Hospitalization for zomig/imitrex withdrawl???

Hi Mel,

I have stopped taking medications that were causing me rebound headaches several times and never had to go to the hospital. In fact where I live it has to be a life or death situation before they will admit you to the hospital for withdrawl from medication.

For me rebound headaches are dull headaches that sit behind my eyes and seem to last forever. My neurologist suggested taking something like Advil Liquid Gels or Aleve Gel Caps to relieve the pain. It doesn't work completely but it can mask the pain. I asked about two that won't bother my stomach because I've developed ulcers from too much pain medication use, these two are pretty good and the neurologist says aren't likely to cause rebound headaches.

I end up eventually feeling like I want to tear my hair out because it's a dull pain that just won't go away - though it does eventually. Sometimes a sleeping pill or melatonin helps so you can sleep because I find sleeping difficult. If you can tough it out you'll feel better in the long run. You'll have to decide if you're going to do it cold turkey or slowly. I would discuss that with the doctor, some medications its not safe to stop quickly. I don't know about triptans.

If you need some moral support just post a message. I'm on day 7 of a rebound headache. Monday and Tuesday were pain free in the day though the headache came back in the evening. I'm weening off pain killers slowly and I'm ready to tear my hair out. The first couple of days were really rough and I took it easy, the next couple better and next couple even better and today I had a set back and the headache was here all day.

Take it easy on yourself, avoid stress and treat yourself to things like warm relaxing baths, massages, and afternoon naps.

Good luck. I will think lots of good thoughts for you.

Hi, Mel.

Not too long ago, I was in the same boat and was scared out of my mind at the thought of not taking my Imitrex/other triptan of choice. (I'd been prescribed Imitrex and various other triptans by several doctors and no one had ever told me that I shouldn't take it more than 2 or 3 times a week...) Anyway, after I read about triptans causing rebound headaches, I figured that was probably my problem and decided I needed to get off of them. It's hard, but it's definitely worth it! Since the neurologist said I could take the Imitrex 2-3 times a week (once I finally asked him about it), that's what I did while I was coming off. So I'd go for a day or two without and then take one and then another day or two without, etc (but no more than 3/week!) It was like having a constant migraine that lasted about a week and a half, except that the severity would lessen for up to 12 hours after I took the Imitrex each time. There were times when it was much more severe than any of my normal migraines, and I wasn't sure I could push through the pain. But you really are better off just doing it. I ended up taking a lot of bubble baths just to help me relax...Do whatever you have to...You probably won't be able to go to work or anything, so just plan on being incapacitated for a little while. (I'm not trying to scare you; it's totally do-able. It's just not at all fun!) Try to have someone around for moral support and to just be there to comfort you as much as possible. I found that to help a lot. Anyway, good luck!

Heather

Hi guys~
The withdrawl isn't as bad as I thought, I am still taking triptans occasionally, but only 4 in the past 2 weeks. The migraine is constant - but fairly mild from what I'm used to. The crapty thing is that it never seems to let up. The weather has gotten cooler, and it is less smoggy and humid so I haven't had a really bad one in a while. I am surviving - but depressed and sleeping (or trying) too much. So exausted... I am not on the computer much as it bothers my eyes.
Mel.