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Posted 5/13/2012 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, sorry if I am excessively posting, but finding this forum is like a cage door opening.

Easy question:

I get chronic headaches that turn into migraines if I dont take an antiinflammatory. I have always been a heavy advil user (which probably helped destroy my body) but now I cant take it obviously. Unfortunately, if it gets too bad, I have to though. Nothing else touches my headaches. Tylenol actually makes my head hurt really bad, as do prescription painkillers like vicoden or percocet.

When I was released from the hospital, my attending doc gave me a huge tramadol prescription for pain. It does nothing for my pain, but I noticed that it gives me the best sleep ever and for the most part controls my headaches at night. (That is when I usually get the worst of them- I think its because I dont relax when I sleep, but the tramadol made me relax). From what I have read, most people have trouble sleeping with Tramadol because it tends to supposedly give them energy, but I am guessing having adhd is why it has the effect on me it does? Stimulant anything works differently on me.

Anyway, my new doctor who I see for the adhd is who prescribes my adderall. Recently I ran out of Tramadol and she refused to refill it because it supposedly can react with adderall and cause seizures. I have called several pharmacists who disagree with this though. Plus, I don't take them together.

She instead gave me Fiorecet WHICH HAS TYLENOL in it and is a barbituate, a drug I am completely unfamiliar with.

So, honestly, I really don't want to waste money filling it, and she is hard to communicate with because her accent is so thick. Im kind of at a loss for what to do, its hard to get regular docs to medically manage my adhd, and she is great about that, but I disagree with her and found something finally that works for me and she refuses to do it. ANd I cant call the other doc to even get it refilled because she made me sign some stupid contract that states I cannot get meds from another doc because I take the adderall.

So, what do you guys take for headaches that isnt Advil or Tylenol?
Posted 5/13/2012 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Unless you have severe, chronic, 24-hour pain, I don't think many drs would prescribe tramadol. It has high abuse potential and can negatively affect your UC. Both Tramadol and Adderall can increase your risk for seizure alone- the combination may put you at a high risk, even if the drugs don't directly interact.

Fioricet is designed specifically to treat tension headaches- it includes acetaminophen, caffeine, and a muscle relaxer. The acetaminophen dulls pain, the caffeine increases blood flow, and the muscle relaxer decreases the muscle contractions that can cause the headaches. I would give it a try; maybe the combination of the three different drugs will have a different effect than acetaminophen alone. Or ask for something else. Valium can relieve tension headaches AND help you sleep. If she has made up her mind about the Tramadol, it is unlikely that you are going to convince her to change.
Posted 5/14/2012 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
My husband take Fioricet for his migraines and it has been a lifesaver for him. If the doctor recommends it give it a try.
Posted 5/14/2012 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Fiorcet doesn't help my migraines at all. I have been using zomig lately with some luck but I never know what to expect. Sometimes it helps, other times I have to use my NSAID to get things under control. You should really see a neurologist and try some of the options. I don't think painkillers are considered an acceptable long-term approach to migraine management.
Posted 5/14/2012 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys very much for reaponding. Yeah, I think I just got caught up in the excitement of something working for once lol Is trouble sleeping something that comes along w UC? Ever since my prednisone hell, (Been off for over a month now) my dreams are weird- like you know that feeling you get when someone tries to make you do something you dont want to do? I get that feeling in my sleep, to the point where I just get frustrated and stay up.

Sorry if there are grammar/run on sentence issues...on my phone and it formats the page weird so i cant see all of what im typing :)
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