what do you think works best??

[jessa1981]

I take many meds for undiagnosed headaches and none seem to work. i've tried: tramadol, midrin, vicodin, aleve, tylenol, ibuprophrin 800mg....any suggestions on something i can suggest from my dr??

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

It is difficult to give an opinion without knowing your complete medical history and clinical exam. I would suggest you to try alternate therapies like biofeedback, acupressure, acupuncture, supplements like magnesium and B complex.
Thanks

[marileew]

I think that advil works the best for the ones that don't go over a 6/10 pain level BUT i think that advil also causes terrible rebound headaches so I have completely stopped taking it 'cept for very rarely when I am sure that I have an inflamed muscle or something like that or for a fever.

As for 9/10 10/10 pain, I think that hydromorphone works the best. It is better than morphine because it doesn't make you feel sick. I wouldn't suggest a high dose. Once at the hospital, they gave me EIGHT mg and it was the WORST "trip" of my life. I take exactly ONE mg for my VERY BAD headaches and it seems to work. Also, you have to remember that hydromorphone is like a billion times stronger than morphine... so even though 1mg doesn't sound like a lot, it really is a lot. As a starter dose, I would not suggest taking more than 1mg. And, if you find you need to go up higher than 2mg on a daily, outside of a hospital basis... than I wouldn't say it's the right pain killer for you... because it is very addictive and many people find that it conks out on them at lower doses and they just have to keep taking higher and higher doses and it pretty much ruins their lives. If you can find a dose that actually takes away your pain and allows you to totally function (because, it can stop you from functioning, it is an opiate after all), then I'd say you've found the medication that works for you... but only as long as you can stay at that dose for a long long time without having to go up.

Now... in a hospital ER setting... it's totally different... if you are at the hospital ER and you need more morphine or hydromorphine, do not hesitate to ask for more. It's a hospital setting, they won't give you too much, and it is on an acute basis so you don't have to worry about addiction. But, ask for a small dose at first and then ask for more as needed. Do not let them give you 8mg of hydromorphone right off the bat or you'll feel soooo gross you'll sort of wish you'd never come to the hospital!! But, in a hospital ER setting... and I repeat, in a hospital ER setting... you can totally slowly work your way up to whatever dose of morphine or hydromorphone you need to kill the pain, it's hard to overdose on the stuff (possible, but difficult, and again, this is why I'm stressing only in a hospital ER setting, as they won't let you take too much and they'll be there if for some reason they DO end up giving you too much, which is rare I think).