I know that medication overuse causes rebound headaches. I know that I have probably developed Transformed Migraine and suffer daily headaches because of medication overuse, after decades of suffering from migraines. I have desperately tried to stay away from all medication for 1 week to try to break the cycle, but the most I've managed was 4 excruciating days. Does anyone have any ideas on how to break this maddening cycle?
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I'm confused about medication overuse and daily headaches!
12/15/07 9:23pm
you don't need to stop your meds unless they are pain meds. That is what causes rebound headaches, like maxalt, ibuprofen, any thing you would take to stop the pain. Dont stop the meds to prevent the migraines like topamax. I have been there done that and it is going to be hard. You should really be in detox at a hospital if you take them everyday because you could have a stroke. Contact your doctor before stopping any of your medications or even your pharmacist, they should be able to tell you how. You may have to ween yourself off slowly too. I hope that it gets easier for you, I really do. I can feel your pain. I was just recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia. So my daily migraines have become less frequent I am now suffering from other pain. I have good days though. And then there are the bad days. I keep telling myself that I am too young for all of this crap. God only gives you what you can handle. I know that you really don't want to hear that or if you even believe in God but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and also remember to stay strong and this too shall pass. Remember to talk to someone about going off your meds and it will get better. Find out if there is a headache clinic close to where you live. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
12/23/07 7:27pm
I've also been down that road with daily headaches and no where else to turn besides more pain medication. None of the so-called "migraine" medications seem to make me feel better or make my headache go away. Things like Imitrex, etc. just make me feel worse. I've often wondered if mine are more sinus related because these medications don't work for me. This may sound crazy but I've had times where nasal sprays worked and others when I was dehydrated and just needed to take in more water. This may not help you but, when I've had a headache for several days, I'm willing to try anything! Good luck!
12/27/07 4:15pm
I have been exactly where you are stuck in rebound but my doctor saved me with steroids!!!
I highly recommend you ask you're dr about it. They dont often prescribe because youre not supposed to stay on it long term for side effect reasons but youre dr can put you on a 7-10 day pack that will totally 100% get you out of rebound. its a miracle drug!! you must try it.
a 7 day dose is not harmful so do not be worried about taking it.
If you want to be headache/migraine free you must must try this!!
good luck. trust me on this. I dont normally respond to blogs but i know how painful rebound withdrawal is.
1/ 4/08 10:09pm
I, too, worry about rebound from the drugs the numerous docs have given me for my migraines/degenerative disc disease and fibromyalgia. I also have food allergies, and more often than not, it's foods/additives or perfumes/scents and temperatures that will trigger the headache and then stress will keep it going for 4-5 days with full bloom nausea++. Besides foods and scents, hormones and even the lunar phases can affect my headaches! The neurologist can't pinpoint a remedy, and topomax (i use a low dose) makes me hot but I don't sweat in the heat. So yes, I've experienced your pain and the frustration of trying to figure out what the culprit is.
What I've learned over the long months is: don't stop taking anything suddenly. Reduce your diet to foods you know won't trigger a migraine. Get away from any new scents or perfumes or hair-care products that might trigger something. Take whatever pain med works best for you in this situation and stay as stress=free as possible -- even calling in sick if you work (if it's possible). I also use a TENs unit on my neck since those muscles are always tight with a migraine. (Migraines also affect my sinuses, too). Good luck to you!
1/ 4/08 10:30pm
I just had to go to bed and sweat it out with the help of Vicodin. Took about a week. I use to have migraine at 2-3 days a week, more often the week of my period. I'm self-employed and it was costing me a fortune. I've had only one since I stopped taking the Relpax in October. I feel so much better. Just keeping my fingers crossed they don't come back. Good luck.
3/ 6/08 11:00am
Winnie....you can also look to treat the migraines before your period by understanding what is causing that....I get them at that time also sometimes....it can be the drop in estrogen levels, or the ratio of estrogen to progesterone is off. If you are on 'the pill' you can change the way it is taken to help. Estrogen creams or supplements can be used to help if it is the drop in estrogen causing the headaches. I am glad you are having relief w/ the Relpax that is great....migraines are soooo bad....
A great book to learn about hormones etc is 'Screaming to Be Heard...." By Vliet....it is my 'hormone bible'.....you might be able to treat the cause instead of getting the headaches and treating the 'symptoms'....
Dannie
1/ 6/08 10:37pm
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Medication Overuse Headaches (MOH) is an awful thing. My heart goes out to you. First of all, see your doctor to be sure what you have is actually MOH. Although most people with daily headaches do have MOH, it is possible to have chronic daily migraines that are not MOH.
You will most likely need a doctor's help, then, to get out of rebound, if you are actually in rebound. If you do not see a headache specialist, it's time to find one to get the help you need. There is a list of headache/migraine specialists on this site. I am not clever enough to get the link into this post, but someone else will be. A headache/migraine specialist is the best person to help you work your way out of rebound.
You will ultimately have to stop the "offending" meds in order to get out of rebound, but let a doctor help you through that process. Sometimes there are things the doctor can do to help you through the worst of your withdrawal.
We will be here to support you as best you can. I encourage you to visit our discussion forums if you haven't already. To get there, click on Migraine Forums under the orange Manage bar. Registration for the forums is separate from the registration for this page, but of course, you can use the same information to register. Some of our other forum members have been in rebound (miraculously, I avoided it myself, despite a short period of chronic daily migraines,) and they will share their experiences and support with you.
Good luck with this process. It's not easy, but there IS a way out.