what next - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

lorriem · 02-16-2006, 09:19 AM

I have been off fioricet for a few weeks and have had no sighns of wd like I did fear after taking them every day for about 25 years.I do need to take something for these gosh darn headaches. I have been taking tylenol 6-8 aday and my doctor said that is ok.I really can't believe that. Also my coffee intake is from one pot a day to several just like pre fioricet.any suggestions would be welcome

Mz Migraine · 02-16-2006, 05:50 PM

I didn't know Fioricet has been around for 25 years!!!

Anywho, it sounds like you are suffering from rebound headaches from the caffine laden asprins & the caffine coffee.

Switch to caffine free asprins & decaf coffee. I am not sure if Tylenol is caffine free or not. If it is, continue to follow the doctors orders however, cut down on the coffee and/or stop drinking it altogether if you can't stand drinking decaf.

My Neuro weaned me off of Excedrins by having me switch to Aleve. One pill a day.
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The weaning process (wd as you call it) is not pretty. The headaches get worse before they get better. In the end it's worth it.
Depending on how long you have been ingesting the asprins & coffee the weaning process can take up to 6-8 weeks.
Headache free going on 4 years.

Now if I can just get rid of the migraines.

Good Luck

lorriem · 02-17-2006, 07:45 PM

Thank you for the info. I don't know if fioricet is over 25 years old .I did start sometime in the mid 80's. I don't think tylenol has any caffeine in it though I could be wrong. I cannot take any asprin type product so that does limit me.

MandyPandy · 02-22-2006, 11:00 PM

my doctor has said that any fast acting short term medication can cause rebound headaches, as well as caffeine of course. If you can go without that many tylenol or switch to a longer acting one that would be best. As far as the caffeine, it's no wonder you have headaches with this much coffee!!! I would say to start mixing decaf & regular together to eventually wean yourself off of it altogether.

lorriem · 02-23-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandyPandy

my doctor has said that any fast acting short term medication can cause rebound headaches, as well as caffeine of course. If you can go without that many tylenol or switch to a longer acting one that would be best. As far as the caffeine, it's no wonder you have headaches with this much coffee!!! I would say to start mixing decaf & regular together to eventually wean yourself off of it altogether.

I heard that caffine would make your headaches worse but fioricet and most oc meds have caffine in them. I think I have found the right combo of drugs to help me. I take two 325 mg tylenol 1 neurontin and 2 big cups coffee 4 times a day and I have not had a migraine in several days.I will try to get off the coffee and see what happens. This beats the worry I had about fioricet though that had really helped me.
Lorrie