Anyone have experience with severe migraines?

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Hi all~

DH and I will be seeing the world in a few weeks and he's been preparing himself to be pretty whacked out during our trip due to his health issues. He suffers from multiple headache disorder in which he has a headache all the time with multiple migraines a week and an occasional cluster. He also suffers from back and knee problems and has a difficulties with mobility if he's being too active. We have done other, shorter events and he has used a lot of his meds to stay functioning and then crashed for several days afterwards. This is more than just one or two days and I'm concerned that he's not going to have a good time.

I know bright lights, lot of noise and being too warm are all triggers for the migraines and standing in really long lines are going to make his back and knees stiffen up. His Dr. suggeted a cane or walking stick for some support and he finally agreed to get one. He has a 5 ft long walking stick, has anyone tried taking anything like that on a plane? Also, can he have it with him on the rides? Would we have to leave it somewhere and get it later? I know not all rides disembark where they load so I don't know about picking it up again when we're done.

Does any one have any tips on places to go that are quiet and low key in case he get overwhelmed? Even if it's a niche in the bushes with a bench to sit down that seems to be overlooked by most guests. It's been a while since we've gone but I seem to remember the gardens towards the back of united Kingdom being fairly quiet and unused.

I did read about the GAC and am planning on getting him one just in case. He got this trip for me but I don't want him to suffer through it just so I can have a good time; which won't be if he's hurting and not telling me because then I'll feel bad.

TIA!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Normally a GAC is not given for mobility and/or stamina problems. The official recommendation is to use a wheelchair or ECV. You might want to look into the possibility of renting an ECV from an off-site company.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The fifth item down is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs.

 

[slkant]

I don't have migraines, but I do get really bad headaches that wipe me out if I overdo activities (and even when I don't). I agree that the suggestion to rent a scooter sounds like a good one. You may also be interested in another thread that I started about GACs and people with endurance issues:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1291403

I'm assuming your BF is under a doctor's care and has medications to help him as much as possible. I've found that a self-dissolving Migraine medication will help me sometimes, especially if I take it when the pain starts setting in. I also use muscle relaxants as a headache preventative and use that in combination with a prescription anti-inflammatory/pain reliever and an additional muscle relaxant sometimes. I tend to alternate which meds I use depending on the type of head pain, how often I've been using the meds, etc.
Good luck.

 

[PaMom001]

I used to have pretty bad migraines a couple of times a month. I went to a chiropractor and got relief. I know a lot of people don't like/don't believe in chiropractors, but, they do work. Sometimes you may have to visit more than one chiropractor. I went to one first and didn't like him. He didn't "crack" my back. I go no relief from him. The next one did "crack" my back. The relief I got was instantaneous.

Also, massage therapy may help. Not everything works for every person.

 

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Thanks for the info every one.

DH isn't too keen on the idea of a wheelchair, I'll have to be extra viligent in keeping an eye on him especially towards the end of our trip.

I did meet with his neurologist a few weeks ago and we have another appt the week after Christmas and I'll make sure we have a good understanding of all the meds I need to bring along. There are so many of them I have a hard time keeping track and I work in the medical field.....

What ever it takes to have a good time though.

 

[Michigan]

Has he tried taking ginger pills. I know it sounds crazy but I had migraines about once a week until we went on our second cruise. On the first cruise I was dizzy if I sat up on the first day at sea after that I was ok. Before the second cruise someone mentioned ginger pills so I tried them and they worked for the cruise and I the only migraine related thing I have had is one visual problem in 2 years. I took the ginger pill for one week on the cruise and that's it.

 

[barkley]

i get horrendous ones-2 ended up triggering strokes (very rare but it can happen). i have more meds than i care to count-ones for normal headaches (to prevent it becoming a migrane), ones for minor migranes, ones for moderate-and then the 'big guns'. for a time my neurologist had me keep dilaudin supposotories at home (and take them on trips) so if a bad one hit i did'nt have to go to the e/r for treatment.

that said-when i travel and will be more active than normal i try to stay on my normal sleep schedual as much as possible. it makes it hard when we go somewhere in a different time zone-but it's a must to keep me going. i also take ear protectors (like the type hunters use) that i carry with me so that if the noise/music begins to bug me i can slip them on (wore them alot at wdw last time). a pair of dark sunglasses can be helpful if lights start bugging your eyes (if you can get the type that have side coverage too it's all the better).

you should'nt have much of an issue with overheating this time of year, but for those times when you do-bring along a package of 'keep cool strips' or 'migrane ice'-they are adhesive strips that lower body temp (meant to be used on the forehead but i use them at the nape of my neck or under a shirt on my chest and abdomen).

as for the back and leg issues-i can again relate. arthritis and scoliosis tend to make my back, hips and knees feel terrible when i'm in a sedentary position (long plane rides are a killer-standing in line is no picnic either). i take an otc anti-inflamitory and my md prescribes tylenol with codene that i take as a preventative measure for these situations. long, hot soaks in the hotel bath tub or hot tub realy help out at the end of the day as well.

as for the walking stick-i don't think unless it's a cane you will get it past the tsa guys, so he may have to opt for a standard cane for air travel but you could check the walking stick for use at the parks-but some of the rides probably cant accommodate it (it could be viewed as something that would extend outside the seat area or might fly out and injure someone).