The 5 headache poisons: (causing analgesic rebound)

1) butalbatol (such as Fioricet)

2) Excedrin (aspirin, Tylenol, caffeine)

3) Tylenol (acetaminophen)

4) Zantac (ranitidine)

5) Tagamet (cimetidine)

While the first three medications do work for headaches, they have a very high cost - they cause more headaches once the medication wears off. They often cause daily headaches, and the body may require 6-12 months to "detoxify" itself from the medications - sometimes requiring hospitalization.

The rebound effect from these medications can cause daily headaches. If this is the case, they should be avoided. NSAIDS such as Vioxx are an excellent choice (Advil and others are also effective but can cause significant stomach bleeding).

Approximately 50% of migraine sufferers are not diagnosed. The major treatments include antidepressants, anti-epilepsy drugs (especially Neurontin), and high blood pressure medications.

Additional treatments include "occipital nerve blocks" (novocaine deadening a nerve in the back of the skull), haloperidol (due to oversensitivity to dopamine), the vitamin B2 "riboflavin" (400mg daily - takes 2-3 months), and flax seed oil. Good posture is essential. Treating all the psychiatric comorbidities as described in this website and "Biological Unhappiness" is crucial, as they can all contribute to or cause headaches.

The antidepressant Desyrel (trazodone) is a major cause of headaches.

An excellent interactive website that can help headache sufferers enormously is located at www.achenet.org

Headache specialist:

I’ve attended many lectures on headaches in my career. In March 2000 I had the enormous privilege of hearing Dr. Steve Wheeler speak on the subject at a neurology seminar. By far he’s the most knowledgeable and practical physician I’ve encountered on the subject. He believes strongly that patients need to be educated to get rid of their headaches. If you have significant headache problems that just won’t go away, I highly recommend traveling to Miami to see him.

Steve D. Wheeler, M.D.

Diplomate, American Board of Neurology

8940 North Kendall Drive

Suite 802E

Miami, FL 33176

(305) 595-4041