The focus of this chapter is on minimizing dependency on nonessential headache medications. It is not intended to dissuade you from taking drugs prescribed by your doctor, or drugs which may be essential to your health.
With this caveat in mind, the first step in freeing yourself from headaches is to take a cue from the headache clinics. Their prime concern is to get patients off painkillers as quickly as possible, and then off any other drugs.
If you are taking a prescription drug, or an OTC drug on your doctor’s recommendation, or are under medical treatment for any reason at all, you must seek your doctor’s approval and cooperation before reducing the dosage, and phasing out, any drug. Drugs prescribed for dysfunctions such as hypertension or heart disease may also precipitate chronic headaches. Your doctor may consider such drugs to be essential.
Even if your doctor does agree to phase out a drug, you may have to do it under medical supervision because you may already be addicted to the drug.
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