Migrain?

Hi A.! I hope you are feeling better! There's nothing worse than a horrible headache and having to deal with kids. I usually take two extra-strength Excedrin at the first sign of a headache, and I'm telling you, it is gone within 20-30 minutes. Tylenol does nothing for me, but the Excedrin has been a life saver for me on several occassions. Give it a shot the next time a headache starts creeping up on you, and hopefully, the Excedrin will get rid of it for you before it gets out of control. Good luck!

I started having migraines with my 1st pregnancy, and have had them ever since. I don't know if I would try someone else's Imitrex. It is a pretty potent migraine med. Have you ever tried the over the counter meds? Advil migraine has always worked for me. The thing is with migraine meds, you have to take them at the first sign. My first sign is little flashies in front of my eyes. If you read the ingredients on migraine meds, you see about 200mg of caffiene. Your vision gets interrupted from a constricted blood vessel in your head. The pain comes when that blood vessels opens back up, and the blood goes rushing through. The caffiene slows the "opening" down to ease the pain. Drinking extra strong coffee works too at the first sign, believe it or not! Any time that I have missed getting meds before the pain, I have just had to wait a few days for it to subside. And yes, it does take several days for the kicked in the head feeling to go away for me as well.

I don't want to be an alarmist, but please, please, please go to the doctor whether you have insurance or not. I know that Wishard is willing to work with people in regards to payment for services and will adjust how much you pay according to income. My daughter had similar symptoms and was never checked. She died of a brain aneursym at the age of 21. She had been having bad headaches off and on for a few years and one Sunday had a bad headache that made her feel quite sick. She went to bed to try to see if sleep would help. She had the aneursym that night and was pronounced dead two days later. I don't mean to scare you, but if you have never had an MRI of your head, you really should. There was absolutely no history of aneursyms in our family on either side, yet she died of one. Don't play around with this, you don't want to leave your children without their mother.

This isn't normal. It could be something as simple as a food triggering it or maybe your eyes need checked. I forgot to wear my glasses at work one day and I ended up with a horrible headache that made me throw up. But it could also be a more serious issue. If asprin isn't easing the pain after 4 days, it's time to get checked out. Better to be safe than sorry. I know medical bills can be overwhelming (and I even have insurance), but I just pay a little each month as I'm able. They can't turn it into the credit bureau if you're paying on it.

Last year I had headaches everyday for a little over 3 months. Sometimes they were horrible and sometimes they were manageable. I went to the doctor and he said I was having back spasims that were causing me to have tension headaches and gave me a muscle relaxer. That didn't work, so I went back and they did a CAT Scan. Everything was normal, so they kept giving me different medicine to try. Nothing seemed to work, so I finally gave up. They finally quit after about months. I really think mine had to do with the way the weather was being razy. That may have something to do with yours. I hope they get better. Believe me, I know how much they suck!

Yes, that is a migraine. A very serious one. Frankly, I used to get them a lot more than I do since I went thru menopause. Generally they have a basis in stress. You are going to have to find out what additional stress you have had introduced in your life and try to solve it, I think.
I know they tell you to avoid caffiene, but frankly in the 16, 17, and 18 hundreds it was one of the things used to treat them and it helps!!!
There are two pressure points at the base of your skull, slightly behind the ears you can press in on to reduce the pain.
I take 800 mg ibprophen (sp) when I feel one coming on which will help keep it down to a dull roar and at least I can handle light and normal talking! The problem is determining what is going to be a migraine and what is just going to be a sinus or regular headache. I also have Tylenol 4 and Fioacet (sp), my daughter takes Midrin sometimes. Unfortunately they all require prescriptions. You can take an equal amount of Aleve mg-wise to get the results. I generally have to sleep them off, heat at the back of my neck to releave the knotted muscles and a cold pack on my forehead.
I would not take someone else's medication!!! That can be dangerous.
Yes, I always feel as if I have been kicked around a lot the next day at least and sometimes for a couple of days.
You have my sympathy!!!

A.,
I have had migranes since I was 12 years old so I feel your pain. Migranes that last that long are definitely a beast but there are some things you can do. I Found that a combination of cold and hot cloths on my head in a dark, quiet room works wonders. I microwave a wet washloth for about 30 seconds and put it on my forehead until it cools and then follow that with a cold washcloth. I'm not sure why, but it seems to relieve the pressure that I always feel around my eyes.

As for medicine - since you do not have a prescrption medication Excedrin Migrane is awesome; you can also try Extra strength Excedrin and eat it with chocolate (the cafeine in the chocolate helps the headache). If you do make it to the doctors there is a generic migrane medicine called Midrin, that you can ask for, it only costs $4 at most pharmacies. It works but does take longer than Imitrex or Zomig. Keep in mind that if you take too much medicine that you can cause Rebound headaches, which is your body producing a headace in response to the medication. I learned this the hard way so be very conscious of the amount of medicine you take.

FYI - Papaya tablets, works wonders for those like me who suffer from nausea. You can get them from any vitamin store.

Hope you feel better!

Migraines can do this. You should call your doctor at least and talk to them because your headache could be a bunch of headaches called cluster headaches. Chiropractors are a great option too if you can find one that is cheap or will work out payment arrangements with you. I used to get headaches almost all of the time and some were migraines. I started going to a chiropractor thank god my insurance covered it, and it took a little bit of time but eventually may headaches stopped. Most headaches are caused because your spine (vertabrae etc.) is out of whack. The imitrex that your sister gave you may work for her but not for you. Imitrex did not work for me. Aleve may help as well. If you have trouble with your teeth that can cause headaches as well. I had an impacted wisdom tooth that caused me headaches so bad that I was blacking out and ended up in the hospital. It wasn't found out until one day I realized the pain ran from my jaw up to my head and I got a really bad headache. I called my dentist and got an appointment and they found my wisdom tooth was impacted and I had a severe infection. After some antibiotics to help the infection they pulled my wisdom tooth and the headaches stopped for a while. It wasn't until I went to the chiropractor and found out how out of whack my back was that my headaches went away basically all together.
D.
I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4.

I used to have migraines every month, as bad as what you describe. My sister gets them several times a month, even worse than mine. She usually ends up in the hospital and they have to give her a shot of strong pain medicine that knocks her out for at least half a day. Anyway, mine are GONE! Not a single one in over two years!
I have two solutions for you.
SHORT TERM - WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:
First, drink an entire glass of very cold water and make sure you are hydrated. Next, find a DARK, completely QUIET room and lay down with an ice pack under your neck and one on your forehead. And SLEEP. You will have to find someone to watch the kids because you CAN NOT be disturbed. Maybe even take them to a sitter or a relatives house for one night. You may have to sleep for a good 12-14 hours straight - undistrubed. This used to work for me everytime.
LONG TERM - PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN
I did alot of research and have discovered that my trigger was a combination of hormones, food, and stress.
The hormones - brought on by periods and birth control pills, the food - lots of processed food that contained nitrates and growth hormones, and the stress - work mostly.
I got off of birth control pills and changed to an all organic diet and make sure that the foods I eat do not contain any hormones and I have found ways to reduce my stress.
My sister has not changed a thing except she takes more pills and she still gets them just not as frequent. So you decide what works best for you. Good Luck!

I get migraines, but don't remember having one quite like you describe. There are migraine meds out there on the shelves now that do not take a prescription. You could try them. I have had success with ADVIL most of the time. When I don't, I will take something off the shelf just for migraines. When I do take anything for them, I have to lay down and put a cloth over my eyes because they hurt, too. I also have to be in a dark room to sleep or rest. My Mother gets them. She doesn't anymore, but she use to get violent with them.

I take excedrine migraine the minute I get a headache or just feel one coming on. If I take it right away it never turns into a full blown migraine. If I wait to long I always regret it.

Hi A.,

I have had migraines for years, but far fewer now and much less severe - maybe 5 a year. I used to get up to 3 a week that could each last up to 3 days! My solution to a minor one these days is a Migraine Excederine (acetametaphin plus caffine to dialate the blood vessels). Pay attention to your triggers so you can learn to avoid them. Mine were due to allergies (food, wine (sulfites and mold), cheap chocolate products, dust, mold, fragrances in cleaning products, candles and beauty products and lotions, environmental pollution such as car fumes in a parking garage as well as dramatic barometric pressure changes due to weather changes.

The long term solution to decrease the frequency and severity came from avoidance of the triggers where possible, as I mentioned. But the biggest shift came from improving my immune system by changes in my diet, exercise and lifestyle combined with meditation and energy healing. I now help others with these issues, so feel free to call me if you would like help. My number is ###-###-####. Migraines are miserable and often treatable without the use of drugs. I always explore drug free options where possible and work toward true freedom of symptoms at the root cause, rather than toughing them out on medication for people who get them frequently. Good luck, L.

Try taking some Benadryl - 25mg if you have to be up with the kids (might make you sleepy), otherwise, I'd take 50mg and some Ibuprofen 800mg and go to sleep, I know it sounds weird, but I'm an ER RN and we frequently give Benadryl IV with another antihistamine-type drug. It may help. You do not want to take any narcotic type pain meds because it can cause a rebound headache. You can take Ibuprofen 800mg every 8hours, and Benadryl 50mg every 6hours if you need it, just don't do it for long term.. Good Luck!

I used to get migraines just as you described and when I threw up they would go away. I went to the doctor and they were caused by the level of my blood sugar. In addition to all the great advice you've already been given, I suggest you make sure you are eating properly. Sometimes when I am with my kids I forget to eat because I make them food and forget to make myself something. Good luck and I hope you feel better.

Hello A., first of all sitting for other children can be very stressful when you have two children of your own. I used to clerk at a pharmacy and the pharmacist told me about the herb Feverfew I think that is how it is spelled and said it does work for migrain headaches you might give it a try. Good luck K.

Go to a chiropractor. It has worked for me. Also which the chiropractor will also go over if it is something in your diet. My birth father has always drank coffee but can not anymore. He found that was what was giving him the migraines. Hope you feel better soon.

jo

Hi A. I get migraines regularly and about every 3 months I get one for 3 days. I tell you that Eccedrine Migraine does wonders for me. I take perscriptions meds on a normal basis for my everyday headaches. Is it hormonal? Mine mostly are around my period. But I would try the Eccedrine and lay down to let it kick in. If you still have the headache tomorrow I would suggest seeing the Dr. Are your teeth ok I had a friend who needed a root canal and he was having migraines? I know that is crazy but it's a thought! Best of luck I know how you feel and it's not a good one!

Hi A., My brother suffered with horrible migrains once or twice a week for 31 years (since he was 12). He was introduced to a product called Mona Vie and his wife had to talk him into trying it because he thought it was hokey, to use his terminology. He's a self-made millionare and pretty smart business man. He researched it and was very impressed with what he found, so he went ahead and tried it. He hasn't had a migrain since, and it's been about two years. Two of my sisters also suffer with migrains and have gotten much relief for theirs as well. Mona Vie is 19 superfruits from around the world put together in a juice. It's health benefits are incredible. It's helping people with a huge range of major health issues. It's one of those things you have to try for yourself. There are no side effect like medications because it's a food. You also may not have to change anything else; my brother didn't. Call me if you'd like to find out more. ###-###-#### or ###-###-#### God Bless you. I hope all goes well for you. N. Lurry

Please dont take the Imitrex, at LEAST not until your husband or other adult is home. There can be very serious side effects with your heart, no matter how healthy you are. As a migraine sufferer for almost 30 years, I would give myself a shot of Imitrex at least 2 times a month. ( I have been free for about 7 years now!) But I know of 2 people who took it the first time in the Dr.s office,(usually required, or ER) and had serious heart irrythmia(sp?). I am surprised the nurse who responded did not warn you. Imitrex worked wonders for me, but the first time, you need at least an adult, preferably a Dr. Feel better, I know your pain. A.

i would wait on the imetrex, my hubby can't breath when he takes one!!! i'd get excederin migraine and try that. it always worked for me. also you could be dehydrated, so be sure to have your 8 glasses of water everyday. but if i were you i'd go to the dr, it could be your blood pressure, blood clot, or even just stress. call around and find a dr in the area. 9 times outta 10 they will give you a big discount since you do not have ins

Take the imatrex, shut off all the lights and take deep breaths, do your best to sleep. If the migrain does not go away with the imatrex, I would highly recommend going to your doctor. Some people do not respond to imatrex, or they need the shot, which is a higher concentration and gets to the blood vessels quicker. I have had migrains for 12 years now, so I've just about tried it all. I have finally got them managed to where I can take a couple Excedrin Migrain pills and they usually go away, but sometimes darkness and sleep are the only solution. Sometimes a little heat on the back of the neck works well too! I feel your pain. Hope something works quickly for you.

1. Go to the EGOSCUE website and pull off a couple of e-cises for headaches. Misalignment can be a contributor.
2. Watch your diet and log. There may be a chemical or food that triggers them.
3. I've known people who've had migraines and taken XOCAI healthy chocolate. Specifically, one gal who had headaches EVERY day was rid of them for good after 3-4 days. You need to check out MXICORP.com and read up on the product. Deficiencies of specific nutrients can cause all KINDS of things, including headaches.
4. Hydration. Dehydration alone can cause headaches. Although, vomiting is normally associated w/ migraines or sinus headaches. I have vomited with sinus headaches a couple of times. I DO get rid of them when I take the time to work on my re-alignment. You'll be AMAZED at how quickly it can make it better or eliminate it altogether!

When I started having them I kept a log of when they came on; what I ate, time of month, etc and took it to my doctor. One of my culprits was birth control pills. I tried 4 different brands until I just went off of them. Other triggers for me are eating anything with Cinnamon or Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). MSG effects A LOT of people giving migraines and/or intestinal problems. That's why a lot of food labels now say "contains not MSG." When I was younger I had no problems eating foods with MSG or Cinnamon but your body changes with age which is common for many people. Being without Cinnamon or MSG in my foods, I have gone for over 2 years without a migraine now.

You can find more information about migraines at www.webmd.com

I sometimes get PMS headaches which aren't migraines but they are bad enough to need relief to sleep. For those I use the Wellpatch Migraine Cooling Therapy Pads. You stick them on your forehead or back of your neck. They have menthol and lavender oil on them and are safe to use with any medications. They have Fever ones too which my 8 year old son used recently and they really helped him feel better quickly and sleep well. They feel cool on your head. They used to carry the pads at my local grocery stores but lately I can never find them. I've been ordering them at www.amazon.com

Keep a log. Find your triggers, then avoid them. Medication helps in the mean time but if you can prevent them, all the better!

I had migraines for 20 years before I finally decided that the doctors could not help me. I went to a chiropractor. It's not covered by insurance but I did find one willing to develop a payment plan that worked for me. First thing he did was an xray of my neck and back. The problem was 3 neck vertabrae out of place! It took nearly 2 years of treatment to get complete relief. It has been 15 years since I had a migraine! Now....if I could find relief for allergies LOL.
mddhf

The Imitrex pills don't really have any effect on me however the injections are effective. But after several years of taking them I don't take it when my husband is not near... The side effects are kind of scary, even now. It burns going in the arm, then you jaw gets really tight, heart races, and your migraine will get 10x worse for about 5minutes then the whole migraine will start to fade away. It can take anywere from 20-60min. I once gave it to my husband and he got very scared from the effects and said he didn't like that feeling at all and would never take it again. Of course, myself and knowing the relief I get.. its the only hing that helps. With my insurance I pay 65.00 for 2 shots. W/out insurance 2 shots are over $200 and many insurance will only let you buy 2 prescriptions in a 30 day period. I would try to go to a doctor if you can. If you don't normally have migraines there may be an underlying reason..high blood pressure, something hormonal, allergic reaction.

A.,

I have never had migraines so I don't know if this is normal or not. Did you try to get health insurance through the State of Indiana, HIP plan? The web site to get the applications from is: www.in.gov. That way, you can go to the doctor with peace of mind knowing you have health insurance.

I hope you feel better soon!

Hi! I am a migraine suferer all my life. I would go to the doctor!! Mine never last that long and if this is not normal for you either, you should have things checked out. I also wouldn't take someone elses meds. Imitrex is to be taken at the onset of the headache, not days afterwards. Does caffine work for you? Advil? Call a neurologist. If you'd like, mine is wonderful! He also has 3 small kids so he understands the demands of parenting. I hope you feel better and take care of yourself, your kids need you! Let me know if you'd like his contact info. He's with UH.

Yep, sounds like a classic migraine! Sorry to hear that! I've been suffering from migraines since my late teen years. They're definitely no fun! The headaches that ensue in the days after a migraine...I call those "after-shock headaches". 'Cause they're kinda like the dull, left over headaches that comes and goes, much like after-shocks of an earthquake. Best thing to do is put yourself in bed, lights off, no light anywhere coming in from windows...make the room as quiet as possible. The only thing I can stand is my box fan that I use to block out the noises of the neighborhood and noises from within the house (we have 2 boys and a dog, it gets loud in here at times, lol). Use an ice pack on the spot that hurts the most. For me, my migraines tend to stem from my neck, since I have major neck problems that are only corrective by surgery. So I place the ice pack on my neck. It helps alleviate the swelling & pressure. Plus it numbs the area, so that in turn, kinda helps me tune out the pain. I've also begun using icy hot on my forehead and neck where the pain is the worst. Again, just to numb the area so that I'm able to drift off to sleep. I also take Tylenol PM or Advil PM. More so just to help me sleep. Obviously Tylenol & Advil won't do anything for the migraine itself. You COULD ask your dr. for a mild pain reliever prescription...something non-narcotic, like Tramadol (Ultram), so it you CAN get some help for the pain. It may not take it all away, but it will help a little. And if you get the generic (Tramadol), it should be inexpensive. I hope this helps.

Dear A.,

My heart goes out to you. I suffered from Migraines for years, so I know the kind of misery you're feeling now. People who have never had a true migraine don't understand the agony or the desperation that accompanies them. That sort of pitiful emotional sensation.

I began seeing a doctor who is an M.D., but she treats her patients with a naturopathic approach. She's the first person to help me solve my migraine issues. I'm still crossing my fingers, but so far I haven't had a single migraine since early February when I started following her advice. Most of that advice is dietary. when I first started this diet, I thought about it as being restrictive, and I focused on all the things I could not eat. Now I've discovered all the delicious things I can eat, and I don't see myself straying from this plan. It's working too well for me!

If you want to e-mail me about the foods to avoid and what you can use to substitute for them, my address is: ____@____.com Please let me know.

Here's a reading suggestion: Heal Your Headaches by David Buchholz. They should have it at the library if you can't find it at Half Price Books (my favorite) or another book store.

For right now, though, use ice packs or bags of frozen peas. thecold helps the blood vessels return to normal. If you normally drink coffee, but haven't had any because of the headache, try having a cup or half a cup. Caffeine withdrawl can cause a powerful and dibilitating migraine. My doctor suggests that you stop caffeine by stepping down very gradually. For example, if you normall drink 4 cups a day, go to 3 cups a day for a week, then to 1/4 of that for another week, etc,. dropping yor uconsumption by 1/4 each week.

I wish you well, and I hope to hear from you soon.