https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:49:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1547508 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 23:15:48 +0000 78h2o 1547508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lovehoneybee: your photo totally made my day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1547187 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:30:13 +0000 rins72 1547187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't drink a lot of caffeine and Excedrin Migraine (which has caffeine) has always been my drug of choice for my migraines. I've found that drinking one cup of coffee in the mornings seems to help me. Also, staying hydrated and staying out of the heat/sun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1547153 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:59:44 +0000 Synchronicity 1547153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: @stratosphere: So much good advice! Thank you both (for the tips and for commiserating), this has turned into a very valuable thread. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1547137 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:53:16 +0000 stratosphere 1547137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I typically only get them once a year or so (mostly when on vacation, sadly! so I lose a day of many trips, stuck in bed in a darkened room...I think dehydration coupled with very bright sunlight sustained for several continuous hours are my usual triggers). </p> <p>But since I got pregnant I've been getting them weekly and it has been the PITS! Here's what I have figured out (with the help of my OB, who also suffers from migraines) over the past few weeks that has helped considerably:</p> <p>1. At very first sign, ice pack to the back of the neck.<br /> 2. Dark room, of course--and rest<br /> 3. A cup of black tea (I went off caffeine entirely a year ago, so a cup of tea is now enough caffeine for me to feel a difference)<br /> 4. Peppermint essential oil dabbed lightly on my temples, around my hairline<br /> 5. Super-hydrate if there's any chance I'm dehydrated</p> <p>I don't feel comfortable taking any of my usual headache/migraine/pain meds during pregnancy, so finding med-free ways to help dissipate the migraines has been a lifesaver. </p> <p>Honestly, the biggest single thing for me has been ice packs on the back of the neck--somehow I didn't know about that remedy before, and it helps me SO MUCH. That said, I have to keep rotating the ice packs on my neck for hours, since as they warm up the migraine comes back. </p> <p>My migraines typically last about 18 hours (including all night and into the next day if they come on in the late afternoon or evening) but if I do all of the above steps as soon as I feel one coming on I have been able to get them to go away in about four hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1547114 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:45:33 +0000 gingerbebe 1547114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: Sigh. Migraines. I feel ya. Mine started at 12/13 too - around when I got my period.</p> <p>I had them the worst in college and was on serious medication for them. Oddly, something that helped me a lot was going on the Eat Right for Your Type diet (its based on your blood type). The biggest things I remember from that diet is that I worked very hard to reduce stress (and thus cortisol levels) in my system. In terms of diet, I took ginseng, eliminated gluten, wheat, tomato, and acidic food from my diet for a few months, as well as most caffeine (aside from green tea) and almost no alcohol. I felt a lot better and even after I went off the diet, my headaches were much less frequent and severe.</p> <p>Hormones really affected my headaches, so I would ask your doctor about that. I usually got migraines towards the end of my cycle, although I could have them more frequently. Birth control (going on or off them) also aggravated things. I'm off hormonal birth control now and that also kept things steadier.</p> <p>I noticed that neti potting regularly (just generally keeping my sinuses clear) and sleeping with a humidifier in my bedroom at night helped keep the pressure in my head level, so I do that, and stay on allergy medicine (Allegra) to keep that steady all year long. </p> <p>One thing that also aggravated my headaches was keeping my eye Rx accurate. I get mine checked twice a year instead of just once and update my contacts and glasses as needed. With as much time as I spend at work in front of the computer, if my vision is wonky it makes my headaches a lot more frequent.</p> <p>Hydration is important, as is keeping a steady blood sugar.</p> <p>Once I get a headache, other than taking fast release Advil or Tylenol with hot tea, I find alternating hot and cold really helps. For example, I take a hot shower or bath, then lay down in a cold dark room. I keep 2 ice packs at the base of my skull and one over my brows/eyes. I drink hot tea and hot soup. Then I drink iced beverages or Slurpees. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1547053 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:07:07 +0000 Synchronicity 1547053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lovehoneybee: you are officially one of the best people on the planet. Thank you for that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1547024 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 16:46:06 +0000 lovehoneybee 1547024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: A demonstration! I've never actually tried it, but I think I can see how the constant pressure on the head could help? In the way that pressing the top of your nose between your eyes can relieve some pressure? It's awfully tight though, and left an immediate indentation on my forehead, so if you decide to give it a try I'd recommend a wire hanger? A little more give than the hard plastic....</p> <p>Forgive the awful selfie, lol </p> [attach=1866/14/n3j0gz.450x600.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546936 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 15:54:35 +0000 Synchronicity 1546936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: so strange, but my mom's go-to was tea and smokey bacon chips! Lol</p> <p>@lovehoneybee: haha I'm not sure I'm picturing this right! You are actually squeezing your head into the opening in the middle? This is one of the strangest tips I've ever heard... :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546917 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 15:47:48 +0000 mrswin 1546917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: My non-medicine remedy is a coke and a snack size bag of salt and vinegar chips! This was suggested to me by my ND and I thought she was crazy but it actually works :happy: </p> <p>Also I lay down in a dark room with a cold gel eye mask </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546820 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 14:55:45 +0000 lovehoneybee 1546820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok so this one is weird, but I have a former co-worker who SWORE by it. Get a hanger, preferably wire but plastic is okay too. Got it? Now put it on your head, with the long bottom side going across your forehead horizontally and the top hook part on the back of your head. Now leave it there for a while. </p> <p>I never tried it (Excedrin, soda/coffee, cold dark room for a while work for me), but she told me both her and her son had chronic migraines that couldn't be explained but someone told her about it and she claimed it changed their lives. But she might have been punking me to try to get me to walk around the office/home with a hanger on my head, so.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546809 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 14:52:04 +0000 JessKas 1546809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've gotten migraines with aura since I was 11, and I found when I cut out gluten the severity and frequency was greatly reduced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546588 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 13:28:39 +0000 78h2o 1546588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I should have said my biggest triggers were/are hormones. I get a migraine like clockwork the day before ovulation and the day before my period. Changes in pressure also make me more susceptible, so changes in the weather and flying can trigger migraines... it helps if I am super careful with other triggers during those times... making sure to get enough sleep, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546412 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:42:22 +0000 Synchronicity 1546412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Yep, site keeps crashing for me too! Poor MrBee. I really should keep a journal, I'm just not great at committing to things like that, even though I know it would help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546404 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:40:34 +0000 Madison43 1546404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: great point. Cutting back on caffeine definitely increases its effectiveness when you really need it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546402 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:39:50 +0000 snowjewelz 1546402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: Are you double posting b/c the site is still crashing? I keep wanting to post a reply but couldn't! </p> <p>This is a very interesting thread to follow! I don't even know what my trigger is! I had migraines once a week for a few months, but lately I haven't experienced any. </p> <p>Maybe it can be helpful to keep a journal to try to figure out what your trigger(s) are, and what methods are helpful/not helpful? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546389 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:30:17 +0000 Synchronicity 1546389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So much good information here, thank you! </p> <p>@78h2o: I cannot imagine having 20 migraines in a month. I'm sorry you had to experience that! </p> <p>@MsLipGloss: Booo to cutting caffeine. I love a good coffee. I guess if it will help, though... You had a migraine for that many weeks, straight?? That is insane. I feel like I would literally start to go crazy. </p> <p>@mrs. tictactoe: Interesting that breastfeeding helped!! </p> <p>@jhd: I'm totally scared of the chiro. Irrational fear, I've never even been to one!</p> <p>@keiki_mama: That's awesome, thank you! </p> <p>@spaniellove: I just put it on my grocery list. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546380 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:25:47 +0000 mrsrain 1546380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@78h2o: I looked it up and that is the same book I read. It's been ages, but it definitely helped me! Like the original poster, weather is one of my big triggers, but getting my food triggers under control meant weather triggers were less likely to push me past my threshold. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546369 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:23:26 +0000 78h2o 1546369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: yes! caffeine never helped my headaches before pregnancy because my body was so used to it. However, when I was pregnant, just 1/2 cup of coffee would take care of a migraine pretty quickly. It was amazing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546365 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:22:25 +0000 78h2o 1546365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsrain: "Heal Your Headache" is another good book about reducing migraine triggers. It focuses a lot on overuse of pain meds, caffeine, diet, birth control, other medications, etc. I like his theory about how some things raise and lower your "migraine threshold", and the theory that one trigger might not cause a migraine on it's own, but multiple triggers together might put you over the threshold. I've found that to be true for me... stress alone won't cause a migraine, but stress + lack of sleep will.</p> <p>One of the biggest triggers I identified was eating sugar at night (without protein)... I think my blood sugar would spike and then dip low in the night and that would cause problems. Even 2 cookies or an icecream sandwhich would do it. (I don't have hypoglycemia or diabetes, but still, it was a pretty reliable trend). Also, too much aspartame seems to cause me problems...one can of diet soda = fine, 3 cans = migraine. Any kind of sinus pressure can trigger a migraine, so I stay on top of that and use steroid nose drops/allergy meds.</p> <p>Some folks say magnesium supplementation helps. Also riboflavin and CoQ10. </p> <p>I had chronic migraines, sometimes as often as 20+ a month. I tired every preventative medication under the sun (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antiseizure meds, SSRIs, etc.... finally, the last thing I tried, a tricyclic antidepressant, worked and cut my migraines down to 1-2 per month. Also getting off bc helped as well. I haven't been on any meds since LO, but I am starting to get more and more migraines... I think I need to go back to what I was doing before!</p> <p>During a migraine, I find a hot shower sometimes helps OR turning the water in the tub on COLD and sticking my head under it. Ice packs, dark room, drinking a lot of water, using a vibrating massager on the area, etc.</p> <p>Sorry this was all over the place! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546364 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:22:16 +0000 MsLipGloss 1546364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: Reducing your caffeine intake is helpful because caffeine is a vasoconstrictor (some migraines are caused by increased blood flow to brain) and a common ingredient in migraine meds . . . so not ingesting it regularly can help the effectiveness of those meds (or a Coke/Diet Coke).</p> <p>Also, there are safe meds you can take during pregnancy. Fioricet is one of them (I used Fioricet and Benadryl to deal with a migraine that lasted from weeks 16-21). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546362 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:22:11 +0000 spaniellove 1546362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: I keep a container of the powder handy because that way I can just mix some with a big bottle of water! It gives me control over the intensity of the flavor and I never have to worry about running out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546361 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:22:09 +0000 78h2o 1546361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsrain: "Heal Your Headache" is another good book about reducing migraine triggers. It focuses a lot on overuse of pain meds, caffeine, diet, etc. I like his theory about how some things raise and lower your "migraine threshold", and the theory that one trigger might now cause a migraine on it's own, but multiple triggers together might put you over the threshold. I've found that to be true for me... stress alone won't cause a migraine, but stress + lack of sleep will.</p> <p>One of the biggest triggers I identified with eating sugar at night... I think my blood sugar would spike and then dip low in the night and that would cause problems. (I don't have hypoglycemia or diabetes, but still, it was a pretty reliable trend). Also, aspartame seems to cause me problems. Any kind of sinus pressure can trigger a migraine, so I stay on top of that and use steroid nose drops/allergy meds.</p> <p>Some folks say magnesium supplementation helps. Also riboflavin and CoQ10. </p> <p>I had chronic migraines, sometimes as often as 20+ a month. I tired every preventative medication under the sun (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antiseizure meds, SSRIs, etc.... finally, the last thing I tried, a tricyclic antidepressant, worked and cut my migraines down to 1-2 per month. Also getting off bc helped as well. I haven't been on any meds since LO, but I am starting to get more and more migraines... I think I need to go back to what I was doing before!</p> <p>During a migraine, I find a hot shower sometimes helps OR turning the water in the tub on COLD and sticking my head under it. Ice packs, dark room, drinking a lot of water, using a vibrating massager on the area, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546352 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:18:09 +0000 keiki_mama 1546352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started getting headaches frequently while I was pregnant with DS and my savior has been my baltic amber necklace! I purchased mine from Inspired by Finn <a href="http://hyenacart.com/stores/inspiredbyfinn/" rel="nofollow">http://hyenacart.com/stores/inspiredbyfinn/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546348 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:16:36 +0000 jhd 1546348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A friend of mine goes to the chiropractor regularly to help with migraines. I'm not sure what he does or how it helps but it was something I wouldn't have thought of!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546344 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:13:45 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 1546344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sleep. The only thing that works for me is to sleep in a silent dark room. Actually, when I was breastfeeding, that would actually help. For some reason, I felt a lot better when I was nursing and the more I did it, the better I felt if I had a headache or migraine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546335 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:11:13 +0000 Synchronicity 1546335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Gatorade, I don't know why I've never thought of that! Thank you!</p> <p>@Madison43: My main trigger is changes in barometric pressure. Not much I can do to control the weather, unfortunately! Going to have to try the cold Coke though :)</p> <p>@mrsrain: No worries! I'm definitely going to add that book to my Amazon list... it would probably be useful for my mom to read it too! Thank you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546311 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 11:56:39 +0000 mrsrain 1546311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: Whoops, sorry! I made the assumption based on your wanting to go med-free. Which is silly, because I did the same thing before I was ever TTC!</p> <p>I was worried about getting them worse during pregnancy, too (the one time in her life my mom got them), but I have only had a couple. When the time comes, hopefully it'll be the same for you!</p> <p>There is a book I read called something like "Migraine Free Diet". Basically, it takes you through the most common triggers to help you eliminate them. Later you can add things back in over time to see what are real triggers. It's not as complicated as it sounds! I gave up caffeine, nitrates/nitrates, and foods with MSGs/preservatives in them and it's amazing. I went from living a life severely affected by migraine and being on two medications (a daily and one when I actually got migraines) to only dealing with them on occasion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546290 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 11:43:56 +0000 Madison43 1546290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get migraines with auras too. I completely agree with the cold coke and darkness....and an ice pack. </p> <p>The best advice I could give would be to try and figure out your triggers. I know exhaustion and dehydration are mine. I can't do much about exhaustion with an infant, so I try and stay ridiculously hydrated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546284 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 11:43:06 +0000 spaniellove 1546284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gatorade, lots of water, and (slightly medicinal but) 250-500mg magnesium. I do the Gatorade and water because when I've been to the ER, the only thing they could do besides maybe medicate me - and often they couldn't - is give IV fluids/electrolytes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-non-medicinal-headache-migraine-remedies#post-1546283 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 11:42:52 +0000 Synchronicity 1546283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: I'm going to have to start keeping track. My doctor has never said much, but I will bring it up during my next appt. Thank you! </p>