Does anyone know a way of curing hormonal migraines without taking medicine?
104728
I heard an old wives tale about puttin banana peels on your forehead for headaches. Don't know if it works I use medicine.
283259
As soon as you get even the slightest hint that you are going to get a migraine, take a dose of aspirin. When I do that, I don't get the full-blown migraine (or the accompanying pain). However, I can still tell that I'd have one if I hadn't taken the aspirin.\n\nTry to figure out what is causing your migraines so that you can avoid them that way, too. It can be different for each person. For me, it was monthly hormonal changes (so I had a pretty good clue when to expect them). For others, it can be certain foods. I had a friend once who got a migraine every time she ate anything cold, like ice cream or frozen yogurt. See if you can track down the cause and then avoid whatever causes them.\n\nIf you already have the migraine and it is a relatively mild one, sometimes they can be warded off by either taking a hot shower or soaking your feet in hot water. It has something to do with blood flow. The hot shower worked for me several times.\n\nAlso, and I know this is really gross so bear with me, when a migraine becomes bad enough, you will become nauseous and then throw up. And then, voile!, the migraine will disappear. (At least this has been true for me and for others I've spoken with.) So, if all else fails and you're in the middle of a terrible migraine and you just want it to STOP, I suggest working on the computer or reading a book. For me, this speeds up the process to reaching nausea and then blessed relief. And, no, throwing up isn't pleasant. But sometimes it is better than the alternative of feeling like your head is going to explode.
421898
I've had problems with migraines for years, and used to go the drug route, until I found myself addicted to demerol (this was like 15 years ago). Fed up, I went to a clinical psychologist who specialized in migraine. He used a combination of biofeedback and hynosis on me, and it worked amazingly well. During one of our sessions, I had a full-blown migraine, so he did a hynosis session, which he tape-recorded for me. Ever since then, any time a migraine comes on, I drag out that tape and listen to it. It still works like a charm, and I have not used drugs for migraine ever since.\n\nOne other possibility - are you definitely experiencing classic migraine, or could it possibly be a histamine headache (aka cluster headache)? While more common in men, some women can also suffer from these, and surprisingly sometimes a simple antihistamine like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can make a huge difference....
318750
Cut down on the caffeine and alcohol, drink more water, get regular sleep, eat a healthy balance of foods.  If absolutely necessary, do not exceed the recommended dose of an OTC pain killer such as Tylenol, asprin or Advil.\n\nFor migraines, what has helped me is taking magnesium supplements (a magnesium deficiency causes the same symptoms as those by a migraine) and seeing a chiropracter.
225749
If you have them repeatedly, you need to see a dr. about it.  I did and its the best thing.  They put me on a treatment program using a few different meds for about 6 months.    I have not had migranes in years.  Mine were from stress. Try yoga or some type of exercise if you are stressed! Both of these help!  Stay away from triggers like perfumes.  Sometimes foods cause them, like strawberries, wines and beers (the sulfites cause them) and chocolate.  My sister gets them if she eats foods with MSG (monosodium glutimate) it's a flavor enhancer that is in alot of seasonings and foods like chips, flavored crackers, etc.  Please go see a Dr. if you can!  I sincerely hope you feel better very soon!
796386
Sounds like it could be serious and you should go to the doctor.  For the mean time, take Excedrin Migraine when you feel the migraine coming on, be prepared ahead of time, so you can take it before it turns into a migraine or it won't work.  If relief items such as Midol don't work, have you tried taking it before your pain comes on like you would the Migraine meds?  Sometimes taking birth control pills can help as well as anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxors (but be careful, can be addictive).  Also eating right can factor in and maybe regular stretching could help.  You can try going to a sports medicine shop and buying a hard foam roll; you lay down on it and just breath, real easy; it stretches the area in between your shoulder blades and works great for upper back pain/tightness.  Ask them how to use it and the various ways it can be used and it's also inexpensive.  Sometimes lying down on your back and having somthing underneath your knees (and ankles equally) about the same height as your thigh can releive pain and pressure.  \nTips on controlling PMS (if that's what you have):\n~Eat complex carbohydrates (such as whole grain breads, pasta and cereals), fiber and protein. \n~Cut back on sugar and fat. \n~Avoid salt for the last few days before your period to reduce bloating and fluid retention. \n~Cut back on caffeine to feel less tense and irritable and to ease breast soreness. \n~Cut out alcohol. Drinking it before your period can make you feel more depressed. \n~Try eating up to 6 small meals a day instead of 3 larger ones. \nGet aerobic exercise. Work up to 30 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week. \n~Get plenty of sleep--about 8 hours a night. \n~Keep to a regular schedule of meals, bedtime and exercise. \n~Try to schedule stressful events for the week after your period. \n~Taking calcium pills may reduce symptoms of water retention, cramps and back pain. Taking about 1,000 mg of calcium a day probably won't be harmful, especially because calcium has so many other benefits, such as being good for your bones, but note that the body can only absorb 500 mg of calcium at a time so take it at separate times in the day.
133944
The best thing to do is to determine the cause of the headache/migraine. As someone pointed out, dehydration can cause severe headaches. So can certain diseases, such as endometriosis, tumors, lupus, etc. It would be good to see a doctor to eliminate the more serious possibilities, and to make sure that your diet and exercise are healthy so that you don't have to over medicate yourself. There are also good homeopathic migraine treatments available in health stores.
182123
Short of having a prescriptions pain killer for migraines, there is not a lot you can do.  Try sleeping in a dark, cool, and quite room.  Keep yourself comfortable.  Don't eat or drink anything.  Cool (not cold) water is okay, but you probably won't care for any.  Don't try to drive or leave the house.  Don't answer the phone.  Don't move at all if you don't have to as all of these things will make the migraine much worse.  My best advice is to get a prescription and take it at the onset of a migraine.  You will feel better in 1/2 hour and most or all of the symptoms will be gone in 1 hour.
461549
I just answered a similar question for someone else. I'll paste the answer below. Also...Excedrin now puts out "Excedrin Migraines". I've found that on the rare migraine I get now...it helps a lot! \n\nAnyway, here is how I finally stopped getting migraines so frequently:\n\nMigraines are caused by fluctuating hormones. I've suffered from them terribly! I finally found a doctor who gave me this advice...and it's very rare now that I get them! :)\n\nHe told me to stay away from the following foods for a week before my period is due..and until my period stops:\n\nOnions, caffeine, chocolate, red wine, cheeses, foods with electrolytes and nitrates (such as gatorade, bacon, ham, processed meats), nuts, dried fruit and yogurt.\n\nSounds like there is nothing left to eat..but you manage to find things when the alternate is those AWFUL migraines.\n\nI hope this helps you too!
380777
She should go to the doctor and be diagnosed with migraine headaches before you do anything.  You will want to rule our potential emergency situations.  Once she has been told that her headches are actually migraines, then start to research alternatives.  Here is a bunch of ideas for you to consider.\n\nShe should make sure her blood sugars are normal, hypoglycemia can contribute to migraines.  Food allergies can be another culprit.  Watch out for lactose intolerance, excessive caffeine, salt and artificial sweeteners.  Foods containing tyramine can cause them too.  Migraines can be caused by a reaction to birth control pills or smoking.\n\nEssential oil of lavender is very help in calming the nervous sytem and helping to relax tight muscles.  You can make little eye pillows, rub it on the back of the neck or temple, or just smell it.\n\nVitamin B2 and B12 can be helpful.  People who have migraine tend to have lower levels of magnesium, so a magnesium supplement might be of help.  Coenzyme Q10 has shown promise in research trials, but you have to take it for a few months before you can determine if it will have any effect.\n\nThe herb feverfew is worth looking into. Ginger can help with the headache and also the nausea that can accompany the headache. Look into fish oil, melatonin and SAMe, too.  \n\nAcupuncture therapy is very helpful at reducing the severity and frequency of migraines.\n\nThere are so many things you could try, but don't try them all at once, because you won't know which things are working and which ones are a waste of time and money.
779061
ugh i hate migraine advice from people that don't get them.  migraines often but not always have triggers.  the most common triggers are preservatives -- sulfites in wines, sodiums you can't pronounce in all kinds of prepared foods.  watch what you eat and see if you notice any patterns.  for me there is something in hotdogs, canned beans (like baked beans), soy sauce is practically deadly.  \n\ni find the best treament for mine are a cup of french coffee -- thats espresso roast coffee made in a french press. \nAlso a chunk of bakers semi sweet chocolate helps -- even better are chunks of chocolate you can find in latin supermarkets made for putting in hot drinks.  these are both relatively unproccessed and you get more chocolate goodness and less processing indgrients.  unfortunatley chocolate is also a migraine trigger for some.  \n\nsome life change things you can do to reduce migraines -- \n\ndrink lots of water -- at least 2 liters a day -- 4 is better.  water means water.  don't count juice or soda or anything else as water.  your body processes it differently.  it seems most headaches have something to do with brain dehydration including migraines.  \n\nvitamins -- b complexes and calcium/magnesium suppliments are most often recommended -- i can't guarantee this but if i eat a bunch of calcium/magnesium while i have a headache i usually feel a little better after.  \n\nmelatonin works better than any pain reducer.  i take about 6 mgs if my head hurts 9 mgs if my head hurts and i am going to sleep.  \n\nThese are just the basics.  there is a lot of info out there -- much of it is conflicting.  these are things that work for me. doesn't mean they will work for you.  best of luck.
995555
Believe it or not, a friend of mine was recently diagnosed with painless migraines.  I recommend that you discuss this with your doctor.
904648
Migraines and headaches are, of course, two very different things.  A headache can be caused by numerous things.  Migraine disease is a neurological condition with episodes being triggered by a number of causes.\n\nA lot of migraine sufferers, myself included, are often awakened by migraines.  You might want to keep a migraine diary to watch for what triggers you.  There are primary triggers (things that, all by themselves, will set you off), and then there are triggers that build up (things that combine with other things to trip you into a migraine state).  Some things you can avoid...some you can't.\n\nWhile the following are common triggers, they are by no means all of the triggers that are around:\n\nAged cheese \nEggs\nTomatoes\nCitrus fruits\nWheat products\nAlcohol \nMSG \nChocolate \nCaffeine \nNitrites (hot dogs, bacon, lunch meat, etc.)\nAvocado \nFermented or pickled foods \nYeast, protein extracts, freshly baked yeast products\nOnions \nNuts, peanut butter\nDairy products, yogurt, sour cream\nAspartame \nMold and mildew\nBright lights\nPerfumes and strong scents\nSkipping or delaying meals\nMissing sleep\nHormonal Changes (period/menopause)\nOral contraceptives \nHormone replacement therapy \nWeather conditions, barometric changes, cold and/or dry weather\nHigh altitude\nTime or time zone changes/jet lag\n\n\nStress is not a trigger, but in the same way that stress won't cause a cold, it can often be a contributing factor.\n\nYou should get in to see a doctor - preferably a neurologist who specializes in migraines.  Spendy?  Yes!  But these are the folks who have the answers and can truly help!  I have had migraines for over 40 years, and we are just beginning to really get a handle on the (several types of) migraines I deal with more than 2/3 of the month!
485524
As far as homeopathic/natural things go-- I found that feverfew tea (or now I think they have tablets) was a natural ingredient that helped migraines.  I didn't like the tea, so this one didn't work that great for me.\n\nWhat really helped me, was to up my intake of B vitamins/niacin.  That did help me prevent/get ride of a significant number of migraines.\n\nGood luck-- I know they are pretty miserable.
700874
Get a carbon monoxide detector.  I had a friend who was diagnosed with migraines when they later found out was carbon monoxide poisoning.
952713
Migraine's really suck! I know-I suffer with them too. I also suffer with depression and insomnia. I then fall asleep during the day. These are probably all related somehow. I know if I don't get enough sleep or sleep too much, this can bring on a migraine. And living like that can make anyone feel their life sucks!!!\nDo you get any auras before a headache. I get "floaters" (tiny little lights a lot like fireflies!).\nI would ask to have your thyroid checked and get tested for diabetes. Both of these can cause daytime sleepiness, headaches and depression.I was found to have both. \nI treat my headaches with Tylenol#3 (codeine) I take Celexa for the depression. This usually cures the insomnia but I ***occassionally***take a sleep aid.\nAlso try some relaxtion techniques-it may sound corny but they really work. And try to stop worrying about it all-stress will just create a vicious circle of headaches and depression!!!
633572
The best person to help you is your Doctor. No-ones advice should replace his.\n\nIt sounds like theres a chance your really bad headaches could be migraines which come in any forms.\nA Doctor can prescribe medications if necessary to help with the management of migraines,\n\nI find ibuprofen for Migraines works really well , and another home remedy is straight black coffee 3 sugars.\n\nGood luck and instead of worrying see your doctor and let him tell you the answers.