Migraine help needed

[CathyCanada]

I have taken my meds. Laying down is only a temporary option. Feeling nauseous and just can't stand this again today. Pain is as bad if I am sitting, standing or laying down.

Any other suggestions or help? DonnaS, my heart goes out to you, this is only my second day and I don't know how you stand it every day. :(

Help?
CC

[Mermaid02]

I had them when I was pregnant with my dd and it was awful. I had to be in a DARK QUIET room. Usually had to sleep it off. I hope you feel better Cathy!

[Nagle]

No suggestions CC, just wishes for a quick recovery. I have only had one migraine and don't wish it on anyone. Hope you are better soon.

John

[cinmell]

I started getting migraines when I was 12 and they are the worst! I go into a dark and quiet room and use one of those sand or bean piilows that can be heated or cold, I prefer cold for migraines, and put it on my forehead. I have also found that excedrin migraine helps to take the edge of, but not always. I have been to doctors and have been give fiorinal and imitrex. The imitrex works best, but I have to take it as soon as the migraine starts othewise it does not work. Good luck, migraines can be the worst feeling in the world.

[pumba]

I took fiorinal for a few years but that stuff was yuck to me........and I didnt' like the thought of it being a bad drug ....so I told the doctor..this was before the migrane drugs came out...my sister still has the migranes and she takes a blood pressure medication that seems to wipe out her monthly ones......has your doctor ever suggested this approach.....she has no problem with her bp but it stops her from being on the couch for two days.......hope you feel better.....

[Kitty 34]

My youngest DS gets migraines. The last one he had, he missed a week of school!!!:eek: Except for Advil to take care of some of the headache pain.....I think his migraines just have to run it's course!


Good luck to you, CC!!

[Pam]

My Dad's whole side of the family gets these, including me!

I, too, usually have to go lie down in a dark and quiet room. Sometimes I put Vicks VaboRub on my forehead and cheekbones as I also have a lot of sinus problems. Other times a cool cloth helps. To be frank, I usually get sick to my stomach with the severe ones - and it's only after I throw up, that I start feeling better.:(

Hope you feel better soon!

[browneyes]

CC, I feel for you. {{hugs}}

The only semi relief I get from mine is a HOT washclothe on my eyes, a steaming hot bathtub, NO LIGHTS, no sound, and I usually submerge myself under the water, while praying for relief of any kind.:( Migraines are the worst pain I've ever had in my life.:(

{{hugs}}

[Tony-NJ]

Poor you CC! I have taken imitrex. But it was usually too late. I find now that the Excedrin Migrane works best along with laying down in a DARK room with the pillow over my face!! ( or at least the eyes). The only problem with the Excedrin is the cafine in them. But it's usually worth getting rid of the pain, but that sometimes helps the nausea.

You know I really hope you feel better soon! ;)

[Breezy_Carol]

I take the prescription drug Midrin. Also, I have found recently that putting a heating pad over the part of my head where the pain is really helps.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Steve H.]

...stay off the DIS ;) ;)

Seriously, Cathy -- I wish I had some brilliant advice. :( My MIL finds that Imitrex works for her, but I'm assuming you've run out of medical options with this particular migraine. :(

Hang in there. :(

[RitaZ.]

CC~ I hope you feel better soon. :(

[tkyes]

I have to be in a dark room as well, I usually sleep.

I know this is really gross but my headaches always used to feel much better after I threw up (yuck).

I hope you feel better soon.



Tamie

[piratesmate]

My mother used to give me a cold cloth for my forehead & it felt wonderful! However, the only fix for mine was if I finally fell asleep. :( A number of years ago, though, I read that cold is the wrong thing to do. Evidently HEAT is better - even though it doesn't feel as good initially. It helps relieve the constricted blood vessels that cause the migraine.

As others have said, a dark room (no computer) along with quiet & time seemed to be the only real solution.

I'm so sorry you're suffering with this. I hope it ends quickly!

Deb

[luvwinnie]

and it works great, but it works best when taken early in the attack. What do you take? I am considering acupuncture for prevention.

[Dan Murphy]

No advice from here, Cathy but hope you feel better soon.

Dan

[Robinrs]

Oh, CC!

I hate to hear you're not feeling well!

My receptionist was out yesterday, so I asked her why. She went to the doctor about her migraines again. She's tried everything but this time he put her on a new medication that she doesn't know the name of right now but promised she'd tell me tomorrow. She took one this morning and she said so far so good.

Take care of yourself, we need you around here!

God bless

Robinrs

[oldkicker]

Cathy - I have no suggestions for you - but want to send along good healing thoughts your way.....

[Teejay32]

For a normal migraine I take 3 Advil (or any ibuprophen) with a glass of diet coke or something with caffeine in it. A bad one - 4 Advil w/caffeine.

(A friend of mine takes 2 ibuprophen with deep breathing exercises. She swears it works.)

For a big purple fire-breathing head implosion I'd go to the ER for an imitrex shot. 1 hour later you're a new woman. I haven't done that in a while though...that was BK, before kids.

(Kids helped with my headaches? or maybe just substituted the type of headache...)

[p-nut]

I take Topamax ever night and Maxalt when I get the migrain. The Maxalt works fast. I love it. The only bad thing is I have to be home to take it because it knocks me out and I always seem to be at work when the migrains start. Hope you feel better.

[Wagamama]

Originally posted by tkyes

I know this is really gross but my headaches always used to feel much better after I threw up (yuck).


i totally agree. also, computers and tv make migraine's worse. my doc also told me to stay away from hot dogs and chocolate when i get migraines. i hope you feel better. migraine's are a pain in the caboose.


OH! i just remembered! CC, cup your hands, put them over your nose and mouth and breathe into them. i know it sounds weird but it really works!!!

[Pam]

(Kids helped with my headaches? or maybe just substituted the type of headache...)

Me, too! I still get migraines - but when I was in my teens and early 20s, I would get a migraine at least 4 times a week - sometimes every day if the stress level was high at work! I only get them every couple of months now!!!!

[piratesmate]

Originally posted by Teejay32
I haven't done that in a while though...that was BK, before kids.

(Kids helped with my headaches? or maybe just substituted the type of headache...)

I used to get the most horrendous migraines before I had my kids. I didn't realize it at first, but I stopped getting them about the time I got pregnant with my first. I've probably only had about 5 - 10 bad ones since 1979. (I did get one that lasted 6 weeks, though, from a medication I was on for my knee. That sucker had a LONG half-life!)

Now I get "ocular migraines" - at least that's what the doctor called them. However, the pain is negligible - at least by comparison to the ones I had when I was younger.

Deb

[luvindisneyworld]

hi, when i get a migraine, i take 2 goody powders and they work wonders.hope you feel better soon.
misty

[BethR]

{{{HUGS}}} CC. I hope that you are feeling better soon.

This will not help you now, but have you visited a doctor that specializes in the treatment of headaches?

DD has had migraines since puberty and doctored with them for about 8 years. She was prescribed Imitrex - but used TONS of over the counter pain meds. One time I mentioned her migraine problems to my neurologist's nurse and she said "You MUST get her to Dr. K - he is not on our group - but he is the BEST!" So we made an appointment for the first available time slot - months down the road. In the meantime Michelle had to fill out a complete health history and a headache diary. When she saw this doctor, she spent well over an hour first with a Physician's Assistant, and then with the doctor. Michelle said that NO ONE had ever been so thorough with her before!

Here are a couple of things that the doctor did: told her that she could take NO MORE over the counter pain meds. She was experiencing a rebound effect - and that caused headaches itself. And he precribed an anti-inflammatory med to use for "regular" headaches and other kinds of pain. He prescribed doxipin - a anti-depressant that raises the level of seratonin in the system. Fluctuations of seratonin cause headaches. He adjusted her dosage of Imitrex. And he precribed an anti-inflammatory med to use for "regular" headaches and other kinds of pain.
Michelle has seen an improvement in the frequency and the "quality" of her headaches. Although she is not migraine free - she knows better how to manage them. She sees this doctor every 6 months and they discuss her headache history and they make adjustments in her care.

The last time that she was there they prescribed the Imitrex injector for her. She was taught how to use it (pretty easy) and was told to only use it when she absolutely needed to have immediate relief - such as when she would be having a test at school. They also switched her from her doxipin, which was causing her to really gain weight, to another drug of its kind.

I don't know how many doctors like this are out there. I know that a girl who works with my mom - 2 hours away from here - sees this doctor. They are now scheduling appointments for August. So there are not many around here. But it would be worth your while to seek someone out. Start first by inquiring at a teaching hospital in your area. Or at a medical school.
I hope that you can find some relief, Cathy.

Grinningghost is right about the constricition of blood vessels not being good for headaches. That is why the caffiene helps - it opens blood vessels. But if cold cloths work for anyone - who can argue with success?

Also CC, do you use Nutrasweet? It is something that sometimes causes migraines. Michelle has substituted saccharine or Splenda for Nutrasweet. So no diet Coke - but Diet Rite is ok. :)
I hope that you find YOUR answer sometime soon...

[Towncrier]

DW has Imitrex pills, nasal spray, and shots. Her doctor told her that the digestive tract shuts down during a migraine and that is why the pills don't work very well if not taken early enough.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

[Simba's Mom]

Does anyone else take the Imitrex nasal spray, or do you take the pills? I took the pills, but they did absolutely nothing. Maybe if I'd tried earlier on in the headache. However, the Imitrex Spray works instantly for me, and I mean that literally-instantly. It was such a strange feeling-to have a migraine headache for several hours-then one "sniff", gone!

[Blondie]

I started getting migraines in 5th grade! Ugh! They were pretty bad back then, I'd throw up, then get the bad headache.

I continued to get about one a month until my first pregnancy. They backed off then, and I only had 3 or 4 the entire time. Now I rarely get them anymore, knock wood!

My pre-cursor to a migraine is the "aura"; a crescent shaped area in either eye, filled with squiggly lines. That entire area would be blinded out by the squiggly lines. Nasty I tell ya!

Not too much has ever worked for me...they just had to run their course, usually a couple of hours, and I'd be okay again.

Hope you're feeling better by now.

A friend of mine uses Stadol Nasal Spray, a heavy narcotic. She says it does the trick though...even if she is wearing a cloud for a hat!

[Lynn CC]

So sorry you are not feeling well CC.

My mom suffered from migranes since I was born. While I was growing up she used to spend sometimes 3 days in bed with the lights out, cold cloths, throwing etc. She tried all kinds of medications and nothing helped her until one day when she started taking this all natural drink each day and if she felt like she was starting to get a migrane she would drink an extra drink added to her 4 a day.

She has been medication and Migrane FREE for 1 year now.

The website to learn more about supergreens is www.innerlightfoundation.com.

FAQ has something on migranes. I think it's worth a try. It not only works for migranes but your whole self health. My family and I started drinking it and have never felt better. More energy and just really nourished.

If you would like more info just PM me and I'll tell you how I order it through the internet if you would like to try it.

[SuiteDisney]

You poor little thing... I hope you're feeling better soon.

Go to bed. Keep the room very dark and very quiet (you can even use ear plugs). Try to sleep and hopefully you'll feel better when you wake up.

[momof2OH]

My DS (12) has been dx with migraines for a little over two years now. Since he is on several others meds he can't take most prescription meds for them so his neurologist has him taking Alleve in the morning and at night. This has been working since he started it. If he gets a really severe one, then he's to take 500mg Tylenol + 500mg ibuprophen + 4mg periactin. My mom used to always take several asprin for headaches, now she just takes one Alleve and it does the trick.

Hope you find something that works for you. Good Luck and I hope you feel better.

[WillyJ]

I've never had to deal with a migrane Cathy so no advice. . but I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear you're dealing with them. . sure sounds like it sucks big time. . :( :( :(

{{{{Hugs}}}} my friend; take care of yourself and I hope it passes soon. .

[CathyCanada]

Thank you everyone for the well wishes and great tips. The heat did the job. I take Amerge, but it seems the Excedrin Migraine handles it just as well. I used the ear plugs, dark room, Excedrin, hot cloth and no DIS (thanks, Steve! ;))

Gina, your poor son!! :( Glad he doesn't get too many anymore.

Beth, I don't know of a headache specialist around here but will check into it.

I used to take a Barley Green, Lynn, maybe I should start again.

Anyway, thanks again for all of your tips and help!
Cathy

[DonnaS]

I'm a little slow at seeing this. I'm glad you're feeling better.

I prefer ice and I put it at the base of my skull. I use one of the seed filled pillows too, but in a pinch, frozen vegies wrapped in a towel will work.

I'm glad someone mentioned rebound headaches. It is not just over the counter medications that can cause them-- so can the triptans (like Amerge, Imitrex, etc.) and pain medications like Fiorinal or Vicodin. My doctor limits me to two to three times per week of these meds.

A cost saving tip: If Excedrin Migraine costs more than regular Excedrin-- just get the regular excedrin. They are exactly the same drug-- look at the labels. It has to do with labeling and marketing that they sell them in different boxes.

Here are some good resources:

http://www.headaches.org/consumer/index.html

http://www.achenet.org/

I don't know if there are Canadian equivalents.

[BWVDenise]

Cathy, I'm so glad you are feeling better!:D

[paras4ri]

Sorry I can't offer advice but I wanted to send some PD your way...hope you feel better soon CC!

[CathyCanada]

Thanks, Donna! I knew you would be a wealth of info! :) The thought of cold on my head made me want to be sick (maybe I would have felt better after!), but I did warm up the seed pack. :)

A friend gave me the Excedrin Migraine because it didn't work for her but when I go to buy it again, I will check the bottles. I will check out those links now, thanks again.

Thanks Gail and Denise. :)
CC

[klombar]

How about a warm bath with flower petals floating surrounded by candles with the lights down low and soft music playing in the back ground. Start off with a light robe on, slowly move over to a warm soft table. Lay down for a deep strong hard full body massage. Slowly standing after to just stare at the candles and relax while being held by a tall strong stranger, slowly falling into the rythem of the music you dance as one. By this time the shower will have warmed. Step in and soap up standing there letting the water run down your body. By now the bubbles have covered the tub. Slide into the water and just relax until you are right on the edge of sleep but are still so aware of every feeling in your body. After about 15 minutes rise from the tub into a warmed towel. As you stand there feeling totally relax you write sweet nothings in the fogged up mirror as you slowly move from the bathrrom into the.............

Sorry got carried away! Glad you are feeling better CC!

[Serena]

I've only had a migraine once, I don't wish it on anyone. I'm glad you're feeling better CC. :)

[Simba's Mom]

A recent Prevention magazone recommended Feverfew for Migraines. I haven't been able to find it yet. Anyone heard of or tried that?

[vickyBaby]

Klombar,
do you write scripts for the Playboy Channel?

[caitycaity]

i don't have any advice, but i hope you feel better soon, cathy. :)

[Tulirose]

Glad you are feeling better CathyCanada.

I gotta add my two cents here too. Someone years (decades) ago told me to take Vanquish for these awful headaches. It is basically aspirin with caffeine. As already mentioned, the caffeine in them is the important ingredient that aids in relief.

I've been having difficulty finding Vanquish lately in the stores. Not all stores carry it anymore and in desperation I recently bought the Migraine Excedrin. I don't think it worked as fast as my Vanquish but it did work. However, I was happy to find Vanquish in our new Walmart and I stocked up on it.

Again - glad you are feeling better.