Cause of Migraines????

I am NOT a doctor -- so with that in mind....

I would have a full physical work up INCLUDING a hormone panel done where they measure the progesterone, 3 different estrogens, DHEA, etc. I've found for myself and through reading that lack of progesterone (or being estrogen dominant) can lead to severe headaches. Find a caring doctor that is knowledgable about bio-identical hormones and proceed from there.

For temporary relief I've found the best thing to do is lie in the bathtub of warm but not too hot water with most of your head under water but still breathing though your nose. The warmth allows for the blood vessels to relax and I usually get some relief for my headaches.

Hope some of this will help and that you are feeling better soon!
:flowerforyou:

This may have nothing to do with you problems, but I have found artificial sweetener to give me migraines. Splenda is in fact the worst and one of the side effects is migraines. I figured this out because I began developing them after I started using Splenda regularly. Now, I make sure to stay away from anything that has it. Also, aspartame can cause migraines as well. Hope you get to feeling better!

Have you tried seeing a naturopath?

Also not a doctor ..

I would agree with alaskagirl that you need to pursue further with the doctor. The meds you got at the ER are not working for you, and your symptoms are incapacitating (from what I read). If you have a regular doctor, that is where I would start - he/she will know you best. If not, this is a great time to get one.

One other suggestion in the meantime, if it is a true migraine, you will want to constrict the blood vessels to the head and neck. Therefore, ice packs will work better than heat. This is how I tell the difference between true migraines and tension headaches (which can be just as nasty sometimes). Also for migraines, a dark room and silence is a must.

I hope you are feeling better soon - I will be checking in again to make sure you are OK..

I can feel your pain, as I am a migraine sufferer also. Lucky for me it has been almost two years since I have had one. Mine we're worst during that time of the month, so I would go see a massage therapist just prior to my period and that seemed to help. He also told me to sit in a hot bath, and put a cold cloth on my head. He said that the blood will move away from the cold , therefore possibly releiving the head pounding. I would also just lay down with a cold cloth ,and that would also help.
Good luck.
Dawn

Have you had your tooth taken care of yet? That could be part of the problem, however, my mother suffered from severe migranes my entire life, they would knock her out for days. She preferred heat on her head and sitting in a cold dark room, however, I find that a cold compress and a warm bath or shower helps me.

She tried to avoid foods, wines, everything. Her worst migranes were during menopause so her doctors finally figures she must have hormone induced migranes, problem is, she still gets them and she is well past menopause.

She and I both have problems with headaches brought on by scents, like perfumes, powders, candles etc. You may want to eliminate any scented lotions, fragances, sprays, soaps etc from your environment to help eliminate those factors as a cause to your headaches.

I get them just before I start my period, like clock work. From watching what my mother went through, you are going to have to really work with your doctors and find what combination of diet and/or medication best help you. LIke I said earlier, your tooth that needs the root canal can possibly be irritating the sinuses and sinus headaches or problems can lead to migranes, make sure to ask the doctor or call the dentist to make sure you don't have an infection going on that needs antibiotics.

I'll be thinking of you, let us know what you find out. :flowerforyou:

I've had a similar experience twice in the past couple years where i would get really bad headaches and throw up a lot. Both times I thought it was a pregnancy scare, but it ended up being a medication I was taking that had expired. so check the expiration dates on everything you take and make sure you're not taking an expired vitamin.

Also not a doctor,

But......My Mom was having headaches for over a year and not a single doctor could figure out why. she came to stay with me for 7 weeks and i took her into Boston to a specialist and found out that she had a slipped disc.

So, don't give up and if what the doctor says does not work, keep at them and make them do more tests.

On a temp. level, when my hubby gets a migraine (he gets really bad ones), he will rub a little BenGay on his forehead, take some extra strength excedrine and lay down in a dark room. I know it sounds funny, but it actually works for him. I have to confess, I've done it before also!

Waiting to hear what the DR. says. Good luck and I hope you feel better.
Tonya

Usually a doctor who has been trained in Chinese or Eastern medicines, like acupuncture. I started seeing one for my allergies and digestive problems and it has helped. I haven't been able to go as often as I like, but I have definitely seen an improvement in both issues that have plagued me for almost 20 years. Mine treats a lot of people with migraines and they have sworn by it. I just say, when Western medicine hasn't gotten you anywhere, maybe an alternative, non-drug treatment may be worth a shot!