ask: How can I stop my rebound headaches (daily) created by taking Excedrin. I can't tolerate my pain in the morning
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Maria, Thanks for your question. You may find some useful information on the Mayo Clinic's Web site regarding rebound headaches
More specific to your case, the resource sheet contains info on products associated with rebound headaches including:
* Simple pain relievers. Common medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) may contribute to rebound headaches — especially if you exceed the recommended daily dosages.
* Combination pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers that contain a combination of caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen (Excedrin, others) are common culprits. This group also includes prescription medications such as Fioricet, Fiorinal and Esgic, which also contain the sedative butalbital.
* Migraine medications. Various migraine medications have been linked with rebound headaches, including ergotamine (Ergomar, others) and triptans (Imitrex, Zomig, others). Interestingly, the ergot dihydroergotamine appears to have a lower potential for leading to this problem.
* Opiates. Painkillers derived from opium or from synthetic opium compounds include combinations of codeine and acetaminophen (Tylenol with Codeine No. 3 and No. 4, others). These can lead to rebound headaches as well.
A history of migraines may also lead to rebound headaches. For information on migraines, you may want to check out some of EmpowHer.com's video resources:
WATCH THIS: Headache Doctor Bernstein Explains Why Women Should Track Their Migraines
WATCH THIS: Dr. Bernstein, Why are Migraines an Illness?
WATCH THIS: Dr. Bernstein, What Kind of Doctor Do I See About Migraines?
WATCH THIS: Dr. Bernstein, Can Migraines Affect Your Vision?
Do you suffer from migraines?
June 11, 2008 - 8:19amThis Comment
Ouch, you're getting rebounds. Get off the excedrin and don't take anything at all for the headaches. You have to get through without anything in order for the rebounds to stop. It could take a few days or over a week. I have been there and am going through it now with a prescription med for headaches. These meds only make the cycle worse! Stop it while you can.
June 12, 2008 - 12:11pmHave you been checked for migraines?
I would highly suggest to wean yourself off of the excedrin.
Lori Barker
October 4, 2008 - 9:39pm7 years with Pudendal Neuralgia
Currently on 4 different pain medications with no luck but
Looking for hope!
I have used Excedrine for years, and then begin waking up every night with the worse headaceh, if not a migraine it turned into one. I thought they were rebound headaches, so I went to Dr. She put me on 80mgs. of Inderal, and the headaches stopped. I had tried 20 mgs of inderal before and it did nothing.
January 27, 2010 - 3:27pmI still get some migraines if I eat chocolate and/or to many sweets, etc. But now it takes less Excedrine and very little Imitrex to get rid of them..
I have this same problem... Im curious as well.
February 21, 2010 - 7:10pmHi,
Can you tell us what you are curious about? Were you able to read any of the helpful information/links that Tina provided above?
What symptoms do you have, and what treatment(s) have you tried?
February 21, 2010 - 8:58pmHi i am having the same problem.
February 16, 2011 - 12:10pmAbout 4 years ago I was diagnosed with mild ulceretive colitis
and was prescribed Asacol. The main side effect of Asacol is headaches. As soon as I started Asacol the headaches started.
Execdrin made the headaches go away in a matter of 10 minutes
then the headaches became more frequent and so did the excedrin.
About 2 years ago my colitis went away and I stopped Ascol. But by that time I was getting headaches daily and taking execdring daily.
I never took more than 2 doses a day (4 pills). This past June I was sick of these headaches and went to my general physician to address this issue. Blood tests and MRI results were unremakable.
My doctor said "i am not worried about excedrin poisoning" and did not address the problem and basically ended the meeting.
Tommorow I have scheduled a appointment with a headache specialist. I want to get off execdrin!
Any advice
thanks
Please update us with information from the headache specialist, as it could help a lot of women learn how to stop suffering from rebound headaches.
Good luck with your appointment!
February 17, 2011 - 9:54amSo I finally went to the Headache specialist on 2/17. She prescribed propanlol 120 mgs. The Dr stated either I can go cold turkey with the Execdrin or I take the propanlol to help me wean off it. I decided to go semi cold turkey. This works (atleast for me) I took 2 Alieves BEFORE i got a headache. I kept on doing this for 4 days. I did not get a headache. The Aleive kept the headache from comming, and by this time the Execdrin had cleared out of my system. Today is my 8 day of not taking Execdrin, and 4th day stopping the Alieve. No headaches.
March 1, 2011 - 12:13amOh by the way I did not know this was a womans forum 2 weeks ago I was desperately searching for advice on the net and I stumbled upon this article. I am a male. I hope this article helps people.
These headaches can be scary, but they are actually caused BY the medicine.
Thank you for sharing this very helpful information!
Here is more information about the drug you were referring to, in case anyone wanted to know more about it: Propranolol: http://www.drugs.com/propranolol.html
March 1, 2011 - 1:24pm