Hemicrania Continua: Is Melatonin an Alternative to Indomethacin?
If you’ve never heard of hemicrania continua, you’re already lost. If you have hemicrania continua, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Briefly, for the fortunate ones who don’t have this condition, hemicrania continua is a constant one-sided headache which is often accompanied by watery eyes and congestion. It’s often misdiagnosed as migraine or sinus headache. For more quick info, see Hemicrania Continua Facts.
There are some unique things about this condition. For example, the headache is always one-sided. And although it may wax and wane, the headache is always there.
But for our purposes, the important thing is that it it treated with indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (similar to ibuprofen). And this treatment always works. Well, mostly.
Although hemicrania continua always responds to indomethacin, dosages may vary and its effectiveness may change over time.
But there’s a worse problem – side effects. Stomach problems, ringing in the ears – and even more headaches, to name a few of the more common issues.
So although patients are encouraged to periodically try to lower the dosage (once they’re stabalized), the possibility of new treatments is very attractive.
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Melatonin is one of the main alternative treatments for hemicrania continua. There are few other treatments, and even melatonin has been studied very little. This is mainly because this is such a rare disorder.
However, more and more patients are trying melatonin as a safer alternative to indomethacin. Some patients start taking melatonin and are able to phase out indomethacin use. The melatonin may be taken during the day (it’s usually taken before bed as a sleeping aid).
Researchers at the University College London Medical School are encouraging doctors to take this treatment more seriously, after describing the case of another patient who found relief with melatonin.
Melatonin
23 November 2014 @ 9:52 pm
I’m very interested in this as an alternative. My wife is currently taking indomethacin for a diagnosis of hemicrania continua, but its seems to only be moderating the pain – she’s not experienced the relief that it sounds like most people achieve. Sometimes it appears that she’s not getting relief at all.
21 August 2015 @ 8:57 am
I suffered a lot from HC, used indomethacin for years successfully.
Suddenly it didn’t work anymore. I came to melatonin by studying internet. From the first (even low ) dose it was successfull!
At the end I need 3 mg daily as a tablet or 1 mg as melting in the mouth tablet. The latter is best because of the better bio availability.
I am free of HC for years now, with only melatonin.
Greet, John (the Netherlands)
24 September 2015 @ 4:44 pm
John from Netherlands
I am so glad for you. I have been given Melatonin today….. Hope I get some relief like you.
25 September 2015 @ 1:23 pm
Dear Gillian,
Thanks for your nice reply. I really hope it works for you as well.
It may be interested to add that the chemical structures of Indomethacin and Melatonin have a lot in common. This might explain why these substances are both of interest for HC patients.
Greet, John
11 July 2016 @ 9:19 am
Hi
I have HC had it for 5 years (since diagnosis) i was taking indomethacin which was a instant relief from the head aches but about 3 years ago i was diagnosed as being type 2 diabetic and was taken of indomethacin immediately by my GP. I was then put on co-dydromol which sometimes i can take up to 10 a day, problem with co-dydramol is it only deals with the pain once tablets have been taken i.e. upto 30 mins to work, with indomethacin i didn’t have a headache for 2 years ( what a relief). I do suffer during the night with waking up with head aches also sometimes the pain gets so intense i vomit there is not a day goes by without pain, i have just come across this web site and seen this other medication I’m going to book a appointment with my GP to see if i can safely take this being diabetic and will keep this web site posted with the out come.
26 May 2017 @ 1:07 pm
Hi I have had HC now for almost two years, i was on indomethacin, was told could not take for long time cause it might cause stomach problems , I took it for two months , doctor wanted to increase dosage
I said no. been trying other meds they have given me ,Zero.
But a aspirin will take care of it for a while, But they too much aspirin is not good either.
I did try melanotin once did not think it was helping. I am going to try again , they had me take at bedtime , think I’ll take in morning
by the way indomethacin did work. thanks for listening.
21 June 2018 @ 3:31 am
Hi I’m taking naproxen 250 mg for hemacranial for a month now still have the burning sensation on left side of head , does the melatonin interfere with blood pressure medication
23 October 2021 @ 6:44 pm
I was not diagnosed by 2 neurologists and then my wife after 27 months, investigated 24\7 migraine and I told Dr. to prescribe Indomethacin and 26 months later, after one dose the headache diminished and then first time without pain that often became excruciating.