What can I take to relieve the pain of a migraine?

first off, don’t take loads of meds! if one or two of something don’t work, don’t try for more. the best thing to do is to talk to you doctor and see if he/she can find out the primary cause of the migraines. Also, before you talk to your doctor do research on migraine medicine so you know the effects of the medication you might end up taking. There are many websites out there that can also help you address the cause of the migraines that you should also check out. It could be something as simple as staring at a computer screen in the wrong conditions to being a more serious issue that needs immediate attention. The fact that it is lasting so long not a good sign. I know doctors could be costly, but it is better to go now than instead of later when it gets worse and you end up paying more for stronger medication or treatments. If you really can not afford to go to a doctor look for a homeopathic way to treat the symptoms until you can afford a doctor.

Caffeine might help. Maybe some Pepsi or tea.

@johnpowell caffeine is a no no, it can actually cause headaches, especially if you don’t drink it too often. plus the burnout after the sugar wears off can make you feel worse. Now as for tea, a good hot tea, whether it be decaf or not can soothe aches and pains and maybe help relieve the irritability you are feeling.

@siilver IANAD, but you need to go to a doctor (a neurologist) stat. An extended migraine like that could be the sign of bad brain things. I just had a friend (28) who just had a stroke—so watch out.

Otherwise I found things like caffeine and NSAIDS to help.

I have had migraines, taken prescriptions for them, rested in dark rooms, suffered for days on end.

The only thing that ever helped them was a single puff of weed. Fixes mine in less than twenty minutes, alleviates almost all the pain in ten. And it stayed gone. I could treat it the way my doctor told me too, but if in half an hour I can fix the whole problem, why wait on pain relief that can’t guarantee it won’t return in a few hours?

Other than that, definitely see your doctor as you said you don’t ‘do drugs’ and get yourself checked out. It’s a good idea regardless as a four day migraine is relatively serious. Caffeine and NSAIDS as others mentioned above is a good start.

As far as I’m aware migraines should not last more than 72 hours.

I had migranes when I was about your age. The problem was caused by my wisdom teeth growing in on an angle. I never related the two until I went to the dentist
He took Xrays and ultimately took out all 4. I’ve been fine ever since.

Did you say you tried Motrin? If not, do so if you don’t have problems with it.

Coffee, chocolate, caffeine in any way is a NO NO!!! (like @siilver says).

If you usually DRINK coffee but missed your daily cup, THEN you should try a cup. The ”“withdrawal” can give you a headache as well.

Do you have anything else going on? Any other symptoms. Migraines can run (from start to finish) 72 hours (this is according to what my neurologist has explained to me). However, you can have rebounds that come right back and overlap. It is very important that you are getting plenty of fluids -water! Dehydration can drive a headache – as well as cause other problems.

Is there a chance that your blood pressure could be elevated? Pain can drive BP up, therefore making the headache worse.

It is important to get this checked out, and soon. In fact, 4 days, you might want to consider an urgent care or an ER. There are so many things that could be going on and you may think it is only a migraine, it’s pretty serious. There are other things they start looking for – @andrew mentioned stroke. They do start getting concerned about strokes, bleeds on the brain and other issues. Long, painful (worst ever) headaches are signs that there could be more going on. Please do take this very seriously and get checked out, asap.

If you are experiencing other symptoms. light sensitivity, nausea, speech troubles – there are meds (for nausea) that they can give you to help.

Also, after you read the stuff on here, stay off the computer – if possible. It can add to the headache. (strain)

Feel better soon!

I know you said you don’t wnt to but you do really have to see a doctor; either your own or in the ER. This sounds too serious to self-treat. If you are worried about the cost, maybe your parents or a friend can help out.

See a doctor.

I am 45 years old and have suffered from migraines since age 12. As I’ve gotten older, they have lasted 3–6 days and have become more painful in duration After years of CAT scans, dietary changes, useless pain killers, I tracked the migraines carefully and determined that they were related to my menstrual cycle (which has always been irregular, which made it hard to figure out). I worked with a gynecologist who supported my going on continuous birth control pills to keep the level of estrogen as regular as possible. This has made an enormous difference! I still get migraines once or twice a month, but they are shorter duration, less intense and manageable with triptans. You absolutely must see a doctor to rule out more serious issues as others have here, but my point is not to rest until you get resolution. you may not be able to completely eliminate migraine but there are ways to improve the quality of your life, especially now that many more effective prescription migraine medication is available – the over the counter “migraine” stuff is useless! Also check out the book “the Migraine Brain” by Elaine McArdle, an excellent comprehensive and user-friendly resource – your library may have it, if not ask if they will get it! Finally, I hope that Obama is able to get you Americans on a better health care system. I’m Canadian and have never had to worry about seeking treatment because it’s going to cost me too much.