Headaches

[sophia jane]

I know we've talked about this before but I'm not up to doing a search. I sometimes go through bad spells with headaches and I'm in one now, so I could really use some suggestions for getting rid of them, or at least easing the pain. I'm not certain if they're tension headaches or migraines, but either way they tend to be a daily occurence and sometimes it'll go on for several weeks, and then I won't have any at all for a month or two till it happens again. Pain relievers don't really help anymore, and as I have no health insurance, going to the doctor is unlikely. Any tips or natural remedies or suggestions?

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I have no remedies but, it sounds like you might be suffering from either Cluster Headaches or possible high blood pressure.

My wife was finally diagnosed with high blood pressure and started on a beta blocker. She hasn't had a headache since. She had been diagnosed with Cluster Headaches in the past and prescribed all kinds of meds that didn't do any good at all.

We finally started to track her blood presure and when it went up she got headaches, when it went back down the headaches went away.

 

[Misty_Morning]

Caffiene tends to help mine. But if I have too much my TMJ will act up.

If you can get to a doctor, tell him/her that you're strapped for cash and you would like enough samples of medicines to get past this. If they do not offer them to you...demand them. The pharmaceutical reps give the docs the samples for the patients, but the fucking docs tend to hoard them for themselves and their frinds. Docs are such pricks. (No...I'm not bitter )

 

[neonlyte]

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. If you are a coffee drinker, drink a glass of water for each cup of coffee to counteract the dehydration effect.

 

[sophia jane]

I have no remedies but, it sounds like you might be suffering from either Cluster Headaches or possible high blood pressure.

My wife was finally diagnosed with high blood pressure and started on a beta blocker. She hasn't had a headache since. She had been diagnosed with Cluster Headaches in the past and prescribed all kinds of meds that didn't do any good at all.

We finally started to track her blood presure and when it went up she got headaches, when it went back down the headaches went away.

I actually tend toward low blood pressure, so I know that's not it.
I drink coffee in the morning and all the rest of the day, it's just water, so I know it's not dehydration or too much caffeine. This time what it feels like is a tension headache, but I just can't shake it and I'm on day four. Makes me kinda crabby.

 

[angelicminx]

I have the same problem, SJ. Sometimes I actually see spots and colors dancing in front of my eyes. I've lost vision in my right eye a few times, which was terrifying, and in my left eye once.

My longest headache lasted 28 days with no relief. I went to the doctor who ran an MRI and did a spinal tap (MAJOR ouch). They didn't find anything conclusive so they sent me to a neurologist who ran a CAT scan and found nothing. One morning I woke up and the pain was gone.

For some of my headaches, a dose of Aleve at the very beginning at least keeps the pain under control. When that doesn't work I take a pain reliever designed specifically for migraines. When even that doesn't work, the only thing I CAN do is turn off all the lights, lay down, put something over my eyes to block out even the faintest sliver of light and relax my body through self-hypnosis. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

I did find that taking a hot bath or shower makes the headache worse. Eating makes me sick. I drink lots of iced tea, avoid the computer (which makes it worse), avoid conversation and pray. Occasionally a head massage with alleviate some of the pain, but not often.

Oh, and prescription pain relievers tend to make my mind and heart race at 100mph, which makes the headache much worse in the morning.


**On a side note, I believe my daughter is a healer. Since she was about 18 months old she's been able to eliminate one of my headaches by simply laying her palm on my forehead. It has worked on other people as well.

 

[MagicaPractica]

The things that help me most are lots of water, lying down for a 20 minute rest with a rice pillow, and yoga.

The rice pillow is simply a square of pillow material sewed into a bag, filled with rice and sewed shut. I made a cover for it using a nice soft wash cloth folded over and sewed on one end and the long side. I microwave it for a minute or so then lie down with it either under the base of my head or over my forehead.

The stretching and deep breathing of yoga have also really helped to take the edge off a headache for me. Possibly because I tend to hold my breath or breath shallowly when I am stressed.

I also find avoiding sugar over all helps moderate these things. Hope some of that is useful to you.

 

[pop_54]

I know we've talked about this before but I'm not up to doing a search. I sometimes go through bad spells with headaches and I'm in one now, so I could really use some suggestions for getting rid of them, or at least easing the pain. I'm not certain if they're tension headaches or migraines, but either way they tend to be a daily occurence and sometimes it'll go on for several weeks, and then I won't have any at all for a month or two till it happens again. Pain relievers don't really help anymore, and as I have no health insurance, going to the doctor is unlikely. Any tips or natural remedies or suggestions?

It could be diet... my father-in-law suffers bad headaches, almost migraine proportions, if he eats too much dairy produce... As neon said though, make sure your pure water intake is up to scratch... Coffee can dehydrate you, caffeine can give nervous tensions in some people, while relieving them in others... The obvious one however is eyesight !... are your eyes in good nick, do you wear glasses ? if so are they recently prescribed... Eye strain can cause headaches that come and go dependant on your activities.

 

[starrkers]

If it's tension, this may help a bit. (I just gotta figure out how to describe it accurately).
Put your hands onto the back of your neck and pinch up the skin. Then nod gently several times and shake your head "no" style gently several times. It can relax the neck muscles ( a one-man mini massage).

 

[Liar]

I know we've talked about this before but I'm not up to doing a search. I sometimes go through bad spells with headaches and I'm in one now, so I could really use some suggestions for getting rid of them, or at least easing the pain. I'm not certain if they're tension headaches or migraines, but either way they tend to be a daily occurence and sometimes it'll go on for several weeks, and then I won't have any at all for a month or two till it happens again. Pain relievers don't really help anymore, and as I have no health insurance, going to the doctor is unlikely. Any tips or natural remedies or suggestions?

From what you describe, I have the exact same thing. For me, the cause is my teeth. Two that doesn't really fit right after a correction with braces as a kid. It's a deceptively small glitch, but it's causing cyclic jaw tension that can be a killer at times. There's nothing really to do to cure it for me short of surgery, my dentist says. So what I do when it happens is make sure there's nothing else that could add to it.

I'm always a little bit caffeinated, always on a little sugar high, and never dehydrated from forgetting to drink, never read in bad light, or stay up when I feel sleepy. Over the counter painkillers doesn't really help me much, but with that, the headache periods are bearable.

 

[Whisky7up]

I use a pack of frozen veggies...sprouts work best as they inevitably thaw and they'll refreeze better than peas which will go into a solid lump. Obviously an ice pack is okay but the ice melts and you have a bag of water. I used to keep a bag of frozen sprouts in the freezer solely for this.

As the veg stays more or less solid but still cold they can remain in contact with the painful part no matter what position you lay down in. At the very least it numbs the pain and allows sleep.

I have read much advice about widening the difference in temperature between head and body. This is obviously how it works...at least for me.

In extreme pain, I immerse my body to my neck in a hot bath with the frozen veggies resting on my head. That widens the temperature difference even more.

I don't use a towel to wrap the veggies...that takes away the chilling effect. If I have a slightly red mark it's a small price to pay for the relief and it quickly disappears anyway.

A towel does come in handy between hand and veggies if you need to hold it in place.

Cue laughter at the sight of a bag of veggies on your head. But it works for me.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Cue laughter at the sight of a bag of veggies on your head. But it works for me.

They do have ice packs that don't completely freeze that do the same thing

I have two.

But I get migraines. SJ, are they just on one side of your head or both? I know it's a migraine if it's just on one side of my head... I also get numbness on that side and a horrible kind of irritability beforehand. Then I become sensitive to light and sound. That's also a sign of migraines.

 

[slyc_willie]

**On a side note, I believe my daughter is a healer. Since she was about 18 months old she's been able to eliminate one of my headaches by simply laying her palm on my forehead. It has worked on other people as well.

That could just be love, Minx That's the best healing force in the world.

 

[Seattle Zack]

If you're experiencing visual symptoms (colored auras, sensitivity to light) then it's likely a migraine condition. Doctors won't do much for that except painkillers (which do no good) or capillary expansion drugs (like Midrin) which have nasty side effects.

Smoke some dope. It's the best migraine medicine in the world. Not only does it reduce the vision effects, it also counteracts the nausea, and helps you eat.

I'll tell you, I suffered through severe migraines throughout my twenties and into my early thirties, and smoking weed just before an attack was the best remedy I had.

--Zack

 

[Vermilion]

Putting a few drops of lavender into a spray bottle with cold water and then spritzing yourself and your pillows with it may help, but if it's a tension headache then a head massage would really be the best thing, if you have anyone who can do that for you...

ETA- a bit of light exercise or stretching or whatever to get the blood moving and relieve the tension may help too...

x
V

 

[3113]

You don't mention any other symptoms. Do you have any? For example, nausea? Vision problems? Sensitivity to light? Numbness or feeling cold in your toes and fingers? How long do the headaches last? Where, exactly, is the pain? Behind one eye? Do the Headaches come when you're close to having a period? When there's a change in the weather? When you're under emotional stress--or just after you've been under emotional stress? When did they start (age wise) and how long do they usually last?

This is how we find out if it's migrane or tension. And they do require different cures.

What can be said is that few painkillers not perscribed by doctors (and even those perscribed by doctors!) work. Some migraine suffers do find that caffine helps, and migraine pills can work magic for cronic migraine sufferers. But, obviously, that's not working for you. I'm assuming you can eat--have you tried protien? Try tuna fish (no joke!), that does sometimes help.

Barring that, I'd go with Zack's recommendation. Hemp was used by such notables as Thomas Jefferson to ease his headaches.

 

[3113]

If you're experiencing visual symptoms (colored auras, sensitivity to light) then it's likely a migraine condition. Doctors won't do much for that except painkillers (which do no good) or capillary expansion drugs (like Midrin) which have nasty side effects.

The migraine pills that my doctor gave me had no side effects and worked like magic. I usually only had to take one for the migraine to vainish, and that would be within fifteen minutes.

I just didn't want people to get the idea that they should forgo migraine medicine. It's come a long way in recent years, and it not only works like a charm but is usually safe.

That said, I think your suggestion is the best.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

The migraine pills that my doctor gave me had no side effects and worked like magic. I usually only had to take one for the migraine to vainish, and that would be within fifteen minutes.

I just didn't want people to get the idea that they should forgo migraine medicine. It's come a long way in recent years, and it not only works like a charm but is usually safe.

That said, I think your suggestion is the best.

I pray to the Great God Imitrex at the start of a migraine... they work about 70% of the time, now... if I haven't let it go too long.

 

[Misty_Morning]

The migraine pills that my doctor gave me had no side effects and worked like magic. I usually only had to take one for the migraine to vainish, and that would be within fifteen minutes.

I just didn't want people to get the idea that they should forgo migraine medicine. It's come a long way in recent years, and it not only works like a charm but is usually safe.

That said, I think your suggestion is the best.

I agree whole heartedly. I began using Imitrex back in 1994. It was a god send. Before that the docs just gave me narcotics which really didn't help with the pain of my migraines and just must me puke.

The good thing about Imitrex is that for the last several years it has been available in a nasal spray. My migraines ususally do start with the "auras". And colors take on a pastel like quality and then there are the floaters. Everything is very surreal. All this happens just prior to being incapacitated by pain on the left side of my face, especially behind my left eye. Then I get these VERY dark circles under my eyes and I either look like some strung out junkie or death warmed over. When these symptoms appear...a couple of snorts of Imitrex does the trick, most of the time. If for some reason I didn't respond soon enough and I get to the point that light makes me puke...pretty much nothing is gonna help.

The good thing is that in the last few years I haven't had to use the Imitrex because I've altered my diet and excercise habits because I was diagnosed with an inverted T-wave. My cardiologist believed that my migraines would get better if I address the heart condition...and he was right. (now all I gotta do is stop smoking and drinking )

Again...if you can get to a doctor demand enough samples to get you through this. And I do know for a FACT that you can get samples of Imitrex in pill form, nasal spray form and also the injectable form.

 

[sophia jane]

From the descriptions of migraines here, I don't think that's it. I'm on day five and it's pretty much constant pain, and at the moment it's primarily on the left side, but for the most part it's been all over. I have no other symptoms, no light sensitivity or nausea; I can eat and function, it just hurts alot. This time around my neck is really tight as well and I am under considerable stress, so I'm gonna guess it's a tension headache. Five days in, and no sign of relief, though, is making me crabby.
Thanks for all the suggestions. If I find something that works, I'll be sure to let you know.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

From the descriptions of migraines here, I don't think that's it. I'm on day five and it's pretty much constant pain, and at the moment it's primarily on the left side, but for the most part it's been all over. I have no other symptoms, no light sensitivity or nausea; I can eat and function, it just hurts alot. This time around my neck is really tight as well and I am under considerable stress, so I'm gonna guess it's a tension headache. Five days in, and no sign of relief, though, is making me crabby.
Thanks for all the suggestions. If I find something that works, I'll be sure to let you know.

sounds like tension...

try a visit to the chiropractor and a professional massage...

 

[sophia jane]

sounds like tension...

try a visit to the chiropractor and a professional massage...

Yeah, I've thought of that. Unfortunately, at the moment, I can hardly even take a shower without child interference.

 

[glynndah]

A simple remedy that might work

1 aspirin
1 acetominophen (tylenol or generic)
caffeinated soda

If you check the labels, it's the same thing as the Excedrin Migraine and Tension headache formulas.

 

[nici]

If you feel neck pain, you’re talking about a stress related problem, or an actual muscular condition. But, your neck pain could also be coming from your anticipation of your headache pain.

For stress related “headache” pain Whiskey7up’s suggestion of taking a hot bath and using a cold pack at the same time is the best I’ve found. If you can get a hold of some herbal bath salts such as lavender that’s even better still. Take your pain medication, eat a little bit of starchy foods, then take your hot bath while continually relaxing and keeping a cold cold-pack on your forehead. Stay in the bath for as long as you can, and if possible, even after the pain has abated.

Not all migraine related headache would have stars or thunderbolts showing in your peripheral vision. You could have your doctor put you on a treatment of beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers. Though they will not stop all headache pains, they can alleviate much of the pain. They only work as a long-term preventative.

Imitrex and other painkillers should only be used if needed. They all have long lasting and bad side effects. Alcohol, nicotine and sugar are very big no-nos. The use of any drug, including marijuana will cause eventual abnormalities in your blood vessels and therefore only worsen the condition in the long run.