Going in circles with rebound headaches

By jammitt55

1 min read

For years I've been suffering with rebound headaches from overuse of Excedrin to treat impending migraines. I only realized what my problem was when I went to a neurologist/headache specialist. Once I told him how the headaches woke me every day early in the morning around the same time and taking excedrin would relieve them he put me on a dose of steroids and told me to throw away my excedrin. So I felt great for awhile but then the frequent headaches returned in spite of taking a daily amitryptiline plus magnesium and riboflavin supplements as directed by my neuro. I can't take imitrex more than 2x per week and needing to function I went back to the excedrin. So I'm caught in a vicious cycle of rebound headaches. I know I can go back to my doc and break the cycle with steroids but then what do I do when the frequent headaches return? I've tried ice packs, heat packs, live a healthy lifestyle, am fit in every way other than my head. I keep a headache diary and can discern no pattern or trigger. I'm at my wits end and am getting so depressed. I have a wonderful life with a caring, supportive husband, family and friends but can't get beyond this constant pain cycle. Has anyone succeeded in kicking rebound headaches long term? Thanks for any help you can provide.

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jennl Member
Hi Jammitt, So sorry to hear you're in so much pain. It sounds like you have done and are doing a lot to try to manage migraine in all the recommended ways. While you may get more feedback on personal experience from the community, I thought you might find this article useful- <a href='http://migraine.com/blog/help-how-can-i-not-overuse-migraine-medications/' target='_blank'>http://migraine.com/blog/help-how-can-i-not-overuse-migraine-medications/</a>. Additionally, if you're interested, this is a link to all our articles on rebound headaches- http://migraine.com/?s=%22rebound+headache%22&submit=Go. Lastly, this is an article on medication overuse headache (moh) - <a href='http://migraine.com/blog/safely-using-multiple-pain-relief-medications/' target='_blank'>http://migraine.com/blog/safely-using-multiple-pain-relief-medications/</a>. We hope this helps. Please do feel free to keep us posted. We'll be keeping you in our thoughts! Best, Jenn (Community Manager, <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a>)
1. rmickeyz1 Member
 I too suffered with rebound headaches while on Excedrin. My family doctor, who suffers, who also has a mother-in-law that suffers, asked me to try 800 mg of ibuprofen. I thought he was crazy. Excedrin is so powerful and it had helped in the past. Since I am one to at least try a new treatment I said ok. I haven't used Excedrin since and that has been years ago. I think our bodies get so used to a medication that it just doesn't affect us the same way it did in the beginning of usage or we just grow tolerant of it. Kind of like shampooing your hair with the same shampoo for years and it builds up. You need a different brand to get it clean. Hope this helps, yelloroz
annequin-harkin Member
You may want to try Relpax or Immitrex or one of the medications designed specifically for migraines. It may not be rebound headaches, it may just be that your migraines are too strong for the medication you are taking, so it never quite goes away and just kicks into another cycle. I think the concept of rebound headaches is another way of patient shaming - after all, I never get just a headache, always a migraine, so is it a rebound migraine? Nope.
Dana46 Member
I am so sensitive to imitrex and notice the next day at the same time, my migraine returns...so I bite off a small piece of imitrex at that time and the next day I do the same. After 3 or 4 days, I am migraine free. But the next time I get a migraine, I have to go through the same routine to get off the rebound effects. I can go for weeks without a migraine, which makes me very happy. 
1. Cheryl Picerno Moderator
 @Dana46 I'm sorry that you suffer from migraines. I know what that's like. Imitrex can be a tough drug to take for some people. My husband couldn't take it at all. Maybe you could work with your doctor to find a drug that will be easier on your system with less of a chance for rebound headaches which just make things worse. The CGRP drugs available now are very promising! Warmly, Cheryl <a href='http://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
Dana46 Member
I wish there were a better medication.

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