i had tried several for the epilepsy after tbi. None agreed with me. nuro tried a new one again. Rang him about 3 days later,just 1 tab a day to tell him making me siick. cant be so soon, keep taking it. Which I did, followed by several calls in next two weeks when he refused to take my calls or return messages left. hubby half carried me to a very good gp we had. Liver couldnt handle it and i was toxic. 49.6, highest recorded in world med books on dilantin, previous was 22, so mine had to replace it in all new books for students to learn, no names. Ended up with hepatitus from it, non contagious type, and damaged liver for life. Dr took great pleasure in informing nuro and never saw him again. Amusing part was he worked in same private hospital hubby was in charge of security and knew who he was as had come to appts with me. if hubby turned into a corridoor and nuro was in same he turned and practically ran other way or if not possible went into a patients room and stood there till hubby passed. So new meds always worry me now and my GP, as he has no idea how they will work on me. They did some special blood test that showed I lack some enzyme that metabalizes some drugs. And none of us knows till it happens. Can be a scary thing trying new meds for all of us.

I gave up on the pill merry go round. i think i have tried them all and some i tried twice. drink as much water as you can stand then drink more. that works as well as any frickkin pill. I have also had success with supplements like focus factor and fish oil. over the counter headache remedies work just as bad as prescription pills in my book. good luck with your headaches, i can relate but i never found any pill that works for me. i tell myself when my headaches get real bad that my brain is working extra HARD to recover. it doesn't help the headaches but it makes me feel good that I am recovering :)

Yeah, I really don't want to do any meds, but they have this protocol so -ehhh- I have to do it in order to be eligible for the next treatment.

So far the side effects are ok, but I've only been on the new med 2 days. I feel like a science experiment.

Are they migraines or post concussion headaches? Mine are post concussion and what works for me is tramadol for pain and soma for relaxing the muscles. Just a thought. I to was a science experiment till I passed out in detox. The sheep stuff I was on nearly shut down either my liver or kidneys. At detox they accused me of either hoarding opiates or asked if I was an alcoholic. I gave them the most vicious look and reminded them that I placed myself there for a reason (in not so many nice words ;-)). Be careful with the "experiments" they are performing.

everything put in you, has an effect on you.

I don't know what you mean by "post concussion headaches." Many people have head pain post-TBI. But the head pain can be very different diagnostically and how it's treated.

Mine is a blood vessel that is trapped in the back of my skull. It swells up. It is called a Vascular Migraine. (Not to be confused with a regular migraine.)

P.S. To Mr. Dillon - I too am a big believer in water, water, water. Fortunately, I had Docs that pushed that. The water helps keep things from getting worse, but the swelling is debilitating so I have to do something medically to get my life back.

I also take an anti-inflamatory called mobic, 7.5mg, on a daily basis. It seems to help. But as you might know, post concussion pain is chronic pain. It is similar to and treated like migraines. I tried many different meds. So far.... less is more. It seems the less I need to take it, the more I can "almost tolerate". There are times I just want to curl up and hide. My first "headache or migraine" after my TBI, I nearly ripped my exes head off when she woke me after what I think was me passing out due to the pain. So yes, I do know the pain. I have beat fingers with hammers and not flinched. Cut my fingers with knives. All doing projects and chores. I will say that the pain threshold has changed. Old pain, before TBI, really isn't that painfull... if that makes sense at all. But be careful with the trials.

Oh yes, LOL, I TOTALLY know what you mean! There is nothing that compares to the excruciating pain.

I never before experienced pain that paralyzed me. Literally. My right side looses feeling and I cannot move.

I'm so sorry you are on this ride...I know you are ready to get off. You know me and what I have tried. I just want to give you support. I hope the ride stops real soon.

The pain before the brain injury can not compare to the pain following. It's strange to me.....I wonder if this pain is more nerve related than anything else. Whatever the reason, pain after brain injury is so much worse.

Good luck Elanie. I hope your ride slows down real soon!!

Oh Lanie- I hope your ride is smooth and something works for you. I KNOW post TBI is worse, I see it in Larry. Pain that he handled before his accident just overwhelms him now. I am in pain a lot with my back but I have so much compassion for those who have post TBI pain.