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Headache relief when NSAIDs aren't an option and Tylenol isn't working

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Posted 11/22/2011 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
So I've been rocking a pretty dull steady headache most of the day. Acetaminophen is generally useless with me and NSAIDs are not an option since I'm flaring. Should I just deal with it or is there some other option I'm missing?
Posted 11/22/2011 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Two natural remedies that I have used before with some relief are eating a banana and using pressure points. Not sure why the banana thing works, if it is the type of headache I had or what but it does help.

Also the skin or squishy part between your thumb and pointer finger is supposed to be a pressure point for headache relief. Applying steady pressure/pinching with your other thumb and pointer finger. This sometimes works for me, sometimes at least takes the edge off!
Posted 11/22/2011 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
My girl friend finds that magnesium helps with her migraines, 400-600 mg/day. But way too much magnesium can encourage diarrhea so you need to be careful if you are flaring.
Posted 11/22/2011 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I had to go to a neurologist. I technically have migraines not headaches but zomig has been helpful for treating mine. If yours persist, I definitely recommend seeing a specialist. I recently started Pristiq daily for migraines and I haven't had one in a few months. It's amazing!

I tried Mg and Calcium and neither helped me. I would try those, they help many people. Also, are you dehydrated?

Posted 11/22/2011 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
For my migraines, I take Midrin. It has Tylenol in it, but also a vasoconstrictor and a light sedative. You do need a prescription for this though. This helps me even when my migraine laughs at me when I take just Tylenol. Hope you feel better soon!
Posted 11/22/2011 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
My girlfriend also uses Midrin as a 'fire extinguisher'. She has excruciating migraines without bioidentical hormone therapy. We know that here in the U.S. Midrin is not available in regular pharmacies (discontinued by the manufacturer). But the formula is available thru compounding pharmacies. She finds it very effective but side effects are insomnia, light-headedness, and depressed digestive motility.
Posted 11/22/2011 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
You are right Babeinthewoods.  I forgot about the issues w/ ordering Midrin.  I still have some of my old prescription and wondered what I would do when I need a refill.  Good to know about the compounding pharmacies.  I'll have to research one... I've never dealt w/ a compounding pharmacy before. 

A few other random ideas for headache...ice pack on head and neck, a drink w/ some caffeine in it (if it doesn't bother your stomach). 

Posted 11/22/2011 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Pain relief is an issue for me too. Because I take a lot of mesalamine, I am afraid to take NSAID too often.
Posted 11/22/2011 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't noticed an issue with NSAID's despite what I've read, have you?...28 years with UC
Posted 11/22/2011 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I think it varies from person to person...but it is generally rec. that you don't take it w/ UC. For me it does cause a flare. I wish it didn't...Advil was def. my go to drug for all that bothered me. I still miss it!
Posted 11/22/2011 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
Before I started Pristiq and before I found that Zomig worked for me, I had to use NSAIDs because the pain was too much to handle unmedicated. Ponstel was the one I used. A very low dose would stop the migraine but it made me so nervous to take the NSAID while having UC.
Posted 11/22/2011 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
I read a lot of posts in here and didn't take NSAID's for years thinking it would cause me problems. Folks scare you about gluten and many other things that may not bother you. A dose of Advil would be difficult for me to tell if it caused a flare as my flares creep up over weeks and who knows what actually caused it with all the medication, stress, diet and other things in the mix.

Post Edited (Burli) : 11/21/2011 8:55:27 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/22/2011 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
When I have a headache, I almost always have a spot or spots on my head that are sore to the touch. I will push firmly on these areas with my finger tips, and after holding firm pressure for a couple of minutes, I'll massage them a bit. I find pressure on the sore spots helps with a lot of my body pain, too.
Posted 11/22/2011 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
I sometimes use "tiger balm" i buy it from the asian or indian groc store. Its topical but works, dont apply too much it is si strong. And keep away from eyes just apply on forehead.its all natural .
Posted 11/22/2011 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the club my friend. I have used NSAIDs (Ibuprofen and Neproxen) to an extent that a single tablet taken as an abortive puts me in flare. I am on 4th course of Pred as a result of migraine and Ibuprofen. So what do you do? I have tried many other options, including Dolgic Plus, Percocet and Oxycodone. None have worked so far.

After reading more a bit, I started taking Butterbur 150mg a day. I just started a week or so ago, so I can't tell you if its working as its said to take about 3 months before I see some effects. This is a prophylactic measure and not an abortive.

For abortive, NSAID is the ONLY option for me at the moment but InSoFla on this board suggested a supplement called as PepZinGI. I am looking into it. It is supposed to protect GI linings, specifically against inflammatory compounds and the reactions. I haven't started taking it yet but may start it. You may want to look into it.

If you do find any alternative, I will be glad to know. Help me end my quest to find my ultimate migraine abortive.
Posted 11/22/2011 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Man, is Tylenol worthless sometimes, or what??

I sometimes find a strong cup of coffee (or other means if ingesting caffeine) will help a migraine, if I'm not used to having it regularly.
Another thing I get relief for a migraine from is pseudoehpedrine. (Sudafed) Because it's a vasodilator, and migraines are vascular headaches, Sudafed can help decrease the size of that blood vessel pressing on that nerve which is causing the migraine headache. My favorite is Sudafed and an NSAID together, but I get the whole "no nsaids"thing, as I'm currently in a flare, too.
And I find it HAS to be actual pseudoephedrine. A nuisance, signing a the pharmacy, but it does seem to be more effective than any other decongestant I've tried.
Nothing quite like Zomig, though! lol

Hope you find relief!! ~Ellie
Posted 11/22/2011 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
Boswellia...it is a well documented herbal supplement in capsule form, used as a natural anti=inflammatory. There are some studies that report it to be as useful or better than ASA's and without the side effects. We have been using it as an alternative to ibuprofen for body pain and headaches.
Posted 11/22/2011 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
I miss my good ole reliable Advil! I get frequent headaches and they are normally controlled by Tylonel Arthritis - this has a higher mg count than regular or Extra Strength Tylonel. If that doesn't do the trick, I take Aleve or Exederin Migraine. I know Nsaids are general no no and I found that when I am flaring, if I take maybe one dose for no more than once a day, I do okay with it. If I take it for more than twice a day or for more than two days in a row, they cause me to bleed. However, I can NOT take Ibuprofen at all. That is why I take Aleve; it lasts for 12 hours.
Posted 11/22/2011 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Headaches seem to come on when dehydrated too. I drink either aquafina or dasani water becuz spring water upsets the stomach like bloating.
Posted 11/22/2011 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
Excedrine Tension Headache - it's acetaphetamin with caffeine. I think it works better than tylenol personally.
Posted 12/17/2016 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Someone mentioned Boswellia...how can I find it? I cannot take NSAIDS because I get gastrointestinal bleeding, and I am going through about 45 Maxalt pills PER week. I have tried almost every prescription medication available for migraines, and none are helping...someone please help me.
Posted 12/17/2016 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
have you tried amazon - pretty sure you can find it there -
Posted 12/17/2016 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
I will look. Thank you for replying to me.
Posted 12/17/2016 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
I think you should try other triptans - have you tried a bunch already? You say you tried all the prescriptions... Maxalt didn't work for me at all, I tried about 5 different triptans, and Zomig worked the best for me. Pristiq, the antidepressant, worked like magic for my migraines, but they really don't recommend it for occasional migraines since it's a daily medication. Since i was depressed, I was open to it, & it helped both conditions so that was lovely for me. If you're having that many migraines each month that you need 45 Maxalt, I would think pristiq would be an option. Someone on the migraine board mentioned calcium/magnesium supplements being helpful. My migraines are hormonal & it seems like the only thing that helps is not having hormonal swings, or the antidepressant.
Posted 12/17/2016 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I tried Zomig, Imitrex,..most of the migraine medications didn't work. And, according to my doctor, we're limited to the ones we can use because I get migraines daily. I have since I was a young teenager. Getting names of the medications that others have used would be very helpful because I can write them down and go over them with my Dr. and see if any of those are an option.
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