Fiorinal/cod 30mg or percocet 7.5/325mg

Katirina · 03-02-2007, 05:46 PM

I have taken Fiorinal w/cod for years for migraine pain. Now that I am having a lot of tailbone pain and leg pain I am taking Percocet. One day I got a migraine and noticed my who body felt better when took Fiorinal. I am thinking it is not good to take Fiorinal long term. I figured you guys knew all the reason - thanks!

mzpain · 03-03-2007, 03:45 AM

I took fiorinol/cod 30mg. for my migraines too, matter of fact it worked better than morphine in the ER. This combination medication is used to treat tension headaches. Codeine is a narcotic pain reliever that acts on certain centers in the brain to give you pain relief. Aspirin helps to decrease the pain from the headache. Caffeine helps increase the effects of aspirin. Butalbital is a sedative that helps to decrease anxiety and cause sleepiness and relaxation. So I would say the butalbital's relaxation and decreasing of anxiety is why your whole body felt better. I wouldnt think you would need the codeine if you are also taking the percocet 7.5. Actually I was going to ask my doc if straight fiorinal without codeine may be an option for me I have degenerative disc disease, have had a fusion with a plate in my neck and now am having bad pain in my legs, hips and lumbar area. I already take alot of hydrocodone(no tylenol) and ibuprofen daily but think I need something to relax my back and muscles. I never have gotten relief from typical muscle relaxers like soma, flexeril, robaxin so I thought about the fiorinal and since reading your post I know it would be a good idea. I've never heard of fiorinal longterm being bad but since you ask I think if I want to take it too I will check it out and let ya know. Have a painless night.

SpinalMalady · 03-03-2007, 12:43 PM

I also take the Fiornal #3 due to Chronic Migranes triggered by Atmospheric Conditions (and I live in the Deep South which sucks big time). I have been told by my Doctor that the Fiornal works so well because it also has Phenobarbital(sp?) in it in addition to the caffine and codine. I have no clue, I just know it's one of the only thing that works on my terrible migraines that I've suffered with since age 7.

I am taking Topamax 50mg in the am and 50mg at bedtime, 20mg of Paxil and 50mg in the am and 50mg at bedtime as a preventive. I only use the Firornal w/Codine as a rescue med. I have been on this regimine for almost 2 years now, and it has been a lifesaver. I have NOWHERE near the frequency/number of migraines, and when I DO get a headache, it's NOWHERE near as severe as they used to be. YAY!

Edited to add:

I also have chronic ongoing back problems at L4-S1 and am actually going to the Neurosurgeon on 3/13 to schedule the date for my Fusion. I am aslo on the Duragesic 12.5 patch, and Percocet 7.5 for BT, but I have never mixed the Perc and the Fiornal. I have been okayed to take the fiornal while on the Duragesic by my PM.

Hoping for Pain Free days for all ASAP.

Bg

zach016 · 03-04-2007, 05:23 AM

Hi Katrina,

The butalbital in the Fiorinal is what is giving you the all over feeling. It is a barbituate.

In Canada they are instructing Dr.'s not to put any new patients on Fiorinal or Fioricet and to try to move any patients that are taking it to something else. I'm sure it will be taken off the market here soon. That is the plain stuff and the stuff with codeine.

In some countries (Italy for one) it has been banned.

It seems there is a high incidence of abuse when it comes to this medication - if you read the addiction board it's crazy. ANd it isn't something that can be stopped for those that are taking them daily. **They can't be stopped all at once or it can cause seizures**

I know in the U.S. they still seem to be prescribed easier than Tylenol #3. I don't think Dr.'s are too concerned with patients taking them once or twice a week and if that works I don't think they should be. But for someone new thereare so many good meds. out there.

zach016

mzpain · 03-04-2007, 02:51 PM

Wow, I didnt know there was a problem with the butalbital. Are their only fears concerning the physical addictiveness of the barbituate? As far as I know the benzo's have the same addictive properties and I havent heard of any ban on them. Educate me please, I feel I am behind the times, I havent had to take fiorinal for a long time. Thanks!