Thursday, December 27, 2007
(Newbie Question): This has probably been asked before, but bear with me as I am still scrolling through the info on the website!!
Aside from the migraines, I get a headache almost daily. I am trying not to take pain relief at the first sign of a headache, but I am probably causing myself more pain than is necessary. (I know I am grumpier with my kids than I should be)
What is the general view of the forum? Take the pain tablets anyway, or just try and ignore the minor headaches? How are you guys balancing it out?
Cheers
Taking ANYTHING for head pain more than 2 or 3 days a week can cause "medication overuse headache," so you really can't medicate every headache. MOH is a daily headache, and it's a bear to get out of the rebound cycle.
I have the daily head pain, too. I saw a new specialist earlier this month, and she's given me a new procedure to follow for my headaches. I can take my muscle relaxer daily -- much of my head pain originates in spasming shoulder, neck and scalp muscles. But I can only take my Anaprox and Imitrex 3 times a week. On the other 4, if the muscle relaxer doesn't help, it's ice and rest. I wasn't overusing my pain meds, and my daily pain is related to my migraines.
Teri has written a great article about medication overuse headache. Someone will give you a link.
Come over to the forum. Click on "Migraine Forums" in the orange box on the left of the page. We've got dozens of regularly posting members, and plenty who have been through been through rebound cycles and have other daily headache.
Gretchen in Mississippi