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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Excedrin Migraine...
(Message started by: precipitate on Apr 4th, 2008, 12:32am)

Title: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by precipitate on Apr 4th, 2008, 12:32am
Hey Guys,

I'm still pretty new to this website and I haven't visited the Medications board yet, so I just wanted to give some input on what helps abort my CH's and see if it works for anyone else...

In the past 2.5 years I've had CH I seem to have tremendous luck with Excedrin Extra Strength Migraine. If I take it immediately, and i mean IMMEDIATELY upon the first signs of an attack, there's a great chance it will resolve it. Now, I've noticed this only seems to work with the "Migraine" formula, while other kinds of Excedrin don't work as well.

Has anyone else ever given Excedrin a go? My neuro's eyes got pretty big when I told him it works for me, saying "Wow....you're lucky".

Take care,

Steven

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by CostaRicaKris on Apr 4th, 2008, 1:38am
It has caffeine in it. I guess it's similar to drinking coffee, but I would think it would take longer to work.

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by DragonSlayer on Apr 4th, 2008, 1:40am

Excedrin ES Migraine has 65mg caffeine.  If you take two tabs that would be about the same caffeine as a strong cup of coffee or two.
Excedrin ES Migraine also has 250mg each of Acetaminophen and Aspirin which have little effect on CH although some report relief from a shadow.  Again I use strong coffee or an energy drink with good results.
over use of Acetaminophen and Aspirin may cause tinnitus (annoying ringing in your ears) stomach problems along with other unpleasant side effects.

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by mezza on Apr 4th, 2008, 2:59am
Yes i took it sometimes before i was on the right meds.  But when the ha ramped up it didn't abort.  Strong shadows will be killed for me with strong coffee or red bull.  So i guess exedrin might do the same but definitely not an abortive for me.  

I don't even bother with it now-  i use verapamil , frova as my triptan , and strong coffee for any lingering shadows.  Also O2 as an abortive

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by DennisM1045 on Apr 4th, 2008, 7:38am
I have some luck fight shadows with it but never a real CH attack.  They just ramp up too fast.

O2 is the way to go for me.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by Sandy_C on Apr 4th, 2008, 4:41pm
I used Excedrin Extra Strength before I figured out how to work with and treat my CH.  I would take three tablets at the first hint of a hit.  It help with low level hits somewhat, but never touched the big ones.  

Plus, if you are getting hit 4 or 5 times a day/night and keep taking Excedrin, there is a strong possibility that it will actually cause rebound headaches.  It did with me.  

After some great advice from the folks here, I stopped the Excedrin, and found oxygen to abort hits.

Sandy

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by Whipsmart on Apr 6th, 2008, 6:44pm

on 04/04/08 at 16:41:28, Sandy_C wrote:
I used Excedrin Extra Strength before I figured out how to work with and treat my CH.  I would take three tablets at the first hint of a hit.  It help with low level hits somewhat, but never touched the big ones.  

Plus, if you are getting hit 4 or 5 times a day/night and keep taking Excedrin, there is a strong possibility that it will actually cause rebound headaches.  It did with me.  

After some great advice from the folks here, I stopped the Excedrin, and found oxygen to abort hits.

Sandy

Same with me.  Before I knew what I had, I thought the Excedrin was doing what it needed to do.  When I got the really bad ones, I thought I just wasn't taking it early enough.  Then I'd end up in a hot shower or with a bag of ice on my head praying for it to end.  Of course it didn't help the night time ones for me either.  I'd take something and I just thought it was taking too long for the medicine to take effect.  It was just the cluster ending.  

I was going through them like Skittles until I got the right doctor.  While it will take care of the shadows, it will make rebound headaches occur more frequently.  It also won't touch the major ones or prevent you at all.

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 10th, 2008, 10:00am
Excedrin ES and E-Migrain have the "exact" same ingredients in them (yeah I checked) but the ES is cheaper....  and yes, I use it "occasionally" but it WILL cause rebounds if used too often.

It's good if you're out somewhere and can't get to a can of Red Bull or a cup of coffee in a hurry. BUT be careful not to take it too often. (that's "experience" talking).

In fact- be careful of any "pain" killers -- they tend to cause headaches in CHers.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by vze2n4nj on Apr 14th, 2008, 3:55pm
My doctor prescribed Esgic Plus for me, which contains Butalbital 500mg, Acetaminophen 40mg, and Caffeine 50mg (supposed to take 2 at a time). I only just started taking it, and it appears to be working as long as I take it at the VERY beginning of the onset. I hadn't heard of this combination, and after some research I found that it is prescribed for tension and migraine headaches. My bout is still in its progression, so I do not know how it will work when the pain peaks. I do not like imitrex because of what it does to my chest and my overall feeling. The Esgic Plus has no side effects at all.

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by syrs842 on Apr 19th, 2008, 8:47pm
Hey People,
You don't know how much I appreciate all the advise I have gotten from you all. Now is my time to return the favor.

I have taken a lot of Excedrin Migraine and I am here to tell you it's not all that good for you. I have taken SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many that my stomach is about to come out my chest. I have sworn off of them. When you in that much pain your willing to take what ever and I was taking up to four at a time. No more though I have gone cold turkey.

I have a question though for everyone. Have you ever heard of or used Sinol. I used it for a period of time and now it doesn't work anymore

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by brewcrew on Apr 19th, 2008, 9:02pm
My father-in-law was taking 20 regular aspirin per day a couple of years before he died. He ended up in the ER with blood coming out both ends.

So much for the philosophy, "If 1 is good, several must be better."

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by zapparulz on Apr 20th, 2008, 2:07pm

on 04/04/08 at 16:41:28, Sandy_C wrote:
I used Excedrin Extra Strength before I figured out how to work with and treat my CH.  I would take three tablets at the first hint of a hit.  It help with low level hits somewhat, but never touched the big ones.  

Plus, if you are getting hit 4 or 5 times a day/night and keep taking Excedrin, there is a strong possibility that it will actually cause rebound headaches.  It did with me.  

After some great advice from the folks here, I stopped the Excedrin, and found oxygen to abort hits.

Sandy



i agree- in my early days with the headaches,even tylenol would work at the very beginning of my cylcle,if i took them at the exact right time- but as you said,once they get bad,no asperin or exedrin will work -

it does seem that different things work for different people-

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by Giovanni on Apr 26th, 2008, 4:45pm
When I travel, I use it a lot and then have to withdraw when returning to home and the O2.  The stuff is good, but overuse can definitely cause rebounds.  I personally am trying to stay as much off of zomig, et als as much as possible which leads me to the Excedrin Migraine/red bull.

John

Title: Re: Excedrin Migraine...
Post by thebbz on Apr 27th, 2008, 1:18pm
Hope your luck holds. Wished it worked on mine.
all the best with the stomach
thebb



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