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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> question about pain meds and rebounds
        
(Message started by: joboofish on Nov 16^th, 2006, 10:34am)

Title: question about pain meds and rebounds
Post by joboofish on Nov 16^th, 2006, 10:34am

Hi everyone!
Once again I have a couple of questions I hope some of you can help me with. I had my baby last week (a beautiful, perfect little girl) by C-section and have been on pain meds since. I have been taking 600 mg Ibuprofen and Lortab which contains hydrocodone and acetaminophin pretty much around the clock (each one every 6 hours). The good news is that since being brought into the operating room I have not had one CH. The bad news is that this morning I woke up with some really strong twinges (shadows maybe). I almost went to the O2 but they only lasted about 15-20 minutes and I was not in continuous pain. I had not taken any pain meds for about 14 hours and after I took my Lortab the pain seemed to subside. So the question is, am I still in the cycle I was in before having the baby, or am I having rebound HA' s from stopping the pain meds or are these shadows (which I have never really experienced after a cycle has ended)? Any suggestions? Should I somehow taper off these drugs? I am very nervous that the HA's are going to come back and my only option is O2 if I want to continue nursing my baby. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all of your help so far the last few weeks.

Title: Re: question about pain meds and rebounds
Post by nani on Nov 16^th, 2006, 10:38am

Congrats on the healthy baby girl!! :D
Rebound headaches from pain meds are called Medication Overuse headaches. They aren't clusters. Sadly, the only way to know for sure is to stop the pain meds and see if the HAs go away. They are different from the additional CHs that some folks get when using Imitrex.
It's hard to say whether you're still in cycle, really. They may or may not come back. Why not concentrate on enjoying your precious baby, and worry only if the CHs come back...
pf wishes, nani

Title: Re: question about pain meds and rebounds
Post by Linda_Howell on Nov 16^th, 2006, 12:41pm

As I see it, and you did ask for advice, lol

If you have been taking Lorcet for any length of time you should ween yourself off of them and not go cold turkey. You could have a reaction you will find is most unpleasant.

The other thing is that, as you know, anything you ingest is going to affect your baby through breast-feeding, so you're between a rock and a hard place there. I'd be afraid to breast feed knowing that my baby will be getting pain meds too.

Title: Re: question about pain meds and rebounds
Post by BB on Nov 16^th, 2006, 2:29pm

Congratulation on your baby girl :)

You should taper off the pain meds if you are breast feeding the baby. A slow tapering such as reducing the tablet by half a tablet every second day should help to minimise the withdrawal effect.

Remember to drink lots of fluid, especially water and milk, its good for detoxing as well as breast feeding.

Painfree wishes to you

Annette

Title: Re: question about pain meds and rebounds
Post by LadyElaine1 on Nov 16^th, 2006, 3:58pm

All advice is good but would like to add one thing. Use the O2 at the first signs even a shadow. I use my o2 on all my headaches not just clusters.

Title: Re: question about pain meds and rebounds
Post by thebbz on Nov 16^th, 2006, 8:37pm

Babies are so cool!! Congratulations. Get off the pain killers. They dont help CH anyway. If you think your getting rebounds you more than likely are.
0202 makes the milk nice and fluffy. :-X
You should taper when quitting anything...neuros advice not mine
all the best
jb

Title: Re: question about pain meds and rebounds
Post by lionsound on Nov 16^th, 2006, 10:41pm

Congratulations on your daughter! :D

I would suggest that you talk to your ob/gyn and neurologist about the meds. I am stubborn about taking so much as a tylenol while currently nursing, but if you are taking the pain meds for after surgery pain you really should consult a doc. It may also be a good idea to ask a lactation specialist about it.

And just as Elaine posted above i also use O2 for my other headaches. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but O2 is so benign I give it a try.

Be wel and PF,
lionsound