What do you want to know about headaches and migraines, biology and physiology, or anything else health-related? The Daily Headache is a resource for you as much as it is a catharsis for me. So, what’s on your mind?
At the risk of sounding like every teacher you’ve ever had, there are no stupid questions. And if you have a question, it’s likely that others wonder the same thing. Really. If you’re embarrassed to ask it in the comments of a post, you’re always welcome to e-mail it to me.
I wonder what the long term consequences might be of using triptans 10 times a month. As a biologist myself (neurobiology PhD), I think I ought to know this, but I can’t seem to find any information on it. Perhaps we don’t know. I can’t stop using them or I won’t be able to work, but I always wonder about the longterm effects.
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I’ll look into this further, but here’s what I can tell you now:
There’s a risk of developing rebound (or medication overuse/MOH) headaches from taking triptans to frequently. They don’t appear to increase the risk of stroke unless the person is already at risk for stroke.
http://www.clinicalanswers.nhs.uk/index.cfm?question=4786
http://headaches.about.com/cs/asktheclinian/f/042604_9f.htm
Kerrie
I really have appreciated reading your blog Kerrie. Recently you posted about accepting the chronic nature of your condition and learning to make peace with it. I really admire that.
I guess my question is about the process of reaching that point. How did you know that headache was simply going to be a more or less permanent reality for you?
I’ve been trying everything under the sun to get my Chronic Daily Headaches under control. It has been two years now. I’m grieving the limits that the headaches have placed on my life, but I’m learning to adjust. I’m not at acceptance yet, but I am beginning to understand that there will be no easy answer to this.
I know it’s a vague kind of question, but how did you make peace with the pain?
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I hate having to give this answer, but it took time. There are some books that have been helpful for me:
The Anatomy of Hope by Jerome Groopman — The first time I read this, it was just an interesting collection of essays; the second time I “got it” and I took the messages to heart. That was when I was first beginning to accept my headaches as a permanent part of my life.
All in My Head by Paula Kamen — A memoir and great information source on chronic daily headache. She recommends Chronic Illness and the Twelve Steps by Martha Cleveland for accepting illness.
The Chronic Illness Workbook by Patricia Fennell — It’s the same idea as the 12 steps book, but with less of a spiritual focus and is more methodical (for lack of a better word). I prefer this one.
It’s also part of being in the right “place” to take in such messages. From what you’ve written, I think you are there or are on the verge of getting there.
Take care of yourself. Let me know if there’s anything I can help you with as you go along.
Kerrie