Who knew that the very medication you use to relieve your migraine pain can actually cause you to have even more pain. If you find yourself using your medications more frequently than you should be you could be having what is known as rebound headaches. Let’s take a close look at the symptoms and treatments for rebound headaches.

How do you know? Here is a list of common rebound headache symptoms:
*You suffer from headaches almost on a daily basis.
*You frequently wake up with a headache.
*The headache actually becomes worse in 3-4 hours after taking medication.
*Enormous feeling of pressure in your head.
*Experiencing sensitivity to light and sound.
*Muscles in the neck and shoulder areas feel tight.
*Pain on both sides of your head.
*Taking your pain medications more frequently than normal.
*You feel like your body may be craving the pain medication.
*Your medication provides temporary relief, but the migraine usually comes back.

Allot of the symptoms sound like your typical tension headache which can make it difficult to know the difference. Rebound headaches however are triggered by your medication. If your medication contains Butalbital with aspirin or acetaminophen then this is what is causing your rebound headache. Here is a list of more medications that have been known to cause rebound headaches:
*Vicodin with aspirin or acetaminophen
*Triptans medications like Imitrex and Zomig
*Opioids like codeine
*Analgesics like acetaminophen
And any other medications can that contain multiple medications combined or when some of the above medications are mixed with caffeine as well.

The person suffering from rebound headaches usually get in a vicious cycle of taking more and more pain medication only to experience little to no relief. The pain usually gets worse and more frequent with rebound headaches and actually the pain would not be so intense if the person chose to take no medication!

What’s the treatment for rebound headaches? To stop taking pain medications, that’s the best solution. Easier said than done, this is true but remember it is the medication causing the pain in the first place. In some cases antidepressants when combined with avoiding migraine pain relievers help with the process of stopping rebound headaches. Sometimes a headache/pain clinic is the best option. The clinic is a strict environment and can help with medication and stress management.

Don’t forget to talk to your doctor, he or she can do allot to help you in breaking the cycle of dealing with headache pain and medications. The quicker you deal with rebound headaches the quicker you can save yourself allot of pain and live your life!