Has anyone experienced a tolerance to painkillers? NOTHING helps my chronic headaches, so I don't take any

Question

I have tried almost every type of analgesic (painkillers). I have Chronic Daily Headache, and I am in desperate need of information. Is there such a disorder where your body is tolerant against analgesics? What should I try? (accupressure, meditation, stress-management have not helped). I haven't experienced a pain-free day since I was 9 years old...PLEASE help me.

Answer 1

If you have a tolerance to painkillers and quit taking them you will be hurtin even more than before you started taking them, so then you smoke some pot.

Answer 2

You need to look at your life and figure out what's triggering it. Try some obvious things...get rid of anything that has fumes or is a chemical or that you could be allergic to. When I'm having a sensitivity or allergic reaction, I get a headache. So get rid of perfume, hair spray, bug spray, harsh smelling cleaners, etc. Remember it isn't the smell but the fume that makes one sick. Avoid anything petroleum based, car exhaust, anything smokey, etc. If you or someone in your immediate circle smokes, that could do it too. Avoid using anything that could make you yo yo for example drugs that have a euphoria and then a let down, or that speeds you up then slows you down, or that calms you and then wears off. So alcohal, caffeine, uppers, cigarettes, mj, and downers are all no nos. Also, it could be coming from your neck or back or something like that. Try sleeping on your back with a small pillow or no pillow at all. If anything has ever worked like muscle relaxers, exedrin, sudaphed, etc. tell the doctor, as this can point to a cause of the headache.Definitely ask about getting a CT scan of your head and a neck xray. I can't think of anything else, but to also go to the doctor. I know the pain of frequent headaches. Hang in there and take care.

Answer 3

Adapting to pain killers is the side effect. The body becomes more tolerant, and to get the same matter of relief, the dose has to increase. Cancer patients take such a high dose that if someone off the street took it they'll be dead. :( This is why so many people get addicted to pain meds.

You need to see a specialist for relief. Not only a physician but a psychiatrist (because s/he can help to get you to relax, difficult when in pain. Chicken or the egg thing).

A specialist will be up-to-date on the newest medications (novel type) that will also try to keep you off of narcotics. Often headaches and migraines are treated with various medications, as the source of the pain is so general.

Went through migraines for years not knowing it was my blood pressure being sky high. Now controlled they don't bother me as much -- and zero narcotics.

Answer 4

My mom has had killer migraines since I can remember. And she's allergic to Ibuprofen products, so she can't take painkillers derived from that base. When a new product came out at the doctors office I work at that was specifically for chronic migraines/ headaches, I got a sample for her. It's called Celebrex.
Well she tried it, and it worked! She was really surprised and since then has recieved a script for it, and has been headache free for almost two months now. And that is no small feat!
I know everyone has different reactions to meds and not everyone likes to take pills but you can always give it a try and hopefully it will help give you some pain-free moments:)

Answer 5

Veronica, I also had heavy headaches. I always ended up vomiting. An Ayurvedic doctor diagnosed it as too much phlem collecting in the head. He gave me a redish powder and asked me to take a little between the thumb and the forefinger and inhale a little when a headache comes. When I did that I got a burning sensation in my nose and sneezed about 20 to 25 times. Then phlem started to flow from my nose and the headache went away.

Recently I got the headache again. Of course I did not have any more of the powder, I got a small piece of paper - rolled it and tickled the inside of my nose. This made me sneeze - the ache went away. The whole idea is to make yourself sneeze.

Answer 6

This is something you need to see your doctor about. You should probably get a ct scan to make sure everything is okay, it could be any number of problems. I am in the same situation as you. I have been getting migraines since I was 6 years old. I have done a lot of research, most through trial and error, and I'll tell you what I've found. My doctor, and my neurolgist have both told me rebound headaches are a huge part of my cycle. Ibuprofen is the biggest culprit, but many other medicines can cause it. What happens is you take a painkiller and your body likes that so you'll get a headache the next day, and the only way to get rid of it is to take more. This can affect your pain receptors! This happens mostly with ibuprofen (motrin, advil) and naproxen sodium (aleve). I have always been told that acetaminophen (tylenol) is harmless, but recent studies prove that prolonged use can cause liver damage.

I have no idea what types of medicines you've tried but these are the most common. Excedrin migraine kicks butt! Lol, I love that stuff, but if you have taken a lot of medicine, this will not work for you. Also, you may not have migraine headaches, they may be tension or sinus related. And those can often be just as painful!

You may be allergic to some things that you had no idea about. For example, my sister has the same problem you and I have. Her obstretician asked if we have dogs, and we both have dogs now, and we got a dog when I was five. That's about the time the headaches started for me. As it turns out, I am midly allergic to either the dogs, and or their dander. Not enough to produce rashes or sneezing, but just enough to make me miserable. You may be allergic to a certain kind of plant that is common in your area, or soaps, perfumes, shampoos, lotions! I use Dove nutrium soap, and dove sensitive skin deodorant. These are some of the only products that do not give me headaches. As far as shampoo, almost everything has a scent. I like to get different stuff every once in awhile, I think you just have to deal with that!

Headaches can be cause by poor diet. Are you getting proper nutrients? 90% of us dont! You need vitamin a,b,c,d,e,k! Calcium, magnesium, fiber, protein, potassium... I could go on and on. Cereal is a good way to get all of that. Also, my sister read an article somewhere that women often get headaches due to a lack of manganese (not magnesium) you can find this in salt, ginger, cardamom (this is something you should try to eat more of too!), whole grain items, such as bread, pasta and cereal, tea and spinach.

I take fioricet for my headaches. At first I had to take it everday. Now, I rarely take it, my head aches aren't cured, but sometimes you can't fight every battle! Sometimes I just have to suffer through a headache. I used to smoke, and quitting helped a great deal. I stay hydrated, if you feel a headache coming on, drink some water, sometimes that can stop it. Showers and baths can work. Exercising can work. I like to go for walks and just drink in fresh air! Try to avoid processed or fast foods. Certain types of fat can cause headaches as well. You just need to talk with your doctor about what is right for you. You may have an actual condition. You may have something serious that needs attention!

I hope I've helped you out, I have a lot of information just kind of stored in my head! I pay attention to what triggers headaches, and what helps to ease them. You need to do the same. A lack of sleep, or not getting through all cycles of sleep can cause many health problems as well!

I kind of over looked the most important part of your question until just now! Yes, you can become 'imune to painkillers". Basically they just loose effectiveness. If you can't get in to a doctor immediately, try switching painkillers. Monday take aspirin, tuesday and wednesday try not to take anything, thursday take ibuprofen, then skip a few more days and try tylenol. Just be very careful mixing medicines, or taking them in general. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me!

Answer 7

Feroinol i can't spell it, but i had the same thing, I tried everything, nothing worked after so long of using it. I went to a Doctor, he gave me ferrionall. ferional i can't remember how to spell it. you have to get it with a script.