Help with Migraine Headaches

Hello Kelly,
These are some links I found interesting:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5381403
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5381403

My husband using Relpax and swears by it...he takes it when the migraine is coming on, and in 15 minutes its gone..he wouldn't be the same person w/o it!

Kelly

I have migraines for years myself. Mine come on after the birth of my children also. I get one about once a week or every two weeks now. The Dr. put me on a pill called Butalibal. It works really well. I feel a migraine coming on I take the pill and within twenty minutes my migraine is gone. In recent years the migraines seem to be getting worse, where I am seeing stipes and spots. Where I can only put my head down and sleep. But this pill is only take when needed. So that's why I like it. Because I am a diabetic and on enough meds already. I hope this might give you a different way to go?

Debbie

Hi kelly,
I didn't go all the way through all your sugg. but I wanted to tell you that I too had migraines for many years. I just moved to Michigan and my grandmother had me start taking Xango not sure if you have heard of it but it REALLY does work. It is all natural and is good for many other things! If you would like more info on the XANGO please email me back and I will get you the info. Good Luck! J.

I use fioricet for my migraines. It works very well.

Hi I definately know about migraines. I have had them going on 12 years now. I have tried all the medicines to treat them when they happen. The only one that actually works for me is Relpax. Which the ER doc gave me when I had to go there because one was so bad. As far as preventitive med, I have tried Elavil and Inderal. I am on Inderal now. Doesnt seem to be helping, and it makes me dizzy and lightheaded. I tried going on birth control pills, and that worked for about 2 weeks, then it went down hill. I go back to my Neurologist tomorrow, so we will see what he thinks.

I've had frequent migraines since I was about 12. I was on Imitrex pills and Imitrex injections for quite some time, but it stopped working for me. I recently tried Excedrin Migraine and it works wonderfully! I can't rave about it enough! When I feel a migraine coming on, I take one right away and it stops it. If I have a full blown migraine and take one, within a half hour, it's gone.

I've never personally used a chiropractor for my migraines, but I have heard it works!

Good luck!

S.

Hi Kelly,

Do you use a cell phone or cordless often? This could be causing your migraines. If you do, please check out this web site: www.safewireless.org

If you are using these devices often, you can email me for a solution that maybe causing your problem.

I am a Licensed Massage Therapist. I would also recommend a massage and then a chiropractic adjustment. Ask your friends about finding one of each in your area. Also, drinking 3 cups of water when you feel one coming on may help. Most people are dehydrated...this will cause may headaches or migraines. Nutritional supplements, whole food vitamins & minerals would help as well.

Hope this helps. God Blessings to you.

Kelly-

I will try to keep this short for you. I have suffered from migraines for as long as I can remember. I tried all the meds and nothing worked. I finally went againt what everyone told me to and went to a CHIROPRACTOR! Some think they are quacks, but I believe that I am living proof that they are not. After a few consecutive treatments, I rarely even get a mild headache anymore. And when I do, I just go see my chiro again and she adjusts me and Im good again within an hour. Another alternative could be acupuncture. Some are scared of it. I am not and believe that it has helped millions of American's. Bottom line - SEE A CHIROPRACTOR! Surely cant hurt anything!

I have had chronic migraines since I was 2 years old (and no, that's not an exaggeration at all). I used to have to see a neurologist once every 6 months for tests, medicine adjustment, etc. I was put on Atenolol (which is a beta-blocker... commonly prescribed for high blood pressure). Honestly, it didn't really help me at all. I was taken off of the medicine because I was taking a pill everyday that wasn't helping my condition. I take Max-alt (which is a pill that dissolves under the tounge) and that helps with my migraines most of the time. I get 2 different forms of the migraines: one that completely puts me out of comission with extreme sensitivity to light, sound and with nausea and sometimes vomiting; and the other kind is the kind that is less severe, still with moderate sensitivity to light and sound and a slight queasy feeling... but those will last, literally, for weeks at a time. For the second type of migraine, the meds don't help, they just make me want to sleep. It's tough, being a mom and suffering from these migraines. But, as someone else said, make sure you haven't been mis-diagnosed. If it's something else (high blood pressure, stress headaches, etc.) then those issues should be addressed soon. I really hope you find something that works for you... and if you find something that REALLY works, please let me know... because I still suffer from at least 4-6 migraines a month. Good luck!

Hi Kelly,

Have you changed birth control lately. Your hormone levels could play a big factor. My doctor was going to switch me to seasonal to help prevent the monthly migraines. Mine were also triggered by the weather. The chiroprator is good advice as you may be out of whack from carrying your children around, especially if you favor one side. Try to find a chiropractor that does not require xrays and will let you determine when you need to come. Also, avoid the electro stimulation machines. They are just empty $$ for the doctor. Since your's just started, I would search a little longer before trying the medication. Good Luck!

I went thru the same things, come to find out I had a pinched nerve in my elbow that when flaring up caused migrains, after going thru surgery to relieve the nerve the migrains have disapeared a nerve dr at grady found the source of my headaches and sent me to see dr chobin who reparied the problem..best of luck to you..

Hi Kelly,
I have suffered from migraine for almost 20yrs. I too take Imitrex when I start getting one. My Neurologist has put me on preventatives that have worked. Zoloft worked wonders for me, but my sex drive went way down. He then switched me to Paxil cr, it has worked for me. I still get migraine but I can say that on most occasions they are not as painful. We thought it might be hormonal but 2yrs ago I had a hysterectomy and still get them. A friend of mine found that nuts were the cause of her's. If I ever go off my preventative I am sure to get one within 3 weeks. Hope this helps.
M.

I get migraines quite a bit myself. I feel the only thing that really helps me is Motrin 800mgs which you have to get from your doctor. I've tried meds for migraines and nothing seemed to help. Also if you have allergies this will trigger your headaches.

Kelly,

I also suffer from extremely severe migrane headaches. One thing that really help me was going to see a chiropractor. He was able to get pressure off of a nerve that was causing the headaches and am usually head ache free for about 3 months at a time until i have to go back. Also if you start seeing those little stars in your eyes when you wake up you should take your medicine then. That means a migrane headache is about to happen.

I like Maxalt for migraines...it works within twenty minutes. It can be taken right at the first signs of migraine(squiggly lines, nausea,etc.). By the time the pill is in your system..the migraine is gone.

It could be a hormonal thing. Are you on any birth control pills? Sometimes that can trigger migraines.

Hi,my name is A. and I also get severe migranes. The only thing that seems to really work for me is excedrin migrane,I seem to get them at least twice a week. I wish I knew a perminate solution if you find one please let me know.

Hello Kelly,

I have suffered from Migraines for years. I was told I had FMS and I also haved TMJ, anxiety. I went years on pain medication,sleep meds, anti-anxiety meds. Till I found a Chiropractor who does a different type of adjustment. It is called Cervical subluxation. He only adjust the bone in the neck and it is very different then the cracking so many are acustomed to. I was amazed when I first started seeing him. He used a infra red scanner to check the nerves in your back and then adjust you then you wait 10 minutes and he checks the nerves again to see if it changed. I started going over a year ago and had such pain up and down my right arm, numbness on the right side of my face and migraines only the right side of my head. I know now when I have to go in because I feel it coming on. I go and get adjusted and am fine by evening. He has literely given me what no doctors could do in therapy etc. My life back. I do take zomig when I have started one and it works. But since chiropractic care they are very few and far between and my anxiety is very low, my allergies are almost nothing most days and I am just more energetic. I still need meds for other issues but I am able to function like never before.

Kelly , I also have really bad migraine headaches. They started about a year ago and there was no way that I could get rid of them. My doctor put me on a medicine called enderal that I took at night before I went to bed and that helped but then the medicine started making my blood pressure drop. They now have me on a medicine called amitrippalen. I take that at night before I go to bed and the headaches have now stopped. The milligram in the pill is 10 milligrams and they told me that if 10 did not stop the headaches to take two pills before I go to bed. I have had a total turnaround since I started taking them.

Hi Kelly,
Some of the advice has been really good so I'll just add to it what I have learned. I took the meds you mentioned and had some relief but also nearly lost my sense of smell which is later learned is a side effect of one. I have since learned that most conditions, including migraines can be helped and sometimes solved with nutrition and getting as many toxic chemicals out of your environment as possible. If you're interested in more information please let me know.

HELLO, I USE TO TAKE MEDS FOR MY MIGRANES, BUT 3 YEARS AGO I STOPPED TAKING THEM. TO MANY SIDE EFFECTS. BUY A PEPPERMINT CANDLE AND WHEN YOU START TO GET A MIGRANE SMELL IT. YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO BURN IT. IF YOU ARE OUT SOMEWHERE STOP AND BUY SOME STARLIGHT MINTS THEY WORK AS WELL. I AM NOT ONE WHO DOES NATURAL MEDICENE BUT THIS ONE HONESTLY WORKS!!! MY PEPPERMINT CANDLE CAN BE MY BEST FRIEND. HA HA. IF YOU NEED HELP FINDING A CANDLE GO TO HUNNIESCANDLECOMPANY.BRAVEHOST.COM
GOD BLESS
J.

I have suffered from headaches all my life. My grandpa had them and my aunt did too. As I am in the middle fo getting them taken care of I have learned from many doctor's that with woman it has a lot to do with your menstral cycle. My aunt had to have a hysterectomy (sp). They have been gone since. I take headache medicine about everyday for migraines.
Find someone that can help you get something for it.

~~~E.

You already have a lot of responses so I will try to keep it short and sweet.
-I take Topomax every day, twice a day 50 mg--you have to work your way up to find the dose that works best for you
-I take low dose Aldactone (water pill) for blood pressure
-I take Tylenol 3 when I do get migraines and I find I only get those if I miss my preventives--and I get them several days after the missed dose--or I get the migraine from severe stress
-I wear large sunglasses anytime I am outside--even when it is cloudy (I call them my Jackie O's)
-I will never use hormonal birth control again *bc pills, patch, shot, rings, etc*
-I reccomend seeing a endocrinoligist if you have insurance or can afford it
-I was hesitant about the anti-seizure meds at first but life is too short to miss days because of pain

Hi Kelly.

My ex boss suffered from migraines that were horrible. Most days that she would get them she couldn't even come into work let alone talk on the phone. When one would come on it would hit her like a semi truck.. She went on a semi-microbiotic diet. Meaning everything that she ate was organic and if it was from a local farmer the better and her water that she drank had to be purified. Basically all that she drinks is purified water or any organic drink. Anyway, after following that diet for only a couple of weeks her migraines have completely gone away never to return for the past year! Good luck to you~I hope you feel better soon.

I have migraines and I read that Magnesium helps with them. I have been taking over the counter magnesium in pill form, before my cycle. It helps a great deal to make the migraines not as often and not as severe. Check it out...

What does SAHM stand for?

I've had migraines since I was about 13 (my mom and sister also suffer from them) and the only thing that actually takes away the headache after it's started is Excederine Migraine. It's OTC and it works wonderfully. BUT it has aspirin, tylenol and caffiene in it, so if you're sensative or allergic to any of those DO NOT take it. You CAN get aspirin~free Excederine though. I've never taken any kind of prescryption meds for migraines, so I don't know about those and the side effects. The only side effects I get from the Excederine is some shakiness after it's kicked it (oh yeah, it usually only takes 15~20 minutes for it to work) and i get a big energy burst unless I take it right before I go to sleep. It's good stuff. LOL

~{@ J. G.

I use to take Atenenol daily to prevent. It helped a lot. I am having more trouble with my migraines since I got pregnant and had my son.

In addition to taking medication, I had to cut out processed meats because they contain nitrates.

Kelly,

I have had migrane headaches since I was in High School. Mine somtimes get so bad that I end up in ER with an IV in my arm to stop the pain and vomiting. I have been on many of the "rescue" meds. I currently take Verapamil everyday and so far it seems to be making the headaches less frequent and less painful. I too was worried about taking a pill everyday, but I was to a point where if it would help I tried it.
Verapamil is a blood pressure med that also has studies in Migraines. I have been taking it everyday for about 6 months now and have yet to see any side effects. I hope this is helpful for you and I wish you the best in getting help.

M.

i would suggest seeing you dr and make a note of any other symptoms you may be having or may have had in august i was having problems with my vision(blurry, inability to focus)that was getting progressivly worse and was accompanied by a constant dull migraine my neurologist thought that it was stricty migraines and gave me some samples of drugs after throughly reviewing my mri i was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis so oit would be a good idea to see you dr to see if yoou can have a mri and get an evaluation by a neurologist

Migraines are one of the most misdiagnosed conditions there are. Has the doc ruled out any other conditions that mask as migraines? For example, has he/she sent you for an eye exam which can catch and rule out a ton of other issues? Or any other diagnostic testing such as a lumbar puncture, MRI, CT, etc...)

I personally suffer a lot of headaches and had imitrex prescribed- I took my first dose and went into a coma since I didn't really have migraines. I've later learned that most people with my condition can take Imitrex and feel improvement unless you have an extreme reaction (like I did) but no matter what the Imitrex rarely outlasts the headache.

Ever since then I've always had my doubts with people being diagnosed with migraines. I've always found it to be one of those diagnoses that docs give when they are too busy to really care.

Just a quick question....Do you drink anything with nutra sweet in it? Like diet drinks or diet sugars? You may be having a side affect from that? If you do drink diet soda's or flavored water with nutra sweet in it, try not to drink it for a few days and see if your headaches go away. Some people have headaches do to what nutra sweet is made out of and they can feel as bad as a migraine.

My daughter (age 9) has struggled with frequent migraines since she was 4. For many years, we treated the headaches as they occurred with limited success using Zomig. In the past year, we agreed to put her on daily medication to prevent the migraines. The first was Elavil and this decreased the headaches to some degree (down from 2/week to 1/week), but each time she got one, she vomited violently which she was also given medication for. Recently she was switched to Topamax and CoEnzyme Q-10 (a vitamin that's supposed to be good for the heart). She also takes melatonin (another vitamin) to help her sleep. This combination has been a good combination for her and we've been pleased because the headaches are almost entirely gone and we've seen no side effects.

I had what I thought were migraines. The afraid to move pain, no loud noises, nausea, sometimes vomiting, no lights. I would wake up with them. Thankfully, they didn't come on too often. But, then I talked to my doctor; after having a terrible headache for 3 days, I found out that I had high blood pressure. After getting the meds regulated, I haven't had that kind of headache. It's been almost 5 years now. I still get what I think are sinus headaches, but nothing like before. It would be worth it to you to talk more with your doctor & maybe consider switching if this one won't help. Good luck.

HI Kelly,

I too have suffered with migraines for YEARS!! Since I was in the 4th grade!! I have been on many meds for them, eventually getting addicted to vicodin. It was the only thing that seemed to work, as Imitrex would make me very sick at my stomach!! However, my doctor has finally found something that seems to work!! I take Topomax daily as a preventative, and it had DRASTICALLY cut down my number of migraines! Plus, I lost some weight!! :) I take Maxalt when I do have a migraine, and it does help!! Hope you get some relief soon!! Good luck!!

Hello Kelly... I too have migraines... I find many times that I am really dehidrated... If I drink alot of water along with taking some medication it helps a lot.... I am not a fan of perscription meds.. I use Excedrine miraine...also try eating small meals during the day that tends to help too.

I too suffer from migraines. After going through a week long period of constant pain and not being able to be a mom to my kids (always had to have someone else here and couldn't even hold the baby) I went back to see my doctor and told him that enough was enough. I too was taking Imitrex (sp?) and that time I had taken the 10 pill perscription in 3 days without any relief really to speak of. He started me on blood pressure meds, a really low dose. That was on July5 and I can say I have not had what I could classify as a migraine since then. Now I have had to change the meds once because of swelling but now I am on inderal (sp?) without any real side effects. ALSO I have been going to a chiropractor. Now I know some insurances don't cover their services and that some don't believe in the service, but I do believe it helps me a great deal. If I go there with a headache, he will "adjust it out" and within an hour I feel the relief. Also I have stopped taking tylenol for the lesser aches. If it is in the neck or goes up the back of the head I try to get to the chiro or I take motrin of some sort (usually off brand or alieve) and that looses up the muscles and allows the headache to wear off. I hope you get some answers soon, keep on your doctor and let him/her know exactly what you are eating/drinking or any suppliments you are taking. You don't have a quick and easy road ahead but you don't have to suffer either. I hope you feel better soon and I will be thinking of you.
M.

I have had migraines for as long as i can remember, I used to vomit almost every day because of them. I still get them at least once a week. I have been to just about every specialist there is, I have been to the neuroligist the eye specialist and i have also had a catscan and nothing has been found. I have been on every medication there is. And the only think that works for me is Excedrin Migraine and if that does not work i lay down with a cold wet cloth, or an ice pack on my head and that makes it feel a lot better, and then my last resort is to take a nap and when i wake up 9 times out of 10 my migraine is gone. Migraines have been a very long battle for me and I cry and get depressed about them quite often. I really hope this helps.

I took Topamax for a while. It's an anti-seizure medication that has been proven to be effective in preventing migraines. It helped, but I didn't like taking a daily medication, so I stopped taking it.

If I feel a migraine coming on, I take Excedrin Migraine right away. As long as I catch it early, EM works fine. If I don't catch it early enough, the only solution is a dark, quiet room and a good night of sleep. (Easier said than done since I'm a single mom of two young girls.)

I found that my migraines were very frequent and intense during the weeks before & during my period. I discussed it with my Ob/Gyn, and he recommended I switch my birth control to Seasonale. It's supposed to help with hormone-related headaches AND you only have a period every 3 months. I've been taking it for about 9 months now (3 cycles) and it has really helped a lot. In fact, I can't even remember the last time I had a migraine.

I hope some of this is helpful for you. Good luck.

Hi Kelly, I have had migraines since I was about 15, I am now 25. I have tried the preventative meds and found out that effexor(anti-depressant) works better then the drugs that help with blood pressure.I was also given Imitrex and had such frequent migraines(3-4 a day) that when I used the Imitrex it was actually causing me to have more migraines. I found that if I just used the Effexor and didn't use the Imitrex my migraines came less often and for a less period of time.
Hope this helps.
J.

Hello.. I am new to the group.. But, I take Motrin 800 for my migraines, which is prescribed by me doctor. I do have to take it when the migraine first starts, otherwise it does no good.. Let me know

Hi Kelly,
I completley agree with Jamie. I was getting frequent migraines right after I had my daughter. She is now 7. I went to the chiropractor and does it ever help. Prevent them before they start and you won't have to worry about how to stop them once you have one. They are the absolute worst!! I very seldom get them anymore and when I do, I realize that I havn't seen the doctor in a long time. Good luck!