Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Headaches
Question: how can I get rid of a headache
Brief Answer:
More details would be useful.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question and I am sorry about the intractable headache you seem to be experiencing.
It would have been useful if you gave some more detail on when have the headaches started, location, character (dull, throbbing, sharp, constant), duration, frequency, exacerbating factors etc. That info might help in identifying the type of headache you have.
Also from what I saw from other queries of yours you suffer from bipolar disorder and treatment with a mood stabilizers was advised by my colleague Dr. Bishnoi. It is not clear whether you started such treatment. I am asking because some mood stabilizers like Valproate are also used in prevention some types of headaches and prevention is the best treatment.
You also mention hydrocephalus. You say your neurosurgeon says the shunt is working well. However if he's not sure and raised intracranial pressure is a possibility, treatment with a diuretic like acetazolamide might help.
If you want just an opinion about how to abort an acute attack of headache, you seem to have tried with common painkillers like acetaminophen, Ibuprofen etc. When those are ineffective drugs for migraine attack might be tried like triptans (zolmitriptan, sumatriptan etc).
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
More details would be useful.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question and I am sorry about the intractable headache you seem to be experiencing.
It would have been useful if you gave some more detail on when have the headaches started, location, character (dull, throbbing, sharp, constant), duration, frequency, exacerbating factors etc. That info might help in identifying the type of headache you have.
Also from what I saw from other queries of yours you suffer from bipolar disorder and treatment with a mood stabilizers was advised by my colleague Dr. Bishnoi. It is not clear whether you started such treatment. I am asking because some mood stabilizers like Valproate are also used in prevention some types of headaches and prevention is the best treatment.
You also mention hydrocephalus. You say your neurosurgeon says the shunt is working well. However if he's not sure and raised intracranial pressure is a possibility, treatment with a diuretic like acetazolamide might help.
If you want just an opinion about how to abort an acute attack of headache, you seem to have tried with common painkillers like acetaminophen, Ibuprofen etc. When those are ineffective drugs for migraine attack might be tried like triptans (zolmitriptan, sumatriptan etc).
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have started treatment for bipolar they are treating me with Prozac trazodone seroquel and ambien... The headaches mainly start when I am in a lit area... ex. my living room.... Start in the morning end when I take things stronger then fierociet..... Like Tylenol 3.... even toradol is not working.... I try to think of everything possible before I take medicine like Tylenol 3
Brief Answer:
Possible migraine.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that info. I still wish you had given some more info like location, duration, character, presence of nausea or vomiting.
Anyway, headaches triggered by light is often a characteristic of migraine. Since other drugs are not working well to interrupt the attack the triptans (zolmitriptan, sumatriptan) which I mentioned earlier are indicated for the attack treatment.
Also if these headaches are frequent, since Valproate is a first line drug treatment in migraine prophylaxis (aiming to reduce frequency and severity of attacks not stop the pain during an acute attack), perhaps in future visit you might discuss the possibility of its use with your psychiatrist since it is used also in bipolar disorder.
I hope to have been of help.
Possible migraine.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that info. I still wish you had given some more info like location, duration, character, presence of nausea or vomiting.
Anyway, headaches triggered by light is often a characteristic of migraine. Since other drugs are not working well to interrupt the attack the triptans (zolmitriptan, sumatriptan) which I mentioned earlier are indicated for the attack treatment.
Also if these headaches are frequent, since Valproate is a first line drug treatment in migraine prophylaxis (aiming to reduce frequency and severity of attacks not stop the pain during an acute attack), perhaps in future visit you might discuss the possibility of its use with your psychiatrist since it is used also in bipolar disorder.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
