avoid migraines?

[krbq]

I'm so glad to see this thread! I was recently diagnosed with migraines and DH is worried about me getting a migraine on our trip to WDW in June. I plan to take my meds with me (and keep at least one dose handy at all times) but the other suggestions made here are probably going to be useful, especially the ones about the sun. I thought it was just me, but apparently the heat and sun trigger migraines for others as well. Please -- keep the suggestions coming!!!

 

[JELBoggio]

WATER WATER WATER.

I will not wear a visor, hat, or even a pontail for a long period of time as this can trigger one for me. Especially in the heat.

It helps to take medicine with caffeine - soda will work - and I always will have some chocolate too (there's caffeine in chocolate too, and c'mon aren't we always looking for a real reason to eat some chocolate ).

Wet papertowels/washcloth over the forehead, run cold water over your wrists all can help cool you down in the heat.

If one occurs, a dark quiet room to help sleep it off.

 

[annameg]

I think that WDW visually overstimulates us. This will trigger a migraine for me. Anything that "tricks" my eyes brings on that tingling feeling. It usually starts in my fingers and up my arm. The first time this happened to me, I thought it was a stroke. I have a hard time thinking or talking. It is truly terrifying. Usually, Exedrin Migraine and a quick nap will get rid of my problem before the "headache" actually sets in.

 

[DisneyMim]

Great thread. I am another migraine sufferer so I hear ya. Everything in this thread is great, wonderful advice. I am NEVER without my Exedrin migraine and bottled water. Seriously, I carry it everywhere. At the very first sign I take my meds. I have been known to take them on rides!! Albeit, slow ones. I can't agree enough with the poster who said to avoid any rides that will trigger your migraines. IMHO I have always believed that it's not worth it. There are a number of rides I just don't go on and it has never made my vacations any less wonderful. Also, I don't know if this will help you, but sometmes ice or heat helps. I use those heat pads that stick on. They help sometimes. You can carry a facecloth and ask for ice if that will help. I hate to lose time out because of migraines, but I, like a lot of you, have lost precious vacation time and other special occasions time because of migraines. They are not fun and I agree that unless you have them you will not understand completely. Also I find that on vacations you are never eating on the same schedule that you do in "real" life, so make a point of thinking about what and when you are eating. Sometimes this will trigger a migraine. Also I avoid wine as this will sometimes do it too.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation and it is migraine free!!

 

[Heather]

Thanks for all the tips! It took me years before a doctor believed I got migraines, because I don't have a huge light/sound sensitivity during them and lying down doesn't help. Unfortunately, I can't have medication -- I have a stomach condition that doesn't allow me to have caffeine, aspirin, advil, etc, so the only thing I can do for them is Tylenol, and it just doesn't touch them. I get them once a month for 2-4 days and it is just miserable. I will definitely try some of these suggestions, though! There's nothing worse than feeling crummy when it is finally vacation time.

 

[digskat]

I have suffered fom migraines since I was 12. I use Tiger Balm (rub on my forehead and temples...avoid getting in your eyes it stings) n combo with analgesia, the Tiger balm numbs the pain so I can function..unless it's real bad and I need to rest..regardless I still use and swear by it. you can get it in Walmart roughly $6 for a compact glass container that fits in your pocket..I do not leave home without it. It was suggested to my mom by a pharmicist
http://www.tigerbalm.co.uk
I swear by it! Take Care Kathy PS it smells kinda funky!

 

[MommaluvsDis]

4shinystars,

I just got contacts for my 2 trips this year. I'm both far and near sighted and the doctor wanted to put me in a far on my left eye and a near on my right. Well this didn't work because it was too much like the distorted vision of the migraines. Yuck! So we tried contacts for my far vision with reading glasses when necessary. This worked great. But my main reason for doing this was because we snorkle when we cruise and ride the fastest rides at the parks. Sunglasses would not be a good idea.

However, my glasses are not a waste as I still need them when I take my lenses out. Since you just got glasses you'll probably get a lens discount.

 

[KimWDW]

I used to suffer from migraines. Strangely enough they disappeared after I had my son. My neurologist said that happens sometimes--something to do with hormones.

Anyway, my advice would be:
1) sunglasses and hat
2) drink water constantly
3) eat several small meals so your blood sugar doesn't get too low
4) If you drink one cup of coffee every morning at home, do that on vacation. Changing could cause a headache.

I've also heard this tip, but never tried it myself. Go to any health food store and buy salted soy beans. When you start getting the first symptoms, eat a handful but you have to do it right away.

 

[tmarquez]

I did try Inderal, but my blood pressure already tends to be on the low side and it just made me feel really yucky all the time. I tried it for a month and half and I still got migraines and that was enough for me.

Before I started with relpax they definately did control my life...and my family's sometimes. Now all is good for the most part. I get about 1 a month that I can't control.

Wow tamrquez,
The fact that your insurance company only pays for 1 month of Relpax so you need fiorinal as backup concerns me. If you need that much medication it would lead me to believe that maybe you should check into migraine prevention. I posted before about being on the Inderal LA and how my migraines have all but disappeared. Maybe this is an option for you.

Are the headaches controlling your life? Mine were and now I'm back in charge. It's a pill that I take every day and in the past year, I've had maybe 2 migraines. Believe me I had them all the time!

Just trying to help.

 

[msgrimm23]

i get them all the time and the only thing that works for me is excedrin migraine geltabs. and the heat makes them worst so i take a shower and let the water beat on the back of my neck.

 

[torinsmom]

I have had headaches almost everyday since I was 19 and I am now 35! I have learned to live with them, since no medicines have completely alleviated them. 1000 mg. of ibuprofen will usually work, and I have Fiorcet when it doesn't. That usually stops a migraine in its tracks in 10-15 minutes for me. I wish they could track down the cause. Inderal, Imitrex and Topomax have all been no help to me.

Marsha

 

[Luv4Disney]

Excedrin Migraine usually works for me if I take it before it turns into a full blown migraine. Drink lots of water, avoid light, and wrap a cool washcool on your head. I've also found that the smell of peppermint eases the pain a little. Any other tips would be great though! Migraine's are the worst! They hurt so bad I cry and then my head hurts worse because I'm crying. Go figure.

 

[mickeymedic]

I noticed a bunch of you mentioned low blood sugar issues (eat lots of little meals, eat even when you're not hungry, etc.) How many of you have BG issues along with your migraines? Does your doctor believe that they are related? Or do they just sometimes occur in combination?

 

[Schmeck]

Luckily, I've only had one migraine at WDW - thank you Astro Orbiters!

I know mine are triggered by an end to a stressful situation (when I relax) plus bright light in my eyes, with a sinus condition too. I've never noticed my blood sugar/hunger being part of them, but I'll have to pay more attention!

 

[KimberlyC]

You mentioned that you take fiorinal for your migraines, and I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in.

I've had migraines since I was a little kid, and actually never got treatment until well into adulthood because the first doctor I went to as a teenager basically told me I didn't have a headache. I get the kind with severe pain, vomitting, light, sound and cold temperatures (unusual I know) make it worse.
I have been prescribed fiorinal and relpax. I have found that the relapx (the higher dosage tablet) if I take it RIGHT AWAY at the first sign will actually knock it out completely within 30 minutes...without even any rest.

Now the fiorinal I have because the relpax comes 6 in a pack and the insurance will only pay for 1 pack per month so when I run out of relpax I need a backup (the OTC migraines meds don't do a thing for me). I've found that it will help...but I still have to stop and lay down in a dark quiet room for quite awhile and alot of times when the fiorinal wears off it actually comes back or I get a wierd rebound type headache (feels like a hangover). For me the fiorinal works great for tension headaches.

So my advice would be to look into some of the other types of medications for migraines (relpax, imitrex, etc.). Always keep it with you (not back at the hotel), eat and drink even when you don't feel hungry or thirsty.

Good luck to you! I'm off to refill my relpax...we leave for Disney this afternoon!

I don't mean to overstep my bounds, but as a fellow sufferer of migranes for many years I feel compelled to say that I think 6 Relpax a month is drastic. I couldn't imagine having that many headaches per month to require that many Relpax pills. If you are like me and only take it when the headache is getting really bad or you know it will be really bad, 6 a month seems like an awful lot to me. I know my Maxalt said no more than 3 per week, but good lord if I needed that many. Most recenlty I switched to Relpax and my script says only 2 per week but I still think that's too many. I refilled it last at the end of September and just now need to refill it. I'm pretty sure it has only 6 pills, like yours. I remember Immitrex had 9 pills and I want to say the Maxalt was 8 but I'm not sure.

So I ask merely out of concern, what other meds do you have to prevent such horrible headaches? I've been on Inderal since I was 7 years old, the mg just got higher as I got older and I've taken 240 mg for many years now. It doesn't stop them all but it does decrease them. The only time in my life that I wasnt on Inderal (or any other migrane meds) was when I was pregnant. Fortunately, I was one of the lucky ones who had less headaches during pregnancy but the 2 I got kept me in bed for 2-3 days because I couldn't have my meds. I did miss a day of work this week because of a bad migrane (Michigan weather change - rainy and back down in the low 50's didnt help) but it was the first time in many months. I'm no doctor but I do credit Inderal for keeping the number of migranes down. I would suggest speaking to your neurologist about preventive meds like Inderal so you don't have to suffer so much. There are good meds out there. Noone should have to suffer that much.

 

[KimberlyC]

I know this sounds nuts but one of my secretaries suffers from migranes and nothing worked well for her until her doctor suggested Botox injections in her forehead/head/temple areas. I haven't tried it because the meds I have work ok for me, but she swears by it. Last month she was overdue for her Botox and she missed work from a bad migrane. She got her Botox (no other meds) and is fine. She said it lasts a few months. I can't speak from personal experience but for those who find no other relief, maybe its worth looking into.

 

[krbq]

Has anyone ever been prescribed Amidrine for migraine headaches? That's what I was given -- sometimes it works and sometimes it takes more than one dose to work. I'm a little worried about building a tolerance to it.

 

[Pocahontas1]

I've had migraines, but luckily never at Disney!

One of my childhood memories of Disney was my mother having a migraine and having to lay down in the first aid station for what I thought was hours. She says it was triggered by the old Circlevision 360 movie and the hot dog she had for lunch. I remember having to spend the afternoon in the arcade - the old one - when all I wanted to do was ride the rides.

Guess I was a pretty unsympathetic child.