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Getting Frequent Headache. Not Cured By Medicine. Proper Medication?
Question: I am getting headache frequently these days. I am 63 years old and I have been suffering from headache since childhood. But I used to get relief with OTC drugs. Now that is also not effective. Please advice me
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
The most common cause of long-term headaches, as in your case, is chronic migraine.
If headaches are less frequent (one or two times a month), then, over the counter pain-killer tablets may be all that is required.
But if the headaches are more frequent, as in your case, it may be better to start preventive medication (that reduces the headache frequency). Useful drugs in this category include topiramate, flunarizine and divalproex. Please start one of these medicines after consulting your doctor.
For pain relief, you may use vasograin or Rizatriptan.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
Thank you for posting your query.
The most common cause of long-term headaches, as in your case, is chronic migraine.
If headaches are less frequent (one or two times a month), then, over the counter pain-killer tablets may be all that is required.
But if the headaches are more frequent, as in your case, it may be better to start preventive medication (that reduces the headache frequency). Useful drugs in this category include topiramate, flunarizine and divalproex. Please start one of these medicines after consulting your doctor.
For pain relief, you may use vasograin or Rizatriptan.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Since I was getting relief with OTC drugs and I do not have any symptoms of migraine I feel it may not be migraine. I have already tried vasogain with no effect. Whenever I get headache I feel a slight inflammation on my forehead where it pains. I have recently undergone MRI of head also and it is clear. Pl suggest me some strong pain killer also.
Thank you for getting back with more details.
The normal MRI of brain is very reassuring, and it rules out any serious XXXXXXX brain problem.
The other condition to exlcude in your case, especially as your age is 63 (more than 50 years), is temporal arteritis (an inflammation of arteries in scalp). In this condition, ESR (a simple blood test) is elevated. So, please get ESR checked.
For pain relief, you may take TAB. ETORICOXIB (Etoshine), as and when necessary.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
The normal MRI of brain is very reassuring, and it rules out any serious XXXXXXX brain problem.
The other condition to exlcude in your case, especially as your age is 63 (more than 50 years), is temporal arteritis (an inflammation of arteries in scalp). In this condition, ESR (a simple blood test) is elevated. So, please get ESR checked.
For pain relief, you may take TAB. ETORICOXIB (Etoshine), as and when necessary.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have recently undergone master health check and my ESR rate is 06 and my total bilirubin is 1.48. Pl let me know whether I have to consult a neurologist to know about temporal arteritis or any other specialist.
Thank you for getting back.
As your ESR is normal, there is no need to go to a Neurologist now. Please take the pain killers and see if the headache subsides.
However, if the headache persists, or if you notice short-duration vision problems in one eye (which can occur in temporal arteritis), you should consult a neurologist.
Bilirubin of 1.48 is slightly above normal, but if you do not have any symptoms of liver disease, such as jaundice, poor appetite or right side abdominal pain, it can be ignored.
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM
As your ESR is normal, there is no need to go to a Neurologist now. Please take the pain killers and see if the headache subsides.
However, if the headache persists, or if you notice short-duration vision problems in one eye (which can occur in temporal arteritis), you should consult a neurologist.
Bilirubin of 1.48 is slightly above normal, but if you do not have any symptoms of liver disease, such as jaundice, poor appetite or right side abdominal pain, it can be ignored.
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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