I am so sorry you are suffering through this. Hope something here on site helps.

Above all I wanted to politely express to you the amount of Tylenol (acetaminophen) you are cycling through your liver could be damaging. I see vicodin, fiorocet (which were useless and antiquated for me). But then we are all different so find what works and try, within reason, some different drugs and consider a preventative like Inderal or Topomax. Hopefully you can do it without adding more drugs but sometimes we need help. Inderal 80mg extended release helped me with no side effects. Topomax helps a friend, but not as well for her and with goofy/sleepy side effects. It caused me to be dizzy. I'll list several preventatives, but changing when you take ur meds may help. Early early early is very important.

I am a migraine sufferer (for 40 years) and chronic pain sufferer (back and neck fusions 10 years). I lived with daily migraine for years until I discovered nasal lidocaine spray 3 years ago. The doctor I went to also said take the full dose (spray or pills not a half dose) right away when you "think" you have a migraine. Quit hoarding your pills or spray. If you wait the vessels in your brain start spasming and it's too late by then for any pills to work. She even asked if my hair hurt and surprised I said YES! Finally someone that understands. When my back hurts I have to take Balocet. Neither drug helps for the wrong kind of pain.

Different pills work for my head than work for back. Balocet is the lower Tylenol version of Darvocet. There are lower Tylenol pills for oxycontin, vicodin and many pills taken for migraine. Be careful also with the ibuprofen and NSAIDS. A new medical warning just came out about them and they can and do cause chronic gastrointestinal bleeding and chronic anemia. It happened to my mother and me both with chronic use. See recent new releases the last few months.

Has an NSAID ever gotten rid of a migraine for you? They never did for me. If you take them every day they are also a strain on the liver and even though you are trading out you still could be kicking off daily headaches even with the change. We still don't know how aspirin works. Remember doctors don't know how many very simple drugs work. Try a neurologist that specialized in the specific pain you are experiencing with headache and other pain specialists by body part.

If I take the lidocaine early (which is nice since it's not a narcotic) I can beat a headache 99% of the time. After that I have Esgic and Vicodin to fall back on for migraines. Vicodin is good if all else fails but I have to time it all earlier according to the doctor. I also had the option with her to go in and get trigger point injections in my neck and head where the muscles start up the headache.

There are other treatments that worked, Botox to certain neck muscles, sublingual pills like triptans or other pain relievers help because migraines or severe headaches sometimes shut down how your body digest or integrates medicine. Therefore sublingual goes right to the body, bypassing the stomach.

I am of the opinion (my own humble opinion) after listening to many headache specialists that taking any OTC meds can feed the daily headache cycle. I stopped taking any OTC meds unless I had a migraine, started the lidocaine when needed, stopped caffeine (more than one friends has shown this was the cause), keep a food log and headache diary (any doc worth his salt will ask you for this). There are many foods that we are sensitive to that cause migraines or headaches that seem very innocuous but can cause headaches. Caffeine, chocolate, cured cheeses & meats, processed food additives, things in your tap water (even if in EPA guidelines if you are sensitive). Goggling a list of headache causes should give you a list or better a thorough doc.

I also started taking ribo-mag (vitamin b) and coq10 and I've only had 3 migraines in as many years. This despite an amazing amount of stress during that time. I thought these supplements and spray would NEVER work but agreed to be openminded and try it. I'm glad I did.

I also have recurring viral meningitis-this causes blinding headaches-as does sun exposure on any part of my body. Make sure this isn't the case with you. Lyme disease also causes this type of headache. Good luck with this. I do sympathize and hope you find help.