Health Issues Rebound headaches

[SummerRain]

Hello, I was wondering if anybody else has had rebound headaches before?

So for ages I have been getting headaches, months and months now, getting continual headaches frequently, a dull ache at the temples and front of the head, and recently they've become daily. I take paracetamol for them. I was looking online and I realised that taking paracetamol frequently for headaches can cause headaches, and when I actually thought about it I realised I take paracetamol for headaches between 3 and 7 days a week, every week, and have been doing for months. Often several doses a day.

Anyway it seems to be this might be why, and looking up rebound headaches seems to suggest this is what they are. So as of today I am stopping taking painkillers and seeing if, eventually, they improve. For the time being though my head is killing me.

Has anybody else had this? I can't see any point in going to my GP as it seems the advice is just to stop taking them, and it doesn't say on NHS online you should go or anything. Any body have any advice for the mean-time, any natrual ways of relieving headaches that actually work?

I have bought some 4head to use, I think that should be okay as it is a different drug, you don't ingest it, and it does say on their website it can be used for rebound headaches. It works for a short amount of time but it's better than nothing, especially if it turns out this is why I am getting headaches and they improve.

So yes, I'd never heard of this before, and I'd never really even stopped to think about how much painkillers I was taking. So any info/personal experience/etc would be great

 

[shyvas]

I get rebound migraines due to the medication that I take. If I have 3 or 4 migraines during the course of the week, I usually end up with a rebound migraine on the 5th day.

I would advise you to be referred to a specialist; a neurologist so that you get a thourough check up and the correct medication. It is not normal to have headaches on a daily basis.

http://www.migrainepage.com/topics/exam.html

 

[mlp]

About ten years ago, I developed a rebound headache that pretty well incapacitated me. I was grinding my teeth at night, which caused headaches, and then taking over the counter pain meds just made the headache grow exponentially until I couldn't sleep, couldn't function. At that point, I went to the doctor. My blood pressure was high, and she wanted to put me on BP medicine. I told her that of course my BP was high, because I had such a terrific headache. I refused the BP medication, and she gave me a strong prescription pain killer. That, together with practicing relaxation techniques at bedtime and throughout the day, fresh air and exercise, took care of the headache. Ever since, I have been extremely careful in my use of over the counter headache meds. And yeah, as soon as my headache was gone, my BP was back to normal.

You may need to see a doctor to get a really strong painkiller to use for a couple of days - once one of these headaches gets a grip, relaxation techniques, exercise, etc., may not be able to break the grip by themselves - they weren't, in my case.

 

[mlp]

I agree with shyvas - that many headaches, over the course of months, is not normal and should be checked out.

 

[led.boots]

Paracetamol is a very strong narcotic with acetaminophen added, (called hydrocodone or Percocet in the US.) It can definitely cause rebound headaches, and is not a good treatment long-term for recurrent headaches. In addition, it is a highly addictive drug that patients build up a tolerance for, and the acetaminophen is hard on the liver, especially if the patient drinks alcohol.

It is a huge rant for me that physicians prescribe these types of meds long-term instead of 1. Actually trying to discover the cause of the pain, or 2. Using alternate, non-medicine related methods for pain abatement. I've had too many of my patients born addicted to pain meds and end up miserable in the NICU with their withdrawals managed with iv morphine. Their mothers were addicted to these drugs by the medical establishment, and then shamed and blamed when they couldn't come off upon discovering they were pregnant.

Oops, here I go again.

I think you are wise to try other methods, if you haven't guessed. Have you ever had an MRI of the head?

 

[Scorpius]

Make sure you are staying hydrated all day as well. I frequently get headaches from being dehydrated. Feel better! And see your GP!!

 

[RabbitLuvr]

I have headaches almost every day. But I have trouble staying hydrated, and I grind my teeth in my sleep.

 

[SummerRain]

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies. I am definitely drinking enough water, I do grind my teeth in my sleep but irregularly - once every few months I do it for a few nights - so I don't think it's that either. I've never had an MRI, I never even have talked to a GP/doctor about it because I never really noticed (until today) how much I use painkillers. My fiance sometimes commented I ate them like sweets, but I never really took it seriously. I've had a headache all day, but the 4head helps a teeny bit, and luckily I am on holiday so I figured this is a good time to be in pain because I can just sit about and lie down and wait it out.

Thinking about going to my GP now but I am going away for a couple of weeks, if it doesn't get better by not taking medication I definitely will, but I don't know if I'll be able to/have time to make one first thing tomorrow morning or not.

Anyway thanks again

 

[kibbleforlola]

About what time of day do you get the headaches? Do you drink caffine regularly?

If you can, I find drinking a glass of water then laying down for a little bit helps me. Even if you don't actually sleep, just laying in a quiet place for 20 mins or so can help.

Hope you feel better!

 

[SummerRain]

Thanks, I get them pretty much any time, although maybe now I am noticing them more I'll notice a pattern - I haven't really been paying attention, even though they hurt quite a lot, I just got used to it I think. I drink a cup of coffee each morning.

Lucky I will have lots of opportunity to lie down, when I am at work/uni I'd never have the time but I am on holidays now.

 

[shyvas]

How are your migraines SR ?

 

[SummerRain]

GONE!

I stopped taking painkillers and after about four days of really painful headaches they disappeared completely. I can't believe I used to have headaches almost every day for months and months... I was so busy I just didn't pay attention to it, since I stopped taking painkillers in the summer I've had about two mild headaches. I never did see my doctor because I stopped the painkillers, went away for a couple of weeks, and came back fine and happy.

Thanks for asking!

 

[shyvas]

GONE!

I stopped taking painkillers and after about four days of really painful headaches they disappeared completely. I can't believe I used to have headaches almost every day for months and months... I was so busy I just didn't pay attention to it, since I stopped taking painkillers in the summer I've had about two mild headaches. I never did see my doctor because I stopped the painkillers, went away for a couple of weeks, and came back fine and happy.

Thanks for asking!

So you found the answer to your problem. That really is wonderful as migraines are one of the most
awful things to have especially when you're working or studying.