Only wine takes away the pain of my tension headache :(

[Chicchicchicchiclana]

I can see how you can get dependent on alcohol but I am very wary of drinking too much for all the obvious reasons.

I have this thing that happens every couple of years or so where I sleep badly and do something to my neck. The pain in my neck gets gradually worse and worse and then I end up with a searing pain in my head that can go on for weeks.

In the past I have been to a chiropractor for treatment, which can be quite effective but it usually takes weeks to actually end.

Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and even Anadin Extra don't really cure the pain, they might make it less intense for a few hours.

But this weekend and last weekend, I have noticed that the pain completely disappears (and I mean completely) when I've had a large glass of wine. I don't drink Mon-Thurs so it's totally noticeable.

What can I take other than alcohol to help my poor aching head! I assume it's a relaxation thing, or is it a numbing thing?

Help!

Why don’t you ask your gp for advice? They may be able to suggest a pain killer which acts on the same pain receptors as alcohol.

Does the headache come back the next day? Would you have to drink a glass of wine every day for weeks? I get headaches (very rarely) that only wine seems to cure but since they happen once every 6 months and only last a few hours it's not an issue.

I was hoping someone on Mumsnet might know which painkillers act on the same receptors as alcohol.

Or even just anecdotal stories about other cures other than drugs and alcohol!

I've had half a glass and the pain has gone. Which is great but not great at the same time.

I'm not sure it works this way OP. Pain is a very complex thing to treat and isn't really about matching up medications to 'pain receptors. Presumably the reason alcohol helps is that it is a relaxant and you are experiencing muscular tension.

I'd firstly invest in better pillows to prevent this happening and/or purchase a neck support pillow that you can use when it's strained that offers you decent support. Then try things such as tiger balm (or similar), cold or hot gel packs, directly applied voltarol gel to the area, massage techniques (YouTube is good for these) and so on. Never fall asleep with too many or too few pillows.

Be sure to check you are not clenching your jaw in discomfort and creating discomfort that will contribute to a headache, again you can look online at exercises to relieve tension and make sure you maintain them.

Otherwise see your GP for anything medical.

Thank you bacon! I do try with the ice packs, never tried that rub-in painkiller but might get some tomorrow.

Naproxen will help you. It is both painkiller and anti-inflammatory medication. They prescribe it for neck and head pain caused by whiplash.

Can you afford to get new pillows? There’s lots of stuff out there about the best ones for if you’ve [back &/or] neck issues. There’s also advice online about the best sleeping positions for reducing pain. (In case it’s not obvious, I’m thinking of trying to stop it happening again full stop...)

Definitely consult your GP about it though - they’re best placed to be able to help, including prescribing pain medication if necessary.

I use ice on my neck a lot - & indeed use it when I get headaches.

They don’t actually know for sure why alcohol works as an analgesic - most likely it’s that it’s a CNS depressant, but it’s anxiolytic effects have also been posited to have a role. I think there’s a paper that’s posited alcohol might impact on how pain signals are transmitted to the brain, but nociception becoming pain is complicated never mind the varying ways drugs can act to interrupt said process.

So yes. Please seek help from your GP. You’re not wasting their time or anything like that

You don't need a chiropractor, you need an osteopath. Your GP could probably refer you through the NHS but there might be a long waiting list, or you could see one privately. Mine is £45 a session and she sorts my neck out and puts my head back on straight!

Try Syndol for tension headaches. It has a muscle relaxant ingredient which really works on my headaches which sound really similar. I also find a large glass of red works but if you’d want to avoid that also try a hot bath/ hot water bottle at back of head - anything that helps relax the tight muscles. And google some relaxation techniques and neck muscle stretches. Weirdly I find it helpful to also try and relax my jaw muscles, blow out your cheeks, make raspberry noises, let your mouth drop open are some of the things I try. Looks odd but does help some.

Op is it stress related? The pain? And the wine relaxes you?

No, Bluntness. It is literally to do with spraining my neck. I'm not stressed particularly. It is physical with a manifestation in my head.

In normal life I don't get headaches at all really.

Definitely try Naproxen. I get loads lower back ache from my job and it's the only thing that eases the pain

A) get a Physio referral from your GP

B) get a decent pillow

C) switch out your handbag for a backpack

D) start swimming or Pilates or preferably both