Popping painkillers

‘When you start taking painkillers, they work in conjunction with your body’s natural painkilling chemicals,’ says Professor Anne Macgregor. ‘Once you start taking them regularly, the body begins to shut down the chemical production. You then get more headaches, take painkillers, have withdrawal headaches when you don’t take them, and the cycle goes on.’ ‘If you’re taking any over-thecounter painkiller or triptan more than three or four times a week, see a GP,’ says Dr Gerlis. ‘With their support, you’ll be able to stop taking the medication. Headaches worsen initially, but it will lead to you being pain-free within weeks.’