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Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A April 21, 2008
Q. I had headaches for over 30 years--migraine, tension, cluster, you name it! The Group Health Pain Clinic told me to take mega doses of vitamin B2, and no painkillers.
I learned I had been causing my own headaches because of a rebound effect from the pain relievers. My headaches stopped in less than 30 days and I have been headache-free for more than a decade.
The vitamin costs me $7 for 100 tablets. I found a study online that talks about this use of riboflavin (B2). Multivitamins won’t work because you would get far too much of the other ingredients for 200 mgs of B2.
A. Many other people have been caught in the vicious cycle of taking medicine that causes headaches as it wears off, for which they take more medicine. Both prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers can cause this painful reaction, but the use of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) does not seem to cause this kind of rebound. In a recent review, neurologists discussed migraine prevention and concluded: “Patients can choose between evidence-based nutraceuticals such as riboflavin, feverfew, butterbur, or coenzyme Q10, or more traditional pharmacotherapeutics [drugs]” (Current Treatment Options in Neurology, Jan. 2008).
Tags: headache, headache prevention, migraine, rebound headache, riboflavin, vitamin B2
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
I got stuck in the rebound migraine cycle after a year of taking tylenol and aspirin more than three times a week for my chronic migraines. I had stopped taking the prophylaxis pharmaceuticals in an attempt to get pregnant and my Neurologist prescribed me high doses of Riboflavin as a prophylaxis.
It has worked amazingly well for me but I have had to add standard medication to it as well. I would definitely recommend this treatment to anyone who is experiencing migraines or tension headaches.
Posted by: JLS | April 21, 2008 5:34 PM
Magnesium 400-500mg is what helps me kick out of the headache (tension/migraine/re-bound) cycle. FYI--It does have a laxative effect. I still have to limit sugars, stress and get enough sleep.
Posted by: BB | April 25, 2008 7:13 PM
I had severe migraines until about 1982 when a neurologist told me that a new (then) beta blocker blood pressure medication, propranalol, had been reported as being effective in the prevention of migraines. He prescribed it for me, and I haven't had a migraine headache since then. Not one! Inderal is the brand name I first used, but I take generic propranolol now.
Posted by: DER | April 25, 2008 10:40 PM
I had histamine headaches for years, and used Imitrex with good success. But in 2006, after a history of TIA, the Imitrex was withdrawn. I began having headaches 3-4 times a week and nothing helped.
I read in a book that bananas can be a trigger. I had increased my banana intake because of a low KCL, I stopped the bananas and have not had a histamine headache since!
Posted by: LCP | April 27, 2008 8:09 PM
I'd be interested in reading about the riboflavin study that the person who made the initial question states in her comment. Any chance the moderators know who she is and could contact her for me OR is it possible she will read this and reply?
Posted by: athosjoe | April 28, 2008 2:57 PM
I searched the web for The Group Health Pain Clinic, but did not find anything. How can I find out more about their recommendation for taking B-2 for headaches? I'd like to know their procedure for getting off the painkillers.
Posted by: NJR | May 5, 2008 5:35 PM