Anyone figured out how to stop rebound headaches without dying in pain

What did your doctor have to say about this?

Stop taking excedrin tension headache pills.

Have you seen a Neurologist? It sounds like you are having migraines. I’ve been suffering with them my whole life, with them getting to be constantly there all day long and waking with them in the morning - for 6 months straight, following a car accident. My Neurologist ( the third one I consulted with), diagnosed intractable migraines and started me on Botox injections to my neck and upper back. The relief was almost immediate, and I’ve been getting Botox every three months since 2001. I’m not saying this is what you are dealing with, but it would be something I would recommend you investigate the possibility. If you already have, please accept my apologies.

This is a tough one having been there myself many times. My culprit was just about daily Tylenol for migraines (usually in the afternoons) as my CGRP was no longer working. I can't take the triptans b/c of heart disease.
I can fully sympathize with you, the head pain is truly awful. It's a feeling you might have a stroke.
My go-to? Sounds simple but ice caps...as soon the pain starts I put on one of many ice caps that I have.
And I wear it to bed sometimes. Even frozen eye patches if necessary. And a hot neck wrap to relax my tight neck. I wear it for several hours.
So I keep changing my ice caps, one out of the freezer and then put one back...surprisingly I do get head pain relief and don't take the Tylenol. In a few days, your cycle should break. Hopefully. Also, ever think about preventative pain management? I found one of the CGRP monthly self injections to be helpful for quite awhile.
I am afraid of Botox, had it done once and a nerve was hit in my neck. I saw stars!
All the best to you! I know of what you speak!

@briarrose thank you very much for your response. I’ll definitely try the ice caps and neck warmer. What is CGRP? I do take sumatriptan but I’m told not to take it but 2-3 x a week. It does help but has other side effects.
Thank you again!!!

@mbixler yes I asked my neurologist about Botox and she was not too big on the idea. She wants me to try Quilipta a pill but I read the side effects and don’t want to go there but may have to.
Thank you for your response.!!

As I sit here with an ice pack, I second that recommendation. I usually can calm the headache without reaching for the Tylenol. I have 3 little packs I rotate through the freezer and even when the worst pain is in my temple I put the ice on the back of my head where the pain begins.

@oranges3
CGRPs is the drug classification (calcitonin gene-related peptide) of the newer migraine medications on the market that are not triptans. Used to help prevent and treat migraines by blocking the proteins that trigger nerve inflammation and pain. There are also Gepants like Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT for those who can not tolerate the triptans.
Yes, usually the triptans are prescribed for 8 days per month. Might be an insurance issue or to prevent rebound headaches. If you are tolerating your triptan well, stick to it. Those drugs are the gold standard to treat migraine. CGRPs given to those - who for some reason - should not take a triptan such as a heart or stroke patient. There are a number of CGRPs, speak to your neurologist if interested. Also be forewarned...the CGRPs can cause some awful constipation. When I was on them that was the only side effect for me but it was a doozy.
There are side effects with every drug obviously - hopefully as the body adjusts, side effects will subside.
Good luck! Most folks think a migraine is simply a headache.
It is not. It is a neurological disorder.

When my headaches progressed to migraines I was taking ibuprofen or Excedrin pretty regularly. Finally went to neurologist in my 50s where I learned about rebound headaches. It was hard to wean but it really works. I had to grade my headaches on the pain scale "1 - 10", anything over "5" level I took something OTC. I also found a essential oil recipe for headaches that really works. I put it along my hairline at base of neck , if frontal headache I put along hairline in front, sometimes both. I made roller vials of this recipe for coworkers who get migraines, they were surprised it works. It takes about 45-60 min to work, but its worth it to get out of the cycle of rebound headaches. It only took a month to reduce my headaches. I continue to grade my headaches, and I only take OTC meds about 5-6 times per month for headaches. I had a "thunderclap" headache in March which was very frightening, I had 4 different brain scans to look for aneurysm, there was none but I had daily headaches for 6 weeks. Saw neurology finally, thats where I found out the CT scan and open sided MRI were pointless, MRI angiogram is needed to see smaller aneurysms, then there was a question of possible one so had CT angiogram. I live in rural area so thats why CT scan ordered, its what was available right away. The neurologist wants me to take OTC meds no more than 9 times/month.
Whats interesting is I have a lot of arthritis pain for which I take ibuprofen, and thats ok because the brain knows that med is not for headache but for other pain.
Essential oil recipe for 10 ml glass roller vial:
5 drops Peppermint
5 drops Lemon
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Frankincense. fill rest of vial with coconut oil.
Good luck!

ALSO- VERY IMPORTANT - Neurologist had me start taking vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 400 mg every day, hard to find. Its amazing how that works. He also ordered Magnesium citrate or glycinate 400 mg/day. If you have kidney issues do NOT start Magnesium until you talk to primary doctor.