Migraine remedies

[carrbowl]

OK...let me hear them. I have tried everthing under the sun. I'm finally cutting back on my topamax which works wonderfully for preventing them, but I'm tired of being tired 24/7. And is there any other lucky person that not only has migraines, but cluster migraines???

[Howard Barlow]

My wife used to have them a few years ago. Imitrex injections were magical. Expensive,but magical. The headache was gone almost as soon as she removed the needle from her arm. That always scared her, that it could work so fast. But, it did.

[photobykim]

now who's in my head!!!

I am a 24/7 365 day a year for the last 3 years now migraine sufferer. I take imitrex as well as 4 alieve in the morning and 4 at night (talk to your dr. before doing that) mine has me doing that because it would be the same amount of naproxisoduim (spelling?) that he would prescribe for me twice a day. So it's way cheaper in the long run.

My dr. and I haven't figured out yet if my depression triggers the migraines or if the migraines are something of their own beast. but I have found that when I am having really down days the migraines are worse than on a good day. One of my depression meds is also used for chronic pain. So might want to check with your dr. on that too.

A couple years ago my dr. did an MRI for me (not good for migraines), but he was able to determine that they were true migraines and not just stress headaches. He's been talking about me maybe having another one done to see how much brain damage has taken place between that one and this one. It's funny to say brain damage, cause it's not what we would really think of "damage" he says that unless you know what you're looking at you'd miss it. He said it is tiny pin spots in places in the brain.

Drink a lot of water, stay away from caffine, I try to avoid being in the sun (always wear sunglasses outside, even in the car), try to stay away from processed meats (hot dogs, bologna), also chiness food will trigger one for me with in about 5 minutes of my first bite I have a raging one, take breaks when working on the computer as much as you can eye strain can start what would be a normal headache and trigger a migraine.

I also started seeing a chiropractor and that was like a miracle. Apparently the bones in my neck curve the opposite way that they're supposed to so it was cutting off the flow of my nerves causing some of the migraines.

They get bad to the point of being sick to my stomache and with between 2-5 kids with me at one time having your head feel like it is going to explode is not a good thing.

I hope that maybe something I have said might help you. I have been living with this pain for 3 years now, after the first year or so it hasn't been everyday and I'm thankful for that.

[OTRphoto]

About 16 years ago I had a sudden onslaught of 24/7 headaches. I went to dr after dr and was given this and that migraine meds as well as being sent to the "mental health" clinic (was a military spouse) where they tried to label me as a hypocondriac!

After about 4 months I came across the first Dr to actually do a neurological exam on me, and turned out I had a condition called Pseudotumor cerebri (yes - that literally translates to "false brain tumor" lol) Basically the fluid pressure in my spinal colum was elavated and put pressure on the back of my optic nerve thus causing headaches.

I was lucky enough (if you want to call it that) to have most of the symptoms relieved through a series of spinal taps (soooo TOTALLY not recommened unless absolutely neccessary!!! NOT A FUN procedure!!!)

But I am left with residual random migraines and a screwed up optic nerve behind my right eye. I'm lucky enough now that they only come once or twice a month and sometimes less often.

I went through several meds (can't remember the names anymore) to control them - but have just learned now that the best thing that works for me is a dark cold quiet room and 2-3 excederins. Funny that will all the prescription stuff out there - they work the best for me. My neuro explained it once.. that the caffine and asprin messed with my veins in just the right way to help balance it all out. She even said that going totally caffine free (which I tried once) was not a good idea... That daily moderate amounts of it would help. Which was cool with me >:o)

So if you ever run across me - you will find at LEAST one bottle of excederin! lol And in a pinch - I have run into gas stations (which don't usually have excederin) and bought the individual packets of Asprin, Tylanol and a Red bull (the 3 ingredients in excederin)... and it works.. lol

I doubt that any of this will help you out... but just thought I'd share... cause I know what a pain (litterally) it is to have to deal with them on a regular basis!

best wishes!!!!

[ndsimm]

After using Advil Liquigels (3 at a time) and hot showers
I finally went to the Dr and he prescribed Relpax....it works wonders!!!

[zach-e2]

sleep. time away from the computer & tv. plenty of water and juices. no fast food. exercise.

just a few remedies ;)

[onewingedangel73106]

Wow A subject I can contribute a lot to. I have been diagnosed with migraines since the age of 3 when I could talk and they could do better exams at that time I was diagnosed with migraines due to seasonal allergies. As I have grown older they began to get worse and began to not only be caused by extreme hot or cold temperatures but perfumes, seasonal allergies as well as that time of the month. We have not yet found a migraine med that works completely without horrible side effects. I too am seeing a neurologist which is a good thing to do, medications I have taken and how they worked/didnt work etc
Relpax/Imitrex- took one day had allergic reaction, near fainting, worse nausea/dizziness than the actual migraine was causing
Amitryptilene-Tricyclic Antidepressant, worked but made me so drowsy i was sleeping at least 10 hrs and not being able to wake up easily
Effexor- helped migraines briefly, known as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), side effects, night tremors, worst nightmares in the world, known by me and many as the evil drug, sexual side effects,panic attacks though some can take it and have no problems for years I had horrible side effects within 3 weeks and it than took me 4 months to wean off the dang drug bc of withdrawal symptoms.
Topomax-epileptic/seizure medication this is when I started seeing neurologist, worked decent for migraines but caused increase in panic attacks from residual withdrawals off the effexor, and trouble waking up as well as memory loss plus side was caused weight loss.
Propranolol- non-selective beta blocker aka blood pressure medication,lightheadness if standing up too quick, insomnia,trouble waking up and you guessed sexual side effects returned, came off of that in august
Verapamil- calcium ion influx inhibitor, on it currently return to neurologist oct 9, on 240mg currently and so far have had about 5 migraines this month or you could say one one day one and one 4 day long one. Trouble waking up as well as going to sleep, sleeping 12 hours and having hard time waking up, vivid unusual dreams, flushing(feeling like you have a fever and occaisonally i do on this), excessive tiredness etc. So same problems as most of the others.

I am on a antidepressant as well wellbutrin which I was put on by the neurologist when coming off the effexor and seem to do well on it. I dont know if any of this info is of help to you or not though I hope I have at least given you an idea of what meds can be given/not given etc. Thing that I was directed by my primary care doctor that the neurologist agreed with that seems to help stop them some or make them less severe until you can take something else is 1000mg of tylenol and 800 mg of ibeuprofen but you can only take that every 6-8 hours, check with your doctor before doing this as I am not a medical professional though I feel like I could be after all this ;) as what might be ok for my body might be harmful dose for yours.

As an aside, have tried excedrin migraine, advil by itself, advil migraine, feverfew(herb known for helping with migraines-not recommended if your allergic to ragweed which i am), tried changing oral contraceptives etc, we believe mine are worsened to a point by the fact I have endometriosis.

Non medical treatments that sometimes help with the pain though I imagine you have tried quite a few of these, warm bath in a dark room, cool cloth on forehead, having someone massage gently and i have done this on myself too- on the back of your neck up on to your scalp, massaging your forehead right across the sinuses and one very rare time going for a bicycle ride/excersiing caused the blood tension to go somewhere else aka my feet- it wasnt a full migraine yet when i did that.

Like I said hope my experiences have helped you or someone at least. Ill let you know when I find one that does work lol Im gonna ask for an mri this next visit as I have never had one and want one before I go on yet another medicine.

Crystal


P.s sorry for the length when I get started talking.....you get the point.

[ChuckW]

As a past migraine sufferer I can really sympathize with anyone who gets these things! Perhaps I can hold out hope for some that simply getting older, at least in my case, worked to naturally diminish the severity of my migraines. Mine started to significantly dissipate, starting in my forties. Now I still get the warning signs that a migraine is developing, but the headache that used to follow is very, very mild or does not occur at all!

I am sure that the prescription medicines available now are better than what was prescribed for me 30 years ago. But back then I found that plain old aspirin worked as well as anything that was prescribed. And, unlike at least one other person here, I found that coffee actually helped my migraines. One non-drug thing that helped was trying to get a good night's sleep. Good luck in your quest for a cure!
Chuck

[123canon]

i have had the same experience as chuck. i am in my mid 40's and they have let up significantly. now usually three x-tra strength tylenol and a mountain dew (caffeine) usually make it bearable. at least now i know the warning signs and can start early. my dad and brother both had migraines, not that common in men i have been told good luck!

[onewingedangel73106]

In my family it runs so far from my grandmother, to my mom to me, my grandmother tends to have them as bad as I do my mom doesnt have them hardly ever and getting older didnt seem to help grandmother as she just turned 68 on labor day. Thanks for the thoughts and hopefully we have been of some help to you Renae.

[tc82742]

i usually try to make myself throw up. my migraines bring extreme nausea and movement makes it worse. but, once i am finally able to throw up.. it eases up.
if not, i go to the doc for a shot of stadol and phenegran. i cant take imitrex, it causes me to be unable to breathe.
i sleep on a heat pad when i have them. it relaxes me.

[pippin]

I can't take imitrex as it reacts with my antidepressants. In fact, can't really take any of the migraine medications.

Generally, if they get really bad, its a trip to the ER for me to get decent drugs to numb the pain. But tylenol, advil, aleve, or any of the OTC stuff never works. I get the cluster migraines to the point where I cannot lay down as ANYTHING touching my head hurts - nor can I shut my eyes. Cold compresses help somewhat.

I'm not light sensitive with my migraines (diagnosed cluster migraine with aura), but am smell sensitive. Certain smells will make me feel really nauseated.

Current cocktail for migraines for me is vicodin and coffee.

[studiocygnet]

I notice that some have mentioned the fast food, caffeine, processed meats triggers. I have also found that sugar can sometimes be a trigger, and to avoid it.
If you have gotten tired of the drug route, ACUPUNCTURE works wonders with actually targeting the cause, versus just alleviating the symptoms. Even the American Medical Association (read - doctors) had to reluctantly admit this, after studies they have done.

[carrbowl]

Wow...looks like there are alot of us out there suffering. I think I am back to normal today. I am over the drug hangover from yesterday. Two imitrex, one phenegran and 2 something with codeine...two days ago and I was not myself yesterday!! And that (&*) migraine thought about coming back last night!!! Unfortunately I have tried everthing everyone has mentioned except the accupuncture. Tom can you tell me alittle more about "targeting the cause" .....I still have not figured the excact trigger!! I appreciate everone taking the time to give me their remedies...I was taking 75 mg topamax and it was doing a good job of keeping them away, but I had no energy , was taking 2 naps a day and still sleeping 10 hours at night...I was just tired of it...now I have the migraines...which is worse????

[tiffany]

Originally Posted by zach-e2

sleep. time away from the computer & tv. plenty of water and juices. no fast food. exercise.

just a few remedies ;)

i agree! i suffer from migraines, but not as bad as it used to be. i exercise more these days and stay away from fast food so that has helped tremendously i think.