Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Severe Nocturnal Headaches
Brief Answer:
More info needed, medication overuse headache possible.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
It might have been useful ti know some more about the history of the headaches, info such as:
- localization,
- character (pressure, tightness, pulsating),
- usual duration of the episodes,
- frequency,
- since when has he had them and what diagnosis did the doctors suggest,
- any other prior treatments,
- family history of headache,
- other medical conditions.
At times such info might provide important clues as headache types and origin is very variable.
In the meanwhile looking at his medication I am going to suggest an alternative possibility, that of medication overuse headache. It is a well recognized condition in which the frequent use of pain killers might become a source of continuous headache itself. It is especially common with opiates which your husband is taking. The criteria for this type of headache specify that if he's been taking opiates (hydrocodone) for at least 10 days a month for 3 months medication overuse headache is possible.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
More info needed, medication overuse headache possible.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
It might have been useful ti know some more about the history of the headaches, info such as:
- localization,
- character (pressure, tightness, pulsating),
- usual duration of the episodes,
- frequency,
- since when has he had them and what diagnosis did the doctors suggest,
- any other prior treatments,
- family history of headache,
- other medical conditions.
At times such info might provide important clues as headache types and origin is very variable.
In the meanwhile looking at his medication I am going to suggest an alternative possibility, that of medication overuse headache. It is a well recognized condition in which the frequent use of pain killers might become a source of continuous headache itself. It is especially common with opiates which your husband is taking. The criteria for this type of headache specify that if he's been taking opiates (hydrocodone) for at least 10 days a month for 3 months medication overuse headache is possible.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
It started last year about August he has two earring aids hear aide dr said he is deaf in his right ear but he still wear the hearing aid he has high blood pressure
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that additional information, although you still give no description at all on the pain characteristics I mentioned.
One other possibility based on what you say would be blood pressure fluctuations which can manifest with headache. Also blood pressure measurements supine and standing should be done, to exclude excessive pressure drop called orthostatic hypertension (since you mention headache to appear when standing).
If that has been considered and excluded then I would recommend a course of preventive treatment. Again since you give no details on pain characteristics it's difficult to distinguish between different types like migraine, tension type headache to mention only the two most common. So I would recommend a drug which is used in the prevention of many headache types, like Amitriptyline. The aim of that drug is not to treat a pain episode, but to prevent them, to reduce their frequency and severity. Its use should be discussed with your doctor though.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that additional information, although you still give no description at all on the pain characteristics I mentioned.
One other possibility based on what you say would be blood pressure fluctuations which can manifest with headache. Also blood pressure measurements supine and standing should be done, to exclude excessive pressure drop called orthostatic hypertension (since you mention headache to appear when standing).
If that has been considered and excluded then I would recommend a course of preventive treatment. Again since you give no details on pain characteristics it's difficult to distinguish between different types like migraine, tension type headache to mention only the two most common. So I would recommend a drug which is used in the prevention of many headache types, like Amitriptyline. The aim of that drug is not to treat a pain episode, but to prevent them, to reduce their frequency and severity. Its use should be discussed with your doctor though.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
