Best frugal headache relief

**angelbumpkin** · 04-16-2009, 11:35 PM

I am curious as to what people feel is the best frugal headache relief whether it is for migraine,tension,or sinus headaches.

Thanks everyone.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-16-2009, 11:45 PM

I had two of them in less than a week and I found out that what helped me was this:

1 Excedrin Migrane
2 Ibuprofen (200mg each)
2 tablespoons Pepto Bismol

I had one so bad when I woke up today that I couldn't walk without the fear of passing out. It took about an hour and a half after taking the Excedrin before I could stomach coffee.

I find that caffeine works well with getting rid of migranes, as does brushing your teeth (DH swears by the teeth thing).

**phoeny_moonstar** · 04-17-2009, 01:50 AM

For me it was getting so bad it was making me sick to my stomach. After years of putting up with migraines I finally told my doctor. I am now on prescriptions for it but I swear by these methods to help alleviate the pain of migraines for awhile.

1) Cold wash cloth across the eyes/forehead.
2) Aromatherapy. (I personally like Jasmine) This could be candles or perfume both work equally well.
3) Turning the fan on. (For me being colder than normal helps stop the headaches/migraines.)
4) Excedrin migraine was the only OTC pill that even touched a migraine for me. I would defintely reccommend it!

I HTH!

**frooz** · 04-17-2009, 02:30 AM

One that works for me is to lie down and have dh put his hand across my forehead. DH taught me that one and I thought he was mad but it works

**mamamia** · 04-17-2009, 02:33 AM

I know someone who can only find relief from her migraines by soaking in the tub. My FIL swore by rubbing BenGay on his temples and wrapping a bandana around his forehead.

I'm not prone to headaches, but Goody's powder always worked for me. Fast too!

HTHs

Theresa

**kittykatstrong** · 04-17-2009, 03:09 AM

Sleep always works for migranes but not regular headaches.

Making myself cold works for normal headaches or taking 2 asprin followed by a huge glass of water and a cup of coffee.

**Momto2Boyz** · 04-17-2009, 07:12 AM

For tension headaches, you can simply brush your teeth. There is something about pressure points in the gums. And if you take a few minutes (a quick brush won't do it) and brush your teeth, it can work!

I've done it before and had tension headaches completely dissapear!~ I have to credit this one to my granmda! I have no idea where she got it...but it works!

**Denvergirlie** · 04-17-2009, 08:56 AM

I don't get many headaches myself, but normally if it's a bad one I take 2 advil and an epson salt bath and then go to sleep or take a nap.

It's also soothing for me to rub my stomach in a slow circle or rub my feet with some lotion. However, I don't know that it necessairly helps the headache as much as it's a self soothing thing I do.

I have found that what works for one person will not necessairly work for another person. I've tried excedrin, but I can't handle the caffefine nor the asprin in the pills, it's tears up my stomach. I do sometimes alternate with Aleve or Tylenol, but Advil is my main go to.

**ConnieD** · 04-17-2009, 09:26 AM

I usually take one or two acetaminophen w/ codeine. You don't need a perscription for codeine in Canada. They don't keep these meds on the shelves for anyone to take though. You do have to ask the phamacist, but it's not a problem.

I'll have to try some of these other methods though. thanks for posting!

**hotprincesscm** · 04-17-2009, 09:29 AM

I have suffered many a headache over the years...some allergy related, some stress related, some just plain migraines....I use excedrin migraine when I have a migraine, that stuff is awesome....but if I have a regular headache...I try to stop it before it gets too bad...at first signs I try and take a tylenol or whatever I have on hand...if I can get my hands on caffeine...I take the tylenol with that. Sometimes headaches are caused by dehydration...so if I am at home and I don't have to go anywhere, and I feel a headache coming on, I'll drink two large glasses of gatorade..and that will usually help and won't have to take any medicine on top of that...if you don't have gatorade on hand...good ole water will do...you just need to replenish your fluids. Also hunger can be a trigger for a headache...so trying a little snack, something with some sugar in it...if you haven't eaten in a while...low blood sugar can cause headaches or the shakes as well. So a couple cookies or even better a healthy piece of fruit. If all else fails with me...taking a nap of at least an hour usually gets rid of it too...I have tried everything over the years. You can also combine tylenol and advil(or their generic equivalents) Because they are two different types of medicine and will work at the same time to cut a headache...Now I don't know how frugal any of these are...but these are the things that have worked for me!

**hotprincesscm** · 04-17-2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Denvergirlie

I don't get many headaches myself, but normally if it's a bad one I take 2 advil and an epson salt bath and then go to sleep or take a nap.

It's also soothing for me to rub my stomach in a slow circle or rub my feet with some lotion. However, I don't know that it necessairly helps the headache as much as it's a self soothing thing I do.

I have found that what works for one person will not necessairly work for another person. I've tried excedrin, but I can't handle the caffefine nor the asprin in the pills, it's tears up my stomach. I do sometimes alternate with Aleve or Tylenol, but Advil is my main go to.

Believe it or not..there is pressure points in your in your feet that can relieve a headache...there is pressure point in your feet directly "connected" to almost all parts of your body it's called reflexology, you can get "maps" of the feet online and see what connects to where...So that's not necessarily all self soothing, also, the rubbing of the tummy in a clockwise manner, will actually aid digestion, and the cause of your headache could have been something related to that...if you rub in a counterclockwise manner that can cause constipation and digestion issues...so remember that! LOL

**shortstack** · 04-17-2009, 09:36 AM

A couple glasses of water or even a gatorade. A lot of headaches are caused by dehydration.

**Jayne** · 04-17-2009, 09:37 AM

I don't get headaches really often, but I have a friend who gets migranes and she gets a can of Red Bull and drinks it and it takes the head ache away..hope this helps

**checkerkitty** · 04-17-2009, 09:38 AM

Can't help with the migraines since I've only had one that I know was definitely a migraine and when I vomited, it went away. That's frugal but I wouldn't recommend it! Ibuprofen, cheap generic, is my go to for pain relief. I'll take 2 or 3 depending on the severity. I'm also trying to be better about staying hydrated. I normally drink like a camel. There have been days where I've only had a cup or two of water. I pay for it the next day, though.

I would also make certain your eyes have been checked recently. I've been in the same glasses for 4 years now and I know it's time for a new prescription for glasses. I always get more and worse headaches when my eyes are strained.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-17-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Momto2Boyz

For tension headaches, you can simply brush your teeth. There is something about pressure points in the gums. And if you take a few minutes (a quick brush won't do it) and brush your teeth, it can work!

I've done it before and had tension headaches completely dissapear!~ I have to credit this one to my granmda! I have no idea where she got it...but it works!

Omg! So my DH isn't nuts after all!