I've been having chronic headaches for the last 3 years and take ibuprofen/paracetamol daily.
The GP prescribed amitriptyline about 12 months ago as a preventer. It worked initially but has no effect now other than helping me sleep. Dose has been increased from 10 to 30 mg with no effect.
I have another appt in 2 weeks to discuss things but am worried about the long term effect of taking pain relief every day. Does anyone have any experience of this?
For context, I'm 55 and have very few symptoms of menopause.
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General health
Effect of long term use of pain relief
Foxymoxy68 · 13/03/2024 22:45
bananafishbones1 · 13/03/2024 23:21
I would talk to your dr about reducing the painkillers slowly with the aim of then only taking paracetamol or ibuprofen for less than 15 days a month. The research for headaches suggests having a regular routine for eating sleeping etc and maybe practising relaxation techniques. Anecdotally a lot of people seem to have neck / posture problems and maybe teeth grinding? I saw something the other day about link between neck probs and migraine but didn't read it fully.
Cherryon · 13/03/2024 23:00
Daily paracetamol will corrode your liver. It is worth detoxing from it and the ibuprofen. Once you are free of them, the amitriptyline will have a chance to work. Amitriptyline can be taken daily without causing over use headaches.
mumof2many1943 · 27/03/2024 17:08
@Greybeardy you are correct paracetamol is not good for the liver if taken long term!
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Cattrovert · 28/03/2024 10:18
My GP told me to take paracetamol 4 times a day forever for my arthritis, said she was happy for me to take that. The alternative is to live in pain.
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