What helps with headaches

[valeriedl]

After seizures, like many of you, I have horrible headaches that last for hours. I lay with a bag of ice on my head which really doesn't do much because I haven't been able to find any med that works.

Does anyone know of a med that helps with these intense headaches that I can ask the dr for?

 

[Sparkles]

Hi Valerie,
I had migraines before epilepsy. I take Relpax and sometimes Lortab for them. If it's not a migraine I try Aleve. That can work. But dehydration tends to be a big cause of headaches for me so I do my best to stay hydrated and if a headache starts, I start pumping in the water as best as I can. I find that when I have a seizure I am off on the water because I've been out of it for awhile, so I have to catch up on hydration. I also use ice on my head, but I combine it with heat on my neck via a heating pad. I dim the lights or pull the shades if it's light out, make it very quiet and cool in the house too. That seems to help. Some people take Excederine and that can help because of the caffeine - it constricts blood vessels that may be compressing on nerves, but it also can add to any dehydration you are having. If you are sure you're not dehydrated it's worth a try if you are ok with tylenol, aspirin, and caffeine. If only one side of your head is hurting, try lying on that side (with the ice pack on that side). For some reason, that helps me, I have no idea why. What also helps me, and again, I don't know why, is Fish Oil, sublingual B12, and Magnesium. I will take an extra of each at the time of the headache (on doctor's ok) and even a B complex. If I end up going to the doctor, the usual is a shot of - hmmm... I think it's called Toradol. It helped. A cool, gel eye mask helps too. If you're nauseous, ginger helps - tea, capsules, ginger ale if you can get it down.

These are just some things that over the past 20 years or so with migraines I've found help. I will do almost anything to just knock the pain down a little, and I've found a routine of things that combined will knock it down enough that I'm not out of my mind in pain most of the time. Incredibly, the seizure med I'm now taking, Topamax, is really decreasing both the frequency and intensity of my migraines, but yeah, that post seizure headache is a whole different monster.

I don't know how your doctor would feel about Lortab. I heard something on the news about tighter regulations for it starting in 2014. It does help, though, if the Aleve doesn't.

 

[sjconner]

My neuro prescribed Topamax for me as my first AED. He said it was worth starting with because of it is a prophylactic for migraines. My body did like that med but I was migraine free for a while. I take sumatriptan for my migraines. If that doesn't work I will add some ibuprofen and then crawl under the covers. Then I beg my kids to shut up, go away and leave me alone.

 

[JaneP]

I don't know about anyone else, but I carry a little bottle of lavender oil which is NEVER out of arm's reach -for just such a situation. Not only does it stop my seizures in SECONDS (witnessed by an M.D. [family friend] on TWO occasions) but it many times will take headaches from them away for me. (I've also first hand seen it stop even migraines in seconds on several people I've given it to.)

 

[Endless]

Valerie,

It really depends on what kind of headaches you are having. The first step is for your neurologist to sort that out for you. It could be one kind of headache, like migraines or tension headaches, or it could be a blend of several kinds. Keeping a headache diary with a description of your headaches plus any possible triggers can help your doctor figure out what's going on.
http://www.headachemag.org/HeadacheTypes
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disor...ss_frequently_encountered_headache_types.aspx


There are preventatives for migraines. Topamax is a well-known one. Some research has shown Lamictal helps with migraine auras but not necessarily with the head pain itself. Research also supports the usefulness of Magnesium supplements in preventing migraines. Get help from your Dr. on the type and starting dosage. There are also drugs that abort the pain once it arrives. They are call triptans, and include:
Almotriptan (Axert)
Eletriptan (Relpax)
Frovatriptan (Frova)
Naratriptan (Amerge)
Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Other meds some doctors use to treat migraines:

Beta-blockers

• Atenolol
• Dutoprol
• Propranolol
• Timolol (Blocadren, Betimol)

Calcium channel blockers

• Diltiazem (Cardizem LA)
• Nimodipine (Nimotop)
• Verapamil (Isoptin, Calan)

Tricyclic antidepressants

• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Nortriptyline (Nortriptyline Hydrochloride, Nortriptyline Hydrochloride Oral Solution, Pamelor)
• Imipramine

Other antidepressants

• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)

Antiseizure medications

• Topiramate (Topamax)
• Gabapentin (Neurontin)
• Divalproex sodium (Depakote)

Herbals

• Feverfew
• Butterbur

http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=104593


There are also painkillers, some of which barely take the edge off the pain. Sometimes that's enough to be able to deal with it. Also work with your neurologist on what to take and how often. Taking any painkiller too often, even tylanol, can result in rebound headaches and they can be even worse than the original headache itself. I'm restricted to painkillers only 2 days a week.

 

[Sparkles]

Jane, you reminded me that a friend of mine made me an oil with lavender and chamomile (and other things she didn't tell me). I happen to have a headache right now and I put some on my wrists (that's where she recommended - she's a massage therapist), and also on the crooks of my elbows and temples. The headache is indeed fading - and this is after about a gallon of water, an Aleve, and a diet coke, none of which made a dent. I totally forgot about that oil. It even has this little ball on the top so I can rub it right on my skin. Thank you so much for reminding me about it. I wish I had an aura for my seizures to try it! Once or twice I noticed my hands trembling and sat down so I wouldn't fall. I will take it out of my desk drawer and put it in my purse. Thanks again!!

 

[JaneP]

*COUGH!!* That diet coke may just be part of the problem Sparkles! I don't want to repeat a long thread I started on aspartame a few days ago, but that shhhhhhhhugar *AHEM!* has been shown in multi cases to actually cause, or at least greatly contribute to, headaches & migraines!

 

[valeriedl]

The only time I have headaches are after seizures so I know it's the seizure that's causing them. These headaches are horrible and feel like my head's going to explode. The headaches go from temple to temple clear across my head. They are basically the same thing every time. I very rarely have headaches any other time that aren't after a seizure, maybe twice a year, and if I do something over the counter helps.

I keep myself very hydrated, I drink a ton. It's usually water, crystal light or juice. I stay away from caffeine because caffeine causes seizures for me. The only thing I drink with caffeine in it, which isn't that often, is iced tea and I've never had any problems with it.

I tried taking B12 once but I started having seizures while on it so I stopped.

I put an ice pack on my head, listen to music and put something over my eyes to block out any light. Loud noise and light makes the headache worse. They last for hours but I'm not sure exactly how long because I usually fall asleep during it. Sometimes it's still when I wake up and sometimes it's not.

I've tried a ton of different pain meds for them. Nothing over the counter works or even puts a dent into it. Pain killers, like Vicodin, doesn't do anything and they never have for any other sort of pain in my body.

My neuro has given me several different meds that are specifically for headaches, even some sort of shot that I can give myself, but none of them to work.

I'm going to see my PCP and I want to see if there's something that he might be able to give me. I know different drs use different meds for things and I'm hoping there's something that he could give that I haven't tried yet. I was wanting to see if someone here could recommend something that I haven't tried yet that I could ask him for and see how it works.

Thanks everyone.

 

[JaneP]

I just read and had to mention....that crystal light has that same stuff in I mention. Basically anything labeled "sugar free" or "low cal." or anything ending in "lose" (sucralose, etc.) is just as bad. There were a couple times I accidentally/unknowingly ate/drank some stuff with that aspartame in & had a seizure shortly afterwards! A few days ago, I opened a can of cherry pie filling (it goes good in yogurt and ice cream!). I noticed a "different" taste to it but (dumb me) :/ didn't pay any attention to it. Well, about an hour later I had a seizure. For the next WEEK (while gradually finishing off that can) I was kind of lightheaded & off balance and had a total of 5 seizures in 2 weeks (much more than usual!) 1 time I had to call a friend of mine who's an R.N. to give me a hand with some stuff after -which is how severe they were starting to get. It suddenly dawned on me *DUH! HELLO!* to look at the label on that can before I tossed it......need I say?.... SUCRALOSE used as sweetener! The same thing happened this summer while making daiquiris (no, the little bit of alcohol I put in mine never affects me -with any drink), I was using that strawberry flavored a couple times before I noticed that specific kind was making me light headed after one in awhile. Take a guess as to what was used as sweetener.....! Needless to say I poured the rest of it out right there.
1 of these days I'm going to start remembering to read EVERY label.