Excedrin for Breakfast PLEASE!!!!!

Thank you for joining the conversation and sharing your experience with us. Many of us have live with long term migraine disease - we get it and are here for you!
Migraine is thought to be a neurological disease we aren't exactly sure what the cause is and managing it typically takes a combination approach. This can include the over 100 medications, supplements, devices, complementary therapies and lifestyle modifications - I know I use a combination of these. As an example, my treatment plan currently consists of Botox every three months; Cefaly (a device) every night for prevention; sumatriptan nasal spray and/or Nerivio (a device) to stop an attack. I keep a regular sleeping schedule, and try to stay hydrated, both of which can be a migraine attack trigger for me. Let me share our treatment road map with you in case you haven't seen it; https://migraine.com/treatment-options.
A word of caution about taking pain relievers, and/or migraine acute medications, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription more than 10 days a month. This can increase our risk of something called medication adaptation headache, formerly called rebound or medication overuse headache. If we are in one of these overuse cycles, our attacks may be more difficult to treat and we can end up in a daily cycle of endless pain. Here is more information for you on this topic; https://migraine.com/headache-types/medication-overuse-rebound. I've actually been in rebound from overusing Excedrin, which was unpleasant to say the least. I had no idea at the time taking OTC pain relievers would put me in a horrible pain cycle. Rebound also happens to me if I drink too much caffeine. One cup of coffee a day and I'm good!

One more thing I just thought about and I promise I'll stop! Seeing a doctor who is a true expert in treating migraine and headache disease is invaluable, let me explain; general neurologists may be fine doctors but have a hard time being experts in one area because they treat so many conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and more. A true migraine expert is board certified in headache medicine (not all neurologists have this certification) and treats migraine and headache all day, every day. Here is more information on why these doctors are beneficial and where to find them;
1) https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist/
2) https://migraine.com/living-migraine/change-thoughts-new-care/
3) https://headaches.org/resources/healthcare-provider-finder/
4) https://migraine.com/living-migraine/how-to-find-a-neurologist-or-headache-specialist

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts and I'm sending you pain free wishes, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com Team

Hi there , thanks so much for taking the time to post your experience. I see that Nancy has already given you a treasure trove of information to look at it. I just wanted to offer my support, and say that it's understandable you would want to continue using the Excedrine if it works for you. Hopefully our community can be a space that helps you find some additional approaches to managing your symptoms, and give you a sense that you have more tools in your tool kit. Like Nancy said, there are a ton of possible treatments for migraine. Many of which require some trial and error.


Thanks for posting, and hope to continue seeing you around the community. - Cody (Team Member)

thanks for posting such a relatable feeling for so many people here in this community. The mornings can certainly be challenging when living with migraine for many reasons. And I can certainly relate with your experience of having migraine young and being inspired to explore what food and lifestyle can do for us. While they are not a cure, they certainly can help us to feel better - and that's what we're all after! Thanks for being part of this community and sparking this discussion.
Best
Alene, moderator