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| Please Note: We receive far more questions than can be answered in this format. In many cases, our Guide, Teri Robert, has already researched the topic of the question and may have information already published on this site. Some questions answered here will be answered by Teri. Dr. Krusz will be reviewing her answers before they're posted to see if he can offer additional input. |
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| QUESTION: I have had headaches/migraines almost everyday since I was in junior high (I am 23 now). I have routinely switched from one painkiller to another because I become immune to them. Right now, I take Excedrin Migraine or Excedrin Quicktabs and these are the only two that help. I have seen neurologists and they have put me on Fioricet, Bextra, Skelaxin, Lexapro, Maxalt, Prozac and Imitrex, but none of those help. I even went to the ER once because of a migraine that lasted 4 days with intense pain around my eyes. Usually the headaches are in my temples/forehead but when they get bad enough they spread to the back of my neck. I have had a cat scan, an EEG and an MRI and they all came back normal. Migraines and headaches run in my family. My question is: Do you suggest I just keep taking Excedrin everyday or see another neurologist and try another medication? Thank you, Nelly REPLY: Nelly, You need to QUIT taking Excedrin or any other over-the-counter or prescription analgesics on a daily basis. These medications should not be used more than two or three days a week because they nearly always make matters worse by causing what's called rebound headaches. Simply put, your body expects that med to be there, and when it's not, you get a headache. Please keep in mind that switching from Excedrin to Tylenol or even a prescription medication that contains an analgesic isn't going to help. You need to count ALL such medications together in that two to three days a week limit. Here's an article about rebound: ~ Arghhhhh! Rebound Headaches! You have a headache. Taking medications is one of the logical things to do. There is something to consider before you take that medication though -- the dreaded rebound headaches. They're caused by taking medications too often. Sometimes just taking a drug for two or three consecutive days can cause rebound. Quite honestly, the fact that your neurologist hasn't told you about rebound would be enough, in my book, to fire him and get yourself to a qualified Migraine specialist for true help. We have a directory of some of these specialists available at http://headaches.about.com/cs/headacheclinics/.
Please don't wait to get yourself off the Excedrin and make an appointment
with a good specialist? I really hate to think of you being in such pain
any longer when there is something you can do for yourself.
We have a directory of specialists on our
site at: |
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| Please Note: The answers provided here are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered to be medical advice. Always consult your personal physician. |
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