Tension headaches help

[newcastlemama]

I think I am having pregnancy tension-type headaches...I have had one off and on for the past 24 hours. Is anyone else experiencing this? What do you do about it?

Jen

[nausicaamom]

I broke down and took some tylenol since I figured the tylenol was better than all the cortisol running through my body. Caffiene also helps me. Aside from that, I had a chiropractic adjustment and they are significantly better(never skipping a week again). I haven't been able to do one, but a good neck/upper back massage should work very well too - when my headaches were at their worst I craved a neck massage in the worst way but I knew my husband would make things worse if he tried.

[True Blue]

A headache is the one time I'll take some medicine. Mine just won't go away otherwise, and I can't care for 2 other children if my head hurts...all I can do is lay in bed.

That said, I have my second cold of the the first trimester, I am so sick and I can't take anything....the coughing alone has made me throw up probably 3 or 4 more times than I would have if I weren't sick. I hate this.

[smokeylo]

Bach's Rescue Remedy has helped me with tension headaches. A heating pad or rice sock around my neck and aromatherapy (lavender) have also helped. And a warm bath. If those don't work, I'd be ok taking a tylenol. Headaches suck!!

[Mindi22]

May I recommend chiropractic care?

[LoveChild421]

If I get a headache the first thing I do is put a cold compress with peppermint essential oil on it on my forehead and a warm compress with Lavender essential oil on the back of my neck. It works like a charm most of the time! If its really bad I go get a massage (if I get regular massages I don't seem to ever get headaches, but if I skip a month or so I do)- even a 30 min massage focused on the neck area really releases all the tension and can help get the muscles looser.

[eilonwy]

Not having access to essential oils, I usually end up getting my husband to rub Ben Gay into the spasm in my neck/shoulders, along with a massage. Helps a great deal. If it's REALLY awful, I'll go to the hospital and get a shot of toridol (NSAID). Most of the time, I suffer. :

[newcastlemama]

Thank you so much for the tips! I will definatly be jotting them down.

I was thinking about tyring the chiro..I just can't afford to go that often. Maybe I will go get some rescue rememdy today too.

Jen

[nausicaamom]

If you can shave the money from somewhere definitely go to the chiro. I'm going a bit crazy trying to afford it myself, but it is making such a huge difference this time around that I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

[KatherineNaomi]

Originally Posted by nausicaamom

I broke down and took some tylenol since I figured the tylenol was better than all the cortisol running through my body. Caffiene also helps me.

Me too. If I have to take something I like Excedrin for Tension Headaches. It's acetaminophen with caffeine and it always works and it's fast acting. I find the caffeine makes a big difference.

[flapjack]

If you're getting a lot of headaches, are you sure that it's tension and not sinus? The infamous pregnancy rhinitis can do some disgusting things to your sinuses.
What has made life kind of bearable is a cold pack on the back of the head, ear plugs, and a cold flannel on the forehead. The ear plugs are key, if you have older children, it muffles the screaming.

[newcastlemama]

I don't think I am having sinus headaches...I have no pain coming from that area.

[mosesface]

i've had headaches every day for the past week. the first couple of days i just tried to suffer through it. after a few days, i took some tylenol and it worked. on saturday i had a little caffeine to take the edge off and that worked.

but today, NOTHING has worked. i'm not dehydrated, i've had plenty to eat, plenty of sleep, but my head is POUNDING. i took even extra strength tylenol, but it didn't make a dent.

i have to go into town tomorrow morning for a dentist appointment (which i'm sure won't help my headache one bit) and i plan to call the chiropractor on my way in to see if they can get me in.

sheesh...this is almost as bad as the constant puking.

[eilonwy]

I once had a tension headache that lasted for five solid months. It was *horrible*... about two months in I was totally non-functional, spent all my time puking and muttering and i was chewing down alleve like it was candy.

They're the only headaches I've ever had that don't necessarily get better with sleep (and often get worse).

[loraxc]

Okay, you should only try this if you're as desperate as I was, because it's quite intense and causes burning in your nose and throat and sneezing. However...IT WORKED. At first it relieved almost all the pain--within a couple of hours it was creeping back, but bearable. My headaches have been horrendously bad, and today I am at work with a container of cayenne! Found it on kellymom.com:

Cayenne Pepper:

Taking cayenne inside the nose helps to open up the blood vessels. This enables the blood to get nutrients to all parts of the brain. Warning - this can burn a bit, so keep the grains of cayenne down to as few as possible.

To stop a migraine follow these simple steps:

* Open the capsule and dip the flat end of a dry toothpick into the cayenne to pick up 3-4 grains.
* Block one nostril and gently put cayenne up the other nostril.
* Sniff deeply 3-4 times until you feel the flecks of pepper in your throat. (If you don't feel this, do it again).
* Once you feel the warmth in your throat, you headache should be gone in minutes

ETA: I didn't use a capsule--just plain old cayenne.