Anyone awake? Headache/migraine - can't sleep with the pain. :-(

[liz70]

Took paracetamol plus ibuprofen about 3/4 of an hour ago but so far it barely seems to have touched it. It's a horrible intermittent stabbing/throbbing pain on one side of the back of my head. Third day I've had it now on and off; just now seems worse than ever. Anyone any recommendations as to what else I can do? TIA.

[comebacksun]

Sounds like you need an actual migraine tablet. (I use imigran) Other than that, something cold on the sore part of the head. I sympathise, it's horrific...

[liz70]

Thanks, I guess I'd better get to GP later today.

[NovaArt3mis]

Dark room, cold flannel over your eyes, lying or sitting up in whatever position hurts least and most importantly step away from your phone for a while to see if it settles. Hope you feel better soon

[TowerRavenSeven]

I'm so sorry. I've just suffered through a week of this too. Can you take a really hot shower? Just let the pulse go where it hurts the most. Make a wash cloth as hot as you can stand it, wring it out and put it over your eyes - keep your eyes open and inhale steam. Use the hottest water you can stand.

Also when you get out, can you stay in an upright position? I know I get so exhausted I just want to lay down but for me that makes it worse. Can you stay upright in a chair or in bed until it eases? You might be so exhausted that when upright and it eases you will fall asleep upright for a bit?

I take migraine meds and I get 9 a month by insurance. Nothing else works most times and when those nine are up the script costs almost $400! I just have to suffer until my next script.

[TowerRavenSeven]

Nice hot herbal tea helps me too. As hot as you can stand to drink it, black no milk to cool it off. I've also stuck my head near an open dishwasher that was partially through a cycle for the strong steam, but I don't recommend it unless desperate - which I was at the time.

[IAmBumblebee]

Hot water bottle, fluffy dressing gown, comfy socks, hot mug of tea/herbal tea/coffee/broth/bouillon , favourite DVD, pillows and blankets and duvets. Sometimes when I know I can't swallow down any more pills or medicine etc. that I just have to get through the pain, so make yourself as comfortable as humanly possible and distract yourself with something soothing but not too strenuous (even reading is impossible when you have a headache!) Get well soon xxx

[liz70]

Thanks. I got up as couldn't sleep any more - the paint woke me about 3.30 when I took PKs. They're dulling it a bit now but still throbbing.

Off to try flannel and herbal tea. Ta again. I hate being a wreck!

[TowerRavenSeven]

Glad it's easing up a tiny bit. This sounds crazy but do you have any of those teeth flossers with the point on them? My teeth always ache when I get a migraine and sticking the point between them feels sooo good and relieves the pressure somehow. I told you it sounded crazy.

I hope your flannel and tea help. Hot hot water and inhale the steam (don't burn yourself obviously). I hold the mug right under my nose and carefully breathe in the steam. Again I'm so sorry. Hope you feel better soon.

[takemetomars]

Good tips! I have had migraines for over 40 years and haven't tried most of these. I know instinctively what will help for each migraine as they are not all the same anymore.
Some of these sound as if they may help me through the next one. They are truly awful aren't they and I DREAD them

[SheldonCoopersCouncilOfLadies]

Hopefully you're feeling a bit better now OP but one remedy I've had some success with was one mentioned on here.

Three soluble aspirin dissolved in a small amount of water then one of the mini cans of full sugar coke.
It's not the nicest of combinations and I always sip the Coke so it doesn't make me throw up but I've been using it for the last six months or so and it has worked better than any other specific migraine medication I've used. I've tried Naramig, maxalt and a couple of the triptans amongst others.

I'm currently on pizotifen daily to keep my migraines to a minimum though.

[Kariana]

Try eating some salted peanuts and drinking half a bottle of lucazade. Sounds weird but I often find my dreadful headaches are due to lack of salts.