Migraine suffers what rides to avoid a migraine attack

[Tigger&Belle]

If it's getting dizzy that she should avoid Mission to Space for sure. Possibly other simulators, too. Of course Rock N Roller coaster could make a person dizzy. I got a migraine last month on the Hulk at Unversal because my head got bumped around (that had never happened and I took migraine meds pronto). Some people get migraines from flashing lights. I normally get migraines from getting too hungry, eating chocolate, drinking alcohol, bumping my head, etc, etc. It has gotten worse the last few years and it worse during certain times of the month.

T&B

 

[sweetp0618]

I got a migraine from riding on BTMR. I love the ride, but it makes me feel like my brain is rattling around in my skull.

As for Imitrex injection, if your DD is squeemish or scared of the pain, there is a topical gel (prescription only) called EMLA that can be used to numb the skin before giving/taking the injection. The only problem is that it takes a while for the gel to work and it is well documented that the earlier you take Imitrex (or a similar "triptan" drug), the faster it works and the more effective it will be.

I also agree with other posters, that I am more prone to getting a migraine when my blood sugar is low--if your daughter has that problem, make sure she's loaded up on protein (nuts, cheese, jerky, etc.) all day, she stays hydrated and as cool as possible, and doesn't consume sweets unless she has protein loaded first. The worst thing to do when you have low blood sugar is to consume sweets without having protein on board to attenuate the dramatic rise (then crash) in blood sugar.

Good luck.
sweetp0618

 

[sm4987]

I haven't been on a ride yet that has triggered a migraine. The sun, sometimes the food smells, but not a ride. Have you ever been on a ride that triggered a migraine? If so, then maybe while you are at Disney, you should avoid those types of rides.

 

[Carlnne]

I agree about Disney Quest- I lost a whole day due to a few hours there. I think it was a combination of lights, noise, and smells that triggered it. I can handle just about any ride but will not return to DQ.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I take my Imitrex (pills... I use strenghts ranging from 25 mg to 100 mg...have all 3) prior to going to the parks because I know they will start. I close my eyes while going thru the blinking lights on rides. I still end up getting one the next day (but normally not during that day) when I wake up....almost like a hang over. I take my Imitrex (stongest strenght), drink lots of coffee & eat some chocolate (don't laugh...it really works) then I am good as new for another day..... what I go thru to ride rides!!!!

 

[conny264]

Hello from Germany.

I suffered forom migraineattacs since I was 14(now 38),One thing that helped me ,was seeing a neurologist who gave me a new medicine with an ingridient called Triptane.It comes in different brands and taking it as soon as the slightest sign of an attack help immensly.
Also Accupuncture sessions prior to a trip.
As far as the rides,I would skip this motion rides like dinosaur,Body wars and Star wars.
Really important is a lot of liquid and eating in intervalls.Sometimes a coke can do magic because of the sugar and caffeine,but not to much.And covering your head from the sun!
Hope,it helped a little.I´m so excited,that I´m going to be at WDW in 25 days and having to lay down in a dark room with a cold washcloth on my face is not to appealing.I really hope she will enjoy your trip and have a lot of fun.
Lots of greetings from germany
conny264

 

[cottontail]

Hi Mickeyfan: That is a good strategy, she usually takes a graval type med, I think it is called something like Bromine(dosen't make her sleepy)

Hi Germany: She has maxalt and zomig I think they are triptans, but I keep on her that the minute the headache starts she has to get these into her, that is key with migraines or it will take over. It is hard to hold off the ones that develop during sleep and she wakes up with them, they usually do her in for a couple of days.

Thanks everyone for your tips,

Deb.

 

[scootron]

Deb,
My DH is a migraine suffferer. I hadn't thought about rides being a trigger. Thanks for the heads up. Also, thanks to all who offered suggestions. Our family wants to be together in the parks, not in the parks wishing DH was with us. Now, we'll be better prepared.

 

[ptrbryant]

Hello, cottontail!
My DH used to get (like for 14 years) horrible migraines weekly. He'd developed rebound headaches form all the meds, esp. Imitrix, etc.. Now, he gets occasional headaches, but the ones that make him bedridden are down to about 1 every 3 months. His breakthrough has been taking blood pressure medication. He doesn't have high blood pressure, but it works somehow!

One thing I wanted to mention, esp. since you're form Canada, is that the very bright Florida sunshine can trigger headaches. As a "preventative", we've always stayed at Wilderness Lodge. It's lower lighting and quiet, laid-back environment really balance out the busy hours at the parks. My DH swears staying at WL is what's kept him from having headaches with all the brightness and stimuli at WDW, so we've never tried anywhere else. I think AK would be similar.
Have a great time!
Karla B.

 

[cottontail]

Hi Karla:

If you don't mind me asking which blood pressure med is he on. My daughter was on nadalol for 3 yrs it worked but at the end quit working. I take atenolol for my blood pressure, and have very few migraines, at my 49 yrs young, but used to get really bad ones.

So that was another option to try another beta blocker (blood pressure med) This topamax that she started a month ago is giving her terrible upset stomach, as she increases the dose.

I wonder if the wilderness lodge helps your hubby also because of all the oxygen the trees and plants around there are giving off, they say trees help cut air polution. Just a thought.

We are going to either riverside alligat bayou or port orleans french quarter. and then to the poly. But I am wondering if the akl will be better cause there is so much she can view from inside in the air conditioning, but then the kids will have to pay the 25.00 each (really 33.00 canadian extra with our exchange, so that extra charge adds up)which in a moderate resort, they opted to have their own room rather than pay the extra person fee for all in one room.

Take care,

Deb.

 

[NotUrsula]

I don't think your choice of resort will matter all that much, but I would request to be on the "quiet" end of things; if she does need to rest in the dark, lots of people running by your room would not help. A hat and a good pr. of sunglasses will protect her eyes just as well as a dimly-lit resort. Have her wear her sunglasses on a croaky so that she has them ready at all times; kids WILL forget to wear sunglasses. Oh, and I forgot to say earlier, I second the nuts. Unless she's allergic, nuts are the best snack for a migraineur to have handy. I always keep a little ziploc of shelled pecans with me when I travel.

Calan (verapamil), which helped me, is most commonly used to treat angina. I took it for 3 years, and then was able to stop taking it with no ill effects. I actually do not regularly get migraines anymore, though I still do my best to avoid triggers and carry Imitrex just in case. I LOVE my neurologist; the man is a miracle worker.

 

[kaguilbeau]

I don't have an answer for you about the rides, but I do have to ask these posters that have children with migraines a question. My son (7) has had migraines for about 3 years. His dad has them too (since he was a teen).

The only medicine DS7 takes is Advil (200mg). I've wanted to take him to see a neurologist, but didn't know if they would prescribe anything stronger for him at that young age. One minute he is fine, the next minute he says his head hurts, and 10 minutes later, he is throwing up. Ten minutes after he throws up, he feels much better. They don't always come on this fast, but I was curious. If the nausea is from the pain, and the child throws up, how does that make the pain go away? We've entered restaurants before, and before we were seated, he has asked to leave because it is too loud.

Good luck to the OP on your trip. I can see how the other poster thinks WL is soothing. Sometimes my DH and DS7, choose just to spend the day at Fort Wilderness, just to have that downtime.

 

[cottontail]

My daughter was given a drug preventative called sandomigrain but she was in her teens by that time. But she has had migraines since about 3 or 4 and would throw up with it.

My brother is like your son, he used to get a terrible headache, throws up and it eases like a relief. My daughter would throw up several times but did not get better would have to sleep for the night and the next day was wiped from all the throwing up.

It wouldn't hurt to take him to a neurologist to see how you can help him.

I have lived with this condition all of my life and now my daughter and son have it, it is like a curse you cannot make plans because you never know when you will get another attack.

Deb.

 

[diswedwish]

kaguilbeau - It's worth it to ask your doctor about recommending a neurologist, they'd be the ones to know what if anything is safe for your son to take. I started mine fairly young, and just suffered with them for a while since they only came about 4 times/year. When they came with more regularity and I was older, off to a neurologist I went. Before I started taking prescription meds for them, I used to throw up and feel better, I don't know why either but that's how they work for me

Another preventative med. that my neurologist prescribed is Tofranil - not a migraine drug either. It's actually an anti-depressant that's been around for a while and is used for a lot of other things too. I'm on half the dosage that they normally prescribe for depression. That's worked pretty well too, it just takes a few weeks until you notice a difference.

Zomig is the only triptan that works with relative consistancy for me, although I still need the Naproxen (prescrip. strength) with it. So I take both at the start and that works. It just takes time to experiment with different combinations (neurologist-approved of course) and doses to find what works.

Good luck!!

 

[ptrbryant]

Hi, cottontail,

Okay, I checked with my DH and he takes Toprol XL (extended release) , which is a beta blocker. He's very susceptible to nausea and said it's never given him any trouble.

Take care!
Karla B.

 

[Gem85]

Mission Space gave me a headache

 

[DisneyMim]

I too suffer from migraines, so I know and really feel for your child. I don't get them on rides because I am very careful of what I go on, but I can tell you that smoke is a huge deal for me. I always ask for a non-smoking room and cannot stand anyone around me smoking. I do want to mention that me son (who does not get migraines, but does get headaches) got a headache from rock-n-roller coaster.

Hope you have a Wonderful Migraine-free vacation!!

 

[100AcreMom]

The ride that always sets off my headaches is the Tomorrowland Speedway. The combination of the noise, the smell of the fumes and the ride itself guarantee a headache. I don't ride it anymore.(believe me, no great loss! )

 

[cottontail]

Yes, when my kids were younger they always wanted to do that one, and again migraines would come. We stay away from that one now.

I knew from when I was a kid at carnavals that would arrive in my town, I could not take the gas engines or whatever they were the fumes from them.

Deb.

 

[scootron]

DH takes a combination of several meds as a daily migraine prentative: Topamax(anti-seizure med), Immopran XL(Blood pressure med) and Amytriptyline (anti-depressant). When he feels one coming on, he either takes Zomig or Maxalt, and uses Roxicet as a pain reliever. He has lots of triggers: low pressure weather systems, MSG, getting too hot, bright sunlight.... We're hoping for sunny skies (high pressure systems), but he'll be wearing sunglasses and hats, and trying to keep cool on our upcoming trip in May. Good luck to you--sending pixie dust your way. Send some our way in May!!