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Suggest Remedies For Rebound Headache

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Posted on Thu, 14 Jul 2016
Question: How do you stop rebound headaches without stopping your medication? Do they go in cycles or what? Thank you.


So does tramadol cause bad rebound headaches. I take 4 a day for a year for arthritis but I also take motrin. I don't know which ones doing it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern about stopping the medication.

However if it is a case of medication overuse headache (rebound headache) the causing medication should be stopped, it can not be continued. While there are aspects of medication overuse headache on which experts might not agree, on this particular point there is complete general agreement, the medication which caused the rebound headache should be stopped.

It can be a difficult process with an initial worsening, which is why at times it is done in a hospital setting (though most cases may be managed as outpatients). In order to lower the intensity of the symptoms during this process an analgesic with lower potential to develop rebound headache is used such as Naproxen, often accompanied by a corticosteroid.

Furthermore preventive migraine treatment should be started in order to prevent or at least reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks in the future. There are several options such as beta blockers (propranolol), antidepressants (amitriptyline), antiepileptics (valproic acid or topiramate), calcium channel blockers (flunnarizine, verapamil), some patients may respond to a medication better than the others, so if one hasn't worked may be tried another.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:
In theory they both could lead to medication overuse headache (MOH). However opioids such as tramadol have the highest potential to develop MOH, while nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen (Motrin) the lowest potential. So tramadol would be the more likely culprit.

As for the dosage, it is certainly enough to cause MOH, by definition it is enough the use of an opioid for at least 10 days a month for 3 months in the case of opioids with headache for at least 15 days a month and which has worsened during this period. So you certainly fulfill the criteria regarding the frequency and duration of the medication.

I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For Rebound Headache

Brief Answer: Read below. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern about stopping the medication. However if it is a case of medication overuse headache (rebound headache) the causing medication should be stopped, it can not be continued. While there are aspects of medication overuse headache on which experts might not agree, on this particular point there is complete general agreement, the medication which caused the rebound headache should be stopped. It can be a difficult process with an initial worsening, which is why at times it is done in a hospital setting (though most cases may be managed as outpatients). In order to lower the intensity of the symptoms during this process an analgesic with lower potential to develop rebound headache is used such as Naproxen, often accompanied by a corticosteroid. Furthermore preventive migraine treatment should be started in order to prevent or at least reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks in the future. There are several options such as beta blockers (propranolol), antidepressants (amitriptyline), antiepileptics (valproic acid or topiramate), calcium channel blockers (flunnarizine, verapamil), some patients may respond to a medication better than the others, so if one hasn't worked may be tried another. I remain at your disposal for other questions.