[Closed] Headaches and migraines: natural remedies?

reading glasses.

Hiya. I never found feverfew any help, and it tasted foul.

Sorry if you've already done this: you do know what the triggers are?

As above, I'd attempt to identify the triggers first if you're getting migraines.

I don't want to facetious but you are confident they are migraines aren't you? So many people complain of a migraine when really it's just a headache.

Oh, and legal beta-blockers didn't help me either.

Just waking up in the morning seems to be the biggest trigger...

An eye-test is not a bad idea.

Decapitation - natural cure to all 'above the neck' ailments 😀

When I get a migraine I use Sumatriptan. If that doesn't ease the feeling that my head is being picked apart from the inside by an angry dwarf with a pickaxe I use cocktail of 'brufen, paracetamol and codeine. If that hasn't worked I hit the diazepam and try and sleep through the next 24 hours of pain and dizziness.
Have tried many different treatments, natural or chemical of varying legality. Even tried having a 5 finger shuffle to release endorphins! In the end only the 'carpet bomb' medication approach brings me any sort of relief.Probably not doing me much good long term but at the time, if someone said drinking boiling bleach would stop the pain I would consider it.
Getting my eyes tested and ending up with glasses helped reduce the frequency of these attacks but still get maybe one a month.

Sleep

o many people complain of a migraine when really it's just a headache.

I suffered terribly as a kid (very sensitive to light) but fortunately grew out of it.

But I do find that a good remedy for a headache is simply lying down, relaxing, closing eyes, generally slowing down. A cool compress helps too (you can now get drug-free stick on things that are pretty good but a flannel is often enough.

Run cool water over your wrists and on ear lobes (sounds daft but works for me).

I suffered terribly as a kid (very sensitive to light) but fortunately grew out of it.

I used to get headaches all the time from age about 10, triggered by bright light. Used to be quite severe (ended up vomiting etc), but not really migraines. For some reason they just stopped in my 30s and don't get them any more.

I am going back some 30 or so years ago - they called them migraines then and they included the vomiting too - I agree they may not have been 'migraines' as such though.

I was prescribed sunglasses though (I was a small kid and my mum couldn’t get decent sunglasses that fit me 😀 )

Sleep if possible is the only way for me.

I believe that there's a natural remedy, derived from willow bark that is cracking for headaches etc.

I can't remember for the life of me what it's called though.... 😕

I used to get relaly really bad headaches. They'd be called migraines in todays wimpy drippy namby pamby world.

They seemed to be triggered by eating cheese.

I used to take paracetamol, that usually didn't really make any difference, and just lie down in a dark room until it subsided enough.

Weirdly, driking Coca Cola seemed to give some relief. Didn't work with Pepsi.

Only thing that ever worked for me was Imigran (which is sumatriptan).

Get more sleep, ease up on the caffeine, drink more fluids. </random advice> Try keeping a food diary, look for patterns.

Here's a useful guide I always find clearly classifies the difference between a headache and a migraine.

You are currently experiencing the symptoms.

Are you afraid that...
a) You will die
b) You won't die

If the answer is a) then it's just a headache. If the answer is b) then it's a migraine.

If the answer is a) then it's just a headache. If the answer is b) then it's a migraine

Similarly, if a £50 note landed on the window sill outside, if you're able to get up to get it you've just got a headache.

Same test works with bad cold vs flu.

Where are you based TM ? I have helped quite a few clients with headaches and migraines.

Similarly, if a £50 note landed on the window sill outside, if you're able to get up to get it you've just got a headache.

Not necessarily, I definitely get migraines (aura, tunnel vision, headache, etc.) but they're short-lived and I can still move around. I might not be able to see the note, but I could certainly pick it up!

Yup they vary massively for me from having sensitive eye and bad headache to a serious headache, vomiting, light sensitivity, vertigo and nausea.

Not had a full in proper one for sometime but when I do I'm not use to man or beast.

Paracetamol and codiene is what works for me or takes the edge off but sleep and a darkroom will always work for me.

Paracetamol and codiene is what works for me or takes the edge off but sleep and a darkroom will always work for me.

Also add that ibuprofen often seems to make it worse.

Ibuprofen is good for me if I take it early enough, and I mean the instant my eyesight starts flickering. I still go blind, throw up and lock my spine out but it does seem to take the edge off the head pain. I seem to have none (which touch wood I've not for a while now) or have absolutely full blown shutdown, nothing in the middle.

Eat some almonds - works for me, dunno why. Or putting something from the freezer on your head and neck.

Get your BP checked... I used to have loads of really bad headaches / migraines then found out i had high BP . Since its been undercontrol via medication I very rarely get any headaches at all.

[quote=samuri ]Ibuprofen is good for me if I take it early enough, and I mean the instant my eyesight starts flickering. I still go blind, throw up and lock my spine out but it does seem to take the edge off the head pain. I seem to have none (which touch wood I've not for a while now) or have absolutely full blown shutdown, nothing in the middle.

Helps mine too if I take it straight away. I get the visual stuff still (luckily that's all I get before pain) but it stops the pain for the most part, still makes me utterly drained though. I've had a lot less the last couple of years, dunno why...

Have had migraines for almost 50 years and doctors have prescribed virtually every migraine medication that's available.
Most work, but the side effects really suck.
About a year ago I came across an over-the counter medication called Lipigesic M You can find it online, but don't know if they have a distributor in the UK, so if not, don't know what the issues would be in having it shipped.
It is a sub-lingual gel that comes in a packet and the key ingredients are Feverfew (herb) and Ginger. The Feverfew knocks the migraine and the Ginger helps with the stomach issues/vomiting some people get.
Much cheaper than most Migraine prescriptions (my Zomig prescription retails for about $35/tablet in the US and the Lipigesic M is about $18/US for a box of 8 gels. You use one gel at the onset and a second in about 5 minutes.

Works just as well as any prescribed meds I have ever tried without the side effects. Turned my doctor on to it as well.

I have up to 15 migraines a month and have tried loads of different things. What works for me to some extent is tiger balm (takes the edge off it) and also physiotherapy on my neck.
It's still a big problem for me, so I'm interested in this thread. I've tried beta blockers but had terrible side effects, occipital nerve block (no effect), topiramate (made me feel suicidal), and all the other meds I've had suggested (amitriptyline, sodium valproate, gabapentim) I refuse to take because of the side effects.
🙁

had terrible side effects

vickypea---I know what you mean about the side effects of most migraine meds---also most have pretty strict limits on how often you can take them.
Do see if you can find the Liquigesic M
I was astounded at how well it works---I take it at the onset of the aural symptoms and the aura is gone in about 5-10 minutes and no onset of the migraine.

Thanks busydog, I've made a note of it.
Migraine attracts very little research funding compared with many conditions, and although it's not life-threatening, it's been trying to ruin my life for the past 15 years!

vickypea their website is: http://www.lipigesic.com/
they key will probably be seeing if you can get it in or into the UK.
Walgreen's drugstores here (not all) carry it.

The best cure is sleep.

Simple but bloody effective!

Zomig is the only thing that gets rid of mine. I average 2-3 a week, and put up with the side effects as I wouldn't be able to operate on a daily basis with the severity of headache I can get.

If only sleep was the answer! Migraines wake me up from sleep.

Place your thumb and first finger in the web of the opposite hand between your thumb and first finger. With the thumb on top gently and slowly make circular movements with your thumb. Apply gentle pressure from the finger underneath.

Swap hands and repeat 3-5 times.

This action tells your body to release a natural painkiller which will alleviate your headaches.

It does work.

If only sleep was the answer! Migraines wake me up from sleep.

Yeah, sleep in virtually impossible with a full-blown migraine in play. Feels like someone has driven a 6 inch nail into my forehead

drink water

I found paracetamol plus codeine the best for me. That was the prescription one with 30mg of codeine, the over-the-counter version with 8mg didn't help.

[i]drink water[/i]

- and throw up

In true stw style only read first few replys, i get bad headaches that paracetamol dont touch and migrains where you just lay in a dark cold room hoping to go to sleep. Think turning the computer off and on again.

For regular headaches its normally stress/ work, but they also become more regular as exercise decreases. So exercise more give a #&€= about work less.

Juggling is good as your concentration levels are high and it clears your mind.

Having said all that i do get bad headaches after long ride (4hr out) it seems to be a mixture of salt and sugar depleation as a nice packet of crisps some ham & pickle sandwiches with a sugary drink have made them less serveer. Finding that out was a long process

It does work.

Not for me and can't see why it even would anyway.

I found paracetamol plus codeine the best for me. That was the prescription one with 30mg of codeine, the over-the-counter version with 8mg didn't help.

drink water

- and throw up

For people who get flashing light/vision distortion with migraine paracetmol/codine relieves the pain but leaves the vision problems. Syndol is available again after going out of production for a while (its an ask-for- over-the-counter), which is codeine, paracetomol and a antihistamine. Why the antihistamine helps nobody seems to know.

It's never going to work if you don't believe it Drac, and a fairy will die.

Codeine is only good for occasional use. It is addictive if used too often, and can actually cause migraines.

Identify triggers. It took me a long time, but I am now convinced mine was physiological. Neck strain to be precise. In the last fifteen years, playing cricket (bowling), hike a bike with bike on shoulder and, once, golf whilst carrying a one-sided bag have all brought on migraines.

When actually mid-migraine (including at least 30% loss of sight) I found that sumatriptan actually increased the onset of symptoms, but also got through them quicker. I know you want to avoid pills, but I found migraines unstoppable once triggered.

Failing all this, laying down somewhere dark, quiet and cold seemed to help a bit. As did a cold compress on the forehead.

Unless you have suffered with this, it is difficult to imagine. People didn't think it was possible that I was nearly blind at times. It was a contributing factor in my giving up cricket.

Hope you find something that works for you. Physiotherapy and neck stretches helped a bit to delay onset, but once it's on, it's going to happen.

Not to mention codeine can bung you up.

No wonder the tooth fairy didn't come last week.

Oh ye of little faith!

http://www.livestrong.com/article/169717-hand-massage-for-a-headache/

My martial arts instructor taught shiatsu. That was one remedy he taught me over twenty years ago and I've been using it ever since.

BTW I know it's from livestrong but don't dimiss the information on that basis.

I'll dissmiss it in trying it years ago and finding it didn't work and that I still can't see how it would. Still placebos are very powerful so it works for you then great.

And yes I did laugh at the Livestrong link.

Unless you have suffered with this, it is difficult to imagine

You sure got that right!!

Identify triggers

Mine are usually triggered by a bright flash of light, like reflecting off a windshield or chrome car parts, etc. I do occasionally wake up during the night and realize that the aura is beginning.

busydog

Yes, it's something very different, that's for sure. The moment of realisation always felt like my blood sugar hitting rock bottom, feeling panicky, but I am pretty convinced that was just a conditioned reaction.

I have been driven home from cricket matches and had to get a lift the next day to get my car back. Also slept for four hours in a car park near ladybower a couple of years back until I could see properly to drive home.

Also vomiting pristine paracetamol tablets three hours after taking them due to the digestion being shut down was revealing. Since packing in cricket I have been fairly free, and haven't had one for over a year thankfully.

Still, worse things happen at sea.

Just thought of something else. Not prevention, but helped me. Find something you can eat soon afterwards that doesn't make you gag.

Bizarrely, I craved Balti-type curry and rice. It doesn't take much chewing and seemed to stay down.

Perhaps try this, but the trial and error approach can be unsavoury if it goes wrong!

Chocolate for me or something very sweet.

Triggers for me:

Bright flickering lights but rare now
Low Sugar levels, if I've not been eating much and exerting loads.
Stress
Lack of sleep
Bad neck (Massage helps here but that makes sense but has to be around my neck not me thumbs)

Triggers for me:

Bright flickering lights

Luckily you don't work in an environment where flashy lights are a problem.... ahhh

[img] [/img]

Hahaha!

They've never done it.

Chocolate? That was a massive no-no for me! As was coffee.

For sugar I used to find orange juice very good, but the acid on the stomach wasn't so flash.

Unfortunately I think only trial and error will give you a minimising routine, prevention is best, but not always possible.

Yup went through food triggers as a kid, cheese, chocolate and such nothing like that triggers mine.

Mine are usually triggered by a bright flash of light, like reflecting off a windshield or chrome car parts, etc. I do occasionally wake up during the night and realize that the aura is beginning.

This is an interesting phenomena - see [url= http://www.irlenuk.com/ ]Here[/url] for a little bit of quackery, but it's some truth grounded in it.....
I get the same - I've spoken to a colleague with an interest in this, and really want to try getting assessed in a local centre (mostly out of interest).
However....it will mean I end up with pink or yellow lenses, which may come across a bit bonkers.....

DrP

Mine are usually triggered by a bright flash of light, like reflecting off a windshield or chrome car parts, etc. I do occasionally wake up during the night and realize that the aura is beginning.

The above is pretty much the same for me.

Only tend to get two possibly three a year. Paracetamol & Ibuprofen have NO effect whatsoever on mine.

Doctor prescribed 30mg codeine & dark room are the only things that work for me - It's just the next couple of days when you just feel 'off' I can't find a way to combat.

If you thought it would help, you'd happily stick your head in a cow-pat in full view of the entire world.

Chris

Very sad that folk are relying on drugs.

As a bodyworker, h&ms are quite straight forward to treat!

I can activate migraine symptoms and switch them off in seconds with some of my really bad cients.

Ask yourself this:

Do you have forward head posture [that'd be virtually everyone]?

Why ? [think structurally, lifestyle, stress etc] i.e. sprained ankle can cause protective weight shift, hip hiking, lower back pain, spinal kinks that have to right themselves higher up the chain [yup...misaligned cervical vertebrae] Pelvic obliquity and torsion have to be corrected and compensated for up and down the kinetic chain leading to very common patterns of dysfunction.

What muscles are likely to be inhibited?

What muscles will then have to compensate?

Which muscles and fascial restrictions refer pain in known patterns to the head?

Would it be worth treating these muscle and structural imbalances and the resultant referred pain patterns?

Look for the cause, don't just treat the symptoms.

Taking drugs are analogous to filling in the cracks in a wall, rather than investigating the structural integrity of a building and taking the required action to address the problem at it's source.

^^ Completely agree for tension type headaches/shoulder aches

Migraines are a vascular phenomena, however, with a more complex aetiology....

DrP

I don't rely on drugs I take them if I've not been able to prevent one. Today for example I've been getting the twitching eye warning so to prevent I've had a bag of sweets, lots of fluid and now I've picked the youngest up I'm hiding in a dark room with my computer on low light.

Treating muscles on this occasion would make no odds what so ever, if I had one caused by when I do have a bad neck the yes it may help.

Had any thunderstorms or lightning events recently?
I saw this article from the [url= http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/02/11/newsflash-lightning-may-cause-headaches/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_fb20130212ngnw-lightheadac&utm_campaign=Content ]National Geographic [/url] recently- hmmmm, i wonder.....