Don't Rebound Into Another Headache
How To Get Rid Of A Headaches:
"Rebound headache is a common problem. It happens when you start trying to fight off headaches, and they start fighting back. What's often happening is that the very drugs that used to solve the problem are actually making things worse. If you start taking the drugs on a regular basis, your body actually gets used to the medication and starts to crave it when it's not there. Then the headaches get worse, so you take more drugs. The cycle goes on.
If you're suffering from a mild headache almost every day, you may have rebound headache. If you're taking pain relievers every 2-3 days, that's a sign that you're caught in the cycle. You may find that 3-4 hours after taking the drugs the headache gets even worse, or you may start waking up with headache.
The Mayo Clinic reports that the pills most likely to cause rebound headache are drugs with a combination of ingredients, such as drugs that include combinations of caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen, and migraine drugs like ergotamines and triptans (eg Imitrex). If you're taking a lot of painkillers, see your doctor and try to treat the problem. There may be newer and better treatments available.
Also, be sure you have at least two days that are drug-free between every day when you're taking painkillers. Some doctors suggest that you take no more than 10 doses a month. If you're taking much more than that, see a good doctor and look for other solutions.
Though it may be hard to believe, you may actually be better off with no drugs at all. Many doctors suggest going cold turkey. You may need medical help to be able to get out of the cycle. The sooner you can get that help the better.
You can try cutting down over a couple of months. Be sure to keep track of exactly what you're taking. First, go a day without drugs, then two days between every day with drugs. You'll likely notice an increase in headaches at first, but keep at it! Things will get much better.
My Take:
Rebound headaches are a fact of life for most frequent migraneurs. I've had 28 days of migraine in a 30 day month, so I know about frequency -- and desperation.
For me, the rebound saga started with a doctor's prescription for fiorinol (fioricet). Within months I went from weekly misery to daily agony. Thanks, doc!
My formula to avoid rebounds is to alternate classes of drugs: tripins 1 event, ergotermine the next. If necessary, even bear the pain for a day to get the necessary drug separation.
Rebounds can be more vicious than the migraine they replace!
"Rebound headache is a common problem. It happens when you start trying to fight off headaches, and they start fighting back. What's often happening is that the very drugs that used to solve the problem are actually making things worse. If you start taking the drugs on a regular basis, your body actually gets used to the medication and starts to crave it when it's not there. Then the headaches get worse, so you take more drugs. The cycle goes on.
If you're suffering from a mild headache almost every day, you may have rebound headache. If you're taking pain relievers every 2-3 days, that's a sign that you're caught in the cycle. You may find that 3-4 hours after taking the drugs the headache gets even worse, or you may start waking up with headache.
The Mayo Clinic reports that the pills most likely to cause rebound headache are drugs with a combination of ingredients, such as drugs that include combinations of caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen, and migraine drugs like ergotamines and triptans (eg Imitrex). If you're taking a lot of painkillers, see your doctor and try to treat the problem. There may be newer and better treatments available.
Also, be sure you have at least two days that are drug-free between every day when you're taking painkillers. Some doctors suggest that you take no more than 10 doses a month. If you're taking much more than that, see a good doctor and look for other solutions.
Though it may be hard to believe, you may actually be better off with no drugs at all. Many doctors suggest going cold turkey. You may need medical help to be able to get out of the cycle. The sooner you can get that help the better.
You can try cutting down over a couple of months. Be sure to keep track of exactly what you're taking. First, go a day without drugs, then two days between every day with drugs. You'll likely notice an increase in headaches at first, but keep at it! Things will get much better.
My Take:
Rebound headaches are a fact of life for most frequent migraneurs. I've had 28 days of migraine in a 30 day month, so I know about frequency -- and desperation.
For me, the rebound saga started with a doctor's prescription for fiorinol (fioricet). Within months I went from weekly misery to daily agony. Thanks, doc!
My formula to avoid rebounds is to alternate classes of drugs: tripins 1 event, ergotermine the next. If necessary, even bear the pain for a day to get the necessary drug separation.
Rebounds can be more vicious than the migraine they replace!
posted by Ron King at 10:07 PM
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