How do you prevent your migraines?

[CathrynRose]

Drugs - drugs - and drugs...

Ive given up trying to head them off. They come no matter what I do, or dont do.

I was hoping SO MUCH my kids wouldnt be cursed with what I have, as well as my mom...but Ill be darned if their "brain" doesnt hurt already. (just like me)

Im a HUGE fan of Fiorcet w/ Codeine.... HUGE! And if things get really nasty, an ES Vicodin will get rid of the pain, but then - I get a rebound headache once it wears off. (((

Ive given up trying "non" narcotic drugs, as well .... I went through a few years of pain, with a Doc whom wouldnt prescribe narcotics...

Id rather be "drugged up" per say, then laid out - from pain.

Good luck to your hubby (and you) I know my b/f has to put up with a lot, (extra housework, sudden changes of plans, or my moods, etc) cuz of my brain -pain.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

II just keep on living in pain.

Or you could move to Florida were the temps are warmer!

 

[crz4mm2]

Another migraine sufferer here. I took Inderal for several years as a suppresive therapy. It stopped working after a few years and I started getting more and more migraines again. My neurologist switched me to neurontin which didn't work at all and made me feel really funny. I now take Topamax morning and night and I am doing very well with it. I still have Imitrex if I need it and now have Relpax for a rescue med and I like it much better than the Imitrex. works faster with no side effects (drowsy dull feeling).
Migraines are terrible. I think finding a doc to work with you is a great thing.
I also have a massage once a month and see my chiropractor on a regular basis. both of which has helped me too.

 

[mickman1962]

Drugs - drugs - and drugs...

Ive given up trying to head them off. They come no matter what I do, or dont do.

I was hoping SO MUCH my kids wouldnt be cursed with what I have, as well as my mom...but Ill be darned if their "brain" doesnt hurt already. (just like me)

Im a HUGE fan of Fiorcet w/ Codeine.... HUGE! And if things get really nasty, an ES Vicodin will get rid of the pain, but then - I get a rebound headache once it wears off. (((

Ive given up trying "non" narcotic drugs, as well .... I went through a few years of pain, with a Doc whom wouldnt prescribe narcotics...

Id rather be "drugged up" per say, then laid out - from pain.

Good luck to your hubby (and you) I know my b/f has to put up with a lot, (extra housework, sudden changes of plans, or my moods, etc) cuz of my brain -pain.

I wish I could take drugs but my job involves working with a deadly amount of electricity. Don't want to die at work.

 

[CathrynRose]

Or you could move to Florida were the temps are warmer!

HA!!!! I live in Florida for 18 months (just got back to Chicago in April of this year) and the sudden changes in Florida weather, did *nothing* good for my brain.... IN FACT - I had a doozey of one living there, (pre-hurricane Charlie) that I had never experienced EVER before....

SO there... Florida may NOT help your pain, and only hurt your pocketbook (from extra Disney Trips!) WHICH could make stress higher, WHICH could set off a migraine!!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

HA!!!! I live in Florida for 18 months (just got back to Chicago in April of this year) and the sudden changes in Florida weather, did *nothing* good for my brain.... IN FACT - I had a doozey of one living there, (pre-hurricane Charlie) that I had never experienced EVER before....

SO there... Florida may NOT help your pain, and only hurt your pocketbook (from extra Disney Trips!) WHICH could make stress higher, WHICH could set off a migraine!!!

Thanks for bursting my bubble!!!

 

[barkley]

i've tried every med on the market and none work. i ultimatly ended up with morphine suppositories because the neurologist decided it was more effective for me to have them available than to go to the e.r. and be treated (i've had 2 strokes that started with migrane symptoms).

now this may sound odd, but tell dh to try drinking cranberry juice at the first sign of a migrane. i thought it was nuts when i read a study on it, but figured it could'nt hurt to try it. i've found that sometimes it can stop it from progressing. so when i get the initial signs of a migrane i start drinking it and lots of bottled water (staying hydrated seems to help too, and since alot of the migrane meds have tons of caffeine in them it can help prevent dehydration associated with these meds).

 

[CathrynRose]

now this may sound odd, but tell dh to try drinking cranberry juice at the first sign of a migrane. i thought it was nuts when i read a study on it, but figured it could'nt hurt to try it. i've found that sometimes it can stop it from progressing. so when i get the initial signs of a migrane i start drinking it and lots of bottled water (staying hydrated seems to help too, and since alot of the migrane meds have tons of caffeine in them it can help prevent dehydration associated with these meds).

INteresting - I am going to try this out....

Thanks for the info!

 

[Denine]

now this may sound odd, but tell dh to try drinking cranberry juice at the first sign of a migrane. i thought it was nuts when i read a study on it, but figured it could'nt hurt to try it. i've found that sometimes it can stop it from progressing. so when i get the initial signs of a migrane i start drinking it and lots of bottled water (staying hydrated seems to help too, and since alot of the migrane meds have tons of caffeine in them it can help prevent dehydration associated with these meds).

This does sound interesting.

Luckily, DH has never ended up in the ER. He wouldn't go anyway. He just suffers until it goes away. The change in whether is also a factor. The cold and damp is a killer.

SO much interesting info. I am sorry for all of you that suffer from this. I know how miserable DH is and how much he still tries to go about his day when they happen. Of course, I have my own pains that have sent me to bed, endometriosis.

His doc has never given him narcotics for the pain. Again, I don't know if he would take them. He is always reluctant to take the imitrex, but he will when he has to.

 

[KellyLynn]

I also take Topamax and neurontin they work wonders for me. I have had to stop taking them because I am pregnant and the headaches have come back full force and worse then ever. Now when I get them I can take morphine go figure that one out, It helps but does not make them go away.

 

[Barb D]

I know what triggers mine, and can usually avoid them. In my case, it's hunger, sleep deprivation, and flickering flourescent lights.

When I do get one that lasts more than 3 days, my neurologist gives me steroids that break the cycle. If you live in the Baltimore/Washington area, PM me and I'll give you her name.

I have no answers for you, but I wanted to be able to find this thread again so I can reread other people's answers!

 

[Candace]

I take imitrex, but sometimes, instead, I take an herbal med for migraines. the first time I took it, it worked! So, I ordered lots more. Sadly, it doesn't work so well each and every time, but I always try it because Imitrex only has 9 pills per prescription. Here is the link for the Herbal med. http://www.aworldofgoodhealth.com/migraine-headache-relief.htm

 

[Denine]

Thanks for the link.

I think I am going to try the herbals I have found. I just showed DH the info on butterbur and another to help if you do get a migraine. I figure it can't hurt and if it helps, great. I hate seeing him so miserable!

 

[MinnyGranny62]

Thanks for the info, i also suffer from migraines, but
can't take meds for them as I am allergic to a lot of meds. I
just get a cold cloth and go into a darkened room. Also take
tylenol, which doesn't help.

Good luck with all of your migraines.

 

[Denine]

Now DH doesn't know if he wants to try the butterbur since it is more expensive than his RX medicine. Go figure.

 

[Calliaz]

Now DH doesn't know if he wants to try the butterbur since it is more expensive than his RX medicine. Go figure.

Check out vitacost.com. I find that their prices are usually much lower.

 

[Magickndm]

I got a divorce.

I've been getting them since I hit puberty, stress is by far my biggest trigger. Imitrex does nothing for me. My dr. tried Midrin too, but that really made me sick.
I haven't gotten them nearly as often the last 7 or 8 years, but when I do, usually I take a Phenegran and 2 extra strength Excedrins then sleep it off. If one gets too out of hand I end up in the ER getting a darvocet injection, otherwise if I let it go I end up getting dehydrated (I get sick along with the headache).
Hope your husband finds something that works. Has he ever tried a chiropractor?

 

[Denine]

I will have to check out the link.

No, he has not been to a chiropractor.

 

[Magickndm]

No, he has not been to a chiropractor.

That might be worth a try. Some people have great results.

 

[agotta]

I have had horrible migraines for a couple years, and doctor's always related it to allergies. Well about 3 weeks ago the doctor prescribed blood pressure medicine called atenelol (??) and I haven't had one! WHOOO HOOO!! Good luck to your husband, I know how bad they are.