Need help with migraines
Replies
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I'm sure you're already seeing a neurologist right? If so, make sure you see one who specializes in migraines.
I'm 52 and I had my first migraine when I was 18. For me, what I do depends on what type of migraine I'm having.
If it's the 'suicide' migraine, a cluster headache, the kind that you can't lie down with because it increases the pain.. the only thing that will work is oxygen and whatever meds they give me in the hospital. To prevent and try to control those, my neurologist gives me prednisone for a week. It does help.
For a regular migraine, I take butalbitol and have to sleep for 2 hours. For some reason, if I don't go to that dark room and sleep, I can't get rid of it.
For ice pick headaches and pretty much any other headache, I try to relax.
Find out if you have any triggers. Stress, loud noises, too much sunshine, lack of sleep, smoke, perfumes and certain foods are all triggers for me.
Good luck and I pray you get relief soon!0 -
I've been getting migraines for 21 years and they are horrendus, for me I take butalbatal (not spelled right) its the strongest med on the market and I usually have to take 2 for it to make a dent, on top of that I make sure to keep myself pumped through with caffiene. I know that some say that makes it worse but for me it helps some. Also you can try an ice pack on your head, that helps some too0
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All it took was a note from my doctor to get my work space changed. Not only did they remove the lights but I have a dark sheet over my cubicle. It's hot but it helps a lot.
Nowadays it's really hard for the work place not to accommodate a doctor's request.0 -
check the effects of artificial sweeteners , calcium proprionate which is added to most shelf bread, also tannins i will send you a link which explains about tannins if that is ok ?
hope this is helfpul0 -
I'm sure you're already seeing a neurologist right? If so, make sure you see one who specializes in migraines.
I'm 52 and I had my first migraine when I was 18. For me, what I do depends on what type of migraine I'm having.
If it's the 'suicide' migraine, a cluster headache, the kind that you can't lie down with because it increases the pain.. the only thing that will work is oxygen and whatever meds they give me in the hospital. To prevent and try to control those, my neurologist gives me prednisone for a week. It does help.
For a regular migraine, I take butalbitol and have to sleep for 2 hours. For some reason, if I don't go to that dark room and sleep, I can't get rid of it.
For ice pick headaches and pretty much any other headache, I try to relax.
Find out if you have any triggers. Stress, loud noises, too much sunshine, lack of sleep, smoke, perfumes and certain foods are all triggers for me.
Good luck and I pray you get relief soon!0 -
I am now 90% migraine free due to self diagnosis and tried stop eating as much wheat as possible! Life is sooo much better
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I used to get alot of migraines... I go for regular messages... every 6 to 8 weeks and it seems to help. I was told having a banana on days that I get one also helps... (it does sometimes... ) I also drink alot of water. I have been able to keep them away now for a while...0
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Very regular, moderate exercise is supposed to help, too. I started exercising right about the same time I started taking Migrelief and Feverfew, so I don't know if that's had anything to do with it or not. Just a suggestion, though.
I've heard Topomax is rough, side effect wise. I was always afraid my doctor would put me on that. Glad I found this combo, because I think that was the next med she was going to have me try.I forgot to mention, I've heard about this as a common trigger too. I just can't figure out how to avoid it. I can't make my office change the lights. :ohwell:
Same here. Although I think legally you CAN make them change the bulbs.
I've been on topomax and I didn't have much in the way of side effects. It reduced the frequency and intensity of my migraines but didn't eliminate them. My big triggers are weather (warm humidity), red wine, lack of sleep, and dehydration. I prefer the hot towel/healing pad and peppermint oil with Execerine migraine, but I have Zomig nasal spray if I need it (my migraines cause vomiting so it can be hard to take oral meds with the worst ones)0 -
I'm sure you're already seeing a neurologist right? If so, make sure you see one who specializes in migraines.
I'm 52 and I had my first migraine when I was 18. For me, what I do depends on what type of migraine I'm having.
If it's the 'suicide' migraine, a cluster headache, the kind that you can't lie down with because it increases the pain.. the only thing that will work is oxygen and whatever meds they give me in the hospital. To prevent and try to control those, my neurologist gives me prednisone for a week. It does help.
For a regular migraine, I take butalbitol and have to sleep for 2 hours. For some reason, if I don't go to that dark room and sleep, I can't get rid of it.
For ice pick headaches and pretty much any other headache, I try to relax.
Find out if you have any triggers. Stress, loud noises, too much sunshine, lack of sleep, smoke, perfumes and certain foods are all triggers for me.
Good luck and I pray you get relief soon!
I gave up on the neurologist, I only got to see her PA and all she did was give me different drugs to try, none that worked and when I called back they would never return my calls and I'd end up at my PCP anyway for a shot or the ER. I'm a penny pincher and I can't see paying for a service when I don't receive that service.0 -
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Was told to cut out caffeine completely. Take a feverfew and put an ice pack on. Then lay in a quiet dark room. Hope you get relief soon!0
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I did a total lifestyle change which included quitting all the foods commonly known as migraine triggers. When I gave up coffee though, they stopped completely and I was able to add in other "triggers" with no migraines. I've been migraine free going on 3 years now, and I enjoy red wine on occasion and have no problems with that anymore. I have not reincorporated stress, or going hours without eating the other triggers I got rid of. I won't allow those things in my life anymore. The main component in reducing my stress was learingin how to say no, and set boundaries with needy or take advantage types. The going hours without eating was resolved by setting the alarm clock on my cell phone. Hot and cold temps also caused me problems and I resolved this by immediately speaking up for myself if I'm in a too hot, or too cold place, and also wearing layers and taking a sweater or jacket everywhere I go religiously. To the point where spares are in my hubby's car, mine and every diaper bag/overnight bag I own ready to go. Good luck hope you get a handle on yours.:flowerforyou:0
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I suffer from chronic migraines as well. I have no known food or environmental triggers, mine actually seem to be tension related (but not stress, actual tension in my suboccipital muscles). I have found a combination of acupuncture and medication (in my case, I take 4 cyclobenzaprine -- mild muscle relaxer -- on a nightly basis) has worked quite well for me. I hope that eventually I will be able to ween off of the medication and then, even further down the road, ween off of the acupuncture. But for now, the combination is doing the trick at helping to keep them away!0
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So sorry to hear! I used to get migraines frequently as well, not due to a brain injury though
. My Dr (when I was a teen) suggested eating a bar of chocolate and drinking a coke - it actually worked for me as nothing else did. When I got older, I just had to resort to lying down in a quiet dark room and sleeping it off - if I was lucky. Once I stopped eating gluten and dairy (of which I learned I have autoimmune intolerances to) in March, I have not had a single migraine since - no joke. I now am 100% certain my migraines were due to my food intolerances.
I hope you find relief :flowerforyou: I know how crippling they can be.0 -
Try burning Diamond Willow Fungus. My son gets wicked migraines, and instead of medicating him I burn a little bit of this. He sits in a super hot bathtub with epsome salt in it, and i have this burning by the window. Just a little bit, I don't want him to feel like he's suffocating. Google it, it works well.0
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I have been a migraine sufferer since I was young, and my mom is one as well. There are many foods that trigger them- chocolate, foods with msg, food dyes, oreos..just to name a few. I would suggest keeping track of your food on here and see if you can track to find out what is a specific trigger for you.
Also, knowing where you store your stress helps, too. I carry mine in my shoulders and neck, which causes them for me. When i run, I may get a headache because of either the way I held my form or my sports bra.
Also, make sure you are drinking enough water. That can help too.
I take imitrex for mine and that seems to help quite a bit. Sometimes if you can feel them coming on, the actual migraine itself is easier to deal with...0 -
I've been getting migraines for 21 years and they are horrendus, for me I take butalbatal (not spelled right) its the strongest med on the market and I usually have to take 2 for it to make a dent, on top of that I make sure to keep myself pumped through with caffiene. I know that some say that makes it worse but for me it helps some. Also you can try an ice pack on your head, that helps some too
It does both. The overall reduction of caffeine intake reduces the occurence of migraines. The use of it in a large dose helps in an acute attack. Finally if one is used to a steady daily intake of caffeine and then quits cold turkey a headache might ensue which could be just the stress necessary to trigger a migraine. All of what you said is true.0 -
I discovered that artificial sweeteners can trigger migraine like symptoms. I was using showers, more sleep, more water until I figured out about sweeteners. I never used them on my own, but didn't realized that Tropical Smoothie Cafe and some other places using them without telling you. For actual migraines, Botox shots helped me a lot. First 6 month after injection between eyebrows I was pain free.0
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I don't quite get migraines but get headaches offten. As a body worker I can tell you a migrain is usually triggered by neck and shoulder tension specially if the pain is in the forhead or behind the eyes. Getting neck and shoulder massage on a regular basis will help keep headaches/migraines at bay also using an anti inflamitory is always best such as advil or asprin even ibuprofen . But your best bet would be to go to a massage therapist for trigger point work or even cranial sacril. Even putting an ice pack over your eyes will help. Even if you recive a massage twice a month it will help greatly and its a remidy that's not pill related. Hope it gets better .0
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I don't quite get migraines but get headaches offten. As a body worker I can tell you a migrain is usually triggered by neck and shoulder tension specially if the pain is in the forhead or behind the eyes. Getting neck and shoulder massage on a regular basis will help keep headaches/migraines at bay also using an anti inflamitory is always best such as advil or asprin even ibuprofen . But your best bet would be to go to a massage therapist for trigger point work or even cranial sacril. Even putting an ice pack over your eyes will help. Even if you recive a massage twice a month it will help greatly and its a remidy that's not pill related. Hope it gets better .
^^^^This!!! I swear by the sacril cranial work that I get done by my massage therapist. My PCP recommended I get a massage at least once a month. I tried to see if insurance would cover it since it was doctor prescribed, but alas, it's not covered. If I could afford to see my massage therapist at least once a month, I would as I know that my migraines would be non-existent and I would probably no longer need my nightly medication.0 -
I've suffered with migraines from an early age. In recent years, I have found relief with triptans (imitrex, maxalt, relpax) but all are too costly and not a great solution when they need to be taken almost daily. A month ago I was put on atenolol to see if it would aid with migraine prevention. I was a bit worried about taking a blood pressure medication, since my blood pressure runs somewhat low to begin with- but it really is helping. Most days I still have a dull ache, like a 'pre migraine' but it usually stays at that level- still a nuisance, but so much easier to deal with.
My migraines have never seemed to be diet related- more along the lines of weather, temperature, pressure, stress... if you think they may be weather related, you can check out a site called medi clim. It will send an alert when weather in your area is likely to trigger a migraine. I had always suspected mine were, and this confirmed it, as the alerts were spot-on every time I had one (unless it was from stress or lack of sleep). On the downside, that means I can't control when I get them.
So, darkness and something cold it is. There are some 'well patch' things you can order on amazon, that you can stick on your head (I also find they help at the back of my neck with migraine) and stay cool for an extended amount of time- like the cool washcloth, but it stays cool and doesn't drip all over you. Also, it looks ridiculous, but you can even wear it if (heaven forbid) you absolutely have to drive/ride in a vehicle with a migraine.0 -
Hi,
I having had migraines for over 30 years. Here is the foods to avoid. MSG ( monosudium glutamate) red wine, aged cheeses, and caffeine. and too much chocolate.
There are other causes too. Stress and dehydration. Drink at least large glasses of water a day.
I had been giving myself shots for my migraines but execdrin migraine works as well and faster. Good luck.0 -
I started getting them in my early 20s and they got progressively worse up to the point of 1 or 2x a week. Went to the doc when I was around 29 and found that I had high blood pressure. Started taking propronol for the blood pressure and my migraines slowed down. Was prescribed Imitrex to try and fend them off as they were starting but to no avale. After dropping some weight and taking care of my blood pressure through diet and exercising, I no longer take the propronol and have had maybe 1 or 2 in the last year.0
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my son also suffered a TBI and takes neurontin for his migraines. He has to constantly take them. Its not something you can only take when you have the migraines but it helps him.
My daughter and I both have chronic migraines not caused by an injury and have only had relief with Excedrin migraine. My daughters are much worse than mine and cause vomiting. Luckily mine are not as bad as hers.0 -
Bumping as I am in the middle of a silent migraine (started with ice pick headaches which is a new one on me, my usual beginning is abdominal).
Can't help much OP. stress is probably my trigger and I just have to ride it out for the couple of days it goes on0 -
Most of my migraines were occular. I've only had two with the headache.
Giving up gluten has helped me. I still get the migraines but the are fewer and further between.
Stress and not enough sleep seem to trigger them for me also.0 -
I've never suffered from recurring migraines, only ones that have a specific cause so I am by no means an expert. I have a couple of friends that have inexplicable migraines and all of their methods of relief have been mentioned here already.
(My first migraine was a 12yo, and was so bad that I was admitted to the hospital with stroke symptoms - blackouts, losing vision, gibberish speech. Turns out that this was my introduction to puberty, as my monthly friend started visiting the very next month. TMI, sorry!)
One of the most recent ones I had was caused by my computer monitors. Check the Refresh rate on your monitor and make sure its at the highest setting. This reduces the amount of "flicker" on screen, whether you notice or not and this can cause eye strain leading to headaches. The settings are usually in the Graphics properties settings or Display settings. If you can't change it on your own, your IT department should be able to. Not a silver bullet, but maybe another thing to add to the arsenal.0 -
Lack of sleep is my biggest trigger, which is a big problem since I'm an intensive care physician. I also have to go easy on chocolate. Big changes in weather with barometric pressure changes get me as well.
Topamax was a problem for me, as I didn't sleep well while on the drug. (Note: I mentioned lack of sleep was my biggest trigger). I see a neurologist who is a headache specialist; I HIGHLY RECOMMEND finding one! He said if I hadn't lost weight while on Topamax it wasn't working. Apparently the weight loss side effect goes along with migraine prevention.
I'm now on Cymbalta, which as been a wonder drug for me!!! I had severe neck pain & Cymbalta completely took it away (Note: they are now using Cymbalta to treat diabetic neuropathies & fibromyalgia.) I also started a blood pressure med for mild elevation in blood pressure, mostly with exertion. The combo has been great! When I do get a migraine, Relpax takes it completely away within an hour or so. Relpax is a newer drug in the same family as Imitrex. Relpax tends to work better/quicker with fewer side effects, although insurance companies like to deny coverage or charge much higher copays, because Imitrex is now generic.
For those who think "herbs" are natural & therefore "not a med," you couldn't be more wrong. Many of the herbs have undesired side effects. Plus, since they aren't regulated by the FDA, the companies can put any amount & any additives into their capsules without notifying you of the contents. Please be very careful, I've treated infants for sides effects of "natural products" their mothers were consuming & assuming are safe! ALWAYS tell your physician all the meds you take, "natural," over the counter & prescribed!!!0 -
I began getting Migraines when I was 4 years old, ugh.
here are some remedies from my families elaborate history of migraines...
* indicates odd things my grandma has taught me
dark quiet room
cold head, warm body
*coca cola with ice but no straw
(both these things help chill the head area to draw blood away from the swollen blood vessels)
*eat a banana at the first sign
Ice pack on your head and lay down in the empty tub with the shower running and hitting your chest
(the white noise combined with hot body/cold head soothes me)
I take Treximet, after multiple other medications it seems to be the best, but with most Migraine meds, you can only eat Carbs, as Protein can counteract the medication. I usually take the pill and sleep for an hour with ice on my head and I'm good.
as for prevention, I did a food/migraine tracking diary for 6 weeks and noticed some triggers, then cut those out. then 6 months later did another 6 week food/migraine tracking diary and noticed more triggers. it went from 9-12 per months down to 2-4, so big win but it took a while.0 -
I was recently newly diagnosed with migraines. I had a sudden onset of 9 continuous weeks of visual disturbances, a foggy brain feeling and constant light/sound/movement overstimulation that left me unable to function normally at all. Sometimes I get actual pain in my head, and sometimes I don't. Usually it is just the overstimulation of my senses/foggy brain/visual disturbances that show up. I had no idea this was considered a migraine headache until I visited a headache specialist after going through several docs over 2 months time. (I thought I had a brain tumor or stroke or something.)
Once I got to the right headache specialist, one thing I learned is that several commonly used migraine meds can actually cause "rebound" migraines. Excedrin and ibuprofen are included in this category. I take Topamax and am trying to find a beta blocker that works for me with minimal side effects.
Routine is key. If I sleep longer than normal- migraine. If I sleep less than normal - migraine. Skip a meal- migraine.
My major trigger is high intensity exercise - I will always, always get one if I workout at too high of an intensity, but if I don't exercise at all, I am more likely to get one, too. Muscle tension in my neck and shoulders will bring one on, so I am learning to consistently do relaxation exercises everywhere all the time throughout the day. If I am already beginning to get a migraine, bright lights will push me over the edge to one, but normally bright lights won't bring one on their own. I've recently cut out caffeine and artificial sweeteners just to see what happens. Too soon to tell.
Of course, what works for one person doesn't always work for another.
I have read a lot about eliminating MSG from my diet. After seeing all the other names MSG goes by, it is much easier said than done, but I am making an effort in some of the foods I eat on a daily basis, at least.
I hope you are finding some relief. I would love to hear if some of the suggestions above from others worked out for you!
Good luck!0
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