Try rubbing the muscle located at the end of the webbing in your hand, try to get this (these?) muscles to relax. It works even better if you can get someone else to do it for you. Foot reflexology works well too. :)
Ibuprofen can increase blood pressure, and, if the headache is R/T HTN, could make things worse. Also, Ibuprofen is hell on the kidneys. I'm an EXCEDRIN woman myself, but never more than 2 tabs daily D/T rebound effect. NOTE: Excedrin Migraine has the exact same ingredients as regular Excedrin, it just comes in a red bottle.
Acetominophen (Tylenol, Panadol etc.) can also raise BP especially in folks taking ACE inhibitors. Best advice would be to investigate WHY you have HA of this frequency.
I take Ultracet w/ 1 ES tyl...usually knocks it out for my migraines...Ever try those "head pillows"? they look like big fat toostie rolls.. They seem to help alleviate some of H/A discomfort...
Specializes in Float Pool, ICU/CCU, Med/Surg, Onc, Tele.
My sister swears by the "headache powders" - basically powdered form of excedrin, wrapped in papers about the size of a stick of gum. You can get them in the grocery store, pharmacy, or health food store. Dump the powder under your tongue, make a nasty face, and swallow with water. She says they work much faster and are more effective than any other OTC pain med for her. Good luck to you.
Have you ever considered your diet and the types of foods that you eat. My advice is to start a bland diet and then gradually add the foods that you eat on a regular basis and see what happens? Another question that I have is are they related to the time of your monthly cycle? My mother was suffering from really bad headaches and she had to take her birth control pills backwards in the package I guess because of the hormones. Just some thoughts. I really hope you feel better!!
Hello Ms Nursing Professional, Should recurring and serious headaches not be reason enough for medical attention?!! tsk tsk. Nurses ARE the worst when it comes to taking care of themselves. If everthing medical is ruled out and they can be attributed to musculoskeletal involvement or just plain stress have you ever thought of Shiatsu therapy? Really good stuff, doesn't compare to Swedish massage in my eyes. Shiatsu works great to get rid of one and to prevent 'em with regular txt's. Good luck!
I have constant headaches because I grind and clench my teeth. You may not notice if you do this, but your dentist will know. My physiotherapist taught me how to put my fingers in my mouth to massage the muscles controlling my jaw -- works very well to relax them. Sometimes a good head and neck massage works -- Get your wifey to do it. Get a little bottle of peppermint oil and massage your jaw, your ear lobes and the area behind your ears.
PennyLane, RN
1,193 Posts
You could try Tiger Balm. Buy it in a health food store or a Chinese goods/food store.