Need help with migraines

crista_b

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.

Yeah. I probably could, but that would be too much of a legal hassle to get into if it doesn't even turn out that the lights are a trigger for me. I'm working with adjusting as many things as I can on my own first, and if it still doesn't help, then I'll start going to the more "drastic" options like that.

I just started going to a neurologist about a year ago so I'm still kind of new to testing options. (I was on an HMO plan where I couldn't go to a specialist without a referral, and it took over 6 years of complaining to my doctor to get that referral. :grumble: )

I_Will_End_You

I just started going to a neurologist about a year ago so I'm still kind of new to testing options. (I was on an HMO plan where I couldn't go to a specialist without a referral, and it took over 6 years of complaining to my doctor to get that referral. :grumble: )

I had that issue. I called to make an appointment, they asked who referred me, and I said "I'm referring myself". :laugh: She didn't think that was funny. I then asked why I need to pay one doctor to tell me I need to go to a different doctor, and she eventually let me see the nurse practitioner, who I've been seeing ever since!

KxCoyote

Similar boat, except I was born with them, get them every day. Tried about 30 different meds, one of which gave me a minor stroke. And the only pill that works to get rid of them so far is Imitrex(but I can only get limited amount and that amount isn't near enough for a month)
But as for foods? I tend to get a migraine if I over-eat. To the point of 'feeling' full, I'll get a migraine. No single type of food has caused or helped a migraine in my case.
Sorry I can't be of much help, but had to post.

CaeliGirl11

I have to work in an office on a computer with flourescent lights...I had them unscrew the lights above my cube...I got a lamp for my desk with an incandescent bulb and a led lamp to hang right over my screen...it seems to work quite nicely since I was getting about 3-4 migraines a week prior to making those changes and also going on 150mg of topamax and 50mg of amitriptyline at night. My doctor completely cut me off of ibuprofen because of the rebound headaches that they create...as well as the excedrine. I only take those if I have a headache that does not qualify as a migraine (which almost never occurs). I went from having 15-20 migraines a month in June of 2012 down to 1 a month (max) by May of this year!!
I have also cut out most of my dark diet sodas cause the topamax just makes it taste yucky! But they do make Diet Coke with Splenda and without aspartame...maybe try that if you're still hooked?
When I do get a migraine I still take Imitrex and if its still not going away a Valium to knock me out. But these days, thankfully, they are few and far between!
I wish you lots of luck and hope that you can find relief wherever you can!! Remember, just because you've tried one medication does not mean that's it...there's so many out there! I went through 3 others before I found the Topamax and Amitripyline combo for me.

jlfoster0427

I have migraines as well and have only found that a when I get migraines there isnt much you can do but having a small piece of dark chocolate seems to make me feel better but when doesn't chocolate make you feel good lol

jlfoster0427

The lady that does my massages at the spa told me to take two tennis balls and put them in a sock and lay them where your neck and shoulders meet and lay on them for a little bit. It releases the tension and stress in your neck which accompany my headaches and helps ease them off

branson101

I have migraines as well and have only found that a when I get migraines there isnt much you can do but having a small piece of dark chocolate seems to make me feel better but when doesn't chocolate make you feel good lol

chocolate seem to help my migraines most of the time. I eat some when I feel the migraine coming, if that doesn't work I put on some loose fitting dark sunglasses and get an ice pack for my head and pray for my work day to end soon.

crista_b

I have to work in an office on a computer with flourescent lights...I had them unscrew the lights above my cube...I got a lamp for my desk with an incandescent bulb and a led lamp to hang right over my screen...

Good idea! I might look into that. The lights above my desk are in the middle between being above mine and my neighbor's though so hopefully it wouldn't bother her.

My doctor completely cut me off of ibuprofen because of the rebound headaches that they create...as well as the excedrine. I only take those if I have a headache that does not qualify as a migraine (which almost never occurs).

Yep. Same here. I'm on Frova right now if I get a migraine. My doctor has tried Imitrex and Maxalt, but none of the triptans have seemed to help so we're probably going to try a different class. We've tried BP medication too even though mine is normal (surprising considering most of my family has either too high or too low BP).

Non-extensive list of various medication options: http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=104593

pa_jorg

I've found if I start drinking Gatorade as soon as the migraine starts it will dull the pain. That's just a quick fix that helps me get through the day. Otherwise, no magic remedies here.

beckiern1

everyone has really good suggestions! my migraines are almost GONE thanks to using prophylactic propranolol. i do 20 mg twice a day, and i am so stoked over that.

when i can, i take showers with my migraines...in the dark. the water beating on my neck just makes the pain go away.

i found that taking caffeine (okay, ok, a LOT of caffeine) out of my diet helped too. i'm down to one cup a day, and i've stopped adding sugar/splenda/whatever was available. also, exercise.

hope the others helped you more than i could!

TrailRunner61

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!

daisymae850

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

1princesswarrior

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.

feelthelove1964

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 helfpul

1princesswarrior

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!

bookitty_ca13

I am now 90% migraine free due to self diagnosis and tried stop eating as much wheat as possible! Life is sooo much better

ChantalD75

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...

ellew70

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)

1princesswarrior

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.

wswilliams67

Good Luck.

http://midnightremedies.com/47-1-migraine.html