Headaches...

Have you ever tried acupuncture, chiropractics, massages, reiki, etc? These are all non-pill remedies that many people find to be totally helpful. I've had headaches for almost as long as I can remember, and all of these have proven to be at least somewhat helpful. GOOD LUCK!

Are you sick too or do you just have a headache?
For me it depends on the cause of the headache. Sometimes drinking water and eating some fruit seems to help.
I also like to take a relaxing bath. Getting a neck massage might also help.

I use to get headaches all the time and then found out I have a milk allergy. If you get headaches frequently you should definitley look into the root cause.

I hope you feel better!

The herb Feverfew is suppose to. Could the headaches be withdrawal headaches? - sugar, coffee? I'd say see your doc

Sounds like you might be having migraines. Sensitivity to light, noise, movement? Are you experiencing nausea? Or it could be something else. Migraines aren't relieved by over the counter anti-inflammatories, anyway. I've had migraines for years.

You need to see a doctor to rule out serious issues. Then you can begin to tackle the triggers.

For my migraines, I use Excedrin (which you said you can't use), but what also works is to put an ice pack on the back of my neck. Also, caffeine can be helpful (like the amount in a cup of coffee - not soda) because it can constrict those blood vessels which are currently dialated and causing that throbbing pain. i hope that you feel better soon! Migraines are NO FUN!

I suffer from terrible migraines, so share your pain!

Although they look like a gimmick - the 'cooling bars' you rub on your skin - such as "4head" (http://www.4headaches.co.uk/) actually do really work! I'm not saying they're going to cure the headache, but they certainly do help with the pain if you can't take meds.

Otherwise - as everyone else has suggested, plenty of water and ensure you're in a cool environment. Also, ensure you don't use anything scented at all - even if you think it's not affecting you, even a sweet smelling shower gel can aggravate your head!

Good luck and hope you feel better soon!!

I get 4-5 headaches a week...some more severe than others. Usually two or three migraines a month as well (since the age of three). Thankfully, they have not been as bad since I have started working out regularly. I've been put on pretty much every single med for my migraines, and each will work for a while but never forever. Hydrocodone is what I've been on...but have been weening myself off of it.

As for non-medication solutions, the best solution (for me) has been to take a very hot shower...not not enough to scald, but hot enough that you'll get pinkish. I mainly try and keep my head and the rest of my body under the shower head. After this, I usually begin some breathing exercises. Deep breaths in, deep breaths out. After every third or fourth breath, I knock the temperature of the water down a small notch. The idea is to take it down very gradually. Keep doing this until the water is freezing cold. I try and do it until I notice I am having some difficulty maintaining my breathing. That's usually cold enough.

That method tricks your body into lowering your blood pressure...one of the biggest causes (for me) of migraines. My BP is normally pretty good (112/72 last check).

For those of you who have never experienced a migraine...ever had an ice-cream headache? That sudden pain in your head brought on by the intake of something too cold too quickly? That's technically a migraine. Imagine that going on for hours or even days. Tip: If it's only an ice-cream headache, rub your tongue on the room of your mouth quickly. The rapid cooling of the nerve in the roof of your mouth caused a sudden change in your BP, resulting in the headache. Rubbing your tongue there will stimulate the nerve, warming it, and causing the headache to go away.