Migraine sufferers: any tips?

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Another thread gave me this idea. My mother will be with us and she is a major migraine sufferer. Does anyone have any tips for her, aside from bringing her Imitrex?

Thanks

Shel

 

[Momof4girls]

YES!

Don't skip meals - eat when you normally eat at home. Avoid MSG (many chain restaurants and fast food put it in their stuff). Sleep the normal hours you sleep at home (MAJOR trigger for me).

Bring the Imitrex, but also try something over the counter first (like Excedrin). It won't leave you feeling as blah afterward.

I did fine on our last two trips - one headache one day - so I considered it a success, but I think it was because we were out late the night before.

 

[scouthawkk]

My main triggers are bright light and unexpected loud noises. Real good sunglasses and a hat with a brim (I usually wear a baseball cap). Also, proper hydration! And like previous poster said, keep as close to meal and sleep schedule as possible. The meal schedule is usually important for me. When it is hot outside, I am usually not hungry. I have to force myself to eat something every few hours just to keep sugar levels regular, even if I'm not hungry. If I don't, I get slammed hard! Not fun at all when on vacation!

I have also found recently that a stuffy nose/head have been added to my list of triggers. Took a while to figure that one out. Even if I can breath clear, my head sometimes gets stuffy. If I don't take a decongestent as soon as I ralize my head is foggy, I end up with a migraine.

The best advice I can give is talk to your mother. Find out if she has a list of triggers, and what she usually does to try to avoid them. If bright light does, try to stay in shade, wear hat and sunglasses. If loud noises, maybe bring along a supply of earplugs. If fireworks are in the plans, have her put the earplugs in prior to them starting. They won't block out all of the noise, but will reduce it to a point that should be ok. If she's not sure of the triggers, then she should really talk to her doctor to help try to figure them out (not just for the trip, but for everyday living and comfort). Might have to chart the migraines for time of day, what she was doing and what was going on around her. Any possible food triggers ? (My DH is allergic to onions-that is the only trigger for him, but man does he suffer with even the smallest piece of onion!)

If she usually has warning signs, make sure she tells you as soon as she can so you can take a break, she can take the meds or whatever. And most of all, relax and have a great trip. Don't push too hard, too much stress can also be bad!

 

[Amber's Mom]

I agree with Momof4girls. For me, the best thing I can do to avoid getting a migraine is to eat on a regular schedule, no skipping lunch or eating only cookies for dinner.

 

[TLC371]

I absolutely agree with what everyone said...I wanted to add too, make sure she drinks plenty of fluids--water, I know people say not to drink caffeine, but I know for me, I'm addicted to caffeine, and if I don't get at least one or two sodas in the day, it will set off a big time migraine with me.

 

[JERSEYDISFAN]

One more suggestion. If one hits her in the park, check the park map and immediately go to the nearest first aid station. It's air-conditioned, darker and the medical staff are very understanding about migraines and will allow a sufferer to lie down and take a nap. If you catch it quickly enough, this sometimes shortens the duration and effect.

 

[liveforthemagic]

Everybody has hit the nail on the head!

I suggest before the IMITREX trying Excedrin Migraine with a Coke to wash it down. It really does help quickly--especially if she takes it at the first sign. I didn't have one the whole week we were there--I think stress may be one major trigger that alot of us leave at home.


We brought munchies so that if you start to get hungry, you can at least put something in your stomach until you get through a line....I also try to eat pretzels or goldfish or something if I'm taking the Excedrin cause it is pretty harsh on your stomach.

I have also found that squinting in the sun for a long time doesn't help....sunglasses are key.

The best thing is that she knows you are concerned about her and will slow down if you have to until she feels better. Worrying about getting a migraine and affecting others' fun may actually bring one on for her....

 

[misslissa]

I am only 22 years old and have been suffering from migraines for a while. The first major one I had was on a romantic weekend away with my fiancee... we had a hotel, dinner and a show, everything... it is awful to get them on vacations.

I have tried using Imitrex and have had no luck. I use a prescription called Torodol. Usually what helps for me is a good nap with pitch dark and quiet.

I have also noticed that I have a lot of the same triggers that others do. I wear sunglasses, a hat... my eyes are really sensitive... so I got "transition" lenses when I wear glasses. Also, drinking a lot of water helps. Oh! And, does your mom have any weird things that trigger her? For me, an odd one is Greek food... it automatically gives me a headache!!! So, yes... I still eat it... but I just make sure I can have a nap later. Haha.

I also find that not getting enough Starbucks coffee in me... specifically some espresso... can make my head hurt. I think everyone is individual and has different triggers but we can just try our hardest to avoid them.

 

[northern michigan]

I absolutely agree with what everyone said...I wanted to add too, make sure she drinks plenty of fluids--water, I know people say not to drink caffeine, but I know for me, I'm addicted to caffeine, and if I don't get at least one or two sodas in the day, it will set off a big time migraine with me.

Yep, ditto for me! I'm addicted to diet coke! Thank goodness WDW is not tied to Pepsi...yuck! I'd have to make other vacation plans!

Mission Space is a trigger for my headaches! I have to finish the ride with Motrin and a Mickey bar! Seriously Mission Space is a problem for my head! It's not too good for my stomach either...that's what the Mickey bar is for.

 

[Robindianne]

I agree with the other posters and would add that Excederin for Migraines sometimes costs more than normal Excederin Ex Strength and if you read the labels both have exact same ingredients and quantities and strengths but ...Migraines is marketed to us desperate folks so they might zing us. Also, if you can't get that, aspirin plus tylenol plus strong coffee equals Excederin. Check for exact mgs but that's all Excederin is.

Also red dye can be a trigger so fruit pops, slushies, etc do it for me along w/ bright lights etc.

Oh btw, heat on feet (eg walking in sun on blacktop) and cold on head/neck (eg one of those cooling bands on head or neck) draws blood and pressure away from head and blood vessels so at my Drs suggestion I do that and it can sometimes help, especially if I catch it early as I'm just getting the numbness and visual disturbances.

Good luck and what a wonderful person you are for your mother.

 

[pooh4evr]

I also get severe migraines regularly (dizziness, nausea, shakes the works!)- we have tried several different meds- Maxalt is good as is relpax but for me the best is a nasal spary Zomig- knocks out the headache in around 30 minutes! I like it the best because it is the strongest and works the fastest! You may also want to try Topamax- you take it daily to keep the migraines from starting at all I recently started taking it and works great- and one of the side effects is weight loss!

 

[lucky978]

I know all about the fear of getting a migraine on vacation. For me, MSG is a huge trigger. If this is one for her, please be aware the Disney does not use MSG in ANY food. I've even eaten french onion soup in Disney and had no problems. It's one of my favorite foods but I usually can't eat it because of the beef bullion used is full of MSG. But no problems there!!!

Good luck with your vacation. I think if you plan ahead that there is a chance she could get one...she may not. If you're not prepared, that's when you can expect trouble.

And I have used the nurses at the parks before for my daughter's asthma. They were very accommodating. Put is in a room so she could take a nebulizer treatment (I brought the machine and her meds with me and kept them in a locker in case she needed it). Thankfully I did. They were very nice.

 

[TiffanyK]

I have migraines. Dr. prescribed Inderol (a blood pressure med) and it helped prevent them somewhat. What also has helped is taking Feverfew everyday. It's an herb that many take for migraines. You have to take it everyday and it takes about 6 weeks to really get into your system. It has helped me soooo much. I still have to take the Inderol with it. I tried to go off and feverfew by itself wasn't enough. Inderol by itself wasn't enough either. I used to have to take the migraine meds (Imitrex, Maxalt, etc) up to 3 times per week. Now I only need it once a month, sometimes not even that often. Advil will often get rid of my headaches now.

Sorry to rattle on, but I've found some relief and maybe it will work for others. Hope your mother has a migrain free trip.

 

[Jennasis]

I just returned am a newely diagnosed migraine sufferer. We tried putting me on Verapamil (a blood pressure med) which didn't really work even when we doubled the dose, we tried a Medrol dose pack (prednisone...worked fabulous but the headaches returend about two weeks after the pack was done), I take Relpax as a rescue and it works fairly well (just took one 15 minutes ago). The Dr. just put me on Topamax (it takes 4 weeks to titrate up to the right doasge so I'm hoping it'll work. He calls it the miracle migraine drug).

What really helped me at WDW was the Scopolamine patche for motion sickness. If I could cut down on anything making me dizzy or nauseasous, I was fine. For the first 4 days of having the patch on I was awesome! I rode everything without any problems. Even Space Mountain normally makes me pukey. By the fourth day it was time to put a fresh patch on (they last 3 days each) and I noticed a little discomfort in my head...nothing huge. By the last day I had taken two Relpax and was still doing relatively ok.

Tell Mom to identify and avoid her migraine triggers whatever they may be. Keep herself hydrated and cool. Wear sunglasses if possible. I can't wear a hat because the pressure of anything on my head causes a migraine!

 

[disneygoof]

Bananas. Sometimes migraines can be triggered by a potassium deficiency, so a quick banana at the first twinge can stop one dead for me. If you know ahead of time where bananas are available (MK-Toontown, MGM-On the boulevard that leads to ToT, etc.) you'll be at the ready.

I also echo those who have said hats and sunglasses. I also think that rides with strobe lights may have warnings now? If not, and that's a trigger for her maybe she could ask the CM's as she enters the rides.

Finally, I'm an Imitrex user, and I don't think I'd mess around with my meds before a Disney trip. Migraine meds can pack a mighty powerful punch and I'd hate for her to be downed with nausea, dizziness, or drowsiness when the Imitrex might have done the trick. She knows her body is accustomed to the medication.

Good luck!

 

[Momof4girls]

I just wanted to add, that if she's used to taking the Imitrex now is not the time to try a new med. The last thing you want is for her to have an adverse reaction on vacation.

She might also, if she's on pills, want to request one or two Imitrex auto injectors - they're very easy to use and work almost instantly (so you don't have to wait for the systemic pills to get through the entire system 20-45 minutes).

It's funny someone mentioned Starbucks - I find that a venti iced mocha (or frappuccino), which has three shots in it is the perfect amount of caffeine for me to knock out a migraine. Excedrin tears up my stomach, too - so I can't/don't take it often. But, when I first get one, if I LOAD UP on the caffeine it works perfectly.

There are about 150 mg of caffeien in Excedrin, which is about the same. Since caffeine is a vaso-constrictor, it constricts the blood vessels that are spasming in the head (that cause the migraine pain). Controlling the vessels is key to relieving the pain - ask any migraine sufferer when they're in the throws of a headache and they can point to the Exact vessel that's acting up - it's bizarre but you can feel it quite specifically.

Anyway - I hope all of this helps your Mom, and hopefully she won't feel icky on the trip. My aunt (I'm 3rd generation migraine sufferer) had to sit out one day of the trip with her DH when they went down the first time. She just stayed at the hotel until she was feeling better, then had some down time at the pool, relaxing. Being sympathetic to this and offering to give her some time in peace and quiet in her room with those awesome room-darkening shades might be the recipe for relief for her. You can always call her midday and see if you can go back and have lunch in the resort together - or meet up for dinner

 

[Experiment113]

Thermocare Heat Wraps! We were at Disney 2 weeks ago and I had a migraine one day. A microwaved towel usually helps my head. Back at our room, I opened 2 of those heat wraps and put one on my forehead and one on the back of my neck. It really helped!

 

[Luv4Disney]

YES!

Don't skip meals - eat when you normally eat at home. Avoid MSG (many chain restaurants and fast food put it in their stuff). Sleep the normal hours you sleep at home (MAJOR trigger for me).

Bring the Imitrex, but also try something over the counter first (like Excedrin). It won't leave you feeling as blah afterward.

I did fine on our last two trips - one headache one day - so I considered it a success, but I think it was because we were out late the night before.

Yes. That's what I do as well. I think MSG is one of my major problems, although I still don't really know what triggers then. If I don't eat, I also get them. I don't use Imitrex, but Excedrin Migraine. This may sound weird, but the smell of peppermint helps ease the pain. I bought some stuff at Bath and Body Works that smells like peppermint. You're supposed to put it on your temples during a headache. It didn't totally relieve it, but it certainly did help! I also wrap ice in a towel and hold it against my head.

 

[Big Fat Disney MaMa]

I totally agree with Disneygoof. Last year I switched from Imitrex to Zomig right before my trip and I had really bad side effects. If she is used to the Imitrex then she should stay on it and maybe switch after the trip. That said, unless I wake up with a full-blown Migraine, I can feel them coming. She should heed these warnings and make sure to sit, drink fluids (caffeine seems to help most of us), but also water to keep hydrated and if possible go back to the room take her meds and nap. It is better to leave the fun briefly to take care of the problem before it hits than to try to get out from under a full episode later.

She'll be fine though, I have no doubt. Even with heat and crowds I can't think of a more magical place to be and that usually keeps my migraines at bay!

Good Luck!

 

[Dsnymouse]

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!