Wednesday, January 05, 2011 Jana asks

Q: Is there an alternative treatment for primary stabbing ice pick headaches other than indmethacin?

I have had ice pick headaches over over 18 months. The only medication that was found to even control them was indomethacin. I have been takeing 75mg 3 times a day. Tried less and didnt work. Now gastro drs want to take me off of it but do not understand that was the ONLY med that gave me back my life. I got as many as 12 to 13 a day lasting usually more or less 15 min each, one lasted 3 hours. Very sudden sharp stabbing pain I get incoherent quickly. Is there an alternate treatment that works. They tried about 12 before indocin, everything frm steriods, migrain meds to morphine. Nada. Thanks Jana

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Answers (2)

Teri Robert, Health Guide

1/12/11 12:17pm

Hi, Jana,

I checked with Dr. Krusz on this, and he suggested asking your doctor about trying Celebrex.

Hope this helps!

Teri

mdt0810

1/ 6/11 10:21am

Hi Jana,

It sounds like you have the same headache as me, Hemicrania Continua or HC. There is one other headache that responds to Indomethacin and that is paroxysmal hemicrania

While you were taking Indomethacin did your Dr also prescribe you a drug to help combat the bad gastro side effects of Indo, e.g. Omeprazole. This should always be done for long term Indomethacin use.

There are other treatments for HC but none as effective as Indo I believe. Have you had the type of headache you suffer from confirmed?

Mark

Jana

1/ 6/11 1:12pm

Hi Mark, Thanks for replying. I have actually just come back down from haveing an endoscopy. Results Erosive ulcers and inflimination as a result of the indocin. Yes I have taken Protonix from the very start. My Neurologist just says they are "primary ice pick headaches". I'm waiting on the admitting dr to come in but the Dr that did the endoscopy said he had talked to the admitting Dr. and NOW (after an episode last night) realize that I do need to continue the Indocin. Will let you know what they do now. Thanks, Jana

mdt0810

1/ 6/11 1:35pm

Ok, good luck.

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Q: Is there an alternative treatment for primary stabbing ice pick headaches other than indmethacin?

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