Anonymity

I can totally relate to this. After a trip to Mexico in May of last year, my fiance came down with a viral infection and a constant headache. We tried everything to alieviate his headache which kept him from work and school. As we searched for an answer and went through a million tests, scans, mris, medicines, etc, his doctors approved increasing amounts of Vicodin (hydrocodone).

Finally, in November, we went to Mayo Clinic. The doctors told us that his headache was probably a result of the viral infection. Then, to our horror, they told us that the Vicodin was causing rebound headaches, and that's why he had seen no improvement in his pain. After a while, the Vicodin actually began mimicing the original headache, and this caused the pain to worse.

After an excrutiating detoxification period (which was necessary because of physical but not emotional addiction), his headaches have begun to improve. The headaches are by no means cured, but at least they're no longer caused by the same medicine taken to heal them! My fiance was on low doses of Vioxx for a while, and now he takes even lower doses of Naproxen Sodium, while we try to avoid another pain-reliver addiction.

You all might consider how long your loved ones have been on pain-relievers (even over-the-counter), and ask your doctors whether the rebound phenomenon could be intensifying the headaches. Don't be surprised if the doctors and specialists seem unaware or skeptical of rebound. After all, we had to wait seven months and go all the way to Mayo Clinic to find a doctor who would tell us the truth.

My fiance still suffers, but he is back in school and will be working soon. I'm starting to see the person he used to be again. I pray that each of your loved ones who are afflicted with these problems will be feeling better soon.

P.S. I would encourage you all to watch for signs of depression in your loved ones who are suffering with this condition. My fiance never admitted it, but the constant pain, tests, and doctor's visits along with the isolation and boredom really made him blue. He couldn't work or take any classes. He got so tired of our apartment; he couldn't focus enough to read, play his guitar, or surf the internet, and the visuals and sound of movies and television often worsened his headache. He couldn't drive and had nowhere to go during the day while I was at work. He couldn't go outside for long because the heat intensified his headache. He became bored and lonely. Please remember that your loved ones may be feeling the same way, and try your best to give them as much stimulation and company as they can handle without causing more pain. Have friends over for very short periods of time. Try to occasionally go out for a short, quiet dinner, or order in pizza to liven up your routine. Let them know how much you care, and tell them that the world will wait while they take it easy and recuperate. Good luck!