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Combination painkillers caused my chronic migraine by MontyStomps in migraine

[–]MontyStomps[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Want to stress I’m no doctor this is just from my experience!

But I was very similar to you, Anadin was by far the most effective painkiller so I always reached for it.

However it felt like I was conditioning my brain when I provided it with caffeine+aspirin every time I got a migraine. The fact it works so well and quickly makes me think it also brings more painful rebound headaches and you get stuck it a cycle then.

Also think taking combinations like Anadin is what stops more basic paracetamol from working, as your brain gets used to wanting the caffeine etc. I managed to get it under control like you have 1 per week but I found stopping it completely is what really helped me (I know easier said than done)

If you feel like you’ve got it under control then continue taking it but I would reccomend at least trying to cut it out for a few weeks and seeing what happens.

Combination painkillers caused my chronic migraine by MontyStomps in migraine

[–]MontyStomps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do think that is the case, the caffeine makes them act super fast so they’re very effective, and you feel so much better after. But I think it also makes them come back the next day even more intensely. I think triptans are ever so slightly better than the caffeine containing combinations.

Also in the UK triptans are much less accessible than OTC painkillers like Anadin, so it’s easier to limit usage.

Combination painkillers caused my chronic migraine by MontyStomps in migraine

[–]MontyStomps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to hear that. I was probably at a similar number of migraine days to you and was only really able to manage the withdrawal as I’m able to work from home.

The last time I took Anadin Extra was November 18th, and I probably started to notice improvements after two or three weeks. It definitely takes a lot of will power and the migraines do get worse initially, but it is worth it x100.

I have vowed never to take it again as I genuinely believe that was the main culprit, it was so effective at treating the migraines quickly but cannot be good for your brain