Yesterday I started with a headache that became worse as the day progressed - the only painkillers I had in the house was Ibuprofen.  I made a fatal mistake taking these because I triggered my mast cells to degranulate and made everything ten times worse culminating in a one-sided headache that was horrendous, flu-like feeling with sore throat and full ears (if that makes sense!), breathing problems, central chest pain and pain on inhalation, nausea, racing heart, blood pressure up and down etc. I went to bed at teatime but could not sleep due to the headache and chest pain.  Whilst I feel somewhat better today I still have a mild headache and I feel fragile as if it would not take much to make me 'crash' again.  It has been very humid here recently so I don't know whether this is the cause of this headache?.  One of my triggers is heat.  Being new to all of this, I researched drugs that can cause degranulation and I'm now aware that Ibuprofen is an NSAID medication that can trigger degranulation.  

The learning curve for this illness does loop the loop at times.    Needless to say I won't be trying that drug again - I wouldn't mind but it didn't help to alleviate the headache anyway!   On a good note I am starting Ketotifen on top of my allegra next week so this may help stabilise me hopefully ...  Does anyone know what painkillers are safe to use for headaches?

Have a good day!

TallBird

Hi Tallbird

I think Paracetamol which is the same as Tylenol is fine for us to take.  But when you first try anything new it is best to start with a tiny amount first just to be on the safe side.

Hope that helps.

Anne

Sometimes taking more H1 & H2 blockers helps me when I have aches and pains but you would have to make sure it is ok with your doctor.

Best wishes

Anne

Nalcrom is another med that helps us but having said that I reacted to it on the second day.  Apparantly Dr. Grattan likes his patients to start on Ketotifen first and then add Nalcrom in order to tolerate it.  I am hoping to start taking Ketotifen later this month and if I am ok with it will reintroduce Nalcrom.  Let us know how you get on with it - I am sure you will be fine.

Best wishes
Anne

Some people get some relief from taking Singulair, too.  It's a leukotriene inhibitor.

I find that gentle yoga stretching helps muscle and connective tissue pain.    When I'm in a flare, I ask for a massage that will only relax muscles, no deep tissue work.  If you're too sensitive for that, a private session with an experienced yoga teach can give you some gentle, easy stretches that might help.  I've found help in physical therapy, too.