Headaches---is this a w/d sx?

I just cut 1mg and I've had a nagging headache for the past two day?  Is this a w/d sx or do I need to look for another reason.  I'm not one to be prone to headaches so this is a real concern.  Can I take Tylenol? I'm allergic to all the others so Tylenol is my only option. 

Taz

I experienced headaches and migrane about a month ago, they were terrible! I even on a couple of occasions experienced migrane with aruas, this is when you get visual distortion going on (thought I was getting a stroke or having a seizure) followed by a migrane, the migrane would then last for a couple of days. The upside of this is that i dont have migrane or get headaches anymore. I never suffered with these before my taper, so its just another withdrawl symotom and they will go away. I took paracetomol on occassions when the headache was severe!

Hope you dont have to deal with the headaches for too long, best of luck 

Hello TemazTaz,

I saw your question and put together some information that may be helpful. I am the type of person who seeks to know what is happening and why, it brings comfort to me. I hope it does the same for you.

Headache

“The Accidental Addict” by Di Porritt & Di Russell, 2006

HEAD

“Almost all suffers describe some sort of head symptom: pain, pressure, strange sensations as well as ‘electrical activity’. These symptoms are particularly terrifying because they strike at the core of a person’s control.”

Headache and Pain

“This Pain is not like an ordinary headache. It is often much more severe and lasts longer. Some people report having continuous headaches for weeks, even months. There are blocks of pain which throb, making heads feel heavy, and constant dull aches as well as tight bands of pain. Sometimes there can be a burning sensation deep inside the head. Many people fear that they have developed a serious illness.”

Headache and pain and pressure

“This pain is not like an ordinary headache. It is often much more severe and lasts longer. There are blocks of pain which throb, making heads feel heavy, and constant dull aches as well as tight bands of pain. “

“There was so much pressure in my head I felt I needed a pressure valve to relieve it.” “As if someone had a balloon inside my head and was pumping it up, then letting it down.”

“Benzo-Wise, A Recovery Companion” by Bliss Johns, 2010

Symptoms A to Z

Headaches/Tight band around head: feeling as if an imaginary band around head is constantly being tightened, throbbing pain in head, migraine-like headaches, pain in temples

"The Ashton Manual" by Heather Ashton, 2002

BENZODIAZEPINE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS:

INDIVIDUAL SYMPTOMS, THEIR CAUSES AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM

Muscle symptoms. “Benzodiazepines are efficient muscle relaxants and are used clinically for spastic condition. It is therefore not surprising that their discontinuation after long – term use is associated with a rebound increase in muscle tension. This rebound accounts for many of the symptoms observed in benzodiazepine withdrawal. Muscle stiffness affecting the limbs, back, neck and jaw are commonly reported, and the constant muscle tension probably accounts for the muscle pains with have a similar distribution. Headaches are usually of the “tension headache” type, due to contraction of muscles at the back of the neck, scalp and forehead – often described as a “tight band around the head”. “

“None of these symptoms is harmful, and they need not be a cause of worry once they are understood.”

“There are many measures that will alleviate these symptoms, such as muscle stretching exercises as taught in most gyms, moderate exercise, hot baths, massage and general relaxation exercises. Such measures may give only temporary relief at first, but if practiced regularly can speed the recovery of normal muscle tone – which will eventually occur spontaneously.”

What can I do?

"The Ashton Manual" by Heather Ashton, 2002

“There are many measures that will alleviate these symptoms, such as muscle stretching exercises as taught in most gyms, moderate exercise, hot baths, massage and general relaxation exercises. Such measures may give only temporary relief at first, but if practiced regularly can speed the recovery of normal muscle tone – which will eventually occur spontaneously.”

“The Ashton Manual” by Professor C. Heather Ashton, 2002

Other drugs:

"There is no need to avoid ordinary pain killers such as Tylenol, Feldene etc. for everyday aches.

I hope this is helpful,

Summer

Thanks for all the info.  Mine seem to move from side to side.  I have a history of migraines but this is not a migraine.  Tylenol didn't seem to help a bit, either. 

Taz

Thanks for all the info.  Mine seem to move from side to side.  I have a history of migraines but this is not a migraine.  Tylenol didn't seem to help a bit, either. 

 

Taz

I don't normally ever get headaches, but these withdrawals have brought them out from time to time, probably due to neck and head muscle rebound from the relaxant effects of benzodiazepines. I noticed they are hard to get rid of with Tylenol or NSAIDS, kind of like a caffeine headache, you can't hardly kill it.

TemazTaz

I get these too. I do not take Tylenol either. I do what Ashton recommends here. I see a physical therapist that is working with me on how to manage the muscle tension, spasms, cramping etc. that comes with getting free from a benzo. I do these things several times per week and sometimes several times per day. I use heating pads on my body to relax. I use a Foot Spa to relax, I use relaxation CD's, and distract myself as much as I can with calming type things.

What can I do?

"The Ashton Manual" by Heather Ashton, 2002

“There are many measures that will alleviate these symptoms, such as muscle stretching exercises as taught in most gyms, moderate exercise, hot baths, massage and general relaxation exercises. Such measures may give only temporary relief at first, but if practiced regularly can speed the recovery of normal muscle tone – which will eventually occur spontaneously.”

I hope this is helpful,

Summer

Wow....summermeadow....many thanks, your're a wealth of information!!! If it's OK, I might need to call on you, again. The people on this board have been so helpful...I am truly grateful. 

Taz

Hello TemazTaz,

You're welcome. I am happy to hear the information was helpful. I am more than happy to help where I can. It is nice to know there are things we can do to help ourselves through this process. It takes time, patience, and reassurance. That is where the research helps me. It is so reassuring to know what I am experiencing is well documented and it helps me to relax about it.

Love to you,

Summer