[postconcussion]

I have been having a hard time with my 24/7 headaches. I could not tolerate any preventative pain meds so I take tylenol. My doctor said it does not cause rebound headaches.

I stopped taking it for four days, but cannot go without unless I stay in bed all day. I notice my headache increases for about 2 days then evens out a bit. I think this is some kind of rebound effect.

How long are you supposed to be off meds to clear a rebound effect? Has anyone else had this? Or their doctor said?

This is really hard because I have had migraine, cervicogenic and dull pressure and nerve pain for over three years now. The whiplash neck pain is always sore and the spasms and spine sticking out hurts too. I try to suck it up but I am really suffering. Whenever I feel really sad or stressed think why is this situation so hard and the main reason is because of the pain.
Also my doc says that my migraines might go away when I reach menopause! I am 26 please tell me that I don't have to wait the long. I know that people with migraines normally that can happen but how does the affect post traumatic headaches?

Also my neck is taking years to heal. for example I have been cleaning / scrubbing a lot and past few days at night it is 10/10 and my spine sticks out from spasms. Anyone else have neck problems for years with easy to irritate?

Any insights?

[Mark in Idaho]

It sounds to me like you need to get the neck and other spine injuries resolved. Recovering for a neck/spine injury takes months of strict discipline. Has anybody ever prescribed a neck brace?

Neck and spine discipline takes serious effort. It may be additionally difficult if you are constantly in pain. Have you ever tried floating in a pool to see if you can get some floatation relief? Getting all skeletal weight off can be a relief.

Also, finding that perfect position in bed or other relaxing position can be a big relief. When I find the perfect position, I feel like I am floating. I look goofy because I have pillows and blankets stuffed around me.

My best to you.

[wakey]

Yes, tylenol can cause rebound headaches. If you are taking it for a long time it has the same effect as more powerful pain meds, though I doubt as strong. I think the rule of thumb I heard was if you take it more than 3 days per week, then you are liable to have a rebound headache.

I agree with Mark. Get a thorough workup of neck/spine.

Also, have you tried physical therapy? If you have compression issues, traction may help. It can also be helpful for strengthening etc. Additionally, if you are treating cervicogenic pain with migraine meds, that might be one of your problems. If you have inflammation, migraine meds will not help. Again, the neck/spine workup is very important.

Have you tried heat/ice?

Hope you get some relief.

[postconcussion]

Thank you mark for always being on forum and helping,

No one has prescribed neck brace but i did wear one at home after second injury. It seemed to make the pain worse. ER doc thought I broke my neck cuz I couldn't hold it up. Even now, my head feels too heavy for my neck esp when tired.

The pool is good. My sister held me in the pool but I seem to tighten my neck too much and I couldn't do it. My neck was too weak, it is amazing how everything involves using the neck. It was a long time ago and I will try again.
Also, when I was hurt it was in the surf after lifelong swimmer and surfer I get scared even in pool.I am trying to push through that but the fear is there. I was happy to live but it is hard to keep pushing myself to relax in water. Anyone else have similar experience? No one seems to post about that type of thing/ trauma. Main thing is dizziness and pool is not a good combo.

I have not placed pillows all around, I will try that also. Do you sleep like that all night or just to rest?

I have to have a pillow, even though best for spine reversal is to not have one but my neck is weak. Also used the hump pillow but I think it contributed to my neck being more weak so stopped. Tried buckwheat pillow but pressure on head is too much.

Wakey, thank you.

Yes I have had PT for the cervical reversal but there no help showing in mri. The traction works well and only very gently. Hard part is the exercises they give you to strengthen your neck irritate mine and make it spasm more.

I was reinjured in january and I still feel my neck is not ready to strengthen, needs to heal more first. I learned from 2 years of healing before. The reversal only increased so it was like it had not even healed from my accident for two years of daily neck care/ streching and 8 months PT.

My PT has expired insurance wise. Heat help but cold makes it spasms and tighten more.

I will try to not take the tylenol but it is quite awful I learned from meds that I react to the migrane meds, some pain lifts off. Still feel muscle pain and dull headache though. The muscle spasms are extreme pain I cry and sometimes scream sorry to admit. But I just have to wait them out. Usually I cannot lift me head or turn it and have to have help when spasming.

Thank you. Did anyone have rebound effect?

Mark how many hours do you think I have to lie still in a day? What is your opinion to recover the spine?

[Mark in Idaho]

Have you ever tried inversion therapy? One of those rigs where you strap your feet in and tilt back until you are hanging with your head down at a steep angle.

My wife says I look like I am snugged up in a cocoon. In my recliner, I have a pillow under my elbows so they do not hang down. I curl my pillow around my head. I roll my head slightly to the right until my cheek touches the pillow. When I have it right, my head will not roll any further. I can not let my head roll to the left. Done right, I can relax and fall asleep and stay this way all night. A comfortable mattress also helps a lot.

Do you have any access to a neuro-orthopedic surgeon? There are a few specialists who can do the imaging so they can find the hard to find injuries. Lousy imaging means lousy care. My daughter just told me about a surgeon who is a top rated specialist in these surgeries. She used to assist him in the OR. She and I share some of the same neck problems. We have cervical ribs that cause nerve pinching and a mess of problems. I hope this guy can find what is wrong at my C-1.

It has taken me a lot of experimenting to get this figured out.

I hope you can figure out what helps with you.

My best to you.