What can I try besides pain relievers for constant headache

Are you seeing an ears nose and throat dr. They could do an in office CT scan of your sinuses. Even when you can breath easily, the sinuses in your head can fail to drain, causing pressure headaches. You might first try pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. It is over the counter but you have to ask the pharmacist. It can increase heartrate, so make sure it's alright with your heart. I use the 4 hour. The dose is two little red pills, but start with one. It shrinks the narrow passages between sinuses and allows congestion to drain.

You might want to investigate the Mayo Clinic PRC program for chronic pain. It is a three week intensive program. There are several discussuons on Mayo Connect. Also, very helpful to go to the Mayo Clinic website and read about the program.

@heminhaw
My teen son was told by his neurologist to take magnesium and omega 3 supplements for migraines with aura. This has helped. You can also drink water with electrolytes like LMNT brand to ensure well hydrated. My son has a heart defect and POTS and the electrolytes help ensure water is retained to help regulate blood pressure. If dehydrated, this can cause headaches.

Another option is to take probiotics because there is a connection of gut and brain health.

I use essential oils. Peppermint, Lavender or Chamomile depending on what kind of headache I have. I bought my own roller bottles, and I mix with a transfer oil of coconut oil or Almond oil.
I have them placed near my bed near my couch and in my car if needed.
I just roll it on the nap of my neck.
I also use a coffee bean bag that I can heat and place on the back of my neck.
Also, magnesium is good. I like eating pumpkin seeds and they are a good source for me.

I’ve had migraines I’ve been dealing with for last 2yrs+ and have tried everything, and nothing worked. I finally found that Vyepti infusion works although I had a slight reaction to it, I will pre-medicate next time. I also take topiramate 100mg every night and I have another breakthrough medication but since the infusion I haven’t had a ‘headache’ and I’m still in shock I think! It’s been along time with no pain in my head. I hope this information helps you, again I have tried all sorts and they failed to get me the infusion but maybe ask about Emgality. I just kept up with my drs and didn’t let it be unknown how much pain I was in. It is no way to live and there are solutions! Good luck🙂

You need to see a neurologist who specializes in headaches. Where do you live?

I live with 24/7 migraine ever since stage IV cancer treatments nearly 9 years ago.
NOTHING works! I get Botox injections every 3 months and that brings my pain level down to about a 8 but I still have several days of 10.
Prescriptions such as Quilipta, Nurtec, Ubrelvy help but my copayment is $400.00 for 9 pills so it’s not worth the money for 9 good days per month. Sumatriptan works and is affordable but you can’t take it after you reach 60 years old and I’m 63.
I’m on several medications to help calm my neck jaw and headache…no narcotics, I’m not interested nor do they work!
You really need to see a specialist so that you can be prescribed the correct medication and over the counter supplements.
Migraines can be linked to diarrhea and constipation and magnesium can help but you need to know which magnesium because one helps diarrhea while the other helps constipation so you need the correct one!
My wife suffers from migraines as well and she is prescribed Sumatriptan which works wonders for her but she’s not 60 yet. She also uses Excederin for migraine which sometimes helps her.
I use Ondansatron to curb the nausea which accompanies migraine.
Wishing you the best,
Jody

@heminhaw

My head pain/ symptoms (5 years and counting) - "puzzle with many pieces".
Ear Nose Throat - I was on Antibiotics for sinus infection. Note: Antibiotics will strip good gut and intestine health – need to rebuild (Gut -> L-Glutamine, Intestine -> Lactoferrin) NeilMed Sinus Rinse 2x/ day

How to find Headache Specialist in your area:
https://headaches.org/resources/healthcare-provider-finder/
Certifications (providers) – UCNS (750) and AQH (300)
Scroll to bottom of page – Select State – Search (US, US Territory, Canada)

I was referred to a Neurologist -
Neurologist request that I keep daily journal –
wake up and sleep time,
food you eat time,
what activity I was doing when headache, migraine, dizzy, lightheaded etc starts and stops (24x7 headache),
If you can check blood pressure time (smartwatch or blood pressure device) - my BP dropped very low after mowing grass, shoveling snow
Neurologist looking for patterns. Me - Dairy products (food sensitivity), light sensitivity (inside / outside)

Neurologist was able to determine –
0- I was on Tylenol way too long, which caused rebound headaches. Only take 2 Tylenol 2x a week.
1- Neck was very tense - referred me to Physical Therapy Dry Needling. 1st session, first time in 4.5 years no headache, the relief lasted 4 hours. Also prescribed different stretch exercises. The relief gradually increased over the 23 weekly sessions, now monthly.
2- Ordered a CT Scan with Imaging neck and head, to determine blood vessel's condition - any blockage or damage.
3- Vision – one eye stutter (not smooth glide), auras, and light sensitivity
4- From the results of PT Dry Needling, prescribed muscle relaxer
5- Topiramate, Propranolol
6- “triptan” Rizatriptan Naratriptan Eletriptan
7- Self injections – Emgality, Ajovy
8- IV Infusion – Migraine Infusion (strong dosage of 6 – 8 medications); Vyepti Infusion
9- Claritin, Zyrtec

I have been doing my own research –.
12/11/2024 - Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19
https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(24)00438-4?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1931312824004384%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with long-lasting neurological symptoms, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using optical clearing and imaging, we observed the accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the skull-meninges-brain axis of human COVID-19 patients, persisting long after viral clearance. Further, biomarkers of neurodegeneration were elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid from long COVID patients, and proteomic analysis of human skull, meninges, and brain samples revealed dysregulated inflammatory pathways and neurodegeneration-associated changes. Similar distribution patterns of the spike protein were observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Injection of spike protein alone was sufficient to induce neuroinflammation, proteome changes in the skull-meninges-brain axis, anxiety-like behavior, and exacerbated outcomes in mouse models of stroke and traumatic brain injury. Vaccination reduced but did not eliminate spike protein accumulation after infection in mice. Our findings suggest persistent spike protein at the brain borders may contribute to lasting neurological sequelae of COVID-19.
Graphic abstract - below

10/19/2023 Harlan Krumholz and Akiko Iwasaki (Rishi Shiah, Lilo Wu, and Adith Arun) discuss preliminary findings and answer questions from LISTEN participants.
The Yale LISTEN Study Town Hall: October 2023
https://medicine.yale.edu/ycci/listen-study/media-player/listen-town-hall-oct-2023/
The entire Town Hall, video, is very interesting, here are four sections I found enlightening.

8:00 minute - Difference in Percent of Participants Experiencing Symptom (Long Covid – PVS post-vaccination syndrome; Note: the graphic chart is informative)

Long Covid – Memory problems, Changed sense of smell, Brain fog, Shortness of breath, Cough, Sore throat, Excessive fatigue, Difficulty speaking properly, Changed sense of taste, Fatigue, Congested or runny nose, Phantom smells, Runny nose, Phlegm in back of throat, Headache, Constant thirst, Night sweats, Hypersomnia, Confusion, Insomnia, Hair loss, Dry scalp or dandruff, Dizziness, Throat pain or discomfort, Postnasal drip, Exercise Intolerance, Wheezing, Swollen hands or feet, Cold/burning lung sensation, Changes in voice, Phantom tastes

PVS - Loss of hearing, Suicidal thoughts, Feelings of impending doom, Palpitations, Tinnitus, Numbness, Internal vibration, Neuropathy, Burning sensations

16:00 minute - Implications (below)
18:33 minute - Hypothesis (below)
37:00 minute - Hope next 6 months

August 25, 2025 Immunologist: Hope for ME/CFS and post-Covid, research needed

Akiko Iwasaki "... She sharply rejected views that ME/CFS or post-COVID might not be somatic illnesses."
(Akiko Iwasaki gives me HOPE for recovery. Google her – very interesting)

(Note: Original article in German, this is translated link to English)
https://science-apa-at.translate.goog/power-search/17729239753393598891?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp
I follow Akiko Iwasaki.

I presented these papers to my Neurologist, now have referral to Immunologist and sleep study.

It’s a journey, Best Wishes for Your Journey!

🍀

I’m
On three days of no headaches…prednisone seems to be the answer which points to GCA as a probable cause. I’m gonna get a biopsy so we’ll either validate or invalidate that theory.

@mojo244
I don’t think it’s migraines because no light or sound sensitivity, they are not as painful as I suspect a migraine would be. They do not respond to any pain relievers. I’m going to find out if it’s GCA Thursday or Friday (biopsy) so we shall see….