Migraine headaches!

sarbu24

I also have migraines. I take Sumatriptan (generic Imitrex) when I get a migraine, but I HATE it because it makes my back and limbs very sore and stiff so I rarely take it.

What has helped is that my doctor has put me on a preventative medication. We had to experiment a bit before we found one that helps, but I am currently taking Propranolol every night before bed. It's a blood pressure medication, but can also be used for migraines, which is what I use it for. It has helped decrease my migraines significantly.

Good luck!

I take these exact meds!!! I have never been happier. I take a propranolol every morning and every night, and they have helped more than I ever could have imagined.I dont have the pain from the Imitrex like you do though. I went years without going to the doctor, I had migraines every week. It seems like they have become less frequent now that I exercise everyday as well.

minkakross

my hubby gets cluster migraines his went to a doctor who had a specialty in migraines and while he was given imitrex and zomig as quick acting in the moment drugs he was put on blood pressure medication and that put him into remission for over two years now. Looks like several other posters have had similar treatment results so you may talk to your doctor about options if getting that hernia fixed doesn't take care of it.

moniquelessard

I get migraines if I ingest MSG

Look for it in food...listed as Monosodium Glutamate

Ruffles all dressed chips and sun chips contain MSG... enough to leave me debilitated.

I don't have any advice on treatment sorry... but MSG can contribute for sure..

tlath70

I just hate relying on medication to relieve my headaches. Has anyone been sucessful using acupuncture or biofeedback?

The antidepressants the doctor had me try left me lethargic and ambitionless. Hated them!!

I had the same issue with this type of treatment, so I am very apprehensive to try any other preventative medication. I use Relpax at the first sign of migrain and it works most of the time. Occasionally I will also drink something caffenated to help with relief.

I feel for you, sometimes I am in bed for 2 days with pretty severe migraines. It seems like the pain will never subside. My triggers are hormones (menstral migraines) and lack of sleep. Sometimes my sinus headaches can become migraines. I aggree with the other poster who reccomended that you see a specialist to find your triggers, this may be the best way for you to reduce the number of migraines you suffer...good luck.

babyshme

They had me on blood pressure meds. At the time I didn't have high blood pressure. It was to prevent the migraines from happening. Then on something that started with a T. I truly don't remember the name of it. Only that it started with a T.

Since working out more, have found it helps when I go for a walk OUTSIDE or cold compress. As soon as I feel one even trying to start.

alliekat893

I've been having migraines for years... I've seen several doctors and two neurologists. They think mine is also hormonal due to having PCOS. Mine are triggered from stress, changes in weather, strong smells, and (unfortunately for my exercising) my pulse going up. I was missing work unpaid 1 to 2 times a week, with FMLA.

I use Imitrex when I have to, but I hate how it makes me feel.

I couldn't take Topamax; I had awful side affects, worse than having a migraine 6-8 times a month. Propranolol hasn't really done anything, that I can tell. Now I'm on Gabapentin (Neurontin) three times a day and it's wonderful! I hardly ever have one now. Plus it's helped my restless legs and (hormone caused) anxiety as well.

Jilly1337

My fiance used to get them all the time. He went to an Allergist for seasonal allergies and was tested. It turns out he has multtiple food allergies including aspartame and gluten. Once those things were cut out, the headaches disappears. Start paying attention to what you have eaten before you get them. You may see a pattern.

muwchck

I had one today for the first time in a while. I thought I finally got them all under control. I don't know what caused mine today. It started while I was stuck in the waiting room for my son's therapist because she was stuck in traffic. I was irritated about her giving me a speech about her time being worth gold, and then it was like she didn't care about my time. Between that, and not having any breakfast before going in, I'm sure I gave myself the migraine. It took me from when it started around 8:30 this morning until about dinner time to get it to go away. I never did figure out what made it go away either.
I used to get them really bad though. When I was younger, I would get them about 24-48 hours before starting my cycle, and they would last for 2-3 days at a time. So I know hormones can be a problem with them. Might need some kind of hormone therapy to help with them. I did that, and it helped, didn't cure them, but made them tolerable.

etromb50

I notice mine are worse if I am skipping meals, dehydrated or have too much caffeine

betholiver

I suffer from migraine headaches for 5 years. At the moment, and I am now 3 weeks. It's sad! I've tried many things, I've had horrible crisis to go to Emergency several times. I have been to several doctors and two neurologists. I've used topamax, Propranolol, Maxalt and others who do not remember the name and nothing worked. So tired of searching for the cure. I as complex healing. But this should go the doctor soon because living well is so depressing. Sorry not to have ideas, just reporting. But I wish that you stay well.

RoseRoiz

Thank you I'm working with my pain managent doctor to see if my insurance will approved Botox, my insurance is playing a game. I have taking almost every medication for migraine and I also taken preventive medications but, the side effects are worse and I do not want to be taking meds for this and med for that. I work in a hospital I'm a Pharmacyst Tech and I do not want to be like my patients taking so many medications. I also doned accupuntures It did help with my periods but, after a while too many needles outch!! My cycle has to do with it. My obgyn and my Neurologyst like to pass the buck so I see a pain management instead!! Thank you for caring!!

Alysgrma

Good Afternoon,
I am sorry you sufer with migraines. Has your doctor done any MRI on you? If he has not I would suggest one
be done, if he has and it's been awhile I would suggest another one be done. There are all kinds of reasons to get them but need to rule out the Chiari Malformation. Not all doctors know about this. He/she needs to look for Chiari Malformation. It is a birth defect that starts showing it self around the 30 yr mark.
I too have suffered most of my life with them and had been told it was other related issues, pms, low blood surgar...etc. Not until the MRI was done and he saw that I had this birth defect. I had surgery in 2004 and have not had the mirgraines like
I did before...just about everyday! I may have one now once a month...shoot I can live with that
Message me if you want more details.

Good Luck
Mary

betholiver

upgrading, I'd forgotten that has helped me is the Spezzatina ..

Masachapa

Thank you I'm working with my pain managent doctor to see if my insurance will approved Botox, my insurance is playing a game. I have taking almost every medication for migraine and I also taken preventive medications but, the side effects are worse and I do not want to be taking meds for this and med for that. I work in a hospital I'm a Pharmacyst Tech and I do not want to be like my patients taking so many medications. I also doned accupuntures It did help with my periods but, after a while too many needles outch!! My cycle has to do with it. My obgyn and my Neurologyst like to pass the buck so I see a pain management instead!! Thank you for caring!!

I'm sorry to see that you still have your headache from yesterday. It's not cool to have to rely on narcotics to experience relief!!

BandForAlyAnne

i have taken imitrex and propranolol and they didnt really do anything. and imitrex really f**ks with your body. makes you hurt for days. my saving grace is fiorinal. its amazing. gets rid of it fast. but i am happy to say that i've had no major migraines since lap-band surgery in january. maybe i just needed to take care of my body.

rangerwife77

My doc gave me Topamax.. It also helps with weightloss which is a plus

BandForAlyAnne

Good Afternoon,
I am sorry you sufer with migraines. Has your doctor done any MRI on you? If he has not I would suggest one
be done, if he has and it's been awhile I would suggest another one be done. There are all kinds of reasons to get them but need to rule out the Chiari Malformation. Not all doctors know about this. He/she needs to look for Chiari Malformation. It is a birth defect that starts showing it self around the 30 yr mark.
I too have suffered most of my life with them and had been told it was other related issues, pms, low blood surgar...etc. Not until the MRI was done and he saw that I had this birth defect. I had surgery in 2004 and have not had the mirgraines like
I did before...just about everyday! I may have one now once a month...shoot I can live with that
Message me if you want more details.

Good Luck
Mary

i also have chiari malformation type 1 but it doesnt seem to have any correlation to my migraines. i wish i could fix my problem like that.

BandForAlyAnne

My doc gave me Topamax.. It also helps with weightloss which is a plus

ah. i forgot about topamax. i tried that too. didnt work for me. : /

bossmodehan

Right, i know this sounds insane but this is what my boyfriend does when he gets migraines (though they aren't as frequent as they used to be, or at least they don't completely escalate as they used to):

We have found that massaging fresh lime juice into the temples to be a good relief.

Yep, I said it was insane. I couldn't say if it is an aromatherapy-type effect, or simply just placebo effect. But surely its worth a shot for any sufferer as it is pretty inexpensive, and there aren't any side effects (unless you get it in your eye )

Meg177

Thank you I'm working with my pain managent doctor to see if my insurance will approved Botox, my insurance is playing a game. I have taking almost every medication for migraine and I also taken preventive medications but, the side effects are worse and I do not want to be taking meds for this and med for that. I work in a hospital I'm a Pharmacyst Tech and I do not want to be like my patients taking so many medications. I also doned accupuntures It did help with my periods but, after a while too many needles outch!! My cycle has to do with it. My obgyn and my Neurologyst like to pass the buck so I see a pain management instead!! Thank you for caring!!

Have you tried just getting a good massage? I just get a back and neck and it helps a great deal. I started with one a week (60min) with a 3x per week chiropractor treatment. Now I just go as needed. Did wonders and just as good as acupuncture (I hear you about the needles - they do really hurt).

If you tell the people you work with you will get eyerolls - just envy;) But seriously, if you haven't tried it there is nothing to lose. I do suggest that when you book your appointment you let them know what it's for and the you request the Very Best person they have - they may all be good but this is a bit different than just a relaxation spa massage.

Showcats

I was also on Topamax for years. It became less effective so the neurologist increased my dosage and I had the side effect of blurred vision. I had to go off of it and then had a seizure. Now I am on Keppra. I didn't notice weight loss when on Topamax but did gain weight when I went off of it and on Keppra. I thought the weight gain was due to the Keppra but I think it was actually because I wasn't on the Topamax any more.

Masachapa

Thank you I'm working with my pain managent doctor to see if my insurance will approved Botox, my insurance is playing a game. I have taking almost every medication for migraine and I also taken preventive medications but, the side effects are worse and I do not want to be taking meds for this and med for that. I work in a hospital I'm a Pharmacyst Tech and I do not want to be like my patients taking so many medications. I also doned accupuntures It did help with my periods but, after a while too many needles outch!! My cycle has to do with it. My obgyn and my Neurologyst like to pass the buck so I see a pain management instead!! Thank you for caring!!

Migraines are horrible!! I hope you find something that brings relief!

RoseRoiz

Thank you I'm working with my pain managent doctor to see if my insurance will approved Botox, my insurance is playing a game. I have taking almost every medication for migraine and I also taken preventive medications but, the side effects are worse and I do not want to be taking meds for this and med for that. I work in a hospital I'm a Pharmacyst Tech and I do not want to be like my patients taking so many medications. I also doned accupuntures It did help with my periods but, after a while too many needles outch!! My cycle has to do with it. My obgyn and my Neurologyst like to pass the buck so I see a pain management instead!! Thank you for caring!!

Wow! I cannot believe how horribly composed that my post was. The dilaudid I took finally relieved the pain, but left me almost incoherent (as my post shows!)

I am working with my pain management doctor to get Botox injections covered by my insurance. The side effects of all of the prophylactic treatments I have taken so far have outweighed the benefits I received.

I am very appreciative of all the help and advice that this community has offered. I am anxious to see my general practicioner, my gyno, and my pain management doctor as I now have something to discuss with each of them!

relo78

I used to get migraines 1-3x per month, and have not had one since 12/25 (knock on wood). I don't know if you're taking a BCP, but my doctor switched me from the Pill to the Nuvaring as it is less likely to cause migraines. I still got a migraine the first two months of using it, but haven't had one since.

Another thing (could be related, maybe not) is watching my sodium. I've tried to avoid really salty snacks/dinners out. I still eat sushi with soy sauce, for example, but try to balance out the rest of the day or week.

Good luck!

lindsaypyke

I USE AXERT - SIMILIAR TO ZOMIG BUT IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE IF YOU DON'T HAVE A HEALTH PLAN. THE ONLY WAY TO WARD OFF MY MIGRAINES WAS TO KEEP A STRICT SCHEDULE OF EATING FREQUENTLY, SLEEPING WELL, AND STAYING AWAY FROM TRIGGERS. I WENT FROM GETTING THEM ALMOST EVERY SECOND DAY TO NOW ONE TO THREE A MONTH. THEY ARE THE WORST PAIN EVER. I WOULD RATHER GO INTO LABOR DAILY THEN HAVE MIGRAINES. I HOPE YOU FIND SOME RELIEF.

ANOTHER TIP THAT WORKS FOR ME BUT SOUNDS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS IS TO PUT ON WARM SOCKS AND MITTENS. IT CAUSES BLOOD TO FLOW TO THE EXTREMETIES AND PROVIDES SOME RELIEF. SOUNDS SILLY BUT WHEN YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF A MIGRAINE YOU WILL TRY ANYTHING AND THIS WORKED TO ALLEVIATE A LITTLE.

cineshome

Well, everyone is different, but for me no preventative medications worked and Maxalt helped the most in treating the migraine though it makes me feel really sick so I have to weigh the "poison" of the Migraine to the poison I feel with the Maxalt. I literally spent years with what felt like a really prolonged migraine and always nauseous (but not actually throwing up). I finally gave up and went to see an acupuncturist. Total God-send. My migraines slowly improved over 6 months time and I'm down to maybe two real migraines a month now and I no longer see my acupuncturist. Controlling stress wherever possible and regulating sleep are also very key as well as avoiding extreme outdoor temperatures for any long period of time. My acupuncurist said that getting out for a 1/2 hr walk daily was really important too though I have still failed to implement that and staying hydrated. Acupuncture is expensive but so are medications and the time/life lost to migraines. Sometimes they have a sliding scale. You can ask your dr. (I was shocked to find out that my seemingly conservative dr. goes in regularly for acupuncture) for an acupuncturist recommendation or look on Yelp. I feel like I've lost years due to migraines and a lot of my kids' growing up. Oh, one last thing, you have to be very careful with pain medicines not to fall into the rebound headache trap too. A tall order, I know. Also, ice and heat. Ice to the back of the neck (a cold beer bottle will do nicely behind the neck) and maybe a warm rice bag over the eyes, forehead and sinuses simultaneously. Good luck!

veganbaum

I would suggest reading The Migraine Brain. That book has helped me in daily management. I still occasionally get migraines, often when I can't avoid certain things through no choice of my own. I also try to avoid medication when I can. An old doctor tried all the new stuff on me, and they just made me ill.

RoseRoiz

I USE AXERT - SIMILIAR TO ZOMIG BUT IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE IF YOU DON'T HAVE A HEALTH PLAN. THE ONLY WAY TO WARD OFF MY MIGRAINES WAS TO KEEP A STRICT SCHEDULE OF EATING FREQUENTLY, SLEEPING WELL, AND STAYING AWAY FROM TRIGGERS. I WENT FROM GETTING THEM ALMOST EVERY SECOND DAY TO NOW ONE TO THREE A MONTH. THEY ARE THE WORST PAIN EVER. I WOULD RATHER GO INTO LABOR DAILY THEN HAVE MIGRAINES. I HOPE YOU FIND SOME RELIEF.

ANOTHER TIP THAT WORKS FOR ME BUT SOUNDS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS IS TO PUT ON WARM SOCKS AND MITTENS. IT CAUSES BLOOD TO FLOW TO THE EXTREMETIES AND PROVIDES SOME RELIEF. SOUNDS SILLY BUT WHEN YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF A MIGRAINE YOU WILL TRY ANYTHING AND THIS WORKED TO ALLEVIATE A LITTLE.

Thank you Lindsay. I'm going to try to warm my hands and feet next time! There is nothing too silly to try when a bad headache strikes.

blueeyedcristi

I have had migraines since I was 13. Had to quit working 4 yrs ago due to chronic migraines that have left me with a poor quality of life. I have been to multiple neurologists, tried every medicine under the sun, have had botox injections, kept a diary, etc. Preventative meds work for a bit and then quit when my body gets used to them. We have delayed starting a family since I have them so much. Just went to a new neurologist and she said to go ahead and start our family when we are ready as I shouldn't let migraines stop me. I know several people that never had them after getting pregnant. I have an appointment to see a pain management specialist in a couple weeks and hoping they'll have some ideas. I've considered the occipital nerve block but it only seems to work for a small percentage of people. Our insurance is pretty crappy and we can't get an independent policy b/c of pre-existing condition so alternative options are limited. I do plan to try and find a chiropractor that can work with me on co-pays, etc. as that did help years ago when I got in a bad car accident. Wish I had some advice for you. My triggers are stress and barometric pressure change - generally the latter and not much I can do to change the weather Hope you can find some relief. I just take things one minute at a time.

blueeyedcristi

I was also on Topamax for years. It became less effective so the neurologist increased my dosage and I had the side effect of blurred vision. I had to go off of it and then had a seizure. Now I am on Keppra. I didn't notice weight loss when on Topamax but did gain weight when I went off of it and on Keppra. I thought the weight gain was due to the Keppra but I think it was actually because I wasn't on the Topamax any more.

I gained 50 lbs on depacote years ago and lost it when I went on Topamax. Of course topamax only worked for a certain amount of time and they would take me off it, i'd gain weight and then back on it, lose. Yo-yo. I finally said no more.