Headaches - can I get relief from natural pain relievers?

General
1

I am plagued with daily headaches as most of us are. My neuro physicist has decided to increase my nortriptyline to 40 gms every night. I’ve been reading about side effects. I have dry mouth and weight gain on 30 gms. I go everwhere with a water bottle. I don’t snack, eat well and try and walk every day with my nordic walking poles. Once I start 40 gms I worry about gaining more weight and don’t want to feel more fatigued than I already do. I keep myself busy

Has anyone tried a natural pain reliever? I’d like to try something.

2

Cathy... did your side effects start after the nortryptyline...or post treatment? Mine began immediately...before discharged... I still have extreme thirst and more...I do not take any "drugs"...

No drugs were explained to me to benefit /offset excess thirst...which generally relates to the pituitary...

however, I lost extreme weight...and, for some reason, have regained it...w/o losing the extreme thirst...

our pituitary is attached to our hypothalamus...aka 'pituitary stalk' .. aka infundibular... I have no expertise...tho you may want to ask your doctors about your pituitary and/or thyroid.. Sorry, I am suggesting...w/o having asked if the doctors have already explained that to you... I have no expertise... just my experiences...

Please keep us updated...

3

Thanks patioplans. I appreciate you. You always provide an answer (or idea) when I write here. I will try and remember to update this. By the way…my headaches have been with me since my rupture and subsequent coiling, rehab, etc. i do remember that in rehab I would wander to the nursing station and beg them for something for my headache. Usually the nurse would give me pain reliever earlier than it was due…or give me advil as an “in-between” med.

4

After mine were clipped, I gained 25 lbs. I asked Dr. to check my thyroid. I have hypothyroidism! Gaining weight is part of the symptoms. Now on hormone and expecting to loose the weight.

5

Hmmm. Thanks Vicki. I had Graves Disease (thyroid ) but was treated with radioctive iodine. One dose. And it was corrected. That was 20 years ago. I see my doctor next week. I will ask for the blood test for Hashimoto’s. Thanks for the suggestion.

6

Cathy...I have strong interest in your Graves Disease ... because when I turned 21....I was so proud to give my first blood donation to our community...On doing my blood tests...they declined...and, told me to see my doc...Sooo...in those warm health care years...my gynecologist had my blood tests done... and...put me on some thyroid med (what name?) I had difficulty w/them...and, finally, I just decided to stop and not fret about not being able to donate my (otherwise) pure blood/health...

When we have time...I'd cherish to share more...because, I think there are so many symptoms related to an aneurysm developing over time...many more to/after this one of thyroid issues...

Let me know your thoughts on it... Hey...we have to find someone interested in research of symptoms...

Mine is quadrupled...a young woman, a year older than me...married her high school sweetheart ...and, everything so beautifully planned...for their first child...when he was 9 months, we (her co-workers) were told before/at her memorial service...she had a 'maternally related stroke'...and, we never heard the word..."anerurysm"...

You all know I have no expertise...and, yet I have such a practical connection to symptoms... because, a neighbor of a friend was past 80...and, died of an aneurysm...and her widower shared his info w/me...

There are so many pieces/parts...which logically...all have a connection...somewhere in the process.

patiolpans... please let me know more thoughts...

Cathy said:

Hmmm. Thanks Vicki. I had Graves Disease (thyroid ) but was treated with radioctive iodine. One dose. And it was corrected. That was 20 years ago. I see my doctor next week. I will ask for the blood test for Hashimoto's. Thanks for the suggestion.
7

Cathy, Does the medication your on now cause secondary headaches? My neurologist took me off all the pain meds. I can have two NSAIDs a week. He also put me on Magnesium Oxide and eventually I did an SPG block, it was a little thing, going up then the nose and it shoots lidocaine on the ganglia. I also drink a camomile blend before going to bed and do relaxation breathing.

8

Moltroub...some irony here...I just got my AARP magazine which has "50 Ways to Stay Healthy"...

Item 22: Think outside the pillbox: "if taking ...NSAIDS ..for chronic pain, you might want to try promising alternative treatments...FDA just strengthened its warning against NSAIDS...saying they can increase heart attack / stroke risk even if you've been taking them only short time. Possible relief alternatives for chronic pain include acupuncture, biofeedback, therapeutic touch, Reiki, hypnosis, chiropractic adjsutments - even medical marijuana...

(There are a few states who have set up approvals of marijuana (no, I do not use it)...tho we need the fed approval of legalizing it...It was passed as illegal in 1937...when it was a "wild" plant...) (and, of course, I am tremendous promoter of the alterative therapies noted)

#18: "Don't default to antibiotics"

#24...stick w/your statins.

Articles 31-40 are on "Outsmart Diabetes"...the glucose issues/avoidance...

and, whatever else slipped memory...


Moltroub said:

Cathy, Does the medication your on now cause secondary headaches? My neurologist took me off all the pain meds. I can have two NSAIDs a week. He also put me on Magnesium Oxide and eventually I did an SPG block, it was a little thing, going up then the nose and it shoots lidocaine on the ganglia. I also drink a camomile blend before going to bed and do relaxation breathing.
9

I tried posting to you and Moltroub and the internet kept circling! Rats! I forget what I wrote!!!

10

Cathy...I have no idea of your age...if too young to be an AARP member...check w/your parents /grandparents... re: the NSAIDS....

11

Hi patioplans. I’m 63. I was 61 when I suffered the sah. Here in Toronto. I do visit the AARP website. I see there is a bit about Brain Health today on AARP.

12

c

13

Patioplans said:

".......(There are a few states who have set up approvals of marijuana (no, I do not use it)...tho we need the fed approval of legalizing it...It was passed as illegal in 1937...when it was a "wild" plant...) (and, of course, I am tremendous promoter of the alterative therapies noted)......"

Well, I do use it for pain management. Now I say 'pain management' and not pain killer. It is not a painkiller for me. But when in pain, pain is front and centre of every thought and it is so VERY draining. I can have my smoke and 'switch off', the pain is still there but my mind is diverted from constantly thinking of excruciating agony. I combine this with a low dose opiate, a lot lower than I was taking, anyway, and I can function. My other option is high dose opiates and the digestion and addiction problems that brings, ohh and the "...being spaced outta my mind on opiates..." feeling. No thanks. I'll stay with the green. Much safer imo

Merl

14

Merl, While I appreciate the relief you obtain from marijuana, we don’t endorse the use of any illegal substance. I’m not sure about Australia or Canada and the legal standing in those countries, or any other country outside the U.S.A. As Patioplans stated, not all States have legalized the use of medical marijuana. In fact one of the Ben’s Friends moderators on another site did a fantastic write up that include that marijuana is still illegal on the Federal level and there’s a limit of how much one can have in their possession in some states, as well as not carrying it across State lines. I would suggest anyone contemplating the use of marijuana consult with their primary physician first. I would be very concerned with young adolescents contemplating the use of marijuana as there are studies suggesting permanent damage to cognitive functioning as it damages the hippocampus and can in some people lead to psychosis, depression, etc. oh and for those with allergies, well as a SW walking into drug addiction homes, I really hated having allergy attacks.

15

Hey Moltroub, By no means am I endorsing marijuana as a treatment and I agree that individuals need to be sure of the laws and regulations within their own jurisdiction. I also agree that consultation with medical professionals is a must as for some individuals it may NOT be appropriate, nor safe for some individuals. Due to international treaties namely Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 which the U.S. enforced upon other nations, the science behind cannabis was heavily restricted. This is now starting to change. It has primarily been the HUGE pharma companies and the govt that have pushed the pharma concoctions (and their awful side effects) on to us. Let's face it, opium is an illegal subatance. But once the pharmas have put it through their processes it is sold to us in many forms. It needs to be known that there are alternatives to the pharmas.

But, from my own personal experience I have received a benefit and as an 'alternative therapy' I do believe that it does warrant further investigation and not just be written off as it is an 'illicit substance'.

Merl

16

Hi Patioplans, etc…
I kind of got overwhelmed by all of the discussions here. I am trying a good old remedy that my friend recommended … Tiger Balm and Arnica Montana pellets. These are from Healthy Planet here in Toronto. The pellets are homeopathic. I take 6. I rub the Tiger Balm on my temples. So far, so good. Now I am not thoroughly convinced but I am giving it a shot!

17

Cathy I'm not sure if you've heard of cranialsacral therapy but that's a natural therapeutic technique which may help. Perhaps google it as the websites for it could explain it a lot better than I could. But I got it done once for headaches that I had myself from an old car accident and I found it really did help.

18

Merl....

Just my opinion..no I have never had pot...I grew up in the time of "illegal"...I mean, and hey, my husband did not even smoke tobacco cigs...none of this even after being drafted during the VN war...

Marijuana was illegalized in 1937...some time in the 1920s alcohol was illegalized...and, reversed to legal...(can't remember dates) but not at all near 80 years...(I'd have to study history)...

However, I do not know of any "illegalized" pharmafia drugs"... they get "recalled"...after a high level of reactions/deaths...

Additionally...there are numerous mushrooms...from fatal to highly healthy...so my childlike wonder is if there is some "scientific team" is deciding which mushroom should be "illegalized"...and, if any "other" weeds should be illegalized...

There has been tremendous media coverage on the potential issues of marijuana...and, limited to no media coverage on recalls of drugs...however, our networks are likely/presumabyhighly financed by the advertising of the health care industry...(HCI) a/w/a other media coverage (the paper/magazine)

Additionally, tobacco advertising on the networks was stopped in 1971...the pharmafia advertising of drugs began (legally, of course) in 1991...so some of us can become so dilbertonian...

Our HCI includes the drugs (first and likely most), then the health insurance companies, and more recently (memory does not allow "timeframe")...our hospitals/clinics...(whatever else I am memory lapsing)

My high curiosity is how much the cost of that advertising may / may not relate to the increase in "hospital expenses"...for use in their contractual negotiations with "our" medical insurance companies which likely/presumably use that increase a/w/a as their own advertising costs to raise our monthly insurance premiums... and, those have to be presented to our state level "insurance commissioners"... (or similar title who are state tax salaried)...

When a hospital and insurance drop their contract...then the patient/subscriber...has to either find a new doc /facility under their "policy"... .. and/or if they so admire /respect the facility/docs ...they then must change their insurance policy...

it is very complex....and, we tax salary those involved in big decisions, too..

I will either be dropped by docs/facilities (have been already by some - another chapter or two.. )...it is such a political issue... and, I could write ten more chapters...I've barely made the titles here..,tho have used limited dilbertonianism...next time I see a neurologist or psychologist I will ask them what tests they use for dilbertonianism...a/w/a all the other dementia titles/descriptions (or is that "style"?)

P.S....I also belong to a co-op for the organics...to avoid all the promoted chemicals for increased growth...etc..

Merl said:

Hey Moltroub, By no means am I endorsing marijuana as a treatment and I agree that individuals need to be sure of the laws and regulations within their own jurisdiction. I also agree that consultation with medical professionals is a must as for some individuals it may NOT be appropriate, nor safe for some individuals. Due to international treaties namely Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 which the U.S. enforced upon other nations, the science behind cannabis was heavily restricted. This is now starting to change. It has primarily been the HUGE pharma companies and the govt that have pushed the pharma concoctions (and their awful side effects) on to us. Let's face it, opium is an illegal subatance. But once the pharmas have put it through their processes it is sold to us in many forms. It needs to be known that there are alternatives to the pharmas.

But, from my own personal experience I have received a benefit and as an 'alternative therapy' I do believe that it does warrant further investigation and not just be written off as it is an 'illicit substance'.

Merl

19

Merl...P.S....talking w/a friend yesterday or today... he told me thee is some promotion of banning the pharma ads ...my memory lapses from here... she will provide more data and whatever petitions need to be signed, etc...

patioplans said:

Merl....

Just my opinion..no I have never had pot...I grew up in the time of "illegal"...I mean, and hey, my husband did not even smoke tobacco cigs...none of this even after being drafted during the VN war...

Marijuana was illegalized in 1937...some time in the 1920s alcohol was illegalized...and, reversed to legal...(can't remember dates) but not at all near 80 years...(I'd have to study history)...

However, I do not know of any "illegalized" pharmafia drugs"... they get "recalled"...after a high level of reactions/deaths...

Additionally...there are numerous mushrooms...from fatal to highly healthy...so my childlike wonder is if there is some "scientific team" is deciding which mushroom should be "illegalized"...and, if any "other" weeds should be illegalized...

There has been tremendous media coverage on the potential issues of marijuana...and, limited to no media coverage on recalls of drugs...however, our networks are likely/presumabyhighly financed by the advertising of the health care industry...(HCI) a/w/a other media coverage (the paper/magazine)

Additionally, tobacco advertising on the networks was stopped in 1971...the pharmafia advertising of drugs began (legally, of course) in 1991...so some of us can become so dilbertonian...

Our HCI includes the drugs (first and likely most), then the health insurance companies, and more recently (memory does not allow "timeframe")...our hospitals/clinics...(whatever else I am memory lapsing)

My high curiosity is how much the cost of that advertising may / may not relate to the increase in "hospital expenses"...for use in their contractual negotiations with "our" medical insurance companies which likely/presumably use that increase a/w/a as their own advertising costs to raise our monthly insurance premiums... and, those have to be presented to our state level "insurance commissioners"... (or similar title who are state tax salaried)...

When a hospital and insurance drop their contract...then the patient/subscriber...has to either find a new doc /facility under their "policy"... .. and/or if they so admire /respect the facility/docs ...they then must change their insurance policy...

it is very complex....and, we tax salary those involved in big decisions, too..

I will either be dropped by docs/facilities (have been already by some - another chapter or two.. )...it is such a political issue... and, I could write ten more chapters...I've barely made the titles here..,tho have used limited dilbertonianism...next time I see a neurologist or psychologist I will ask them what tests they use for dilbertonianism...a/w/a all the other dementia titles/descriptions (or is that "style"?)

P.S....I also belong to a co-op for the organics...to avoid all the promoted chemicals for increased growth...etc..

Merl said:

Hey Moltroub, By no means am I endorsing marijuana as a treatment and I agree that individuals need to be sure of the laws and regulations within their own jurisdiction. I also agree that consultation with medical professionals is a must as for some individuals it may NOT be appropriate, nor safe for some individuals. Due to international treaties namely Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 which the U.S. enforced upon other nations, the science behind cannabis was heavily restricted. This is now starting to change. It has primarily been the HUGE pharma companies and the govt that have pushed the pharma concoctions (and their awful side effects) on to us. Let's face it, opium is an illegal subatance. But once the pharmas have put it through their processes it is sold to us in many forms. It needs to be known that there are alternatives to the pharmas.

But, from my own personal experience I have received a benefit and as an 'alternative therapy' I do believe that it does warrant further investigation and not just be written off as it is an 'illicit substance'.

Merl

20

Hey Patio,

Here in Australia pharma advertising is heavily restricted. Only the 'over the counter' medications can be advertised on TV. The big pharmas are trying to get around it by having ads for specific illnesses and saying "....if you want more information go to www........" a site to their drug, but I believe our Therapeutical Drugs Authority (TGA) has recently put a stop to that. The TGA is also looking into the pharmas paying dr's with international holidays, shopping vouchers etc for prescribing certain meds. This is a practise that has been going on for a while but will soon be stopped. Presently here you can get low dose codeine over-the-counter, but they are presently investigating a restriction on that too. Reports of some people taking 20tablets of low dose codeine a day. WTF? 20 a day? One day of 20 and I'd be blocked up for a week due to all the other 'filler' they put in those tablets lol

Merl