Have a headache that nothing seems to touch? Today, I’m going to share a remedy that seems to take away whatever it is I am suffering from. It’s a combination of a few over the counter pills… hopefully it helps you too.
Now, I am an RN — but I am not here giving you advice to take these pills — but I am here to say that these pills CAN be taken together as long as you don’t have any contraindications. Often people don’t know that they can be taken together. As always, ask your provider before taking any medication. This isn’t medical advice — just what I’ve found effective.
What Kind of Headache Does This Work On?
I bring out this recipe when I’m really feeling the BIG guns — it’s a headache that simply, sleeping, drinking, eating doesn’t seem to touch. I often find this one works wonders on the ones that come to stay during the middle of the night.
Note: Please check with your provider to make sure all these meds are OK for you. One of them really shouldn’t be taken by people with high blood pressure or nursing mothers — so I’m serious about that.
The Headache Remedy You Need:
Ok, it’s a few pills:
Tylenol with Caffeine (find it here) — a lot of places call this a “tension headache”. Personally, I don’t take the one that has aspirin in it because my stomach is pretty sensitive (probably old ulcers from being a nurse). The one I take has just Acetaminophen and Caffeine
- The Tylenol decreases inflammation
- The caffeine shrinks blood vessels probably decreasing blood flow to the brain to give you that “throbbing” feeling
Ibuprofen (find it here) — just the regular kind you already have is fine. I just take the 200 mg one, nothing fancy like the 600 mg they sometimes prescribe.
Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) — due to FDA regulations, you have to buy this from a pharmacy, but it doesn’t require a prescription. They’ll want to scan your ID as the state restricts how much if this you can buy.
This is a decongestant.
Now, don’t mix this up with the crappy Sudafed (phenylephrine) that you can get on the store shelves.
ALSO, don’t think you could take some sort of Tylenol/Ibuprofen Sudafed comb like “Tylenol Cold” — unless those are sold behind the counter (which I rarely see) they have the crappy Sudafed.
And yes — they both have the brand name Sudafed which is really confusing, but recent studies are showing that phenylephrine (sometimes called Sudafed PE) isn’t effective against congestion.
Looking for more family health info — be sure to check out these posts:
- 3 Medications for Baby to Have On Hand
- Zion Healthshare Reviews & Why Left Liberty Healthshare
- Sore Throat vs STREP throat: How to tell the difference
- Apple Cider Vinegar for Itchy Scalp: Also includes Essential Oils & More
- How to Stop Throwing Up: Proven protocol for the Stomach Flu
How to Take Them?
I just take one of each — like I’m in a candy store:
- One Tylenol with Caffeine
- One Ibuprofen (200 mg)
- and one Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine)
I think wash it down with a GIANT glass of water and something to eat to keep the ibuprofen from bothering my stomach.
If it often bothers your stomach, you may want to eat something first. I don’t find it has to be big — I tend to do a handful of cashews or something like that.
Why does it work?
I don’t know — honestly, I’ve tried taking them each on their own and they are not NEAR as effective as taking them together.
I do think there’s something to the Tylenol/Ibuprofen combination — it’s both attacking the inflammation in their own ways. They’re actually starting to market a Tylenol/Ibuprofen combination (but you can easily just take the pills on their own at a much cheaper price).
The Caffeine isn’t a lot, but it does seem to help.
And the Sudafed targets any congestion that might be the culprit.
You can actually take much higher doses of all of these things, but that combination seems to get the headache for me and for all of my family. Even at the lower doses.
How long does it take to work?
I think I’ve had it take most often 60-90 minutes. It’s definitely not right away. I try to follow it with another giant glass of water about 30 minutes later too — just in case hydration is an issue.
When not to try this?
If you’re pregnant, I wouldn’t recommend this — unless you’ve run it by your doctor first.
Even if you’re postpartum I’d call your provider if you have a really bad headache. PIH can be an issue postpartum too!
If you’re postpartum with the “worst headache of your life” you need to be seen ASAP — that is often what people say if postpartum preeclampsia has come.
If you’ve tried it before and it didn’t work — it might be time to re-assess why it’s happening, which may mean a trip to your provider’s
If you have any other symptoms like weakness on any side of your body, slurring of speech etc. Any symptoms like that — you need to be seen ASAP!
Any Side Effects?
I tend to get a tiny bit jittery from the caffeine/Sudafed combination. I don’t usually sleep all that awesome that night, but I don’t drink caffeine on the daily — this is the only time I really have it.
I also find I really need to up my water intake with this — otherwise I get sort of a “rebound” headache in a couple of days. Not sure why — but it is annoying.
Looking for more family health tips — be sure to check out these posts:
- Put Menthol on Feet
- Best Essential Oil for Sore Muscles: Compares DoTerra, JadeBloom, Rocky Mountain Oils & Plant Therapy
- Fever & Vomiting in Child: Babies, infants & toddlers vomiting with a fever — when to worry, what to do.
- Abnormal Mammogram: My Baseline Screening at 40.
- How do I Know if I Have a Bladder Infection: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
- What does an ear infection feel like? Symptoms, in babies, adults and cures!
Other things that sometimes helpful:
I sometimes pull my hair lightly — this often releases any tension on my scalp.
Ice on your neck/forehead can sometimes help.
I’d love to know what else you’ve tried for a headache (or if you’ve tried this). Please tell us in the comments!
It has REALLY helped when I have a miserable headache, and I hope it will help you too!
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