What is the best way is deal with a migraine headache? I had my first one two days ago and nothing worked.?

Question

I went to bed at 2:30 AM and had a head ache early in the morning. Around 6:00 AM, I still had one and took an Advil ten minutes later. Still had head ache.

During Sunday School, I looked at Choir was to sing and thought--I hate these specials. I'll never be able to sing them with this head ache. I kept on trying to decide whether to sing in the choir or not. Ended up in choir room anyway. During second verse of first special, stomach started feeling queasy. Suddenly realized--MIAGRAINE HEAD ACHE #1. All three of us left church suddenly before I did anything accidentally! Had head ache most of afternoon. I had to stay in the room with realative and watch TV, because he doesn't like to be "abondoned" by himself. Have had a few minor head aches since, but no more migraines.

If you've had migraines, what works for you? I had NONE of the classic symptoms, and this was not like the bad head aches I've had in the past. Does Tylenol help?

Answer 1

There is no shortage of headache relief medicines on the market. And painkillers have their place. Take acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen according to package directions at the first sign of a headache. You can often nip it in the bud.

But then again, if headache relief were that simple, you wouldn't be asking this question. Or perhaps you're interested in a nondrug approach. If you have a headache right now, the tips that follow will help you feel better fast. Some will work for tension headaches, others may help your migraines and some just might help you prevent your next headache, whichever kind it is. :) Women doctors agree that it's a good idea to experiment: Headache remedies work differently for different headaches, for different women, at different times.

Thumbs up, pain down. Place your thumbs right in the center of each temple. Massage firmly using a circular motion for a minute or two, or until you feel relief. If I catch it early enough, I find that I can sometimes stop a headache.

Take a hot bath or shower. This may further help your muscles relax.

Visualize away your headache. Imagine that your headache pain is caused by a rope that's knotted and wrapped tightly around your head. Then concentrate hard on seeing it unknot, inch by inch. Watch as it slowly loosens and falls away from your head.

Try necking with a heating pad. When you have a stiff neck, you can get a headache, because the stiff muscles hurt and cause pain that can be felt in your head. Remedy? Apply a heating pad to the back of your neck to soothe the stiffness.

Ice a migraine. For easing migraines, ice usually works better than heat, most likely because of its action as a vasoconstrictor--it shrinks blood vessels pressing on nerve endings. A resealable plastic bag full of ice, wrapped in a kitchen towel, works.

Feverfew for you? For occasional headaches take the herb feverfew. Research on feverfew suggests that it can be effective as a headache remedy; I've used it with success. I recommend taking two feverfew capsules (available at health food stores) three times a day until your headache is gone. Studies indicate that feverfew has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it might be particularly effective for migraine headaches.

Lie down in a dark room. If you have migraines lying down in a darkened room and napping for an hour or so can usually make the headache history.

Have a snack. You can get headaches from just being hungry, because your blood sugar drops.

Always be aware of when you last ate. Try eating smaller meals, spread more frequently throughout the day.

Take a coffee break. If you feel a migraine coming on, go someplace quiet and have a strong cup of coffee. Take aspirin or ibuprofen according to package instructions. Like ice, caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor, which seems to help migraines.

Or, do the caffeine wean. The surprising thing about caffeine is that either too much or lack of it can trigger pain. Too much caffeine can lead to headaches, because of an increase in tension or a decrease in sleep (or both). Consuming less than the usual amount of caffeine can lead to very painful withdrawal headaches. Frequently, weekday coffee or cola drinkers may drink less on weekends, and they get fierce withdrawal headaches. If you get headaches, give up caffeinated drinks slowly and gradually--by four to six ounces a day--perhaps by diluting regular brew with decaf until you're finally caffeine-free. You should also substitute eight cups a day of noncaffeinated liquids, such as water, juices, skim milk or herbal teas.

Keep a headache diary. Both tension and migraine headaches can have triggers. Your monthly cycle can affect headaches, too. I suggest that you log the time of day and month, the foods, activities, moods--anything that could possibly trigger a headache. After a couple of weeks, read your diary. See if anything obvious is causing your headaches and avoid the source if you possibly can.

It's a very individual thing. For many, chocolate can be a migraine trigger--though it doesn't trigger my migraines--but red wine will immediately send me right around the bend.

Avoid migraine triggers. Avoid the most common offenders: that is, foods that have been aged, fermented, pickled or marinated. Other reputed problem foods are those containing monosodium glutamate, or MSG (such as canned soups), nitrates or nitrites (such as lunchmeats).

And some added help:

Once a migraine takes hold, it's a bugger to relieve.

Restock your magnesium. I read about an Italian study that indicates that people with migraines are likely to have lower blood levels of magnesium than non-migraine-sufferers, and suggests that magnesium supplements for people with migraines warrant further study. Good food sources of magnesium include green leafy vegetables, legumes, seafood, nuts and whole grains.

Regulate sleep patterns. People who work irregular shifts have trouble with their migraines. Circadian rhythms seem to play a part in migraines. Try to get to sleep and wake up at the same times each day and don't sleep late on weekends. Also, avoid napping during the day, as this may change your circadian rhythms.

Give aspirin a chance. An aspirin a day may keep migraines away. The problem with some of the prescription drugs used to try and prevent migraines (like beta and calcium channel blockers, antidepressants and mood-regulating drugs) is that they are like hitting a little problem with an awfully big hammer. Taking a regular 325-milligram aspirin tablet every other day, regularly, cut repeat migraine attacks by 20 percent. It might not work for everyone, but it's definitely worth trying, because if it works, it's an easy, inexpensive and relatively safe solution.

Hope this helps you. :)

Answer 2

for me I have to take Advil liqui-gels or migraine (haven't had any other OTC drugs work) and then immediately go lay down in a dark room. Also I need the room to be cool if possible, or else I put a cold compress over my eyes/forehead. Drink water too (warm or cold depending on your preferance) - My migraines respond to cold, so I drink cold water, or eat freezer-pops to get almost-brainfreeze that actually feels good, like it's counteracting the migraine.

Mostly its just stress staying up late and staring at the computer screen for too long that sets them off for me :} also, having caffeine on a regular basis and then missing a dose can set off headaches (it is addictive after all) that do not seem like usual headaches, so keep an eye on your caffeine intake.

If you are lucky you won't have any more migraines abut if you do I hope some of these suggestions help.

Answer 3

In order to get rid of migraines you have to take pain medication try taking alieve and Motrin. Consult your physician he probably can give you some medication. If you are in pain don't avoid visiting the Doctor that's what he/she is there for to help people. Plus it might not be migraine if it is occupied with numbness. Consult a physician. I wish you the best of luck

Answer 4

Go check with your doctor to make sure it is migraine and nothing more serious. However, if it is indeed migraine, paracetamol with a bit of codein helps. Though it may have side effects. Again check with your doctor. I've had migraine forever!

Answer 5

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms so he or she can make a proper diagnosis and rule out the possibility of an underlying disease. Look for signs of migraine such as throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, and nausea. These symptoms may be preceded by visual disturbances such as flickering lights.

Answer 6

For me I take Ibuprofen turn all the lights off and put a hot rag or heating pad on my head..sometimes caffeine helps as well and some medications for headache actually have it in there already...if they still persist see your dr as they have medications specifically for migraines.

Answer 7

sleep works well. normally i have feel like i have to throw up. it makes me feel a little better. but just go to a dark room and sleep for a while and then try to take a migraine pill. if u can or want put either cold or warm wet towel on your head it should help a lil.
good luck.

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

getting read of any head ache can be hard work..they come from many things.. stress,not eating or not getting enough water in ur diet..i have always fond that when u feel one comming on use a cold compress on your eyes and forehead and drink a glass of warm water espically when u have already taken mediciene

Answer 10

ya i dont remember the name but it comes in a green bottle and there is a comercial out where there is a mermaid like causing a storm beacouse of a head ache and a bottle of it falls in the water and he takes it and feels better

also sleep med it noks u out and if u have nothin to do you will get over it