Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Severe Headache And Migraine
Question: I have been experiencing a lot of headaches, tension and migraine in the last 2 months. I have been taking a lot of pills to relieve them but this has caused my liver GGT to increase to 271. My doctor has advised to stop taking pills but the headaches are still persistent. I'm thinking it's the weather here (summer in Brisbane with 90% humidity). I can't function much with them as they're quite debilitating. What are my options to find the trigger for these headaches and what can I take to get rid of them? Last night I had a horrible migraine and took a pill under my tongue to relieve it without having it pass through the liver and now my entire under tongue is burnt.
Brief Answer:
Headaches
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I am sorry you are having so many headaches!
I'm guessing that the medication you were taking for the headaches was paracetamol or acetaminophen, as in excess, these can be hard on the liver.
Given that they have been going on for 2 months, I don't think the solution is just to not take pills. I strongly recommend that you ask for a referral to a neurologist. A neurologist will first evaluate to see what the cause of the headaches are including ordering a head CT or MRI. Then, they have a larger selection of medications that can help than we family medicine doctors have such as calcium channel blockers and certain anti seizure medications in lower dosages. Specifically, they try to prevent or decrease the frequency of migraines and other headaches. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitryptiline, taken daily, can be excellent for preventing migraines.
Triggers for migraines include chocolate and alcohol, but some people have other things that trigger them as well. If you have sinus congestion causing headaches, a steroid nasal spray can help.
Another possibility you can consider for either tension or migraine headaches is acupuncture. I recommend finding an acupuncturist/Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who was fully trained in China. At least in the U.S., those trained traditionally in China seem to be more skilled at it from my experience.
Unless your tongue underside is severely damaged, it should heal up in the next couple of days. Avoid spicy foods, and acidic foods such as things with tomatoes or citrus.
I hope this information helps.
Headaches
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I am sorry you are having so many headaches!
I'm guessing that the medication you were taking for the headaches was paracetamol or acetaminophen, as in excess, these can be hard on the liver.
Given that they have been going on for 2 months, I don't think the solution is just to not take pills. I strongly recommend that you ask for a referral to a neurologist. A neurologist will first evaluate to see what the cause of the headaches are including ordering a head CT or MRI. Then, they have a larger selection of medications that can help than we family medicine doctors have such as calcium channel blockers and certain anti seizure medications in lower dosages. Specifically, they try to prevent or decrease the frequency of migraines and other headaches. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitryptiline, taken daily, can be excellent for preventing migraines.
Triggers for migraines include chocolate and alcohol, but some people have other things that trigger them as well. If you have sinus congestion causing headaches, a steroid nasal spray can help.
Another possibility you can consider for either tension or migraine headaches is acupuncture. I recommend finding an acupuncturist/Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who was fully trained in China. At least in the U.S., those trained traditionally in China seem to be more skilled at it from my experience.
Unless your tongue underside is severely damaged, it should heal up in the next couple of days. Avoid spicy foods, and acidic foods such as things with tomatoes or citrus.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Can you recommend any OTC tablets without paracetamol that I can use until I get my referral? I have a migraine now.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
You can try an NSAID such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Take it after you have food in your stomach as for some people it can be irritating.
Information
Detailed Answer:
You can try an NSAID such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Take it after you have food in your stomach as for some people it can be irritating.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
