Migraine headaches!

Meg177

One of the reasons I get them is when I have a sodium spike (discovered by tracking diet). I usually have low sodium so when I eat out I get a huge spike. I now try to add salt to my cooking to get closer to the recomended daily allowance and allows me to eat out every now and again:) Doctors don't usually think of looking at that and it is a proven cause.

Meg177

I am having a hard time working out as often as I need to because I suffer from debilitating migraine headaches. My physician attributes them to hormones. Has anyone found a treatment for migraines that they have found to be sucessful? I have not been very sucessful with either M@xalt or !mitrex. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!!

You have to catch it during the aura phase (if you get that it helps) for those medications to work. Any later and you're in for the ride. I didn't love Maxalt but Zomig is milder and works well.

IvoryParchment

Sometimes my migraine trigger was another type of headache, like sinus or tension, so it was worth learning to deal with those. Look for things that keep your neck tense for hours (cradling the phone on your shoulder while typing, sleeping on pillows that aren't the right height for you, sitting in a chair that is an awkward height for your work tasks, etc). Make sure you don't clench your jaw or press your tongue against the roof of your mouth when you're under pressure. Ice on the side of my nose helps with sinus headaches, as does putting a little wasabi paste right on the roof of my mouth -- that'll open your sinuses!

ascott048

One of my best friends used to suffer from these often, I get them as well but they let up a lot after I had sinus surgery. My friend actually tried everything including spending thousands on a special doctor. They still didn't go away. Then one day I heard that some types of birth control can cause migraines, I told her about it and she went off the meds and the migraines went away. It has been well over two years now and the migraines are very few and far between for her.

You may consider looking at current meds that could cause the issue or possibly seeing an ENT doctor as well. When it comes to migraines I suggest looking at all your options because it seems to me that each person has different triggers and cures.

I still am considering trying acupuncture for the times I do get them.

IvoryParchment

Also I noticed I get headaches if my clothes are too tight around my neck, waist or chest. I won't wear belts around my waist if they don't have elasticity to them, because they are too tight when I sit.

Gwenski

I too suffer from migraines.. used to be 6-8 per month. I went to a headache clinic at a university hospital. They started me on a low dose blood pressure pill as a preventative and it has worked wonderfully. Haven't had a migraine since before Christmas. It's been truly life-changing!

Meg177

I still am considering trying acupuncture for the times I do get them.

Did a few years of it. Does a really good job of balancing hormones and managing tension. I found it's great for long term migraine control but not so much while you're in the middle of one (although it can help). Massage really helps too - a lot:)

mhotch

I'm in a migraine phase currently due to weather fluctuations here in Wisconsin. I've had them for 3 days now.

I am in Illinois and I have had them on and off for the last 7 days! I went to a neurologist a few years ago. She prescribed Relpax. Usually one tab does it for me. I get absolutely NO side effect from it. The prescription allows me to take a second pill if the migraine does not go away. I have never had the need for a second dose yet!

Also, cardio helps my migraine. It usually gets better after a good workout.

summerbert

I have had migraines since I was 5 massive debilitating ones. The only thing that worked and I tried everything was 26 units of botox put in normal area's for wrinkles (forehead wrinkles) I discovered I had celiac and my migraines have gone away. It is such an amazing feeling I don't know what to do with myself

c3jaam

I am a chronic migraine sufferer. I currently get Botox injections every 13 weeks by my neurologist. I had hormonal migraines. I am know on the depoprovera shot every 10 weeks by the gyn, which stopped those.
I am also on a preventative.
The imitrex injections and many other medications did nothing for me.
Best advice is to see a neurologist!

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.