Nothing much worse than spending a beautiful though chilly afternoon with a migraine headache. It wasn't the worst one I've had, but it was bad enough it's mostly gone, now the aftermath, feeling dull/wore out and sick to my stomach. What do you do for your headaches? I can't take aspirin or any other medication. Sometimes herbs help but not always. I hear rubbing a lime on your forehead works, but I don't have any today.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony@countrylife.net), October 15, 2001

Answers

Cindy may I ask why you cannot take otc meds ? Have you talked with a doctor ? There are many thing you can take that don't contain aspirin or tylenol.There is nothing worse than a migraine,I have suffered for years .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), October 15, 2001.

I know this sounds hoaky but, I bought a magnetic headband from Avon.It seems to work. I don't know if it's the magnets or if it is just cutting off circulation! I also will put a little peppermint oil on my temples or back of neck , where ever the headache seems to be.

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), October 15, 2001.

I don't have migraine headaches, but sinus headaches. I find that a hot shower seems to realy help me. Drains my head better than any medicine.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), October 15, 2001.

I was told that non-sinus headaches are the result of blood vessels constricting, etc. causing the force of blood to pressure the area. I massage and gently pull the hair to increase circulation. I think a hot shower would work in the same way, either unclogs the sinus, or it expands the blood vessels and allows less pressure buildup. ????? I try it all, what the heck. I do take tylonol, but I understand you not wanting to. I had a sister with cancer, and another sister was going to give blood(for the sister with cancer), but could not since she had taken tylonol the day before. Aparently they can tell by the damage to the liver, even though it recovers, it is enough to cause problems sometimes.

-- notnow (notnow05@yahoo.com), October 15, 2001.

Cindy -- I have suffered from migraines for years - as has my sister and older brother. Apparently we suffer from some sort of genetic thing, because my dad gets them, too.

After years of making myself even more ill with Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, you name it -- I said enough was enough and insisted on seeing a specialist. This specialist told me to try a drug called Imitrex. The side effects are supposedly bad -- but I've never had any reaction other than freedom from pain. And it's better than a trip to the emergency room for a shot of demerol.

The few times I've been caught without it I find that if I take a couple of vitamin C tablets, then lay in a dim room with a barley cold-pack on my neck sipping cool (not icy) water, helps.

Good luck to you.

-- Tracy Rimmer (trimmer31@hotmail.com), October 15, 2001.

Cindy, I can really sympathize with you. After having them for the past 5 years and about at the end of my rope, I have been to 3 Drs., the last a Nuerologist. He gave me Imitrix, which is a godsend for many, but didn't do a thing for mine. 2 other meds they give for it, I couldn't take since I take Coumadin. Motrin Migraine is the only over the counter one that does any good, but I can't take over 3 a day. At least they help keep my sanity. I had them years ago, the nausea, lights, and the whole 9 yards. They are different now, I merely lose my appetite, and have the terrific headache on one side.I am now taking Effexor and trying not to be so busy every moment of the day and see if this helps. I don't know of any herbal thing that really helps me. I would suggest trying the Imitrex.

-- Duffy (hazelm@tenforward.com), October 16, 2001.

Thanks for your responses. Patty, I have chemical poisoning- environmental illness. Sonda from Ks and a few folks on CS forum share the same problem. I am allergic to anything with a chemical scent and all medication as well as a ton of other stuff uncluding alcohol. I'm not allergic to poison ivy and only have a small/occasional problem with hayfever.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony@countrylife.net), October 16, 2001.

Cindy, try 5-HTP. It is natural - griffonia simplicifolia seed extract which if my memory is correct, is a plant from either S. America or Africa. My husband says it helps him. It also helps me to sleep! It is a seratonin precusor and apparently low seratonin levels can cause numerous problems. Some of them are depression, weight gain, sleeplesness, and migraine headaches. I found out these things by doing a search on the internet. I started out by searching for things for migraines and was really surprised to see this listed as I was already taking it to help me sleep. Believe me, it really does help me sleep!

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), October 16, 2001.

Cinday, saw your post yesterday. This morning I was flipping through a catalog and happened to see this book. I immediately thought of you! It is called "What Your Doctod May Not Tell You About Migraines". Here's what the blurb says: "Dr. Alexander Mauskop, director of the New York Headache Centerand Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, and Barry Fox, Ph.D., author of "the Arthritis Cure", revel how studies indicate that the power to banish migraines may lie in 3 common, safe ingredients: Magnesium, vitamin B2, and an herb called feverfew. This triple therapy lies at the heart of a simple, seven-step migraine-busting program that aims to identify and eliminate migraine triggers and stop your suffering." It is listed at $14.95. Hope you find this useful!

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), October 16, 2001.

Cindy-my sister gets an occasional migraine and her Doctor recomended Coffee-or some other caffinated drink. Apparently the caffine helps open the constricted blood vessels. I don't get migrains (for which I am very thankful) but sometimes get lousy stress head aches and sinus headaches. I take my "Holy Trinity"- Vitimins C,B-complex and E that helps a lot. Also a hot pack on the back of the neck and cold pack over the eyes helps.

-- Kelly in Ky (ksaderholm@yahoo.com), October 16, 2001.

Oops! Sorry about the type-o, CINDY!! I also meant to tell you that I've read about migraines being helped by feverfew in other sources. One source suggested chewing a feverfew leaf a day as a preventative. Feverfew is a perennial and I have some growing in my herb garden. And along the lines of your lime remedy, my mom used to tie a slice of potatoe around her head where it hurt. Tie it tight. May have nothing to do with the potatoe but maybe the pressure helps.

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), October 16, 2001.

About 10 years ago I read an article in Woman's Day about Chromium Picolinate being a necessary mineral for the pancrease. The pancrease is what regulates the blood sugar in your system. I was having migraines at the time, pain, lights, nausea the works. I started taking 400mg a day and within a few weeks stopped having migraines. I told a couple of other women having similar problems and they had the same results (tho one told me she had to take 800mg a day). Chromium is also toted as muscle gaining mineral too, which is also nice.

-- Stacia n OK (OneClassyCowgirl@aol.com), October 16, 2001.

I used to get them at least once a week, often times more. Then I did 2 things, I pretty much cut processed foods out of my diet and I started going to a Chiropractor. I don't know which one did it but I haven't had one for over a year!

Best of luck to you!

-- Primitive Passion (oldquiltlover@hotmail.com), October 17, 2001.

I tried the lime and it did help quite a bit. I go to the chiropractor every week maybe two. It usually elps, but not this time. I am supposed to be eating extrememly healthy food, but lately, I've slipped off the natural food wagon. And yes it does make a tremendous difference. Weather is also another factor, before the weather changes I get a headache, sometimes severe.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony@countrylife.net), October 18, 2001.

I can sympathize. I used to have anywhere from 1 to 3 or 4 migraines a week. Nothing helped. I finally decided to figure out what was causing it. Through a long, drawn-out process of elimination, I discovered I was allergic to egg yolks, actually the estrogen in the egg yolks. I am also allergic to any estrogen supplements, so I can't take hormones. Just toughing out menopause without intervention, yuk. But at least I'm not putting something synthetic or from another species into my system. I've mentioned this to several women who have bad headaches near or during their cycle, and they too found relief from eliminating egg yolks. It can be daunting, as they are in so many products, especially baked goods. Another good reason to go back to healthy, natural food. And by the way, egg whites work very nicely for most baking recipes, but custards are OUT.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), October 18, 2001.

My migraines come from stress alot or even strong smells.I can sit and calm myself down and sometimes make them stop {meditate kinda} {sp} Rubbing the spots that hurt , hot shower or sometimes a cold wash cloth helps .I have heard b vitamens and feverfew work also.If you go to cs there was a thread way back on migraines.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), October 19, 2001.

I get episodes, not as often since I was unceremoniously dumped by an employer. Sometimes there is no reason, maybe damp weather. Alcohol is the only predictor. Next morning or even during day. 500 ml 6% ANV is enough. Getting worse. Am investigating feverfew. Declining Tylenol. So why not avoid alcohol? Imagine a folk musician at a festival without even a taste of cider? Shudder!!!

-- Mr Red (spammenot@hotmail.com), February 20, 2002.