Off Topic- Migraines

simbychemhuru

I've had migraines since i was 14, something that is signature in my family. Doctors said mine are triggered by changes in light intestity and straining myeyes or something like that. As a result i have been wearing glasses for a couple of years now and they go darker as light increases. However, although it reduced my incidents to about 2 a week, i decided to ditch the glasses a few months ago because its not really working for me. A friend of mine with the same problem suggested acupuncture, i havent really tried it... but thanks for posting,now i can get answers too

celticlass69

Unfortunately, I've suffered from migraines for over 30 years. As I entered menopause they became much worse. I am unfortunately in the 25% that migraines get worse at menopause. I have used pills, nasal sprays and now needles to deal with my migraines. Sometimes the only thing that will help is a dark quiet room with a cold pack on the back of my neck. Cutting down or out sugar helps, avoiding certain foods (dark chocolate, red wine), recognizing your auras (I smell urine or formaldehyde prior to one coming on). Learning to deal with stress (yoga, relaxation). These will all help cut down the frequency. Hope this helps.

celticlass69

Oh and get this, I downloaded the Headache Diary App and kept records religiously for over a year. So after alot of nagging from my husband I go to my Dr's and I show him. One of the connections I've found is when my back hurts the next day I often get a migraine. You know what he said? "Your backbone is connected to your neckbone, your neckbone is connected to your headbone". Can you believe that? Well, needless to say I gave up the logging. I know what foods, stress, weather etc triggers them. If I see anymore neurological symptoms I will go back and ask to see a neurologist.
BTW, I am really intrigued about the natural remedies others have mentioned and I'm intending on trying them out.
One day I had what is called a thunderclap headache, put all of my migraines to shame. Felt like someone stabbed behind my ear and I didn't know if I'd pass out or throw up. After 30 minutes I was able to stand, face was numb on one half. So here's stupid me driving myself to the Dr's office, closed, then to clinic, then by ambulance to ER. Apparently in these are about 1 in 250,000 patients in an ER. They often precursors of strokes. So I had an MRI, a spinal tap, a contrast medium MRI (had some blood in spinal tap). They were suprised how well I took the tap to which I told them I have a high pain tolerance. Anyways, thank God all was good. After 12 hrs in the ER I was sent home to rest for two days. If it ever happens again straight to ER.
Why am I telling you this? Be aware if your migraine changes. Take it seriously. Seek medical attention ASAP.

itstimeRK

I am a long time sufferer of debilitating migraines. I have tried many medications, had many brain scans and have seen many doctors and specialists but nothing really helped. Now I have cannabutter in the freezer and I have some over some veggies whenever I start to go blind and it works to ease things right before the pain starts. I still feel the migraine but it helps with the constant vomiting I suffer when I get a bad one. Luckily for me I'm in a state where I can get my medical card.

ftloy

I've suffered from migraines for most of my life -- I remember getting them all the way back in 4th grade. Unfortunately, I've never been able to nail down exactly what triggers mine, only what causes them to spiral out of control when I'm on the verge of getting one or already have one (which, once it gets to that point, I'm pretty much up *kitten* creek without a paddle).

To make matters even worse, I also suffer from cluster headaches (I've had these for about 10 years or so). For the migraines, I have taken everything from beta blockers and SSRIs to Imitrex-like medications. For the cluster headaches, I've worked my way through the OTC shelves and was even prescribed a morphine derivative at one point.

Sadly, nothing really works for me, especially when it comes to the cluster headaches. If I get an early enough hint that a migraine is on its way, then I can usually pop a handful of Excedrin for Migraine pills and it will at least take the edge off (nothing ever actually stops them); however, if I get a cluster headache, fuhgeddaboutit! That's a "point of no return" deal right there.

pinkiezoom

I am a migraine sufferer, and have a constant headache even when the migraine isnt happening, i have tried lots of different things, i have cluster migraines with aura, and i have been on amatriptalyne for 7 years which did not really help, then they tried a beta blocker, which just made me feel terrible so i am currently not on any preventative meds, but take naramig when i have an attack.
I am a member of a chronic migraine sufferers group and someone on there has been taking soy isoflavins and claim they work. I tried them and for 3 months i would say there was an improvement, but now the migraines are back. I dont even know what triggers mine, i used to think it was TOM related but lately that hasnt even been the case.
x

bwcetc

Ataraxia81 wrote: »

I had migranes for years and was never able to see a doctor because I didn't have health insurance. As soon as I got hired on at my new job, I started seeing a doctor on a regular basis. He decided to have me tested for Sleep Apnea. Ever since I was diagnosed and began CPAP therapy, the migranes have disappeared. If I sleep without my CPAP, i get really bad headaches and feel "off" all day.

Thank you for posting. We were just talking about the sleep connection. My son is up 4-5 times a night.

Since my last post, son has discontinued everything but the Botox, Depakote and Celexa, magnesium and folic acid. Was removed from school around Christmas and home tutored. Migraines reduced drastically. Back to second semester and doing well until this week. Full throttle migraine with no response ...

Has anyone considered a radiological treatment that goes through the sinus and drips medication on inflamed nerves? Called an SPG Block?

http://www.windsongradiology.com/migraine-headache-relief/