a gluten-free diet. I really don't know why my doctor won't prescribe it, as I know I am in no danger of addiction, as I would need it so rarely. However, my doctor thinks I should take Fosamax, which I refuse to take. I think Fosamax is much more dangerous than fiornal.

[Without prescription]

Fioricet, this non-narcotic pain medication and relaxant is often prescribed for tension headaches caused by contractions of the muscles in the neck and shoulder area, and migraine.

Esgic Plus is a pain reliever and a relaxant. Use this medicine to treat tension headaches.

Imitrex is used to treat migraine headaches.
http://rxwithoutprescription.com/

[Nancy]

I have taken butalbutal for over 20 years, I can take it and the migraine goes away quite quickly and I don't feel that it is an addictive med as I can take it or leave it But why the big hassle? Becauce it WORKS!

[Karen]

My father has taken Fiorinal for around 60 years and has recently been taken off because of taking other aspirin based, blood thinners. He is a WWII vet and has used this drug to curb pain from a blown apart ankle and leg. He was never addicted and cannot find any other med. to help with his pain. He is 89 years old and it makes me sick to think he has to suffer pain because nothing out there works as well as Fiorinal. I would fight any doctor who has a problem with prescribing it, better yet I would never go back to them.

[lisa]

hi. just wondering if anyone knows if the caffeine in fiorinol/fioricet is there to give you energy or its there because it helps the barbituate and aspirin/tylenol in the drug work better. please respond. [e-mail]

[lisa]

does anyone have multiple sclerosis and eye, face and/or head pain with it. This is my worst symptom besides fatigue. I want to talk with someone about the drugs that I am on to get through my day. I've experimeneted with fioricet, vicoden and percodan. Please write back. [e-mail]

[CBL]

I have taken Fioricet, or the generic version of it for about three years. I have recurring cluster headaches and this is the only drug that helps. Tried Immetrex and even had a Dr put me on Depakote once to try and help. Also had that same Dr put me on Presnidone which I did not like. It’s a steroid, the side effects were horrible and I just don’t like the idea of taking anything that is designed to lower my immune system function. When I get a cluster I have it for a week to ten days typically. The longest period was three weeks. When I take the Butalbital it allows me to live normally during the headache cycle but the headache is still there during this time only it’s a 2 or 3 rather than a gripping 10. Butalbital is like Fiorinal but instead of an aspirin additive it has APAP or Tylenol. I hate this because Tylenol is a nasty thing to subject your liver to. I have a hard time getting scripts for Fiorinal for some reasons and when I do, they’re considerably more expensive. Also, haven’t seen a generic for this anywhere. Anyway… you guys having difficulty with Dr’s writing scripts or refills for the drug – I have been there. I can usually get my regular Dr to give me a script for 60 with one refill about every 6 months but recently after about 4 months I had another episode and now, he will not refill me and will not return my calls. It’s frustrating that he won’t even call me back and at least tell me that he won’t refill. Instead, I’m left hanging and will not use him anymore. I don’t have insurance so the Bupap (Tylenol version) that he gives me actually cost me $55. I found a place online (there are many) that will write you a real script for Butalbital and have it to you the next day. The cost is about $78 bucks for 90tabs with shipping. FedEx next day is the only option on shipping. So I was paying $55 for sixty and now I can get 90 for $78. For me, it’s a good deal and they will refill you every 7 days if you want but watch out, because you don’t won’t to take this drug for too long at a time. At least not the Tylenol version. I think the aspirin version is perfectly safe. I had my liver checked recently and the numbers all came back normal but I do not drink. If I did, I think I might see a rise. Just remember that if you do take the one that has Tylenol in it, take note of exactly how much is in there and don’t go over 4000mg a of Tylenol per day – this being the normal limit for people not over the age of 75 and also for individuals who are not chronic Tylenol users. If you are the later, they actually recommend you stay around 2000mg per day. You’ll typically see most Butalbital generics with 325mg of Tylenol per tab which actually means you could take up to 12 per day but there’s no reason to take that much or least not in my case. When I had my three week run I did suffer a little physical withdrawal that took about three days to pass. If anyone were to get on this drug and stay on it all the time, there would definitely be concerns with physical addiction.

[Marlie]

CBL wrote:

I have taken Fioricet, or the generic version of it for about three years. I have recurring cluster headaches and this is the only drug that helps. Tried Immetrex and even had a Dr put me on Depakote once to try and help. Also had that same Dr put me on Presnidone which I did not like. It’s a steroid, the side effects were horrible and I just don’t like the idea of taking anything that is designed to lower my immune system function. When I get a cluster I have it for a week to ten days typically. The longest period was three weeks. When I take the Butalbital it allows me to live normally during the headache cycle but the headache is still there during this time only it’s a 2 or 3 rather than a gripping 10. Butalbital is like Fiorinal but instead of an aspirin additive it has APAP or Tylenol. I hate this because Tylenol is a nasty thing to subject your liver to. I have a hard time getting scripts for Fiorinal for some reasons and when I do, they’re considerably more expensive. Also, haven’t seen a generic for this anywhere. Anyway… you guys having difficulty with Dr’s writing scripts or refills for the drug – I have been there. I can usually get my regular Dr to give me a script for 60 with one refill about every 6 months but recently after about 4 months I had another episode and now, he will not refill me and will not return my calls. It’s frustrating that he won’t even call me back and at least tell me that he won’t refill. Instead, I’m left hanging and will not use him anymore. I don’t have insurance so the Bupap (Tylenol version) that he gives me actually cost me $55. I found a place online (there are many) that will write you a real script for Butalbital and have it to you the next day. The cost is about $78 bucks for 90tabs with shipping. FedEx next day is the only option on shipping. So I was paying $55 for sixty and now I can get 90 for $78. For me, it’s a good deal and they will refill you every 7 days if you want but watch out, because you don’t won’t to take this drug for too long at a time. At least not the Tylenol version. I think the aspirin version is perfectly safe. I had my liver checked recently and the numbers all came back normal but I do not drink. If I did, I think I might see a rise. Just remember that if you do take the one that has Tylenol in it, take note of exactly how much is in there and don’t go over 4000mg a of Tylenol per day – this being the normal limit for people not over the age of 75 and also for individuals who are not chronic Tylenol users. If you are the later, they actually recommend you stay around 2000mg per day. You’ll typically see most Butalbital generics with 325mg of Tylenol per tab which actually means you could take up to 12 per day but there’s no reason to take that much or least not in my case. When I had my three week run I did suffer a little physical withdrawal that took about three days to pass. If anyone were to get on this drug and stay on it all the time, there would definitely be concerns with physical addiction.

I too, have suffered for many years with migraines and doctors have tried me on everything or should I say wanted me to try all sorts of horrid medicines. Some I tried and either they gave me a worse migraine or I was a complete zombie. I want to be able to function during the day and Fiorinal helped me do just that. I found a female ob/gyn that I went to for female problems and when I told her that I suffered with migraines she immediately gave me Fiorinal. It worked better than anything I tried before and with few side effects. She too suffered from migraines. Well, she moved to another state and now when I tell my new doctor that this really helps, they look at me like I'm crazy and try to push a different migraine drug on me. I know what works and what doesn't. I don't know what to do or where to turn.

[Marlie]

I too suffer from migraines for years and am so tired of the doctors especially neurologists trying to push anti-depressants, triptans, or seizure medicine on me. They either don't work or the side effects are so miserable that I just refuse to take them. I have tried Fiorinal and it works great-it releives the headache or migraine and lets me go on about my day. But the doctors do not like this drug for some reason so I have just about given up finding anything else that will work. Right now I take BC powder and lie down and know that the entire day is going to be filled with pain. It is very frustrating.

[slyphantom]

I have tried everything else out there, been taking Fioninal for 30 years, and no,, I am not addicted,,, it works, I only take it when I need to and why stop a good thing just because modern young doctors think they have a better cure,,,, I still believe in the tried and true.

k devlin wrote:

I have taken fiorinal for many years now on a prn basis for L neck tension headache that goes up and around my Left eye. I find it to be the best medication for me. I find that doctors look at the potential risks via the literature rather than my individual success with this drug. I have never used it with the opioid component and not on a regular schedule--only in times of headache, and sometimes that can be a run. I'd like to hear from anyone out there who is feeling the same frustrations I am. I have been taken off of this drug and put on so many "migraine" meds that didn't work and the side effects were horrendous. Fiorinal works, is an easy fix for me and I have not built up a tolerance nor am habitual. HELP

[zims]

I too used to have a doc that prescribed fiorinal, but suddenly he stopped after about 7yrs this past June. I suffer from tension migraines that have only gotten worse over the last 4-5 years, increasing in frequency. I have tried to find another doc that will prescribe fiorinal, as it too is the only med I have found to work for me, as neither Imitrex, Zomig, any of the triptans, etc have worked. I'm at wits end, and haven't yet gotten to the point of ordering online, but am soon getting there.

[Margaret]

Hi Mary
I moved up here near you - 10 years ago - I'm sixty years old and have been taking both Fiorinal and Fiorinal with Codeine for Migraine -tension and cluster headaches since I was twenty - I have tried every drug that you can name - either for prevention - seizures - antidepressants - but nothing worked. I tried all the triptans but I hate how they make me feel and also I'm afraid of a stroke. Both my parents and my father's parents and my brother suffered from strokes. But since I've been upstate I can't find a doctor who will prescribe Fiorinal. They act as if I'm asking for heroin and say I'm wrong about the fear of a stroke using Triptans.
Do you have any suggestions of where to go - I'm afraid to purchase online as I don't trust it and also I cannot afford the prices.
Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

[David]

hello

[jane]

I am 53 and have had migraines since i was 10 years old. Since 2001 I started having 3-4 a week and at this point started on every know preventative out there - I have found that Trexmet has helped (much more than zomig, relpax,etc) BUT the best relief ( and best chance at stopping the "freight train" from coming) has been Fiorinal. When my vision goes haywire - if i take two Fiorinal within 60 seconds, it will usually calm down within 30 minutes- i am left with the "wiped out" feeling but no blinding pain - it's as if it is the day after a bad migraine (and i have skipped the bad part of it all) I think Fiorinal is a miracle medication for me and I am sure for others. I have been taking it for years and feel no addiction to it at all. My neurologist has told me that many Doctors think it should have been taken off of the market - but he understands how well it works thank goodness. I don't know how I could live with these migraines without it!(on a different note- I started accupuncture 6 weeks ago and actually went migraine free for 35 days - i am keeping my fingers crossed!! I was desperate and thought I would give this a try and hopefully I will continue to do well with it)
[e-mail]