Chonic Headaches & Dumb Doctors! - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

FoiledAgain · 01-22-2006, 12:02 PM

Like many of you I have suffered from Daily Chronic Headaches fo several years now. I suspect they may be rebounds as I have been taking Exedrin DAILY since 1999. Last Spring I had a series of severe headaches..(those nasty one-siders that make you want to DIE!!, and had to go twice to my PCP for shots of Toradol.) I have been on several meds over the years..Midrin, Relaphen, Naprosyn,Inderal, Ultram..tricyclics,etc. Naturally none of this worked. After my last shot, my PCP gave me a script for Vicodin(5/500) & they did an amazing job. When I went back for a follow-up, he indicated that Vicodin was NOT an appropriate treatment for headaches, & e would not prescribe anymore. HE"S THE ONE WHO GAVE THEM TO ME TO BEGIN WITH!!!! I never even ASKED for them!!! He was rather sheepish about the whole thing...like he'd done something naughty..lol. Then he starts going on & on about TOPOMAX & how it's the NEWEST "IN" thing for headaches. Well thanks to this board & my own research, I REFUSED to take it because of the side-effects. He got testy with me!!!!! I tried to explain to him that he KNOWS I take 2 mgs. of Klonopin for Panic Attacks & HAVE for 15 years & I have ENOUGH problems with short-term memory!!! Even my Shrink(who gives me the Klonopin) said that he prescibed TOPOMAX for a couple patients and they called him and said "What are you trying to do? KILL ME!!!" hahaha. So, NO..I flatly REFUSE to even consider it. Sooooo, to make a long story short, he set up a referral with a Neuro, which I canceled because my understanding is almost all of them are throwing Topomax at you. He did FINALLY give in & give me 20 more Vicodin but says there will be NO MORE..
Gimme a break..I'm a 51 year old man who has NEVER abused drugs..don't even drink & I ONLY took the Vicodin when I got one of the NASTY(he believes CLUSTER) headaches. His attitude was rather rude & irresponible as he has been my DR. for 12 years. (And I am transferring all my records to a new clinic!!!) So, what do you folks recommend? Haven't tried Fiorinal or fioricet. And I SWEAR by Exedrin but I know I'm most likely addicted to the caffeine & that it's doing a number on my poor stomach. What to do????? Thanks for reading my Opus...just wanted to vent about how some Drs. are so dismissive about Pain these days(afraid of over prescribings Opiates I suppose which sadly appear to have become the recreationl drug of choice!)

Mz Migraine · 01-22-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

And I SWEAR by Exedrin but I know I'm most likely addicted to the caffeine & that it's doing a number on my poor stomach. What to do?????

Quote:

I suspect they may be rebounds as I have been taking Exedrin DAILY since 1999.

That is exactly why you are suffering from rebound headaches. You need to be weaned off of Exedrins. Once you are, you will be "headache free".

The weaning process will take a couple of weeks. In your case, may take 6-8 weeks.
My weaning process took 6 weeks. I was also an Exedrin Lover.

Good luck at the new clinic!

FoiledAgain · 01-22-2006, 06:00 PM

Thanks Mz. Migraine!!! I think I knew it all along but was in denial & AFRAID of the withdrawl/weaning process!! Wish I'd never HEARD of Exedrin! lol!

Mz Migraine · 01-22-2006, 06:30 PM

FoiledAgain, I'm not going to lie to you. The first week of my weaning process was murder.

The second week was not so bad. That was when I started to notice that my headaches were lessening.

My Neuro had me to switch to Alive. Those pills are like "candy" compared to Exedrins.

But, Alive helped me in my weaning process I must confess.
Have been headache free now for 3 years. Now if only I can get rid of these migraines!!!!!

Even though I no longer have headaches, I still keep Excedrins around for those "aches & pains" I get when playing around with my grandchild. I am 55. I just don't "eat" them like I use too.

CoolAngel26 · 01-26-2006, 06:53 PM

Alive??Never heard of that drug....

I have heard of Aleve though.