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6 Day Migraine-Neuro Prescribed Medrol pack and Fioricet to break it-anyone been on this?

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 5/17/2013 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a migraine that has been non-stop for 6 days. It was 2 weeks, but after 2 unsuccessful urgent care visits where I requested Decadron/Phenergan (my 50/50 success shot abortive) I ended up in the ER at an out-of-town ER (my dad was being evaluated for a liver transplant; these are total stress migraines) and the doctor gave me Stadol which worked amazingly and broke my migraine for the first time in days and I was able to sleep, catch up on , and get everything accomplished I feel behind on. My migraine returned with a vengeance and I refuse to go to the ERs here because they treat every migraineur as a drug seeker; there are signs saying they will only treat them with non-narcotics. When I become dehydrated from vomiting and my doctor sends me to the local ER, I ask for Decadron because I cannot take Toradol. Which is fine, but as I said, Decadron only works about 50% of the time and my insurance doesn't cover a lot so I currently owe a bit on untreated migraines.

I have had migraines for 15 years. They seemed to be center around my period; I hoped when I had to get a hysterectomy that would take care of my migraines but it didn't. I live in a very small town with no neuros, so I have to drive an hour and a half to see mine. I also have a history of seizures but this current combo of meds seemed to be working: Depakote ER, Topamax, Propanonal, Bentyl, Protonix, Effexor & Klonopin & Ambien (I have been dealing with depression/anxiety as I lost my mom 6 months ago and now may possibly lose my dad), Imitrix prn (doesn't help), Zofran prn and Zanaflax prn.

I am my dad's sole caretaker and I need to be on top of everything and I know this is a stress migraine. My neuro asked what I was doing to combat the stress and I told him I was seeing a counselor, praying and going for walks when I can get out of the house. He suggested hospitalizing me for a DHE treatment but I had that done once and I thought I was going to crawl out of my skin,  plus I can't leave my dad home alone. So he said based on the fact I ask for steroids in the ER we can try a Medrol pack, and use Fioricet for pain to break it and if it's not gone in a week he will take me off Effexor and add Elavil because that is a good medication for this type of stress and migraine.

I am leery of being on steroids for an extended period of time because I feel jumpy and antsy but I've never used Fioricet. Will this help counteract that? Has anyone had success with this?

Thanks for sticking this post out, I know it's long shocked   It's been a rough few months and I internalize my stress, then end up like this eyes

Posted 5/18/2013 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
How many days is the medrol pack? I wind up taking steroids for my Crohn's disease and do not tolerate them well at all. I can usually tolerate a medrol pack better because it's a shorter duration and the dosage isn't as high and changes every day. So perhaps you'll be alright. The klonopin and ambien should help you with the side effects.

I hope it helps. And take care. It sounds like you have a lot going on.
Posted 5/18/2013 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have stress migraines also. Woke up with a horrid one this morning. Went to doctor and for the first time had a Toradol injection, sent me out anti nausea med and migraine med. Came home and slept. He told me the stress was in my neck which I can definitely feel and said a massage would do me good. I did get a massage a month or so ago and it was amazing. I'm not the kind of person persay that could live on getting massages because taking my clothes and have a stranger work on me is not my thing. She did a massage with my clothes on and I have to say I will probably go back when I get the money. Oh, and can I add, MIGRAINES SUCK!
Posted 5/18/2013 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback  :-)  

Sparkleplenty~ It's a 6 day, 21 pill pack. I have already thrown up last night and this morning's dose; I had to call the Neuro on call who at first I don't think believed me that yes, I did take my dissolving Zofran but still got sick, so he called in Phenergan suppositories. Zofran is a big miss or miss with me. Who in the world would want a suppository over a dissolving tablet on  purpose? I asked him and he said people that are on major pain killers use Phenergan to help make them more high-it does not make me high or even sleepy-but I told him what meds I was on and he had no problem calling them in. And after I was able to get the medicine to stay down, I went right back to feeling anxious and just bad cry . I will be glad to finish this and hope it does break the migraine. I am sorry about your Crohn's, my cousin has it and I don't know how she gets through the days sometimes. It is a miserable disease. How long are you usually on steroids with that? Thanks for the nice words  :-)

Nurse Lisa~ I'm glad the shots helped you! When it gets so bad that even tilting your head is excruciating, it is heaven once that pain breaks. I get knots in my neck so it's possible that is part of my problem too. I've read hot stone massages can be really good for people with migraines; I wouldn't rule that out if I can find a qualified person and it isn't too pricey. I just hate when it gets to this point that nothing is breaking them...or the thing that did break the last one was Stadol, something I'm not going to ask a doctor for an injection of; I'll just do it their way and hope it works. You are absolutely right, migraines suck. The light from the computer even bothers me somewhat but I had to finish up a project for school and wanted to stop in here. I hope your migraine goes and stays away! Oh, and I noticed you had a total hysterectomy too. Have you noticed any changes in your migraines? They used to be every month during my period, and even after my hysterectomy and being on an estrogen patch they have stayed the same/increased slightly.I was really hoping they'd disappear.

I'm sure it's been said, but I really wish there was a way to test for migraines like diabetes or cancer so we wouldn't have to feel ashamed or anxious about going to the doctor. So far I've spent over $50 on a medication that made me sick to my stomach, anxious and restless. And I don't know if I'm just too far into the pain that the Fioricet isn't helping.

Oh well. Thank you both for your input-I appreciate it. I hope you guys have a good, migraine-free rest of the weekend :-)

Posted 5/19/2013 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear you got so sick. I hope the medrol will work for you and you can get through it without any trouble. When I take prednisone for my Crohn's it usually for 4-6 weeks. It's absolutely hell for me.

Definitely get a massage! I find it helps. We have a massage school in town and so I can get a massage there for $35, so that might be something to look into.

Hope you get some relief soon.
Posted 12/20/2013 9:33 PM (GMT 0)

@ Jaspermom. I been on Fioricet for 6-7 yrs, just this week I was hospitilzed; spent 4 days. Mri/Mra were normal. I had a headache that i thought i was going to die from. Make a long story short, i was experiencing REBOUND headaches; which are 10X's WORST then a migraine; at least to me. The neuro who did rounded on me at the hospital...told me to STOP the Fioricet..COLD turkey. I have googled Fioricet and COLD turkey, there NUMEROUS of frightening stories on the internet. Had i known or did my research before taking it...i would have NEVER taken it. PLEASE do your OWN research before taking it. Thanks

I hope ALL GOES WELL with your father. Both of you are in my prayers.

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