any other mommy migraine sufferers here?

[minniebeth]

I had something like this once. It was REALLY scary. I couldn't talk. The neuro said he thought it was a "complex migraine" which seems a lot like a stroke. Instead of vessels dialating, like in a regular migraine, they constricted causing stroke like symptoms. Now, birth control pills or any HRT is not an option for me (menopause is going to be extremely difficult) and I can't take Imitrex or any other type of vessel constrictor.

So glad the pregnancy, and all that goes with it is behind now!

This is exactly what I experience and I have had to call 911 several times thinking I was having a stroke!
Everyone is different, so it is great to compare everyone's notes, but my Dr. warned me and my friends who try to collaborate that everyone is unique and treatment should be tailored to each individual under a doctor's supervision.
I am definately in the camp that a patient is his/her own advocate, so taking some of the information that is out there to a dr. (like supplements, etc.) is great because they all don't always have the mindset outside of one plan how to proceed forward.
On vacation, especially Disney, know your triggers, even if it is hormonal and try everything to help prevent one from occurring. Hydration in my mind is a key factor in helping to prevent any migraine. I am very light sensitive and any bright flash can trigger a migraine in a second, and I actually had two triggered on vacation by people taking flash photos right in front of me. It was not fun!

 

[hoosiergirl7]

My migraines were diagnosed when I was a freshman in college although I had probably been suffering from on and off for about 2 yrs prior. I was born with a heart condition so anything prescription for me was out. At the time I was prescribed a very high dose of Naproxen. Now I can't take that either. What I did when I was in my early 20's is I finally decided to cut all caffeine out, so if I drink soda it's caffeine free and my coffee is now decaf. I know decaf has some caffeine in it, but my headaches became less frequent. I can't say I get them once a month, they just happen when they happen for me. Now for my headaches I take Tylenol 3 and head straight to bed with the lights off and the door closed. Sometimes I will drink a can of Coke quickly as well and the caffeine will open up the blood vessels. But that's the only time I drink caffeine. I will have to look into the herbal remedy that a PP mentioned. I'll even mention it to my sister who is a migraine sufferer herself. Thank you genetics!!!

 

[HoustonTXMom]

I am almost 44 and have had migraines since I was 25. I had to go off birth control pills right then.

My migraines were hormonal and most of the time I would wake up with them. In the beginning, I got them only during my cycle but later also during ovulation. Because I would wake up with them, if I did I would take Indocin by suppository and go back to bed. It worked great because the suppository works so much faster. I took that for like 11 years and one day, it didn't work any more. I spent many days in a very dark very cold room with a washcloth I stuck in the freezer on my head.

Oh, BTW it's so weird how some people's migraines got worse during pregnancy. I had the exact opposite experience. I had not one migraine in either pregnancy and one pregnancy was during a time that I was having two or three day migraines.

I ended up going to a neurologist. He put me on Inderal as a preventative which really helps. He then tried everything in the Maxalt, Imitrex category. Not one of those drugs worked for me. Advil works better. My SIL swears by Imitrex. It just points out how personal the treatment is. Then I moved up to Fiornal. When that didn't work, I had Lorcet and Stadol (nose spray). I only used Stadol twice and one time I could barely move but my head still hurt. Not worth it. Also, because those are really addictive, I didn't feel good about it and I had to go to the neurologist like every 6 weeks. My headaches then got better and I had them only occassionally. I think as I got older, my hormones changed. I kept taking the Inderal. Now, during my period, I take Motrin every night before bed and then I don't wake up with one. I still keep just the Fiornal but I haven't used in more than 9 months. The only migraines I have gotten have been when I didn't get enough sleep or was very stressed (and having my period). I'm always afraid though they'll come back. I remember several holidays including Christmas that were ruined due to migraines. Puking, wanting to stay in a dark, cold room. People who haven't had migraines do not get it at all.

 

[Camno's Mama]

I have not had a migraine in years...had them when I was pretty young. But they stopped when I developed a seizure disorder from a head trauma. I believe the medecine that I'm on now helps to control the migraines as well. I never had them like you all though.

Some suggestions while at Disney, as it would seem that a lot of the migraine triggers are the same as the seizure triggers.

-hydrate

-get enough sleep

-avoid any kind of stress...keep things simple in your mind

-if you're starting to feel bad...sit still, take a few deep breaths, visualize...sometimes I think the anxiety/panic over having something like this will bring on the symptoms...I have learned to keep the seizures (and the panic) at bay this way

-avoid alcohol...it depresses something in your brain and when you go back to normal something spikes...that's how the seizures are caused...I'm guessing migraines might work the same way.

-eat regularly...keep the snacks coming...if you are on medication you can metabolize the medication faster if you're not eating enough...don't really understand the specifics, but it definitely makes a difference for me

-stay away from strobe lights or really any kind of flashing lights...close your eyes and cover them if you see them unexpectedly on a ride, show, etc.

And don't worry about it coming on! Just enjoy your vacation! I've learned that being prepared and aware make such a difference. I used to have a lot more problems with my seizures when I was younger. State of mind and the ability to make myself relax have made such a difference in my life.

 

[brighteyes]

Wow, I'm surprised by all the people who are using hormonal BC as a preventative for migraines - mine are so much worse when on the Pill. I tried every possible pill/patch and I'd had migraines like clockwork during my cycle when on any type of hormonal BC. Once I got off of it (made DH get the big V), I now only have a few a year. Mine started when I was a kid.

I was on and off BC in pill form for years trying to find one that did not give me migraines or make them worse. The depo is an injection and has done just the opposite. I really don't need bc now, but stay on the depo to keep my migraines away. I still get some when I am stressed, or not enough sleep etc, but do not get mine like clockwork like I used to monthly before.

The depo is missing something that the bc pills have in it, I think. Not sure, just glad it works for me.

Stephanie

 

[CampbellScot]

Yep...fellow migraine sufferer here! I'm violently ill if one sneaks up on me with no intervention. It is so wretched. Makes want to get VIOLENT when people say "Oh, it's only a bad headache..."

not so much!!

I was on Imitrex and they did NOTHING for me except make me feel drugged and yucky and I STILL felt sick as a dog and couldn't stand noise or light.

Dr. switched me to Zomig. I'm only allowed 6 a month though...I think b/c they are basically slowing blood flow to your brain...and I can't imagine that is super good for you too often! The Zomig works pretty well if I take it in time...I also have a Rx for Topomax for prevention.

Mostly though I stay on a steady diet of Diet Coke!!! Seriously, if I can get a bottle of diet coke at regular intervals, I can avoid migraines. If one comes on suddenly, or I can feel it about to wallop me...I chug a Red Bull. Shotgun it as fast as I can...it really works for me.

Caffeine really seems to be the key to migraine prevention and relief. I'd rather stay on diet coke than take a pill that slows blood flow to my noggin!

 

[kldmom2000]

I've been using Inderal LA with success now for a few years It's a beta blocker used to treat BP but it also helps w/ migraines I haven't had a migraine since I began taking it.... well, actually I lied.... when the manufacturer changed for the generic (Propanolol) my migraines came back. Pharmacist said sometimes the formulation changes w/ the manufacturer.... I got my MD to write for brand-name only so I get the actual Inderal, and no migraines