[dagma1]

Are there any meds that can help this terrible, terrible headache?

OTC does nothing, I had some vicodin left over from my accident, was given it for my shoulder and neck, but that doesn't touch it either.

The only thing that helps is lying down in a dark room, am going to see my Dr next week so am just wondering if anyone has had success with any other med, just to take some of this pain away?

When I get up in the AM usually no headache as of course my brain hasn't been stimulated but as the morning goes by here it comes no matter what I'm doing, even just sitting.

I'm hoping there is some kind of relief or do I just tolerate it and hope it clears up?

[Mark in Idaho]

Check your blood pressure. It may be a contributing factor. Blood pressure lowering meds sometimes help such a propranolol.

Try icing the back of your neck too.

[Kenjhee]

Sounds like you may have migraines like me. There are meds that may help. I've had tremendous luck with triptans (sumatriptan, i.e. Imitrex). Ask your doctor.

Blood pressure may be a factor, so yes have that checked. FWIW my BP is normal (on medications), and I still get the migraines.

Vicodin is more of a general pain reliever. It may provide some incidental relief, or none at all. It doesn't really target the specific cause, which are the blood vessels in your forehead, and the serotonin imbalances that cause the headaches in the first place.

Again, check with your physician to see if is in fact migraines, or some other kind of headache. Knowing that, you can proceed with the appropriate treatment.

[dagma1]

Thank you Mark and kenjhee,

Will see what my BP is at the Dr's appt. Will ice the back of my neck this evening

[Mark in Idaho]

Dagma,

You need to be able to take your own BP. Home BP kits are less that $30. The wrist BP systems are OK but the upper arm cuff BP systems are much better.

Then when you get a head ache, you can check your BP to see if it is a cause.

[Mokey]

I can have a three day headache...so I understand! I have had some success taking Zomig (a Tryptin) with Tylenol 3. I have been prescribed nortryptiline which apparently has a preventative effect... But I am Leary about the drowsiness side effect. May go for it after my recent episode!
Good luck.

[Eowyn]

Amitriptyline and nortriptyline are both preventives (you take them every day whether you have a headache or not) that are commonly prescribed for post-concussive headache. They do both often make people drowsy, dizzy, etc. For me, amitriptyline was the first thing that really interrupted my headaches that had gone on for six months post-concussion.

However, due to the side effects, I was not able to tolerate a high enough dose of amitriptyline to eradicate the headaches completely. I now take topamax as a preventive and find that it works much better for me.

A natural remedy is to put ice packs on your head and neck while putting your feet in hot water.

Hope you're able to find some relief soon.

[Tarasco]

[QUOTE=dagma1;1001500]Are there any meds that can help this terrible, terrible headache?
Hi,
Your description makes me wonder if its something you are ingesting...food or supplements just before the onset of the headache....

Make some notes...if you start to see or imagine a pattern emerging try removing one (only) substance and see what happens....

I have some experience with this so feel free to ask questions...

Best regards and good luck...

Tarasco

When I get up in the AM usually no headache as of course my brain hasn't been stimulated but as the morning goes by here it comes no matter what I'm doing,

[mouse1]

From my own experience I didn't like Amytriptyline because it made me drowzy, so I am not in a position to evaluate its effectiveness.

However Cymbalta at 60mg has been an excellent migraine preventative which doesn't cause drowzyness thus allowing me to work. I also no longer need to use Sumatripan as a result of increasing the Cymbalta dossage.

[RubyV]

I'm sorry your in so much pain. I can relate. For the past two years I have been dealing with headaches (all day every day) and migraines (on a weekly basis). I have been on Gabapentin (generic for Neurontin) for the past year and ten months. It has made the pain more bearable, and has made a big difference over time. I was also on Nortriptyline (generic for Pamalor) for over a year. The Nortriptyline helped alot with the ice pick headaches. I have tried Imitrex but that seems to make the headaches worse before it gets better.

My neurologist has said that I am a prime candidate for Botox injections to treat the headaches and migraines. Have not done it yet, but as long as everything goes as planned with the insurance company I should be getting the first set of injections in the next few weeks. My neurologist said that the Botox treatment tend to work for about 2/3rds of her patients. I will post on here how it works for me.

I hope this information was helpful, and I hope you get some relief soon. Keep us posted.