Migraine sufferers: any tips?

[Luv4Disney]

ok, just to add to the mix. I am a hormonal migrain suffer. I do find relief from Imitrex but am not a big medicine taker. My aunt also suffers from migrains and in talking with her we both found something called Sinus Busters. It is a pepper spray - I have not tried it but would like too. My aunt has purchased it and said it burns in the nasal cavity but it works.
Here's the website
www.Sinusbuster.com

Good luck!

Burns the nasal cavity?! OUCH!

Yes, take care of it when you feel it coming. Sometimes I get physically sick from migraines and that's the absolute worst! Also, try to keep her someplace dark if possible. Light really bothers me when I have migraines. I haven't noticed any postive/negative effects of caffeine with me.

 

[Tigger2252]

My DH suffers from cluster migranes and can go through cycles where he can get 2-3 migranes a day, for weeks at a time. It is a horrific thing to live with. The most interesting thing of all is that when we are on vacation at WDW he has never gotten a headache and had to take his Imitrex or Axert! I don't know if it's the reduced stress, the sea level, or if it's just plain Disney magic , but it is really miraculous for us, especially after we have seen him suffer through so many all year long. We will be back down in November and I will be interested to see if he will go all week long again this year without a headache.

 

[Pandonkey]

I've had migraines since I was a child, particularly during my teen years. The one time I can recall getting a migraine at WDW was on a trip to MGM. My family ate at the Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater, which creates the atmosphere of a drive-in movie. Something about the darkness combined with the flashes of light from the b&w movie clips triggered a migraine very quickly -- I was feeling sick before I even finished my lunch. I'm SURE it wouldn't affect all migraineurs the same way, but it can't hurt to be forewarned!

 

[Coloradomom]

How timely this thread is. My DD (age 16) was just diagnosed with migraines about 6 weeks ago. (after cat scan, spinal tap, etc to rule out other things). Imitrex did not even touch them. Her pediatric neurologist put her on Frova, which has done the trick. (apparently it is targeted towards women and possible hormonal migraines ).
He also has her taking Melatonin at bedtime to help her get to sleep.Being a teen she gets wound up and involved and so has a hard time falling asleep. Melatonin is natural and can be taken with no side effects. This has helped tremendously.
The light does not seem to trigger one but makes it worse.Not eating or getting fluids makes it worse and so now she actually eats a breakfast (pasta or oatmeal) every morning.
One other thing that may help someone else.For some odd reason Sprite seems to help make it better (go figure)
Thanks for all the good ideas shared here. We leave in a few days and will have Frova, Melatonin and Sprite in hand!

 

[disneynutt1225]

We just got back on Saturday from an 8 day trip to WDW. They have these new (well, they weren't there on our last trip in April) glow necklaces as souvenirs. They are clear, and then you turn them on and they "flash" to different colors (red, green, and blue, I believe). These were HORRIBLE for my migraines. One night in Epcot, I got a really terrible migraine because there were so many people wearing these necklaces. I had to walk around wearing my sunglasses to downgrade the brightness of these things. They might not be a trigger for many, but flashy lights do it for me almost every time. I still love those fireworks shows though

 

[katedrew94]

Ugh. I get migraines, had one today and am now on drugs (imitrex with 2 fiorinal) so I may not be completely coherent.

For me, I have to have a little caffeine in the morning, eat regularly, and stay hydrated. One time last October I woke with a headache (those are the worst for me) and I took my meds, went back to sleep, and then sat in the hot tub with a jet on my shoulders. That helped a lot. I also take my own pillow (I have a tempurpedic) so my neck and shoulders don't have to adjust to a new one.

I don't get too much sleep when I am at WDW- I just don't need it- but if you do make sure to get it. I don't do well with naps, they give me headaches, but if I head off a migraine before it gets bad it usually helps.

I like the tip about heat on the feet and cold on the neck, I am going to have to try that.

 

[Big Fat Disney MaMa]

I was just wondering if any of my fellow sufferers have tried that new "head-on" product that you rub on your forehead? The advertise that it works for migraine sufferers. I haven't tried it but wondered if it worked for anyone else. I guess I am so used to what my triggers are and catching them early that I am afraid to vary my routine. Anyone?

 

[liveforthemagic]

I'm curious about that "head-on" stuff too.

Just remembered another trigger--sudden changes in weather. Here in Missouri, we can start the day at 70 and then drop to 50 by dinner time if a front comes through. I can always tell you when this is going to happen, cause I'll start with the preliminary symptoms. I'm pretty sure you're safe from drastic temp changes in Florida, but travelling from a colder climate to Florida might trigger something for some folks. I'm not sure.

 

[jojowentbyby]

I am a long time migrain sufferer. THe best advice I have from experience is STAY ON SITE. Meds can sometimes take hours to kick in. I did get one last year (after waiting an hour and 1/2 after our priority seating time to be seated). I did take the meds but migrains come on over a period of hours. It got worse after the meds and I went back to our hotel. I rested for 2 hours and was fine threst of the trip. With out meds mine get a little better with resting but can come and go for 6 days.

 

[joll43]

I'm a long-time sufferer as well. Just got back from our 8-day trip with no migraines!

The "migraine" versions of all the headache remedies (Excedrin, Motrin, etc.) are all the same as the regular versions - don't spend the extra $$!

For me, the sun is a huge trigger. I wore a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses the entire time, and they were my saving grace. I made sure to drink plenty of water and took some "preventative Advil" on days when I felt like I could easily end up w/a headache, and it worked. You just have to stay on top of how you're feeling.

That said, I agree with everyone else - the First-Aid stations at the parks are just top-notch.

Good luck!

 

[dznyacct]

I NEVER get a migraine when I 'm at WDW!! I usually get ~ 1 a month, but in the 25 + times I have been at WDW (a few times for 2 weeks), I have never had a migraine. I really think mine are stress induced (I used a food diary and there was no connection to any particular food) and who has stress at WDW, not me that's for sure! I always bring my Rx Midrin, "just in case", but the most I have ever needed is an Excedrin. Do you think I should just move to Orlando for "medical" reasons?!?!?!

 

[BlondeAlligator]

Water, water, water....I am pretty much guaranteed a headache if I don't drink enough water on a normal day. That goes double for an active day in the heat at Disney. Naps also help, but they are hard to come by for me when I am surrounded by so much fun stuff to do!

 

[DisneyMim]

I am a long time migraine sufferer so I understand completely. Everyone gave wonderful advise. Make sure she has her meds with her at all time and lots of water. I carry a bottle of water with me everywhere I go. I always make sure I get a non-smoking room as smoke can give me a terrible migraine. I second the Thermocare heat wraps. I've had migraines at Disney and have used these. I can remember sitting at Prime Time with one on my neck. By the end of the meal my migraine was gone, Disney magic?? As others said, eat right and don't skip meals. Another thing, some rides can trigger headaches. My son always gets a headache after riding Rockin' Roller Coaster. I wish he just wouldn't go on, but he loves the ride. Sometimes you don't know what will trigger a migraine, but if she can avoid any well-known triggers it will help. I hope you have a wonderful migraine-free vacation!!

 

[diswedwish]

I'm another long-time migraine sufferer. A few tips to add - make sure she brings enough meds. - just in case. Nothing is worse for me than when I reach for my Immitrex or Zomig and I only have 1 left I second asking for the Immitrex as a shot. It really isn't that scary and it does work much faster.

And as someone else said, vacation is not the time for drug experimentation... Right before our last trip, my neurologist wanted me to go on an epilepsy med. - not Topamax, I can't remember the name right now. My husband and parents suggested I wait until we returned. I was glad I did - it didn't do a thing for my headaches, but made me extremely light-headed.

Mine are triggered from hormones and stress (or more accurately, when the stress has stopped), and I have had a few when in Disney. Fortunately I get an aura and am warned with plenty of time for the drugs to work if I take them right away. I also do not mess around with other drugs first when on vacation - just the Immitrex or Zomig and a Naproxen and I know I'm almost guaranteed no pain. There's plenty of time to play with just Naproxen without the true migraine meds. when I'm at home. If I drink enough caffeine it usually counters the zombie effect of the Immitrex...

If she gets them a lot and you have time before your trip she might want to try taking something every day. I started a beta-blocker 2 months ago and I've gone from about 10-15/month to less than 5 (fingers-crossed).

Good luck and hopefully no one in your family will get any migraines while in Disney