Hi,

I suffer from tremendous headaches on the morning after I've been
drinking (Alcohol). I have carried out some research on this myself,
such is the consistent extremity of my affliction. I have been told to
drink water in between pints (of beer), Drink water after the pub (2
pints of), sip beer, don't gulp and to drink juices etc...

I seem to be immune to painkillers on the morning after and  I've
tried virtually every other remedy, including re-hydration salts. I
suppose I'd better get to my question. What I want to know is; Why do
I get these headaches when others who drink more alcohol and less
water than me, don't get them. What is it about me and the thousands
of other sufferers that makes us so prone to these throbbing psychotic
headaches?? Also is there anything that I can do in my day to day life
that will, change this?

Finally, I recently read a Q&A on Google Answers which dealt with "How
much water is too much water?" Well I drink a lot of water and the
question's answer stated that as a general rule :"Don't exceed 100
ounces" I am from Ireland so I don't really deal with ounces but I
think that is about 2.8litres. I drink way more than that. I'm on
about 4litres a day, minimum. Should I cut down? I am 6' 2" and 16
stone in weight (225 pounds), if that is relevant. Thanks a lot in
advance.

Regards,
Declan Treanor

Those throbbing psychotic headaches sound like migraines to me, not
hangovers.  Migraines can be triggered by any number of things,
including alcohol, as I am all too painfully aware.  Did "virtually
every other remedy" include any of the newer meds specifically for
migraine?  In the US we have Imitrex and the like (by prescription),
but there must be some equivalent available in Ireland.  It might be
worth a visit to your doctor.

Could you have an allergy or intolerance to alcohol? (or a certain
type of alcohol) This is a serious suggestion.

By the way, do you get it with all alcohol? Like white wine or vodka
for example, as the clearer a drink is, the less toxins it is supposed
to have in it which means less hangover symptoms.

Also, I don't mean to be funny and state the obvious..but if it is
causing you so much bother wouldn't it be wise to just give it up? I
second going to your doctor.

Thanks for your helpful comments. I get it every time I drink. Mind
you, I usually drink beer when I drink. Migraines eh? I never thought
of that. I guess a visit to my GP couldn't hurt. To see doctor in
Ireland, costs about 40euro, I'm just afraid that he'll tell me to
drink more water. bla bla bla. Stuff I already know. Would a dietition
be a better option?

I suffer from migraines, and I get hangover headaches.  Matter of fact
I woke up with one this morning.  (Had a couple of drinks last night.)
 And I can tell you that Imitrex has been a lifesaver!  I woke up at
6:30am today with a headache, took the imitrex, and by 7:30am the
headache was gone.  I don't advocate using imitrex on a daily basis
(it's expensive!) but it is an amazing little product.  This is not
the first time I've had these results with imitrex.  99.9% of the time
it works!

I have suffered from severe headaches all my life (some of them
migraines) and I have had a few doosies after drinking - regardless of
the type of alcohol.  Over the years I have come to recognize that my
headaches are triggered mostly by what I eat.

My theory on headaches after drinking:  Carbohydrate overload!  

It all depends on what and when you have eaten that day.  If your diet
consisted largely of carbohydrates/sugars, and your last meal was
lunch, you will most certainly get a headache after drinking that
evening.  You must eat a balanced meal of protein and COMPLEX carbs
within 2-3 hours of consuming alcohol.  Some of my worst headaches
have come after eating pizza, pasta, potatoes, etc. - all of which are
empty carbs - high in sugars.  And what is alcohol broken down to? 
Sugar.  You must mix a balanced amount of meat in there(pepperoni on
the pizza doesn't count!) and carbs that are more complex.

As for the meds - Imitrex is serious stuff.  It makes me like a
zombie.  Take 2 REAL aspirin (no tylenol or ibuprofin) before you go
to bed or in the middle of the night.  When that doesn't work, I take
Fiorinal - must cheaper and less deadly.

Hope this helps!  Let me know!

JJ in Boston, MA