Migraines

[Pembroke_Corgi]

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]

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]

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.

[critter crazy]

I get Migraines way too often! Aleve seems to work for me!

[shais_mom]

I get Migraines way too often! Aleve seems to work for me!

I just picked up some new Aleve - it is liqui-gels!

[shais_mom]

yuck!
I am glad you feel better.
I got one last nite at work and it subsided when I threw up.
I came home and took a cold shower and it helped a lot.
Believe it or not but I have an Amish home remedy book and
it says to eat honey (not store processed- but kind you find from
bee keepers- raw) and sniff vinegar.
I haven't tried the honey but have tried the vinegar when I'm home and
it does subside it!

[Pembroke_Corgi]

yuck!
I am glad you feel better.
I got one last nite at work and it subsided when I threw up.
I came home and took a cold shower and it helped a lot.
Believe it or not but I have an Amish home remedy book and
it says to eat honey (not store processed- but kind you find from
bee keepers- raw) and sniff vinegar.
I haven't tried the honey but have tried the vinegar when I'm home and
it does subside it!

Gosh, sorry you had one too! They are so awful. I think I will buy some vinegar today, too. It doesn't sound pleasant sniffing vinegar, but if it works, then I'm definitely up for trying it!

[drothergoodnow]

I've had migraines my whole life. I had one when I was 17 brought on by a chiropractor that lasted until I was 25, when I somehow manager to pop the vertebra back into place. I get them now from stress. What I do is 1 benadryl, 2 psudaphed and 3 ibuprophen followed my sleep. This usually works, but sometimes they are so bad that the combination above plus very LOUD heavy metal music works. Why? i have no idea, but it makes them bearable after about 30 minutes, then I turn the music off and sleep it off.

Bright Blessings

Dr. Jasper Goodnow

[RobiLee]

I recently read a newspaper article that said taking Vitamin B 2 was a preventative for migraines. It said to take 200 to 400 mg. a day. You might want to do a search on that subject. Alden has severe migraines and uses Imitrex. The nasal kind. I recently bought him the vitamin b2, but since he isn't here now I don't know if it has helped him or not.

[Chica]

I have suffered with migraine headaches all my life. The only thing I can do when I get one is take special medication for it. My doctor prescribed a medication made to relieve migraines called Max-alt. It works very well. My triggers are alcohlic beverages of any kind, getting over heated,skipped meals, irregular sleep patterns, and a big one WEATHER CHANGES, also strong chemical odors. I was diagnosed with chronic motor rhionitis. I take sudafed every day and fiorinol when I need it. I feel pressure in my face around my eyes and the bridge of my nose. The weather changes really affect me. I was also told that this is a hereditery problem also. I inherited this from my mother, and my sister get migraines to.


Causes
Types of headaches
Although much about headaches still isn't understood, some researchers think migraines may be caused by functional changes in the trigeminal nerve system, a major pain pathway in your nervous system, and by imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin, which regulates pain messages going through this pathway.

During a headache, serotonin levels drop. Researchers believe this causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain's outer covering. There they cause blood vessels to become dilated and inflamed. The result is headache pain.

Because levels of magnesium, a mineral involved in nerve cell function, also drop right before or during a migraine headache, it's possible that low amounts of magnesium may cause nerve cells in the brain to misfire.
The chemicals dopamine and serotonin are among those involved in migraine. These chemicals are found normally in the brain and can cause blood vessels to act abnormally if they are present in abnormal amounts or if the blood vessels are unusually sensitive to them.

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)


Zolmitriptan (Zomig)


Eletriptan (Relpax)


Naratriptan (Amerge, Naramig)


Rizatriptan (Maxalt)


Frovatriptan (Frova)


Almotriptan (Axert)

Try to ask your doctor for one of theses medications so you can have it on hand when you get a migraine.

[Taz_Zoee]

I have one right now. And can't even read everyone suggestions cuz it hurts so bad. So I'll have to come back later to read them.

[Scooter's Mom]

I just found this thread...

I have had migraines for many years. I have to take Topamax as a preventative. Then if I do get a migraine I take Imitrex.

I was having migraines for about 4 of the 7 days every week, until I started the Topamax. Now I have maybe one a month, sometimes as infrequently as one every 3 months.

Sure does make working hard when you can't open your eyes! Thankfully the Topamax has them MOSTLY under control.