Use of naproxen in medication overuse

[d_1987]

Hi

Been suffering with migraines for years for years last few months been really unwell been unable to get out of bed headaches everyday no other preventative working 3weeks ago my gp started me on topirmate and told me had medication overuse and to go cold turkey with no anagelsia had horrific time. Finally turned to migraine clinic who have prescribed have agreed medication overuse an chronic migraines told continued topirmate, they have also prescribed domperidone which has now starting to allow me to eat again and reducing dose of naproxen over then next 6 weeks. I just wanted to find out if anyone else had used naproxen for medication overuse an how long did it take to see a improvement? Just want to get my life back on track

[Emma1024]

I ended up w medication overuse, as my migraines and headaches gradually got worse, and I didn't know back then that more than 10-15,days a month of acute pain killers (ibuprofen, paracetamol etc) could give you worse headaches. Had terrible headaches for a,month until diagnosed w medication overuse (by National Migraine Centre doctor. Was out on 6 week course of naproxen and nothing else and it worked IMMEDIATELY. Yes, had some terrible days, but also some with no or very mild headache within 2-3 days of starting the course. By the end of it I was back to "normal" and able to cope w preventative and a painkiller every once in a,while. I was also able to go back to work. I now ration painkillers so I never go over 10 days per month when I take some. (Am still trying to find right preventative though with fewer side effects and that would work for my complex headaches.)

[d_1987 in reply to Emma1024]

Hey

Thank you for the reply.

Been on the tablets since Thursday. Still feel dreadful. Though headaches have gone I can't get out of bed still feel dizzy, have no energy and sever neck and back pain by any chance did u have any of this at my wits end just want to get back to work.

[Emma1024 in reply to d_1987]

I am so sorry to hear, that sounds awful. No, I was lucky not to have other problems. But it sounds like you've been through a lot so maybe your body still needs time to recover. I know how frustrating it is to just have to stay home and not even be able to enjoy any of it, but I'm sure you will get better . Have you tried meditation? I found mindfulness meditation a real lifesaver to deal with the emotional side. Kabat-Zinn and Mark Williams books are both good and come with guided meditation CDs.

[d_1987 in reply to Emma1024]

Hi

That's brill

Thank you for getting back to me, starting to feel to a little alone out a here with this, but nice to know other people have got through it.

Thank you

[jpkm in reply to d_1987]

Hi has your doctor not suggested to you, when you get the migraine, at first sign, to take Sumatriptan-Imigran. This is what im on, ive been left with the rebounds migraine due to overuse of meds like you. They can prescribe this to run along side your preventative.

[d_1987 in reply to jpkm]

Hi there

Been on sumatriptan before didn't particular help and there ended up contributing to the rebound headaches. Feel like just going round in circles at times, just hoping the naproxen will help ease me out of what is going on.

Thank you for your help.

[Justajem in reply to d_1987]

Maybe try a different Triptan? Sumatriptan didn’t work for me but Maxalt or Zolmatriptan did. Also new Cgrp treatments may be worth a go if you have a sympathetic doctor.

[Dog24 in reply to Justajem]

What are a C grp drugs

[Justajem in reply to jpkm]

Anti Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP). Newer drugs is specifically for migraine.

[Newton1]

Hi I suffer from Cluster headache and no prevention worked only the injections which they started arguing over giving me saying i was using to many , they told me to use naproxen ( didn't tell me what it was for and I was also put on primate, i did find however after going a few cold turkey headaches that they stopped altogether, not that i was happy about stopping my medication mind but whether it was the cold turkey or it was just time i wont know

[d_1987]

Hi newton1

Are you still taken naproxen? Have your headaches all gone now?

[Claire27]

Hello. Yes I’ve done naproxen detoxes off other migraine drugs a few times over the years and found it worked really well. I always did 6 weeks and tended to start feeling better after 2, with gradual improvement back to baseline by 6 weeks. Good luck, stick with it.