To think there must be something that will work on my headache

[TwoleftUggs]

I get these headaches every cycle. Not quite migraine level but persistent, throbbing and a bit more than a normal headache. Assume it’s hormonal as it comes a day or so before my period.
The problem is nothing shifts it, and it lasts up to 5 days each time. I’ve tried (not simultaneously) paracetemol, ibruprofen, codeine, migralieve, syndol, I’ve tried using essential oil headache balms, neck rub, white tiger balm, red tiger balm (not doing that one again), eye masks, drinking lots of water, cutting caffeine, going to bed early, you name it ive tried it.
It’s a pain - literally. Why won’t it go away?! My cycles are down to about 21 days now (perimenopause) so it feel like there’s not many days when I’m not either bleeding or have a banging head.
There must be something surely? Any suggestions not listed above that people swear by?

Full fat coke often works on my headaches.

Could you try physio? I used to have a student who suffered terrible headaches which nothing would shift, the last time I spoke to her she said physio had made a huge difference

@wowfudge I was able to buy 2 tablets over the counter when I ran out and was waiting for my new prescription. It was from Boots, probably about 18 months ago. It was my normal store. They didn't ask my name so no check that I had been prescribed it before (although I can't remember, I may have shown them my empty pack, but if I did they didn't check it or look closely)

They are definitely not supposed to just sell them to you without making checks.

Any sugary fizzy drink works if its 'just' a headache. Or tea with about 37299292983 sugars in.

Or 3 soluble aspirin.

Apparently sitting with your hands and feet in warm water and a cold compress on the back of your neck works. Or is it the other way around?

I take daily propranolol now to prevent migraines and rarely get headaches at all any more, let alone a migraine.

www.nhs.uk/medicines/sumatriptan/

The bottom of section 1 says you can buy 2 tablets OTC. Maybe me showing them the pack is why they sold them to me.

I get this!
Sinutab is the only thing that works. No other brands

@wowfudge and I mistyped my message. It wasn't my normal store.

Failing that Sumatriptan prescription will do it

Hormonal treatment for hormone headaches. Painkillers won’t touch it!

Fellow migraine sufferer here. What works for me is a combination of solphdine and a can of coke. I'd say it's the caffeine in both that does it. Next time definitely try it. I swear by it!

I know you say not quite migraine level but lasting days does sound like a migraine. Might be worth seeing if gp will prescribe you something for migraines, i had something recently which did help i think it was ritazipam

[quote Thisismynewname123]**@wowfudge* and I mistyped my message. It wasn't* my normal store.[/quote]
You're not sure what you did show them though. It's not conclusive - they are supposed to check!

Sympathies to fellow headache sufferers. I get hormonal headaches or sometimes tension headaches always behind one eye or on one side of my face, lasting a few days. They're awful.

Aside from drugs, I find an ice pack on my eyes/forehead gives some immediate relief alternatively a hot water bottle on my face with eyes shut.

Have you seen a doctor? Get them to refer you to a hormone specialist? I have awful headaches and a neurologist I saw said there are various treatments for hormonal migraines including oestrogen patches that you wear for a few days

@ifancyagreencard

Also, double dose of aspirin (4 x 300 m) and a can of full fat coke..... (disclaimer, not to be done regularly and not for those with tummy troubles)

This is the only thing that helps ease mine!

I had similar....After a few years off from contraception/pregnancy and b feeding it got worse and worse. Eventually referred to neurologist.

I ended up going back on depo injection. Immediately stopped. Due to covid now on mini pill which I'm not sure will be as good headache wise in long term.

Paracetamol, a full fat Coke and a portion of salty chips.

@DevilsAdvocaat

Failing that Sumatriptan prescription will do it

These don't work on mine

Migraleve (pink) is just Cocodamol with an anti emitic so if regular Cocodamol does nothing then migraleve won't either.

It sounds like a hormonal migraine so it would be worth goigg to the go and askinv them to prescribe a triptan. They usually start with sumatriptan (can be bought otc as imigran) but if that doesn't work there are several other triptan that can be prescribed. Different people find different triptans work for them and sometimes you need to try several to see which one is best for you.

The trick with a migraine is that you have to take medication as soon as you feel it coming on. As soon as I feel a migraine starting I take my triptan, Cocodamol and ibuprofen with diet coke (apparently full fat coke is better but I can't stand it). Caffeine helps the medication kick in quicker.

Zapain.

I get these headaches too. I only take zapain (1 tablet) before bed twice in a month. Or two nurofen plus for the lesser evil headaches.

I know it’s the codeine masking the pain. If I can block it early I get a handle on it, that’s my only chance. And then I’m clear from pain until the cycle comes round again.

Oh who mentioned salty chips on a previous post.... I can think of nothing else now!

I can't take Ibubrofen because it can trigger a migraine. I wonder whether you might be sensitive to it also. Aspirin works better for me that and for bad migraines Rizatriptan prescribed by a neurologist years ago.

I sympathise, I get terrible migraines that go on & on for days and think they are hormonal. It is terribly draining and depressing.

I have perimenopausal migraines with my cycle but HRT has cured them.

My husband suffers post-seizure migraines, and finds Kool 'n Soothe forehead strips work well.