How do YOU get rid of really bad headaches.

[Ladyhawk]

I have two herniated discs in my neck and for the past month the pain has been getting worse. I'm seeing spots before my eyes. I think my headaches are turning into the migraine variety.

Today I can't sit or stand for long and my Rx pain pills aren't working.

Any help?

[shraby]

1. Can you get them operated on?

My sis in law had that and got it done and is fine now.

[Ladyhawk]

5. I'm waiting on an MRI...have been waiting for a year.

I should get news within the next couple of weeks on when I do the MRI. After that, I have surgery. It's hard to wait.

[CO Liberal]

20. I've Been There

I have two herniated discs in my lower back, the result of an accident in March of 2000. I had to wait 18 months for the PIP insurer to authorize an MRI, which revealed one of them - additional procedures (facet block, SI block and discogram) revealed the second one. I was given three choices - fusion surgery, and IDET (where they use an electric current to try an seal the damaged disc) and pain management (prescription painkillers and wearing a TENS unit). I opted for the pain management route, which worked fine until I had a second accident in December of 2002. The pain started getting worse, so I asked for a referral to a pain mamagement specialist, who I saw for the first time in February of last year.

Two weeks later, I was involved in a THIRD accident, which left me with two herniated discs in my neck. I'm currently seeing the painmanagement specialist for my lower back, and a spine specialist for my neck. Every few months, I go in for an epiduraql injection, where they inject a steroid solution into the area around my damaged discs. It helps reduce the pain for a few months, and is prolonging the time until when I will have to have surgery.

If you haven't had an epidural injection, talk to your doctor about it.

[Lorien]

2. It ain't cheap

I use Botox. Just a couple of small shots between the eyebrows rids me of headaches for six months or more. It costs about $350 for the shots, but I lose days to migraines without them, so I think it's worth it.

Also try sleeping with first aid tape between your eyebrows and across your forehead. For some reason, immobilizing those muscles can make a huge difference.

[bleedingheart]

3. are you drinking enough water?

I suffer from horrid headaches when I don't drink enough...when I have problems with my discs (C5-6-7) I find that I ignore my need to drink because I am laying about nursing my back...and then I end up not drinking enough....

aside from that...are you going to PT for your back??

[Ladyhawk]

6. :) I've done the PT thing several times, but I'm not currently in PT

But yes, I lie around a lot and can't take care of myself properly. I'll try drinking more water. That fixes a lot of things.

[bleedingheart]

10. I know what it is like

I have had episodes where I have lost the use of my left arm. Therapy has worked well for me and to be honest the only time I suffer is when I stop doing my exercises...but the headaches...those I get from lack of water...

I am hoping to postpone surgery for as long as possible.

[slutticus]

4. I have an idea but it ain't legal....

:)

Otherwise, maybe try another Rx? What about that asprin/codeine stuff?

[Ladyhawk]

9. My friend swears by tylenol/codeine, but she can get it without an Rx...

...in Canada.

BTW, Shake reminds me of **: stupid and a jerk. I miss TV...sniff.

[AlCzervik]

7. try taking a hot shower and them try some coffee

it opens up the blood vessels.

[Taverner]

8. Seriously - marijuana

When my back went out marijuana worked for me.

[Ladyhawk]

13. If I get caught with it, I lose my apartment.

It's been legalized for medical use, but there's still some question about whether the law is legitimate. Confession: I tried it three times at a friend's place. I get very loquacious and belligerent and usually go on and on about religion and politics. I think I offended an entire restaurant once. I was obnoxious! OK, I was more obnoxious than usual. :D

I was so busy being obnoxious I didn't notice whether or not I was in pain. I forgot to monitor that bit. If I didn't notice, I probably was OK. I just don't like losing control.

[Not_Giving_Up]

15. Yep!!!!

That too!

[NightTrain]

11. Tell him it's over between you.

:evilgrin:

[LincolnMcGrath]

16. I was going to say the same thing. lol

Stretch, Exercise, Therapy, Repeat

Back/Neck problems can give killer headaches. Don't let it kick your ass. Address every other issue that it could be (Headache), check vision, sleep habits, diet, lay off Phenol, etc. If it is definitely a back/neck issue you might be able to exercise/ stretch/ therapy/ adjustment your way out of it.

Good luck LH

[Ladyhawk]

17. Night Train, you're funny! :)

I love reading your posts. :)

[madison2000]

12. See a neurologist about the migraines

There are lots of non-narcotic treatments for migraines. One of the biggest problems with using Vicodin is that it makes the headaches rebound and you start having them all the time.

[Not_Giving_Up]

14. I have mega back problems as well

Migraines are very nasty for me, all the way to throwing up everything I've ever eaten (or so it seems). I feel it coming...shoulders knot up, neck stiffens, BOOM!

Trips to chiropractor help me, but if you can't do that...

Cold dark room with an ice bag on the side the headace is on...quiet...and SLEEP!

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. I throw up. Seriously, my migraines have always gotten

better after doing that.

Hope you get some relief soon!

*hugs*

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[Ronnie]

19. I fill the bottom of the bathtub

with hot water. Then I sit on the edge with my feet in the water and lower my head down between my knees very slowly. Within a short time the headache is gone. I don't know if this would work on your kind of headache, but it's easy, cheap, and legal.

[cags]

21. I get migraines, pain medication does not work, It only gives you more

headaches.

If it truly is a migraine, pain medications won't do any good. You need specific prescriptions for migraines. I take Imitrex, for me it is miracle medicine.

But for now you can try a couple of things that have helped ease mine.

Put an icepack on the back of your neck.
There are also two pressure points in the back of your head that help but with your neck problem i wouldn't try that.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Freebird12004]

23. find a Young Living Oil Distributor

I had headaches 24/7 for years. Now thanks to alternative care and 'no' conventional care - I have more good days instead of bad ones.

[Bouncy Ball]

24. I get someone to hit me with a rubber mallet.

I once went to the ER, I had a sinus headache that was THAT bad. I have a VERY high tolerance to pain and I thought I was going to pass out from that pain.

They did sinus x-rays and he said I had one of the worst sinus infections he had ever seen.

I have really crappy healthcare coverage, by the way.

But seriously, go to your doctor. They have injections they can give you that will take care of it. I once had a cluster headache for SEVEN DAYS (night and day) and I couldn't sleep at night because of it but I was exhausted. I was given a huge injection of something (???) given pills, went home, got in a darkened room and eventually slept for about 16 hours.

Good luck, I know it's hell.

[SarahB]

25. Strength straining and perhaps acupuncture.

Someone I was once close with has had similar issues- stemming from, in his case, a drunk driving accident 20 years ago unseatbelted that's injuries began to rear their head 10 years ago. He got hooked on prescriptives, but now takes a smaller amount for maintenance. He takes other migraine meds. He smoked a lot of weed for a number of years (as a recovering alcoholic, not the best thing to do). He's since cleaned up to a degree and since at least career-wise, his life has taken off, so hopefully, he'll stay relatively clean. Basically, all the chemicals did was put a wedge between him and the rest of humanity emotionally.

The only thing that did help was strength training (which can be done in many ways- light weights, exercises, martial arts. etc.) and I suspect other avenues like bio-feedback, chiropractic, and acupuncture can help many people as well. Surgery can be beneficial as a last result, but I'd be cautious and wary at the same time.

[amazona]

26. ouch!

I don't get really bad headaches. When I was a kid, and I got headaches, I took aspirin plus caffeine but they were caused by growing pains, and I'm grown, so they don't bother me any more.

All I can do is send moral support.

I have two relatives with migraines. One of them used to get injections when the pain was severe. The other had to give up eating and drinking everything that had "mold" on it. Which means no cheese, no grapes or berries, no wine, no bread...the last time I saw her I was worried she was becoming anorexic, to be honest. But she has no more headaches.

I don't seriously think these quirky cures would work for you. I think my family is just weird.

[Parche]

27. headaches

Asprin free Excederin is the best.....always

[Cheswick2.0]

28. ice on your neck... the nerves to you head are pinched and inflamed

Ice is the BEST thing to help. Then do some of your flexibility stretches.

[skygazer]

29. Have you tried chiropractic?

I sympathise - I had a badly herniated disc in my neck that caused migraines, arm numbness and associated other things. It bothered me for over ten years but during that time, I found I could control it with physical therapy, chiropractic and some natural supplements - Bromalain which is a pineapple extract and natural anti-inflammatory and Glucosamine which helps lubricate joints.

Eventually, I had to have surgery which I had in January. The recovery time is long - it was 8 months before I was allowed to turn my head since the bones had to fuse together - but it worked wonderfully. I am back at work and have NO pain whatsoever. I've lost a little mobility but I had lost mobility because of the pain too - now it's pain free which is a big plus. I have a very physical job and my neck has not bothered me a bit. It seems like a miracle.

For migraines, try putting a warm cloth on your eyes and laying in a dark room. Also, oddly enough, try some caffeine - a cup of coffee or something. Caffeine sometimes helps them. Speak to your doc about migraine meds and I would investigate the possibilities of chiropractic or physical therapy - if those don't help, you may want to try the surgery. It has a very high success rate as opposed to back surgery. PM me if you have any questions about it. :hug: