Homeopathic remedy for headache

Feverfew is a herbal remedy rather than homeopathic and dealt with my migraines brilliantly when I was young. I used to eat the leaves from a plant but you can buy it from health food shop in tincture form and I think as a tablet.

I hate to be too simplistic but does she drink enough- it is the best remedy if it's just a simple headache. Has she had an eye test recently- that can also be a factor?

mini, dehydration was one of my wonderings too. Mum is underweight at <6.5 stone and eats very little. She didn't finish all her drinks yesterday. I'll keep making her cups of tea put I can't make her drink them.

My fears were somewhat confirmed just now when I came in from shopping and found that mum had emptied her bedroom bin into the kitchen bin. There was an emptied paracetamol packet. It had only contained two pills but any more from me would have taken her over the limit ?

Still no mention of headache so far today but she's saying she's tired. That could be down to infection recovery too.

Anyway, her face is a much better colour today. Relief!

She's blind (DM) and has glaucoma so her eyes are checked frequently.

Thank you, everyone, for suggestions. I'm taking note of them all. Support from GNers is such a blessing at times like this.

There is a stick thing called 4Head which you put on your forehead - my friend swears by it for headaches (haven't tried it myself).
Here is a link to it on Amazon, but my friend gets hers at Boots I think.

www.amazon.co.uk/4head-Headache-Migraine-Relief-Stick/dp/B000KU51SQ/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1470653978&sr=8-1&keywords=4head+headache+%26+migraine+relief+stick

I find Tiger Balm rubbed into temples works very well & smells lovely- well I think so.Maybe just the smell makes you think it is working so it does- I don't know but it works for me. I got the idea from a natural practitioner who used to work at the osteopathic clinic where I worked.

I wondered about dehydration and, ideally, she should be drinking straight water to rehydrate. There are about a dozen possible remedies for headaches, depending on other things, eg if her face is flushed and/or she's cross belladonna would be the one; if she's weepy pulsatilla would be appropriate and so on. The reflexology point in the hand is the tip of the thumb, so if you or she could massage that it might help. Peppermint oil (diffused) might help.
Good luck. It's rotten being in the wrong all the time. Hugs to you.

I think I am right in saying that Paracetomol is addictive and to some people to stop taking it is like coming off drugs. It is apparently unproved but very real for some. See www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-435796/The-silent-addiction-everyday-painkillers.html

If this is the case professional help will be needed to wean her off them, just substituting the pills will not do it. Your mum may not have a headache but need her fix.
However, if she does have a headache there is a roll-on available from Holland and Barratt in a silver tube, you rub it on your forehead - it smells like peppermint and works for a lot of people. Also, perhaps carbonated and/or flavoured water or juice instead of tea to keep the fluids up, and more fruit and vegetables. Constipation can cause headaches. And if she can get out each day for some fresh air that might help.

Rule number one when having an ailment - look at how much rubbish is in your diet and rubbish masquerading as healthy. People eat so much of it they dont know how it feels to be normal.

People with dementia may believe they have headaches but they may not have one that would be 'cured' by medication of any sort so a placebo, child's vitamin tablet, etc are all good ideas. Anya also mentions the problems around urinary infections which are very important to consider so increased water intake is vital (this helps us all regarding headaches!). My mother used to use a tiny block of 'frozen menthol' to rub on her forehead and temples which has a good effect too but I don't know if you can still buy it anywhere.

Is the headache real? Have they tried Amytriptilyn ? Or Gabapantin?
ThoughMIL GP said she could take 8paracetamol.a day indefinitely She was 91 though He said liver damage at her age wasn't really an issue She lived to 93 (residual pain from shingles )

When my late MiL was with us and refused to drink I gave her ice lollies. Not sure it was great for her diabetes but it did help to rehydrate her.

No bright ideas bags, although I think you are on the right track with a homeopathic remedy (unless your mum has heard you rubbish them before) and maybe lavender oil.
Just wanted to send you and your Mother best wishes. You are doing a grand job.

Today has been much better in that Mum seems to have completely forgotten about yesterday (not to mention several previous headachy days). I, meanwhile, have been feeling shattered. Goodnight all

I was going to suggest Tiger Balm or lavender oil too, I see other posters have suggested both of those, gently massaged into the temples.
My GP has just suggested that I take 8 paracetamol a day for foot/knee pain - they are apparently 'absolutely safe'. However, I have ignored him.

Homeopathy treats the patient not the problem. If you visit an online store such as Ainsworths.com and search Remedy Finder, you'll be asked a series of questions about the type of headache and then a remedy will be suggested. Homeopathy is very effective but you need to be sure you get the right treatment.

As far as I know too many paracetamol give you a head ache.

I suggest you find some vitamin tablets which might actually do some good. And as your mother has a short term memory problem you might find a number of different ones (not a a one a day multi vitamin) so that it would be all right to have another when she requested one.

it may be that part of the demand for tablets is the attention, which is a psychological reward, that goes with it. You might be able therefore to forestall the demand by giving attention earlier than she expects. You cold do this not necessarily using pills but with other things i.e. favourite TV programme about to start, ring up an old friend and find out how she is going on, help lay the table time for the meal etc.

good luck.

it may be that part of the demand for tablets is the attention, which is a psychological reward, that goes with it

Yes. This had occurred to me too.

It's also about control. Letting go of control of self-medication will be hard for someone like my mum. I think it's not so bad when my brother is in charge but she feels it keenly when her daughters are involved, more 'threatened' perhaps.

I wonder if a head or neck/shoulder massage might help? I feel headaches often originate in tension in the nape of the neck and the shoulders. Lavender aromatherapy oil would be wonderfully relaxing. Would she countenance that?

Third emergency call of my life this morning. Mum fell/fainted in bathroom this morning. Sickening thud. Taken to hospital for checks. Following shortly.

Oh, B - what a shock! Thinking of you both. Hugs.

Aw! Hope she's ok, Bags. Keep your chin up,

Oh dear thatbags . So sorry to hear that, were you home again after your visit?

Stay strong thatbags. Hope you are both OK.

Hope she's getting a full MOT and will be OK.

Grabbing lunch in a cafe. Nurse phoned to say mum has been transferred from A&E to AMU (acute medical unit).