When Excedrin Becomes a Crutch: One Parent’s Migraine Dilemma
This post is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for any medical concerns.
When Your Headache Medicine Becomes a Daily Habit
A Reddit user recently shared an honest and deeply relatable post about their ongoing struggle with migraines — and their dependency on Excedrin to get through the day. The post struck a nerve with many readers, especially those familiar with chronic pain or parenting through it.
Here’s the situation in a nutshell:
This user starts every single day with Excedrin. It’s not just habit — it’s necessity. Without it, they describe waking up to a crushing head pain, blurry vision, and debilitating fatigue. With three small children depending on them, staying in bed or toughing it out simply isn’t an option. Excedrin, for better or worse, is what gets them vertical.
But here’s the catch — they know it’s not sustainable. They’re aware that daily use of Excedrin (which combines acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine) can have serious long-term effects, including the potential for medication overuse headaches, liver or kidney strain, and caffeine dependence. The user even admits they’ve probably crossed that threshold already, but feel stuck in a cycle with no clear way out.
The Community Weighs In
Responses poured in, and while the thread was full of compassion, it also reflected how tricky this situation really is. Here are some of the most common themes:
"See a neurologist." This was echoed throughout the thread. Several commenters emphasized that a headache or migraine specialist can help tailor a treatment plan — including both preventative medications (to reduce frequency) and rescue medications (to treat acute pain without daily use).
Caffeine dependency is real. Multiple users pointed out that the caffeine in Excedrin might be pulling more weight than the pain relievers. One user suggested switching to plain caffeine (like coffee or tea) and tapering slowly to break the cycle more gently.
Be cautious with acetaminophen and aspirin. Others flagged the risks of daily use of these ingredients — particularly the strain on liver and kidney function. They recommended getting lab work done to rule out any long-term harm if this has been going on for years.
Emotional and behavioral patterns matter too. There was also a side discussion about whether over-the-counter medications can be habit-forming in an emotional or psychological sense. While most agreed that Excedrin itself isn’t addictive in a traditional narcotic sense, the relief it provides can definitely become something people rely on to manage more than just physical pain — especially if other support systems are lacking.
Breaking the Cycle is Hard — but Possible
If there’s one thing this Reddit thread makes clear, it’s that many people have been in similar shoes. Migraines are complex and exhausting. Parenting while managing chronic pain is a feat that deserves empathy, not judgment. That said, no one should feel like their only option is self-managing with a drug that’s slowly becoming its own source of pain. Seeing a neurologist — especially one who specializes in headaches — seems to be the most consistent and hopeful recommendation from those who’ve been there.
There’s no shame in doing whatever it takes to survive your day. But if survival starts to rely on a pill that was never meant to be taken daily, it might be time to reassess. You’re not alone. Help exists — from professionals, from peers, and from a medical system that, ideally, should help you live with migraines, not just medicate them away.
Again, this post is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you or someone you know is stuck in a cycle like this, talk to a doctor.
Have your own story with Excedrin, migraines, or chronic pain? Drop a comment below. Let’s make this a place for shared strength, not shame.