Migraines

**shais_mom** · 11-02-2006, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by Soapets

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** · 11-02-2006, 12:09 AM

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** · 11-02-2006, 01:07 AM

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** · 11-02-2006, 01:45 AM

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** · 11-02-2006, 07:38 AM

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.

**Maresche** · 11-02-2006, 08:23 AM

I got migraines all the time when I was a teenager but they have tapered off dramatically now that I'm a bit older. I didn't have any for a couple of years before I got pregnant, now I get one every couple of months or so.

Russian Blue, like you, mine are tied to weather patterns. The fall being the worst by far. Once the snow starts, they generally stop. One of the big reasons I like snow!

Peppermint extract helps me a fair bit. Diluted with almond oil and put on a hankie in a dark, quiet room is the best way for me to feel better in a couple of hours.

**angelbow20** · 11-02-2006, 08:53 AM

I have had migraines so bad that last year my parents had to rush me to the ER, I tried to take a hot shower and threw up allover, I ended up throwing up so much i became dehyrated and had to stay in the hospital overnight, I think it was caused by stress, i tried everything i could think of, cold wet rags, hot shower, medicine, nothing worked but they put this other medicine in my IV and that actually was the only thing that would help me.

**shais_mom** · 11-02-2006, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**CathyBogart** · 11-02-2006, 09:02 AM

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** · 11-02-2006, 11:17 AM

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.

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 11-02-2006, 01:13 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I'll be sure to try the suggestions when I get another migraine (which hopefully won't be soon!).

I had no idea so many people here suffer from them. They really are agony, aren't they?

**Jadapit** · 11-02-2006, 01:24 PM

I get migraines from time to time. Yes, they are agony. I try not to cry when I get them because I know it probably makes them worse but its hard not to. I get them so bad sometimes that I throw up. I will also try some of the things suggested.

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 03-10-2007, 11:41 AM

Yikes...I got one last night in my sleep- I hate when that happens, my head starts hurting so bad it literally wakes me up and it hurts to be touching the pillow. I thought of this thread (last night was the 1st time since then I got one) but the thought of looking at a computer screen was too painful. So here I am now...it went away after a while after I took 4 tylenol. I'm going to buy some Excedrin today though.

**buttercup132** · 11-02-2006, 08:48 PM

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

**smokey the elder** · 11-07-2006, 10:48 AM

I don't get migraines, but occasionally I get a really evil sinus headache! Sinus meds (Sudafed or the new stuff that you can't turn into meth) + ibuprofen work well, and I put heat on my forehead. I can feel the "sludge" break up! Headaches of any flavor are the pits.