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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Rebound Headaches
        
(Message started by: TerryS on May 13^th, 2003, 2:22am)

Title: Rebound Headaches
Post by TerryS on May 13^th, 2003, 2:22am

You old timers to this board know I have had cluster headaches now for 30 some years. My Dr. has had me on Fioricet for 26 years, not only to treat my ch but also my migraines. He also has had me on Vicodin for the past 4 years to treat both types of headaches. Now I have rebound headaches. Everyday I have almost never ending pain............. Isn't it enough we have to suffer with these headache, now the Drs. give us drugs to help us with all this pain and then the Damn drugs turn around and cause us more headaches..............It just isn't right!!

Depressed and feeling alittle down, Sorry I know its not like me to be this way, but you guys are the only ones that would understand.

TerryS

Title: Re: Rebound Headaches
Post by Linda_Howell on May 13^th, 2003, 2:35am

Oh Terry, I'm so sorry but please don't get me started. I've preached on this exact thing for so long I need to get me a Seminarians license or what ever it is a pastor/priest/clergyman get.

You my friend, have been one of the ones who have lifted a lot of us up, and never in my time here, have I really heard you complain, so you deserve to say anything you want to. Vent away.

I know that you have a wonderful wife and she can help you through this......as we all will.

LindaH

Title: Re: Rebound Headaches
Post by SommelierCH on May 13^th, 2003, 5:50am

So sorry Terry,

You have much more experience with this than me, so I offer these thoughts more like a “brainstorming session”.

Our bodies keep changing. Meds that worked before, might become ineffective, or worse, counter-productive.

When using more than one med, it’s hard to isolate the culprit.

Going cold turkey on the meds, and then starting from scratch, with different meds, one at a time, might be the lifelong solution.

In the interim, my guess is that the Vicodin, is the re-bound headache instigator, all other things being equal. Again, this is just a guess, but Vicodin seems to be close enough in class, to the other known re-bound headache instigators, that it should be looked at closely. Don’t trust the Doctors to tell you what’s the right combo, they don’t have to live with it. Only you know. We are all different.

Fight the good fight, bro,
David J.

Title: Re: Rebound Headaches
Post by oringkid on May 13^th, 2003, 10:34am

So sorry to hear this Terry. That Vicoden stuff only made me sick...

Hope you can find a new combo.

Sherry

Title: Re: Rebound Headaches
Post by brain_cramps on May 13^th, 2003, 10:56am

TerryS

I agree with Linda. I don't think any of the narcotics I took in the past had good results (can't remember some of them ::)).

I'm not going down that road again, but that's just me.

Anyways, that said, you might want to read the interactions section of the linked page.

accessmednet.com/prescription-drug-information/vicodin-hydrocodone.html
http://tinyurl.com/bnt6

<<
Interactions
---------------

The hydrocodone in Vicodin works by slowing the central nervous system. It should be used with caution with other drugs that have similar effects. It can change or increase the effects of certain drugs, and your physician should be advised if you are taking any of the following.
...
Sedatives like Fioricet (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal (butalbital, aspirin, and caffeine), Phenobarbitol, Seconal, or other barbiturates.
>>

for what its worth,
grant 8)

Title: Re: Rebound Headaches
Post by Bob_Johnson on May 13^th, 2003, 11:13am

This is an excellent article on rebounds and treatment by one of the better headache docs in the country. You can get it by taking this citation to your local library and they can order a copy or you might find it in the medical library of your hospital.

(Quoted from an earlier message.)
"Rebound headaches. "Rebound Headaches--A Review", Au. John S. Warner, M.D., in HEADACHE QUARTERLY, 10:3(1999).

(There is some confusion on the board about the meaning of "rebound". There appears to be an emerging consensus in the medical literature to define "rebound" as a headache which is caused by the overuse of any medication used to abort a headache or relieve pain. "Recurrence" [of a headache] is being used to refer to the redevelopment of an attack when its "normal" duration is longer than the useful life of the medication which has been taken. That is, the medication effectiveness is reducing before the headache has come to an end; the pain redevelops.)"

Title: Re: Rebound Headaches
Post by Ree on May 13^th, 2003, 9:42pm

Terry the same thing happened to me with Fioricet. You really have to watch that drug... when I take that for my migraine sometimes the hangover (rebounds) can be worse than the actual Migraine. Why are you taking Fioricet...??? Fioricet also has a barbituate compound. That sometimes can cause the depressed feeling you have... that and the Clusters you are I'm sure in the midst of also... Be well friend I will dedicate prayer to you tonight... Love to you friend... ree

Title: Re: Rebound Headaches
Post by don on May 13^th, 2003, 10:48pm

Quote:

Going cold turkey on the meds, and then starting from scratch, with different meds, one at a time, might be the lifelong solution.

I wouldn't suggest cold turkey from pain meds unless you are willing to experiiance withdrawal siezures.