tension headaches

...have made their return. Last couple of weeks have been annoying as hell with them. Not that they're really severe, just nagging and not responsive to the meds I've got. The prescription stuff (generic Fioricet) doesn't work anymore (not that I resort to it that often, but when I have its efficacy has been less and less over time so I quit using it altogether) and generic maximum strength Excedrin stops working mid-dose, which is mightly annoying.

Finally called my doctor about it today after the umpteenth day in a row that I've dealt with some sort of degree of tension headache. She suggested I try one of two drugs I take for my lower back arthritis--either Tramodol (a pain med) or the generic Flexeril (a muscle relaxer). The Tramodol doesn't surprise me too much as it's a pain killer, but I was a wee bit surprised by the Flexeril trick. Turns out tension headaches can be relaxed away by muscle relaxers.

Interestingly enough, upon thinking about it a bit, I did seem to recall that the headaches weren't as bad or break through the Excedrin whenever I also took the Flexeril for my back post-bowling. So after I got off the call with the nurse I took a Flexeril with my Excedrin and my headache pretty much got itself gone most of this afternoon! Yay!

Here's to hopin' I can keep a lid on these damnedable tension headaches now!