Hi I take at least two anadin a day a... - National Migraine...

National Migraine Centre

9,118 members2,647 posts

Hi I take at least two anadin a day and when I went to my gp he said that I was over using that medication and should stop

Poppet1 profile image
18 Replies

He never gave me any other guidance or said anything else just stop so. I get a headache most every day and if I don't take anything it just gets worse so I don't know really wot else to do any ideas please

Written by
Poppet1 profile image
Poppet1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
18 Replies
rosianna profile image
rosianna

The gp is right and youre lucky your gp did point out medicatio overuse headache to you. he should howeevr given you some gulideline. you just simply have to come off all meds and detox, i did for 3 months and started to to break the pattern but was on a lot of meds for migraine.

once youve broken the pattern and can see how your head is without the drugs you can see how severe your headaches are and what meds you should try. then go back to your gp or if it is migraines you get ask to go to a neuro specialising in migraines and theyll work through different meds with you.

Poppet1 profile image
Poppet1 in reply to rosianna

Thanks for that I will give it a try

Lupylass profile image
Lupylass

Hi there

Patient UK gives some good guidance which may help you

patient.co.uk/health/medica...

Poppet1 profile image
Poppet1 in reply to Lupylass

Thanks for that I will give it a try

Imgram profile image
Imgram

I had a similar situation. At the migraine clinic they put me on a programme to reduce painkillers using ibuprofen.It took about three weeks in which l reduced the tablets slowly. This was a planned programme from the doctor. It worked but l think you need to see a doctor to help you with this.

Poppet1 profile image
Poppet1 in reply to Imgram

Thanks for that I will give it a try

zigzag profile image
zigzag in reply to Imgram

Were you at NMC London? They told me to stop all meds abruptly ,no weaning off. But I would prefer to wean off slowly. Any comments anyone?

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62

Long term use of painkillers such as aspirin can actually cause headaches - bit ironic really. I suspect your doctors remarks are probably more to do with the length of time that you have been using the medication for rather than the actual daily dosage. The instructions in the packet that none of us ever read usually tell you that you shouldn't take them for more than a certain number of days before you consult a doctor.

As per others - probably best not to go cold turkey on your own - if you don't feel comfortable talking to your GP again then a pharmacist might be able to give you some advice.

Poppet1 profile image
Poppet1 in reply to Gambit62

Thanks for that I will give it a try

I would also suggest that you consult another GP or ask to see a headache specialist.

Emma1024 profile image
Emma1024

You are definitely taking too much. More than 10-15 days a month is likely to generate worse headaches than you would have with fewer painkillers. BUT you may need medication to ease you off the Anadin. I went cold turkey and stopped all over the counter painkillers but my doc prescribed a course of naproxen (with a reducing dose) for six weeks. It REALLY worked - much better headache situation (frequency and severity). You can also ask about a course of preventatives, eg amitriptyline.

zigzag profile image
zigzag in reply to Emma1024

Hi, NMC told me to go cold turkey. Said I can use Naproxen. Do you think Naproxen will help me cos its related to nurofen which has never helped me in the past.?

Poppet1 profile image
Poppet1 in reply to Emma1024

Thanks for that I will give it a try

zigzag profile image
zigzag

Im feeling your pain right now:(

KaliC10 profile image
KaliC10

I went cold turkey off tramadol and high cocodamol ( for severe spinal damage) amitripyline and another pill and they didnt give me anything. It was awfull for 5 days. Im still suffering now with my spine

Emma1024 profile image
Emma1024

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties people have. Managing pain is such a struggle!

're: naproxen, I'd say it's definitely worth a try. Even tho it is in the same category of drugs add ibuprofen, it could still work. I've tried other similar drugs, eg, ketoprofein, which was no help at all. I must admit though, that ibuprofen has worked for me, too. But I had to come off it due to medication overuse, and naproxen was really helpful in making this more manageable.

Krishnashram profile image
Krishnashram

My wife had severe migraine frequently. In 1985 in Betul(MP)one morning she was to accompany me on a tour, but had a severe attack, one of my friend said within 10 minutes it will go,went out brought some leaves and ask one drop of its extract to be dropped in the nose. Within 10 minutes she was normal. My daughters have inherited migraine but have never agreed to test this in the absence of scientific proof. I can get those leaves only from Betul, if some organisation is ready to do research on it.

babs1234 profile image
babs1234

I have just been told by the neurologist that too many painkillers can actually cause migraine

You may also like...

Ketogenic diet and migraines

yielding good results. I don't get ten whole days in a row very often. If I get too overtired, if...

What do you do if the triptans don't work?

but I don't really get them often enough (once every month or two) to make it worthwhile. I just...

Hormonal migraines anyone beaten these?

migraines I get them just before and during my period ( 10/12 days worth) and also get them for 1-3...

Sumatriptan - does it just postpone migraine

anyone else had this experience? Is it the sumatriptan or are my migraines just getting worse? I...

Getting Hungry with Migraines - feels different!

feeling really dizzy, light-headed and weak. I get really quiet and just super focused on getting...