What To Do About Morning Headaches

jseidl:

I voted no because i have not experienced this symptom. However, I do not have neck involvement. While surgery might be indicated, I wonder if you asked your doctor about PT, if that might be helpful.

rick - moderator

I experience this quite frequently myself, jseidl. I did notice they seemed to stop while I was on Humira, which also did wonders for my AS pain. However, I became allergic to Humira, and now after being off of it for 4-5 months the headaches have returned. I get debilitating migraines as well.

As far as something to help, I'm at a loss myself. It seems that once I get up out of bed and have my coffee they seem to simmer down a bit, unless they are migraines.

I'll be interested to see more responses on this topic!

-Katie

Thanks for the response, Katie! Sorry to hear of your allergy to Humira, especially because it was working for you. I have opted to not go the medication route. It’s a tough one for me as I’m a nutritionist and feel like conditions often can be controlled by healthy diet and lifestyle. Because much of AS is due to inflammation, I have tried very hard to reduce it. Unfortunately, despite my efforts, I have finally succumbed to muscle relaxers and 800mg ibuprofen to control spasms and pain. This helps with my headaches a lot except in a flare which then is not enough to stop the headaches. Like you, usually once I get up and have coffee, the headaches dissipate some but they usually come on about 2am so it makes for a horrible night of sleep! Ugh! Interested to hear how other people respond as well and maybe it’s time I decide on other meds as well.

Hi all,
I’m new to the site and chiming in as I searched on morning headaches w AS. I was diagnosed 13 yrs ago and Humira has helped take off the edge. But for past 3 yrs I wake up w splitting headaches 3 out of 4 nights, generally around 3:00 AM. Advil helps after an hour or so but hate taking so much. I think it’s from neck stiffness? After two cups of coffee it feels better but often exhausted due to poor sleep by of headaches. No answers, just sharing..,
Thanks,
John