Your best headache cures!

[Peach Wookiee]

Okay, denizens of Misc., I have had a headache for the past week, three days and one hour. I suspect a stress, allergy and hormonal trifecta and have done all my usual tricks to try and get it gone. Does anyone have cures that have worked for particularly stubborn headaches?

 

[auntiehill]

Um....a whole WEEK? Have you been to a doctor?

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Codeine.

 

[Pondwater]

Yikes! I say consult your healthcare provider first.

 

[Miss Chicken]

A hot bath or shower, or heat applied in other ways, often works for me.

However if I had a headache that lasted days I would be going to the doctor.

Edited to add from here

Take a hot bath. Most people probably don't know about this one, but it's a technique that can give you almost immediate relief. There are three reasons for this. The first is that laying in hot water thins your blood, which is what aspirin does. The second is because laying with your head on the back of the tub realigns the pressure points on your neck and shoulders. The third is that hot water lets off steam, even if you can't see it, which helps to loosen up sinus congestion. To work, the bath needs to be as hot as you can stand. Generally the best way to get the water really hot, is turn the tap on warm, get in, then turn up the heat as you go. This way your body will grow accustomed to the heat as you lay there.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Usually, espresso.

All my headaches are hangovers, lack of sleep, or caffeine deprivation.

 

[Nociod]

I have never had a headache that lasted that long, and I would go straight to the doctor if I did.

What seems to work for me is keeping myself hydrated, drink a lot of water and rest. But I want to stress that it has never lasted that long. Consult your doctor

 

[JarodRussell]

You'll laugh: sex.

http://news.discovery.com/human/health/sex-relieves-migraines-130305.htm

My girlfriend and I tested it thoroughly, exhaustive, in-depth and rigorous under various conditions.

But headache for over a week is probably something that a doctor might want to look at.

 

[thestrangequark]

^Ninja'd!

Sex. Seriously. It works. I agree with the others, that unless week-long headaches are something you've experienced before and already had checked out, then you ought to see your doctor, but if you have been to the doctor and know you're fine, then grab your significant other, Naked Funtime Partner, or toy of choice and have some sex. The exercise increases blood flow to the brain and the endorphins ease pain.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Now I need to know the secret to convincing a partner with a headache that they want to have sex.

 

[Third Nacelle]

If you've had a headache for a whole week you need to see a doctor ASAP.

My headache cure is 2 Advils, a banana, and a liter of fresh-brewed iced tea. Works every time, almost instantly.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I have tried a lot of cures, including the Orgasm Cure. I have toys.

I also tried the ice cream headache cure which is supposed to work under the same principle as a fire break or red matter in stopping a supernova from eating up the galaxy.

I hope it stops on its own. I tire of doctors.

iguana, can it be instant espresso? I have some of that. Otherwise, I may run to my favorite bakery tomorrow morning and get theirs. Starbucks espresso is too freakin' bitter and there's no Tully's nearby.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Advil

 

[RandyS]

A WEEK? Yes, I second the "see a doctor" recommendation.

I suffer from periodic chronic migraines (as if I didn't already have enough to worry about with cerebral palsy, but I digress....), and they never last more than three days, usually.

I take either Excedrin, or doctor-prescribed Immitrex (in pill form. The shot made me sick), and doing that, plus sleeping them off is what works for me. Nothing else usually does.

 

[Portal]

Good old fashioned Aspirin

 

[Amaris]

Meditation generally works. If it's really severe, though, I just go straight to the Tylenol.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Maybe a problem that needs to be "attacked" from multiple fronts, as suggested in the OP, so besides all the other things mentioned, don't forget to relieve stress. Possibly the hardest thing to do, because some stress is impossible to avoid.

I've no surefire ideas on how to do that. For me, nature walks are good. Whatever it is for you, consider making time to do something that pleases you, calms your mind, and recharges your emotional batteries, even if it pleases no one else.

 

[iguana_tonante]

iguana, can it be instant espresso?

No such thing exists.

Starbucks espresso

No such thing exists.

 

[JarodRussell]

I hope it stops on its own. I tire of doctors.

Are you also tired of life?

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I hope it stops on its own. I tire of doctors.

Are you also tired of life?

At times.