I woke up with a bad headache that is just getting worse.

[Needleroozer]

I ate a couple of handfuls of jelly beans last night, so I think sugar is the culprit here. I cannot afford a migraine today- I have to be at the high school in 2 hours, to drive 4 kids to a speech tourney- a state qualifier. Then I have to be a supportive team-mom to our kids in a very loud, noisy, drafty school cafeteria.

I have tried both advil and tylenol, don't have anything stronger, and couldn't take it if I did as I have to drive. Any home remedies, foods I could eat, or ideas I can try in the next hour to relieve this head enough to function this afternoon/evening?
TIA for any ideas.

[Lady Katherine]

Three Aleve does it for me. The box won't say to take that much, but a doctor friend told me that is the prescription strength, and it does help.

[percytruffle]

I take Excedrin Migraine. It won't affect your driving because of the caffeine they contain. It will probably make you feel more alert and focused as well as relieving the pain.

Also, try putting an ice pack on your head and or temples for a while.

[Needleroozer]

Thanks ladies,
I have some Aleve. I think I will try that.
Lisa, if I am avoiding caffeine (makes my heart beat irregular), is it ok to take it for this?
Off to raid the medicine cupboard, and then to take a 20 minute nap.

[mellifera]

If you don't usually drink caffeine, that can help with a migraine. Something about making veins contract I think. I know that has worked for me when just plain pain killers did not.

[Plaid Dad]

I agree with the small dose of caffeine. It can really help. I've also found that 600-800 mg. of Motrin* and lots of water will sometimes kill a bad headache.
Note: I'm not a physician! This was the dose my doc recommended to me for migraines, but I am probably much heavier than you are, so you might want to err on the side of caution. Or check with a pharmacist if you can't reach your physician.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

[percytruffle]

If you've got caffeine issues I wouldn't take it. I think one pill has as much caffeine as a cup of strong tea; two would be like a cup of strong coffee. Too much for someone who is caffeine sensitive.

[Amy in Orlando]

Ugh ... I hope you were able to ward off the headache, LB.:(

[Marie in Oh]

and is what I always take. That is what they give me after having a baby and it is what I take whenever I am in pain. Always works and it isn't too much. My oldest son takes 1 Advil (200 mg) and he weighs 60 lbs as per our Dr.

[Adrianne]

Some headaches can be caused by dehydration. Try drinking a few glasses of water and closing your eyes for about 15 mins.

I also find that two Tylenol and two Advil work well. ( I know you already tried this).

Adrianne

[Needleroozer]

Thanks everyone. I took another dose of everything mentioned, except for the excedrin (I think y'all are right that I don't need to add heart palpitations to my list of symptoms!), took an Emergen-C for good measure, drank 2 glasses of water, packed 2 water bottles, and some protein for later. I laid down for 20 minutes, which I think helped, though it did just make me want to stay laying down. I also grabbed my neck pillow- if it gets to be too much, I can find a quiet corner in the judges' room or go sit in the car with the heat on between rounds.

We don't have any plans tomorrow (except for the house cleaning I was supposed to do today, sigh) so I can rest then if it catches up to me tonight.