Migraines

[RedHedd]

Hormones can be migraine triggers. When going through the worst part of menopause I regularly got vicious migraines. Now that I've "paused" they have lessened, however lately they were starting up again and voila! Yes, I had a sinus infection! Taking a Z-pack (Azythromycin) for the sinus infection made the headaches go away - there IS a connection.

Some people get relief from heat; others from ice - everyone is different! My doctor used to prescribe Fiorinal, but now that they have more advanced drugs, I don't think they give that anymore. It worked extremely well for me at the time; now I rely on the Excedrin - I should own stock in the company!

[Soapets]

I get migraines, and my son gets them, too. He can usually take care of his by taking Ibuprofen as soon as he senses it coming on. He takes anywhere from two to four of them, depending on the severity of the headache by the time he takes them.

Most of my migraines are caused by caffeine withdrawal. I can't drink caffeinated beverages or eat chocolate without getting a migraine headache when the caffeine wears off. Caffeine dilates the blood vessels, and when the caffeine wears off the blood vessels constrict (or vice-versa!), and that's what causes the migraines. I also get migraines when I get really over-tired and sleep-deprived.

I used to get migraines really badly, associated with hormones, and Birth Control pills. I used to have to go to the hospital Emergency Room for a shot of Toradol for the pain, and Vistaril for the nausea if I let it get to that point. I have had a hysterectomy so don't have that problem anymore though, thank goodness!

I now take oral Toradol whenever I get a migraine headache. It works fairly well. If I wait too long before taking it though, I get nauseous and have to go get a shot of Vistaril. If I take it too soon, the headache comes back after the Toradol wears off and I have to take another dose of it.

Migraines can also be triggered by nuts, cheeses, liver, wines, and high-protein meats such as liver. Sleep schedules can cause migraines if they are disrupted. Lots of people get migraines on weekends because they sleep in longer than on week days when they have to get earlier to go to work or school. Regimenting your lifestyle and diet can do a lot to help avoid migraines, if you can figure out what your triggers are.

Good Luck!

Deb

[shais_mom]

Most of my migraines are caused by caffeine withdrawal. I can't drink caffeinated beverages or eat chocolate without getting a migraine headache when the caffeine wears off. Caffeine dilates the blood vessels, and when the caffeine wears off the blood vessels constrict (or vice-versa!), and that's what causes the migraines. I also get migraines when I get really over-tired and sleep-deprived.


Deb

Also important to note- that if this is the case for you. (obviously not Deb b/c she didn't mention it and she seems to have her's "figgered" out) that taking Excederin Migraine or a lot of OTC meds won't help b/c they contain caffeine. It is SUPPOSED to help with pain relief.
I get tension headaches frequently - those are mostly an annoyance but on occasion I will get full blown migraines. Photophobia, nausea the whole 9 yards. On occasion I have missed work b/c of them. My triggers are usually lack of sleep, and stress. I haven't really paid attention to if eating something bothers it, but I am going to have to start. One of my coworkers son's gets debilitating migraines and they have found a couple of his triggers are caffeine and MSG. He can't eat Chinese food unless it says no MSG. There are also a lot of food you wouldn't think has it in it - like bbq potato chips. He also had a CT Brain b/c of it and they did find a benign tumor that they keep an eye on.
What helps me is ice - sleep- if I am nauseated - honestly to throw up! It relieves the pressure somehow. I found an eye mask that I keep in the freezer that ROCKS. Zippy cat sent me something similiar for my birthday - it is lavender scented. Also I swear by a headache pillow - links to follow -
Lavender helps sometimes. Scalp massage also (put husband to work! )
links to follow.....

[shais_mom]

headache pillow -

http://www.become.com/shop?q=headach...che+ice+pillow

IMAK eye mask -
http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...llow_sinus_and

warm whiskers -
www.warmwhiskers.com
---- http://www.warmwhiskers.com/Merchant...roduct_Code=ep she got me the kitty
I have also bought several of these products - they are holistic and specific for which symptoms..
http://www.heelusa.com/about_story_of_heel.html

[K9karen]

I definitely know that any red wine, champagne triggers a devastating migrane, with nausea, flashing lights, no feeling on one side of my face. So natch, I don't touch them,not even a sip. (goes from tongue to head almost instantly).

My last one was the day after my wrist surgery, most likely from the anesthesia. Even the morphine drip didn't touch it. You'd think being in a hospital, they'd give me something, but they only gave me a shot to keep me from continuing upchucking.
Nerves can do it for me. But they've deminished since I went into menopause (YIPPEE!).

I pity anyone who gets a migraine. Only major narcotics work for me. Tylenol, Alleve, Motrin might as well be candy. Shut the blinds and lights, bring the ice and for heaven's sake, don't try to talk to me! Honestly, I can't think of anything worse.

[BC_MoM]

I used to get HORRIBLE migraines. What my Grandma taught me:

Pour some vinegar onto a face cloth and put it under you nose for a while, breathing it in.

It cured all of mine 90% of the time.

[elizabethann]

Migraines run in my family. My Mom's been hospitalized with them. I find that Excedrin works the best for me. I'll take 2 or 3 of them and in about 2 hours, I'll feel better. I try to rest and try to make everything quiet (no t.v., radio or people around). Sometimes it helps to lay in your bed with the shades shut (darkness helps).

I find that there are several reasons why I get them.

1. Garlic (this stinks because I love garlic bread & pizza). If I have garlic bread (like at Pizza Hut), I will take 2 Excedrin afterwards to fight the migraine.

2. Too much sleep. If I oversleep, I'll wake up with a migraine and I take an Excedrin. Luckily, I don't oversleep that often.

3. Really bad stress. Again, the Excedrin helps (but only sometimes on this one).

4. If I drank too much the night before (like red wine). Excedrine helps.

I should do a commercial for Excedrine, huh?

Good luck with your migraines.

[shais_mom]

I used to get HORRIBLE migraines. What my Grandma taught me:

Pour some vinegar onto a face cloth and put it under you nose for a while, breathing it in.

It cured all of mine 90% of the time.

now that's a new one!
I'll try it!

[CathyBogart]

I get migraines if I don't take care of myself when it's hot out. Honestly, I haven't found any remedies that work other than a cold compress over my eyes and some tylenol PM to make me sleep.

[kuhio98]

My migraines have been caused by food (wine), hormones (I'm slowly sliding towards menopause) and the weather. Here's what helps me:

~ Excedrin Sinus Headache
~ Hot steam shower
~ Now, for some reason they usually recommend cold for a migraine, but heat always helps me. So, I have made a "rice sock". Basically, take a brand-new sock, put a couple of cups of rice in it (not MINUTE rice -- real rice), tie a knot in it or sew it shut. Throw it in the microwave for a minute or 2 depending upon the wattage of your microwave, and then drape it over your nose and eyes. It will loosen the "concrete" in your head and you'll start feeling better.
~ Vicks Vapor Rub: Put a little of it up each nostril and breathe deeply (if you can't stand putting it up your nose, put it under your nose). This also helps loosen up your sinuses.

I have a very bad migraine on Monday. I tried all of these things and it wasn't completely gone. So, I drank 2 cups of strong coffee and felt better within an hour. Most migraine medicines contain a lot of caffeine, so that makes sense.

[buttercup132]

Latley I have started to get them really bad and often.

They drive me insane. Sometimes make me feel like being sick

I was actually getting really worried , but after reading how common it is

in Pet talkers I realize its not that un common

[mom2thomas]

I take a very low dose of topamax, an anti-seizure drug daily for my migraines. Mine are so bad I was hospitalize da few years ago because they had gotten to the point at the onset I could not speak, recognize speech, read or write. My GP thought I was having a stroke at the age of 29. Fortunately I was not.

As previous posters said, finding your triggers and trying to avoid them is the best. My triggers are stress, too much caffeiene (makes me feel hungover the next day), sleeping on my back, and poorly lit rooms. I cannot watch TV in a room without other lights on. The pinpoint of light coming from the TV is almost an instant migraine for me.

Talk to your physician about seeing a neurologist and having an MRI done. They can determine whether or not you are experiencing vascular migraines. If you do have vascular migraines, any caffeiene will only aggravate them.