I'm not sure which is worse though, taking something else that could potentially have long term effects and serious side effects, or taking fioricet two times a week. Experienced neurologists seem to be in conflict with younger dr's on this topic regarding pushing daily meds vs. treating a headache when it comes.  I think more research needs to be done on the disease process, as well as the preventative medications before the young ones jump the gun and push new pharmaceuticals because they read one or two articles.  I've had migraines for about 11 years now, and have come to this conclusion based on my experiences with about 8 doctors and nurse practitioners - some ob/gyns, a neurologist, some family docs, some PAs or NPs.  I go with my Harvard trained neurologist's advice since he deals most exclusively with this problem.  I take fioricet once or twice a week, when needed and it always works. And it's never been addicting to me.  When I encounter an NP or family doc, they usually want to push daily meds as a preventative without much thought.  

Yes I read that article after I posted.  I think new therapies should be tempered with experience with what actually works, and not just what pops up in journals or what is being theorized about.  I can only speak for my neurologist, but he does continue with current education. This is part of retaining his license - continuing education.  All neurologists go through this.  And most neurologists see migraineurs daily.  I think you have a strong opinion that is slightly anti neurologist because of your individual experience (a bad one).  But you have no medical credentials and he sees thousands of migraineurs a year.  I did go to a NP with a specialization in migraines and before even surmising my situation and frequency of headaches, she wanted to put me on a daily med with serious side effects (and who knows what long term effects).  I almost did this too, and I think I would have regretted it.  New therapies don't necessarily mean they will work for everyone, and you also have to realize that some studies are funded by drug companies. Fioricet is older, tried and true, works for many, and is cheap. Many of the "new" drugs have not been tested extensively and there are huge profits to be made by doctors pushing them on patients. Some of them have insane side effects, I know, I've tried them.  It was like taking LSD, but didn't touch the headache.  Drug companies are getting sued a lot lately. We need to look at the whole picture - new doesn't always equal good. And if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  I also think people should be treated as individuals, not as a mass lump.  What works for one, may not work for another.  Fioricet works for me, but for someone else it may not work.  I do know for a fact that the drug companies pushing their new migraine drugs have made an effort to "down" older drugs and tell many horror stories about them.  The doctors getting this information and buy into it, start repeating it and then the stories start.  Also, there is no known root cause of migraines, no definitive way to diagnose it, no sure, so even if someone is a so-called specialist in migraines, they are still essentially guessing.  Just like a run-of-the-mill neurologist. They all read the articles, and hopefully combine that with experience to make the best judgement call. 

jjjj,

You said "Yes I read that article after I posted." Seriously? Somehow, I wonder. After all, there's nothing there TO read. It's a video. 

From reading your comments, there are evidently things that seem obvious to you, and that's fine. We all have those things, after all. Some of your points are quite excellent. I particularly like... "...new therapies should be tempered with experience with what actually works, and not just what pops up in journals or what is being theorized about."

What I find strange is that you seem to have such a burr up your butt about Teri when that's something she emphasizes on a regular basis. And I can't believe you actually had the unmitigated nerve to say to her, "But you have no medical credentials..." I'd love to see you stick around her with some of your excellent ideas, but you need to learn to see who you're talking to before you make such incredibly inappropriate and incorrect (and just plain stupid) comments. 

Teri Robert is widely known to be the leading nonphysician expert on Migraine and other headache disorders in the world. She attends the same conferences the doctors do, and she probably has as many continuing education hours in headache medicine ass your neurologist has. Has your doctor appeared on CNN to talk about Migraines? Teri has. Does your doctor have a book out about Migraines and headaches, published by a big publisher (HarperCollins)? Teri does. Is your neurologist one of the founders of the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy? Teri is. Does your neurologist go to Washington and visit Senators and Congressmen to get more research funding? Teri does. Get the point?

You seem to be a fairly intelligent person who is lacking in common sense and the ability to communicate well. You seem especially lacking in being able to make your point without having to denigrate the other person.

So, come on, jjjj. Loosen up and get to know people here. There are great people here, and you could have some great conversations. Just learn about people before you attack, because one thing you'll learn here is that none of us have much tolerance for people who disrespect Teri. She's done too much and been too good to too many people for us to sit back and not speak up.

Shalom.

Abi