You've been getting headaches. Finally, you find some medications that are making a difference. You're headaches are almost all gone – but wait – they're coming back! They're getting worse! The painkillers aren't doing
job they used to do. What's going on?You may be a victim of “rebound headache”. Rebound headache is a common problem. It happens when you start trying to fight off headaches, and they start fighting back. What's often happening in rebound headache is that very drugs that used to solve problem are actually making things worse. If you start taking drugs on a regular basis, your body actually gets used to medication and starts to crave it when it's not there. Then headaches get worse, so you take more drugs. The cycle goes on.
If you're suffering from a mild headache almost every day, you may have rebound headache. If you're taking pain relievers every 2-3 days, that's a sign that you're caught in cycle. You may find that 3-4 hours after taking drugs headache gets even worse, or you may start waking up with headache.
How can you avoid getting caught in this trap?
The Mayo Clinic reports that pills most likely to cause rebound headache are drugs with a combination of ingredients, such as drugs that include combinations of caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen, and migraine drugs like ergotamines and triptans (eg Imitrex). If you're taking a lot of painkillers, see your doctor and try to treat problem. There may be newer and better treatments available.
Also, be sure you have at least two days that are drug-free between every day when you're taking painkillers. Some doctors suggest that you take no more than 10 doses a month. If you're taking much more than that, see a good doctor and look for other solutions.
