What kind of painkiller for headaches?

Question

I don't get headaches often, but when i do get them ,they last for the whole day. But most of those days i really have to work on hw, and can't afford to lose time because of headaches
There are soo difference painkillers over the counter, like tylonal, alieve, asprin etc.etc.
I don't know what to get.
What do you recommend?
What has the least side effects?

i get really bad headaches about one a month, i just want to have something ready when i do get headache

Answer 1

I don't know what you've tried or how much you take, but I just wanted to let you know what my neurologist told me about taking pain killers. Often times, they themselves can be the cause of headaches. Here are my suggestions for you:

Try taking a daily supplement of magnesium. A magnesium deficiency can cause identical symptoms to a migraine.

Try aromatherapy for when you do have a headache. Peppermint, lavendar or chamomile are common essential oils used for this purpose. Lavendar is one of the few essential oils that you can apply directly to the skin without diluting it with a carrier oil. The rest you can blend with a base such as sweet almond oil. Dot a couple drops on your temples and try to relax.

Of everything I've tried for headaches and migraines, the one thing that worked the best for me was going to a chiropracter. If your spine is out of allignment, it can put pressure on the nerves or pinch the nerves and cause headaches. If you're a bit nervous about seeing a chiropracter, you could see an osteopath which is a medical doctor who deals with the body in a similar way that a chiropracter does. Chiropractic care has brought my headaches from almost daily to maybe once a month. And I'm still working to improve even that.

Other possible causes for headaches are:

Dehydration. Are you drinking enough water?

Preservatives and sulfites in foods. What do you eat on a daily basis? Prepackaged and junk foods are higher in the chemicals that can trigger headaches. A well balanced diet of mostly fresh foods can help with this.

Sleep. Do you get enough sleep every night? Do you get too much? Does your pillow offer the right amount of support to your neck?

Exercise. Are you active on a regular basis? Believe it or not, but exercise can help headaches. The endorphins released when you exercise are a natural pain killer.



This is just a bit of the information I've learned over the many years I've suffered from headaches. Your doctor can give you more information and help you find the right treatment and prevention for you.

Answer 2

EXCEDRIN MIGRAINE works wonderful 4 me. I get headaches very often & i'm tryin to stay away from so many prescription meds. Although, i have to take 4 at a time when i feel one comeing on cuz i have a high tolerance 4 medicine. If you do want something from tha doctor, ask him or her for FIORCET. That is a painkiller specially for headaches. My best wishes to you & on ur headaches. Take care & always drive safe.

Answer 3

Headache is a pain in the head, scalp or
neck. Headaches can becaused by minor problems like
eyestrain, lack of coffee or moreserious reasons like
head injury, brain tumors, encephalitis andmeningitis.
Taking painkillers continuously can have harmful side
effects, so it is better to modify your lifestyle. More information
available at http://tinyurl.com/q8696

Answer 4

You should consult your physician to have him or her try to help you determine what is causing your headaches. Then your doctor can suggest a painkiller based on your health and/or families medical history.

If you are otherwise healthy your local pharmacist may have some suggestions for you and can discuss the proper use of the various medications and possible side effects of any medication.

However, your body is trying to tell you something and I would again encourage you to make an appointment with your doctor!

Personally I have used peppermint oil --- Rubbed into my temples --- And have had good results. However, be sure you do not touch your eyes until you have completely washed your hands!

Good Luck!!

Answer 5

weird but works like a charm evertime not a med either.I SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES AND TENSION HEADACHES i usepeppermint candy or oils(2 tabs to forehead rub in).I was on prescribed meds 2 one at home other for work they didnt work always had to come home.I ave been doing this for a year now headaches gone in 30-45 mins.try it without anymeds and let me know if it works i use other none med. healers that are non chemicals ..good luck i had both tension and migraine today at my daughters school while assisting with45 kids on a fieldtrip couldnt wait to get home

Answer 6

Is it a migraine? If it is I use Midrin. I tried using Imitrex and some other things but none worked. The only side effect I have with Midrin is being tired.

If it ISN'T a migraine, then Midrin won't help you. Excedrin worked pretty well for me. But most medications will make you sleepy.

Answer 7

I have never had much luck relieving my headaches with medicine. Then only OTC that worked from me was to take one MOTRIN (not generic) capsule, and one Tylenol or similar. The headache was usually a lot duller within an hour or so.. but would never go away completely.

What made the biggest change in me was to quit ALL CAFFEINE. It is really really hard to do, and way too easy to relapse. This includes all Chocolate, all Coffee, all Caffeinated Sodas (be sure to read the labels - not all 'fruity' sodas are caffiene free! I try to stick to MUG root beer), and all medicines containing caffeine. (I missed chocolate the most!)

I know it sounds silly, but some people are really sensitive to caffeine, and I discovered that when I finally went cold turkey and suffered for a couple days.. I NEVER HAD A HEADACHE AGAIN until I reverted back to caffeine.. I just reverted for a couple weeks.. and forgot to drink some pepsi yesterday afternoon.. BIG MIGRAINE this morning! CAFFEINE SUCKS!! I am going cold turkey again.. hopefully for good this time.

Answer 8

I THINK TYLENOL AND IT HAS NO ASPIRIN IN IT.

Answer 9

I would recommend two types that are OTC, common and work well- but work well on specific types of headache. There is a distinction between migraine and tension. Identifying the type of headache will determine the strength that you will need as well. As you age, your body will require a different modality of treatment, usually experienced by physiological intolerance to a certain brand.

I also recommend caffeine- usually coffee works well for me, as this cause vasodilation and relieves many tension headaches.

Tylenol is usually well tolerated by individuals with many allergies. I usually go with IcyHot for muscle cramps as a topical agent, followed by Tension Headache.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 10

You apparently have a sub-acute condition which become aggravated once a month, possibly related to the edema of your cycle. It becomes the aggravational factor to bring on the headache. Indicating there is a chronic condition which is subject to those stresses or aggravations which bring it into play.. I would suggest you look into the causation rather than trying to treat the symptoms.Prevention is always the better remedy. Gives your liver a break too. The Doctor of Chiropractic specializes in the treatment of headache as well as back aches. Is well equipped to render a proper diagnosis.

Answer 11

If I feel a migraine coming on I take 3 tylenol and slam down a warm coke-not diet-seems like the sugar and caffeine make the tylenol kick it-If its a full blown migraine see a doc. Midrin is good.