Migraine

If I take Excedrin 2-3 times per week (2 pills only each time I take it), could that cause rebound?? Just curious....thanks

Taking Excedrin can cause rebound, if you are taking it 2-3 times a week along with other things such as triptans, other OTC's, narcotics, etc.

Have you seen the article on Medication Overuse Headache? That may help clarify things for you.

Rebound, or MOH, can occur for some people after only a single use of the offending medication. For most of us, 2-3 times per week is a general guideline that keeps us out of MOH, but it is not a fail-safe rule. If you are concerned about possible MOH, I would highly encourage you to talk to your doctor. The OTC medications like Excedrin are some of the worst offenders.

Excedrin was my rebound culprit, back in the day. Oh, that was a nasty, nasty stretch. MJ is right, too. While most of us take some time getting going on the rebound road, some people are more sensitive to rebound, and can do so on just a single dose.

I take Excredin every single day! how to stop without being in major pain how long would withdrawl take to stop the MOH?

I don't drink any caffeine so that is my only source. I find I have a headache every day so I take Excredin and it's gone (usually). Unless a migraine comes of course!

I never even knew about MOH until I found this forum. I am not even going say how many days a week I used to take imitrex before i found out about MOH. Akk!

Claudine, honey, you need to talk to your doctor ASAP. If you're using Excedrin every day you may be stuck in a nasty MOH cycle, and you're going to need to talk to your doctor to get his or her help to get out of it. He may be able to prescribe you something (like a steroid) to help with the pain while you're coming off of the Excedrin. You don't have to just suffer through it.

Many of our forum members have been down that road, too. While we can't tell you how long it will take you to get out of your MOH, as it's different for everyone, we can at least give you moral support while you're getting there.

MJ

will do! I might try going down to one Excredin a day and see if I can wean off it. but will check in with my Dr. if it gets nasty.

thank you for all the advice here!

Yes, Claudine, the most important thing you can do is contact your doctor. There may be things that he/she can do to improve your quality of life while you get off the Excedrin.

I've been fortunate enough to avoid MOH myself, but many of our forum members have been there. Even though the process of getting out of it isn't fun, I think the people who have emerged from MOH are glad they made the effort.

I'm sure you've seen this article before, but here it is again:

Medication Overuse Headache - When the Remedy Backfires

Good luck, and please contact your doctor.

I do not take any other medication besides excedrin 2-3 times per week when my normal headache culminates to something nasty. I still have somewhat of a headache everyday (varying levels) but I don't take anything for it b/c I'm afraid it will just get worse. I tried inderal but only for like 2 days but I felt like my heart was slowing WAY down- does that pass??

Any of these symptoms sound familiar- pain behind my eyes, it kind of hurts to move my eyes certain ways (all the time- not just occasionlly), I have blood shot eyes all the time, and I get very dizzy easily? I tend to only feel slightly better when I lay my head down. I also see floaters but not in conjunction with a migraine- it can be anytime. Any of this sound familiar to anyone???? Thanks

Hi, littlalex. PLEASE contact your doctor about these symptoms ASAP. Even if the symptoms sound familiar to someone on this forum, your doctor is the one who needs to diagnose and treat you for them.

A slower heart rate is a common side effect of Inderal. I take Inderal, and it slows my heart rate. Not so much that I can't take it, but enough that I can't increase the dosage as much as I and my doctor would otherwise prefer. You are the only one who can decide what side effects you can tolerate--although your doctor may have some "acceptable" heart rate parameters in mind, too.

There are numerous other preventives to try. See this article:

Migraine Preventive Medications - Too Many Options To Give Up!

Do you feel you have a good diagnosis from your doctor yet? Once you do, you can ask your doctor if there are other abortive and rescue meds you could use. See this article:

Preventive, Abortive, and Rescue Medications - What's the Difference?

Take care. Talk to your doctor soon.

Hi Claudine!

Rebound is no fun. I've actually gone through it twice now- both from meds prescribed by other doctors for use every day. The first time, I didn't know anything about rebound, or MOH. The second time, I was aware, and knew what I could potentially be exposing myself to.

It's no fun. But you know what? I promise you'll get through it. It's hard- I'm not going to lie to you. I just went through it less than 2 months ago. It stinks. Yell if you have to. Be here if you want to.

And you know- we're all here for you. Once you get through those first three days, it gets easier. You will get through it.

Call your doctor. They may be able to Rx some meds to make it easier for you. At any rate, they should know what's going on. Mine had already given me tools to use, so I was set, but they were (not happy) but glad to have the call so that they could know what was going on, and make sure that they got the offender logged into my chart.

WEll they found out at diamond headache clinic that my thyroid was WAY off only now its back to normal but the headaches haven't gone away. I don't have the luxury of calling up my doctor anytime. My doctor is in another state and only works WED, Thurs, and Fri and is only available by phone occasionally. Its very frustrating b/c NOTHING has seemed to work.

I am literally afraid to take anything b/c I have suffered through MOH before so I suffer in silence (with a 3 month old infant and a 2 year old to take care of) with the pain. MY doctor at diamond wants to see me but I have 2 kids and its an 8 hour drive for me. I believe my other symptoms are not related to thyroid. I simply wanted some possible guidance as I have gotten NONE in the medical community, not a diagnosis.

Is anybody familiar with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and the symptoms?

Hi, littlealex. Here is an article about IIH, sometimes called Pseudotumor Cerebri:

Pseudotumor Cerebri (IIH) - The Basics

Teri Robert and Nancy Bonk both have this condition.

Good luck.

Hi there,

If you have any questions after you read the article on Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, please feel free to ask away.

quote:

Originally posted by litlalex:
WEll they found out at diamond headache clinic that my thyroid was WAY off only now its back to normal but the headaches haven't gone away. I don't have the luxury of calling up my doctor anytime. My doctor is in another state and only works WED, Thurs, and Fri and is only available by phone occasionally. Its very frustrating b/c NOTHING has seemed to work.

I am literally afraid to take anything b/c I have suffered through MOH before so I suffer in silence (with a 3 month old infant and a 2 year old to take care of) with the pain. MY doctor at diamond wants to see me but I have 2 kids and its an 8 hour drive for me. I believe my other symptoms are not related to thyroid. I simply wanted some possible guidance as I have gotten NONE in the medical community, not a diagnosis.

Is anybody familiar with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and the symptoms?

Hi Claudine,

While there are things the doctor can do to help ease MOH, the only way to stop it is to stop the offending medication cold turkey. Withdrawal symptoms can last around 14 days for some. Mine lasted about 12 when I needed to stop taking oxycontin for pain. That wasn't fun, but very necessary.

Here's the thing - no Migraine preventive medication on earth will work if you are suffering from MOH.

We are here for you, let us know how we can help.

quote:

Originally posted by claudine:
I take Excredin every single day! how to stop without being in major pain how long would withdrawl take to stop the MOH?

I don't drink any caffeine so that is my only source. I find I have a headache every day so I take Excredin and it's gone (usually). Unless a migraine comes of course!

I never even knew about MOH until I found this forum. I am not even going say how many days a week I used to take imitrex before i found out about MOH. Akk!