Alternates to the usual for recurrent stress related headaches?

[JohnBoy2000]

My nervous system is trashed, has been since I was 24.

From 30 on I used neuro "modulators", boosters etc., ssri's tri/tetracyclics for increase nerve transmission and these alleviated headaches caused by stress I couldn't cope with on my CNS. These would typically happen at night after a long hard day. I would take mirtazapine say, and when it would kick in and its nerve boosting properties have affect, that horrid headache would simply lift.

Now I don't tolerate any of them any more, so to alleviate headaches, mostly which happen at the end of the day after a long day or after I have to do activity (which amounts to stress in my case), I used solpedeine for headache alleviation.

The conventional options are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin. The first is the safest for me.

But taken regularly isn't ideal (I supplement with N-acetylcystine to offset some effects).

Is there anything else that could take its place, to alleviate stress induced headaches, which happen almost every day in my case?

I read about one but apparently it can have cardiac side effects.......... "tropin" something was it?

 

[Allylbenzene]

Are you taking any medications or supplements other than what you mentioned?

From 30 on I used neuro "modulators", boosters etc., ssri's tri/tetracyclics for increase nerve transmission and these alleviated headaches caused by stress...
...
Now I don't tolerate any of them any more, so to alleviate headaches, mostly which happen at the end of the day after a long day or after I have to do activity (which amounts to stress in my case)
...
The conventional options are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin. The first is the safest for me.
...
Is there anything else that could take its place, to alleviate stress induced headaches, which happen almost every day in my case?

Have you considered using things that have a direct anti-stress (anti-cortisol) effect? That would resolve the root issue. There's dozens of otc options which are all effective in their own way. If you're just looking for analgesics (similar to solpedeine) there's several otc options which are sustainable long-term.

...I used solpedeine for headache alleviation.

Looking at it's ingredients...
Solpedeine: paracetamol 500mg, codeine 8mg, caffeine 30mg

Apart from the issues with paracetamol you mentioned, long-term opioid use can cause hyperalgesia (increased pain sensitivity).

Caffeine is a potent metabolic enhancer which is a major reason why solpedeine provides relief (apart from codeine). Because of it's metabolic boost caffeine needs to be used properly (...caffeine is not in the same class as regular stimulants like amphetamine, methylphenidate or cocaine).

Caffeine boosts the body's metabolic rate which billions of people around the world enjoy and self-medicate with. An increased metabolic rate requires an equivalent increase in fuel supply to support the increased cellular metabolism (respiration aka oxidative phosphorylation)...which is the process of turning glucose + oxygen into ATP which fuels the body's cells (this process is what caffeine enhances).
In other words, taking caffeine with some glucose/carbs ensures that there's enough fuel to support caffeines metabolic boost.

Taking caffeine without any fuel (glucose/carbs) will likely cause low blood sugar which triggers a stress response (adrenaline: fight-or-flight, anxiety, jitters, increased heart rate, panic) which you want to avoid.

The 30mg caffeine in solpedeine isn't a big dose but some people will be much more sensitive to the metabolic boost/stress response effect than others ... which is possibly the case here from what you've written.

 

[jasperkent]

Here's what I do:

Focus on the pain. Identify its size, color, & shape. Try to pinpoint its exact location in my head. Precisely..

First, the pain will move around. Eventually it will go away. It's like I can define it out of existence.

I know it sounds kooky, but try it.
It actually works.

 

[Deleted member 576750]

My nervous system is trashed, has been since I was 24.

From 30 on I used neuro "modulators", boosters etc., ssri's tri/tetracyclics for increase nerve transmission and these alleviated headaches caused by stress I couldn't cope with on my CNS. These would typically happen at night after a long hard day. I would take mirtazapine say, and when it would kick in and its nerve boosting properties have affect, that horrid headache would simply lift.

Now I don't tolerate any of them any more, so to alleviate headaches, mostly which happen at the end of the day after a long day or after I have to do activity (which amounts to stress in my case), I used solpedeine for headache alleviation.

The conventional options are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin. The first is the safest for me.

But taken regularly isn't ideal (I supplement with N-acetylcystine to offset some effects).

Is there anything else that could take its place, to alleviate stress induced headaches, which happen almost every day in my case?

I read about one but apparently it can have cardiac side effects.......... "tropin" something was it?

a few questions

do you take multivitamins?

do you have allergies, seasonal or otherwise?

how do you know the headaches are stress related?

do you have any other medical issues?

do you exercise?

 

[jasperkent]

a few questions....

Also, do you drink plenty of water?
Dehydration is a common cause of headaches.

 

[Allylbenzene]

Also, do you drink plenty of water?
Dehydration is a common cause of headaches.

Good point, proper hydration is key + electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium). Although it sounds like the stress issue existed prior to using "neuro modulators, boosters etc., ssri's tri/tetracyclics" which will have caused their own issues... The pre-existing stress issue will have been metabolic in nature so any solution would involve addressing that.

Caffeine is a good metabolic support tool but needs to be used properly to avoid a stress response (jitters, anxiety etc).

 

[rentedbythehour]

I don't get tension headaches but I do get chronic migraines. I have a lot of tension throughout my shoulders, neck, upper back. I have tried just about everything there is available. My list of failed medications is insanely long. I'm in the US so the availability of meds might be different. What worked the best for the tension build up was Botox injections. I would get 31 injections every 10 weeks. The best ones were in the back of my neck, right above the hairline in the muscles there, about halfway down the neck, and then out to the sides about halfway between the neck curve and shoulder. It really paralyzed those muscles so I wouldn't get the pain or tension anymore. I still got headaches almost every day, but the severity was drastically reduced. I take imitrex (sumatriptan) when I do get a headache. It works on serotonin receptors and reduces blood flow and pain signals to the brain. This class of meds, triptans, is the only thing that has ever gotten rid of my headaches. It might not work for yours, but I do know it can be prescribed for tension headaches as well. I also take a muscle relaxer daily. Tizanidine, methocarbamol, carisoprodol, baclofen, metaxalone are a few options that can be used.
The med you say has worked in the past, solpedeine, makes me think of fioricet. The difference is that instead of codeine it contains butalbital, a barbiturate. Excedrin migraine is an over the counter version without the barbiturate. I believe they also have Excedrin tension headache available as well.
Other things I can suggest, find a healthy outlet for your stress. Go to the gym immediately after work. Take 15 minute breaks throughout the day when you can utilize biofeedback or meditation. Use ice packs on your neck. Get massages regularly. If you clench your jaw, wear a guard at night.
I know how much misery constant headaches can cause. I wish you well. I hope you find something that works for you.

 

[Allylbenzene]

I have tried just about everything there is available.

Did you ever try pregnenolone, low-dose niacinamide or taurine? They're all otc in most countries.

 

[rentedbythehour]

Did you ever try pregnenolone, low-dose niacinamide or taurine? They're all otc in most countries.

I have not tried those. The hormone is interesting to me. I've had migraines since I was 11, except when I was pregnant. I've tried birth control with hormones but that didn't work. I've only tried riboflavin and magnesium as far as supplements go.

 

[JohnBoy2000]

Are you taking any medications or supplements other than what you mentioned?


Have you considered using things that have a direct anti-stress (anti-cortisol) effect? That would resolve the root issue. There's dozens of otc options which are all effective in their own way. If you're just looking for analgesics (similar to solpedeine) there's several otc options which are sustainable long-term.


Looking at it's ingredients...
Solpedeine: paracetamol 500mg, codeine 8mg, caffeine 30mg

Apart from the issues with paracetamol you mentioned, long-term opioid use can cause hyperalgesia (increased pain sensitivity).

Caffeine is a potent metabolic enhancer which is a major reason why solpedeine provides relief (apart from codeine). Because of it's metabolic boost caffeine needs to be used properly (...caffeine is not in the same class as regular stimulants like amphetamine, methylphenidate or cocaine).

Caffeine boosts the body's metabolic rate which billions of people around the world enjoy and self-medicate with. An increased metabolic rate requires an equivalent increase in fuel supply to support the increased cellular metabolism (respiration aka oxidative phosphorylation)...which is the process of turning glucose + oxygen into ATP which fuels the body's cells (this process is what caffeine enhances).
In other words, taking caffeine with some glucose/carbs ensures that there's enough fuel to support caffeines metabolic boost.

Taking caffeine without any fuel (glucose/carbs) will likely cause low blood sugar which triggers a stress response (adrenaline: fight-or-flight, anxiety, jitters, increased heart rate, panic) which you want to avoid.

The 30mg caffeine in solpedeine isn't a big dose but some people will be much more sensitive to the metabolic boost/stress response effect than others ... which is possibly the case here from what you've written.

It might be more correct to say "exhaustion" headaches actually, versus "stress" headaches.

SSRI's etc. used to give me fantastic energy, they no longer function for this purpose.

So in giving me energy, they were like a magic bullet against exhaustion related headaches.

Mirtazapine literally was my angel of relief for years.

Very well hydrated at all times and diet is spot on.

I only use NaC to combat effects of acetaminophen, such as anti-oxidant reduction.

 

[JohnBoy2000]

a few questions

do you take multivitamins?

do you have allergies, seasonal or otherwise?

how do you know the headaches are stress related?

do you have any other medical issues?

do you exercise?

Above actually it's more correct to say "exhaustion" headache instead of "stress" headache.

Main issue is low energy and when I'm totally exhausted, I get headaches that need relief.

I just take Vitamin D which is the only vitamin I tend to be low in. No allergies of any kind.

I used to take mirtazapine, reboxetine, atomoxetine, SSRI's, zopiclone etc., all to manage CNS exhaustion/dysfunction.

Not conventional "depression", but just feeling beat down and exhausted constantly, which leads to headaches.

The meds used to obliterate that, but they no longer work......... I now use a cognitive strategy which I'm hoping will resolve the issues indefinitely, when it finally kicks in fully.

Until then, I just need to manage exhaustion related effects.

 

[JohnBoy2000]

sumatriptan

This.

It was the name of a drug I had stumbled across which I thought could be a viable alternative.

I'm unsure if it would be suitable in my situation (exhaustion headaches, misnomer'd as "stress" in the OP).

But if it works and my Dr prescribes it, that would be okay to try I guess.

 

[Deleted member 576750]

Above actually it's more correct to say "exhaustion" headache instead of "stress" headache.

Main issue is low energy and when I'm totally exhausted, I get headaches that need relief.

I just take Vitamin D which is the only vitamin I tend to be low in. No allergies of any kind.

I used to take mirtazapine, reboxetine, atomoxetine, SSRI's, zopiclone etc., all to manage CNS exhaustion/dysfunction.

Not conventional "depression", but just feeling beat down and exhausted constantly, which leads to headaches.

The meds used to obliterate that, but they no longer work......... I now use a cognitive strategy which I'm hoping will resolve the issues indefinitely, when it finally kicks in fully.

Until then, I just need to manage exhaustion related effects.

have you had your vitamin d or other vitamin/micronutrient levels tested?

 

[rentedbythehour]

I also take vitamin D. I take 10,000iu daily. I usually run low and have found this dose to help me immensely.
When you switched this to 'exhaustion' I was wondering if you've ever had a sleep study done. If you never really feel rested, it's possible you're not entering the deeper stages of sleep. My son had a cyclic sleep disorder and he never felt rested. The advise was to use a daylight lamp (simulates the sun) for 15 minutes each morning to help him wake up and get his sleep cycle back in order. I have been diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia, which is similar to narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is really just excessive daytime sleepiness. There are meds you can take, like modafinal, that can help with wakefulness. Have you ever tried going that route? Stimulants can have the same effect on the brain as a med like sumatriptan, meaning stimulants can also be a vaso-constrictor.

 

[rentedbythehour]

This

Sumatriptan is the oldest of the meds in the triptan class. Any of the meds in that family will work the same .

 

[Allylbenzene]

I have not tried those. The hormone is interesting to me. I've had migraines since I was 11, except when I was pregnant. I've tried birth control with hormones but that didn't work.

Ah it's because during pregnancy levels of pregnenolone and progesterone rise exponentially aka a LOT. The equivalent would be bio-identical progesterone or pregnenolone which are OTC. Birth control with estrogen or synthetic progestins is of no use for this purpose.

There is plenty of info on dosing bio-identical progesterone / pregnenolone and it's the best way to resolve PMS (and menopause symptoms). The woman (Dr Katharina Dalton) who introduced the term PMS to the world and established the use of progesterone hormone therapy used it to resolve PMS for her patients.

I've only tried riboflavin and magnesium as far as supplements go.

riboflavin (B2) + magnesium are good but there's others!
You might find it worthwhile to explore things that repair the metabolism directly, metabolism 'governs' energy, mood, regeneration...everything. Good options include pregnenolone and progesterone plus these which are OTC:
- taurine (100mg–1g/day)
- thiamine (B1) ... 10mg–50mg/day
- niacinamide (B3) ... 50–100mg/day
- creatine (200mg–1g/day)

Those dose ranges are on the conservatively safe side of things. If trying something new it helps to start with low doses to let the body acclimatise.

There's other options but those are the most suitable ones for general use. If you're looking for repair & recovery from drug use (from SSRIs & benzos to speed/meth/opioids etc) including resetting tolerances then agmatine & theanine are excellent, plus pregnenolone/progesterone.

 

[Allylbenzene]

Above actually it's more correct to say "exhaustion" headache instead of "stress" headache.

Main issue is low energy and when I'm totally exhausted, I get headaches that need relief.

Low energy causes a stress response, which leads to your exhaustion headache.

I used to take mirtazapine, reboxetine, atomoxetine, SSRI's, zopiclone etc., all to manage CNS exhaustion/dysfunction.
...just feeling beat down and exhausted constantly, which leads to headaches.

Those drugs are what caused your exhaustion issue since they all damage metabolic function. Metabolism governs energy and mood.

When you repair your metabolism your issues will disappear.

My son had a cyclic sleep disorder and he never felt rested. The advise was to use a daylight lamp (simulates the sun) for 15 minutes each morning to help him wake up and get his sleep cycle back in order.

Has the daytime lamp helped? Sunlight is very important for the body's rhythms. Also worth considering that if his cortisol & adrenaline levels are chronically high then these 2 stimulants will cause insomnia.

I have been diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia, which is similar to narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is really just excessive daytime sleepiness.

I'd never thought about it till now but narcolepsy sounds like low/sluggish metabolism which causes low energy, fatigue etc. Fixing the metabolism should resolve the symptoms.

Stimulants can have the same effect on the brain as a med like sumatriptan, meaning stimulants can also be a vaso-constrictor.

His/her cortisol and adrenaline is most likely already sky-high. Adding more stimulants might not be advisable. The stimulant will help to power through but the underlying issue will remain.

 

[JohnBoy2000]

Initial issues were in effect LONG before I went on SSRI's, tetracyclics etc.

They were awesome, when they worked. I've just evolved beyond them.

Fatigue issues were brought on my the world kicking my ass, basically, and my inability to manage that.

I just got beat down and my nervous system "bottomed out", in a phrase.

I had then undertaken the process of determing of a "coping strategy" to manage this and was making tremendous progress with that, but I hit a brick wall and of course had a nervous breakdown;

That's when I went on SSRI's and others. They got me through that period phenomenally well and back on track determining a long solution to the core issue.

But it's a daily uphill battle to learn how to cope, and survive and hopefully ultimately, thrive.

And during that daily battle I get fatigued and exhausted and I then nasty headaches come on and I just need something to manage that.

Solpedeine had been great, but I don't like having to take it daily.

Tea/coffee helps for sure, a good diet. Even if I sleep okay, I'm still wasted tired but I can manage that with periodic resting.

It's just headaches that suck........... so I'm curious if "triptans" could be a feasible alternate to Solpedeine?

 

[JohnBoy2000]

I have tried ritalin and amphetamines.

They're nasty, make me feel nasty.

During legit "depressive" phases, ritalin is nitro, but only during legit depressive phases.

 

[rentedbythehour]

I have tried ritalin and amphetamines

The one I suggested, modafinil (provigil) works a little differently than Ritalin. While Ritalin lights up the entire brain, modafinil highlights areas that promote wakefulness.
They use it for people with narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. It's not used like other stims are.

so I'm curious if "triptans" could be a feasible alternate to Solpedeine?

Soloedeine and triptans work in completely different ways. The only real way to know if it'll work for you is to try it. I don't get the side effects anymore but I know it will raise your blood pressure, you'll feel a tightness in your chest, get flushed, maybe a tightness in throat when you first take it. When it works, it's fantastic. It doesn't work for everyone or all types of headaches. I would say if you have the traditional migraine symptoms, one side of your head, sensitivity to light, odors, changes in vision, nausea, it's worth a try.