Can you help me with my headache dilema?

Question

I'm going to be as detailed about this as possible, and if you can give me any educated suggestions on what to do, I'll be very grateful. Here goes:

Back in my late junior high school years, I began taking ADD medication because, like you'd imagine, a doctor diagnosed me with it. The problem is that no matter what kind of medication I took, (and believe me, I've tried a lot) I wound up getting these awful headaches.

Fast-forward to today with many failed experiments later, and I'm still stuck trying to figure out what to do. What I do know is that these headaches are connected with the medication because it's usually a very distinct pain.

You're probably asking yourself why I wouldn't just stop taking it. Oh believe me, if I could I would, but it's neseccary for me to concentrate because I'll be going to college soon, and I can't do that without it.

So please, if anyone thinks they have a solution, I'm willing to try.

Thanks for the answer about putting the pressure on your hand, but I've been aware of this little trick. It does work, but the pain comes back just as soon as I let go.

I've been seeing my nourologist for years about this problem of mine, and so far nothing has worked. She informed me two days ago that we've tried every medication. Basically, this is a problem that can't be solved by changing my perscription.

Additionally, I've refrained from taking any kind of pain medicine for quite some time because I know I'll get addicted to it if I do.

A behavioral therapist is something that I never considered before. I'll definitely look into it. Having said that, I don't find that my life could possibly be any more stressful than the next guy's. It's a long shot, but perhaps I do have a few issues. -shrugs-

Let's just say that I've been depressed before, but I don't think it was anything out of the ordinary.

I'm really at the end of my rope here what with college coming so soon.

Answer 1

Hi. My sister takes Strattera (atomoxetine HCI)and it works great - no headaches & really no side effects. In my opinion, since you started taking it when you were in junior high school, you may not need it anymore. Many people lose ADD/ADHD symptoms as they mature and think they need the medication still since they always have but don't give themselves a chance off of it to see if their bodies have changed. You just might see you don't need it anymore.

Also, it is possible that it was never ADD in the first place. In junior high, your body is changing and hormones and there are all those little and big life stressors that can add to the lack of concentration etc. I don't know what med you are taking but I do know that many meds for ADD are horrible and addictive and have much more damaging side effects than benefits. So, you might want to think about going off of it for a few weeks - month to see how you feel without it.

ADD is one of the most overdiagnosed medical disorders in the country - it really is and doctors diagnose everyone with it and prescribe these meds that do more damage than good. I mean if the headaches are that bad, you won't be able to concentrate anyway - so sounds to me that it is time to switch or to stop and see what is left without it. I was on an antidepressant for years and I kept thinking I need one and can't live without one but one day I just realized - it's been so long, maybe I am just not depressed anymore. So, I stopped taking it and was better off without it. Everyone has ups and downs and days where they can't concentrate. You may also have ADD but they make so many medications for all of these problems so there is no reason you should stay on the one that is causing you the pain. It seems to defeat the purpose of taking it. Headaches are the worst and I know I can't concentrate when I have one.

As far as treating the headache, Gatorade works but I don't know if it works on headaches caused by medications. That is the prob with meds - you take one, get side effects and need to do something else for the side effects - so it becomes this endless cycle of medications or things to treat all of the side effects. No win situation.

I would take some time off of it - and at first you will feel worse I am sure b/c most meds make you have the opposite response when you stop taking them like Benzos for example - you take them for anxiety and once yuo stop your anxiety is 10 times worse than ever - so you have to give your body and brain chemistry and CNS a chance to withdraw and level out and regulate back to your own. If you find you still need them, I would try Strattera http://www.strattera.com/index.jsp - worked for her and a few others I know. But then again, she waited a few years and no longer needs anything. You might also want to explore if it is ADD or if perhaps your lack of concentration is due to any other factors - ie: depression, anxiety, some other stress. Maybe yuo could try a med for one of these instead - but I saw that another answer said klonopin - that is something that you DO NOT WANT to start taking - it is horribly addictive and is given to heroin addicts who are coming off of heroin. And then they need something to come off of that drug cause it is so bad. So, sorry to the person who wrote that but no way - not unless you want to become severely addicted to something that is pretty much useless and has much safer alternatives. Buspar is a safe, no addictive anxiety medication and there are so many useful antidepressants with pretty much no side effects, like Lexapro, Wellbutrin, or Celexa. You may find with a little boost, your concentration is better or you may want to explore other methods, instead of medication , for your symptoms cause this one isn't working. Your body is telling you it's not right for you - you don't have to suffer through symptoms when there are endless medications and alternatives - maybe try acupuncture or meditation, exercise to get at the symptoms - find what is causing it - or just try to explore it instead of settling for a diagnosis that is so overdiagnosed. I mean, you very well may have it but endless amounts of people think they do - doctors just say it to anyone who mentions any of the symptoms - and most of the symptoms are pretty common and can be due to a whole range of things, not just ADD - good luck

Answer 2

I'm ADD too, and whenever I first started taking a medication, I would get really bad headaches (they always seem to morph into migranes :) ) But after a while, when I stayed on one long enough, I wouldn't get them so frequently, and will actually get them from not taking my medicine sometimes too. I'm on Concerta by the way. I'm in college, and yes, u will most definitely need the medication so much more than you ever did before. Good luck with everything! I hope you feel better.Oh, there's also supposed to be a pressure point on the top of your head for headaches, that my friend that worked really well, i just don't remember where it was, sorry. Also, I know something to do with your teth is supposed to also be a possible cause for headaches like that.

Answer 3

A Neurologist should be able to help you either by trying another medication with less side effects or by helping to control the headaches at the onset. Botox injections are another possibility, it has been used for over 12 years for this! Good luck! I am in the same boat for my Narcolepsy, but the medications prescribed are almost identical as for ADD. I know how hard it is, I've been through 5 different meds in the past year!

Answer 4

Have you tried Klonopin? Read the article attached.

You could also try meditation, to concentrate or to help the headaches. I don't like the idea of a medication causing so much pain and having such a strong side effect. The doctors don't think that's a problem?

You could try anti-depressants, also. They are often prescribed for headache sufferers, though I'm not sure that would help in your case.

Answer 5

Well ,you said yourself you don't have any problems with Christians. Your only problem is that you don't agree with their beliefs. I stay away from the subject of religion with Christians for the very same reason. (I'm an atheist.) It shouldn't cause any real trouble in your day-to-day life unless you're intentionally going to churches and worship services and stuff like that. Which I assume you're not. You just need to accept the fact that lots of people believe in different things than you, and that's not going to change anytime soon. The sooner you come to terms with that, the sooner you should start feeling better. I hoped I helped, at least a little.

Answer 6

Some myths say that LSD relieves headaches or rather migranes. I wouldn't recommend that though. That might relieve your headache but not help you study. I suggest yoga, it increases blodd flow and can work wonders for all sorts of aches and pains, including headaches.

Answer 7

There's a pressure point behind the webbing between your thumb and forefinger (in the meaty spot). Applying pressure to this spot, enough to make it hurt, will generally take care of anything up to a migraine, and can work for nausea, too.

I haven't taken meds for headaches in years because of this little trick.

Answer 8

Go see a behavioral therapist. Sometimes things like chronic headaches of unknown origin are psychological, not biological.

Answer 9

I Belive that I could help you very succesfully with proper education. Your health is very important. I would have to ask if you are over the age of 18. What I would like to show you can change your life forever.

Answer 10

I would go in and see a neurologist. They can run some basic tests to see what kind... if you have a kind..... of headache they are.
Maybe they are migraines....etc...
They may be able to stear you in the right direction.