Migraines in the parks

[lovethattink]

I get both hemiplegic migraines and classic migraines. There are a whole host of triggers for me at WDW. My main ones are flashing lights, stress, low blood sugar, dehydration and hormonal. We have PAP's and are at WDW frequently. I just know when to close my eyes during attractions, (the biggest attraction culprit is The Universe of Energy due to flashing lights.) When I get a hemiplegic migraine, I just have to let it take it's course. Just about any type of migraine medicine is contraindicated in that type of headache. When I get a classic migraine, I take a zomig and with in an hour it's gone! For the nausea I carry phenergan with me at all times, (the tablets since they don't require refrig). My headaches have been so wacky since I had my son last April. We just stopped nursing and my hormones are so out of wack. I'm afraid to drive far by myself. I had a hemiplegic one recently when I took ds(11) and the baby to Red Lobster. Took 45 minutes of visual zigzags and numbness on my hands, arms, face, gums before it subsided.






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[scakul]

When a migraine hits, nothing but a nap works for me. However, I have found that when I am in the parks in the summer, I get migraines more frequently. But I seem to get fewer or less severe migraines when I wear a hat and drink lots of water. It doesn't always work but I've definitely noticed a difference since I have been doing this.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Wow, you got menengitis and it cured your migraines, might be something the medical profession could look into.

I get sinus headaches that trigger migraines, and god does it suck. I always make sure I have my sinus pills with me, and an Imitrex. I know that if I feel one coming on, I will drink a coke, and take my sinus pills, saving the imitrex for the last possible moment. Hopefully it breaks the cycle.

If I start with a visual migraine, my sight is stolen and the pain comes on it's heels so I'm done for. I end up in bed for the day or longer.

I'm sorry that there are so many of us here that suffer from migraines. I hope that no one suffers from one while in the parks, that would be truly miserable.

 

[Yak]

When I get them, they're so painful I can't lay down, I have to sit up, preferably in a recliner with my feet up. If I lay down, I can't get comfortable. I'm almost writhing around from the pain. One big trigger for me... travel. So wish me luck. If I wake up feeling even remotely "funky", I pop an Advil or Aleve or 2. If I wait until the pain sets in, it's too late. I don't know what I'd do in WDW, probably ride around on the monorail for a few hours.

 

[trappednabox]

Glad to know I'm not the only one worried about this!!!! I have to remember my excedrine, & will remember to keep a coke with me at all times! (what else is new) Can't believe I never thought of using them together. I always take them with water. Anyway, what type of perscriptions do you take for your migraines? My dr. perscribed Imatrex, but I can't take it. It made me crazy!!! My limbs got heavy, I was walking slow, and my speach was soooo slurred, everyone thought I was Drunk at work!! Since then, I just stick with excedrine!!

 

[rcraw45425]

Maxalt is great, I have also tried the Imitrex tablets. My old standby however is Goody powders with a caffeinated soda. It has taken me up until about 6 months ago to bea ble to pour them onto my tongue like most "grown ups" , for the longest time I had to mix them with Sunny delight. Anyway I finally grew up and started taking them the Real way. I have also had success with the Excedrin migraine and the melting ones also. The ceffeine seems to relieve mine, I bet they'd really work with a Mountain Dew!

 

[SueM in MN]

I would go to the First aide Station first, but also the baby care stations might be a wonderful spot since they are cool and good for a nursing area. Perhaps this would be an alternative area if you could not get to the First Aide.

First Aid Staions are right next to or near to the Baby Care Stations in the parks.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Excederin Migraine is wonderful. When I get severe ones (I'm like you and don't get nausea, just blurred vision, horrible headache, and as DH puts it, GRUMPY!) I can take up to 3 of them. If I take 3 right away (I asked my doctor and he recommended this actually) it stops it in it's track, I duck into the nearest bathroom (since it's a bit darker) or nearest store, shaded bench, etc. Depending upon where I go I splash water on my face, use DH as a pillow (lying on the park bench), or stand in a corner while DH purouses the store and close my eyes. Theres always the line for indoor rides as well, we often duck into those as well then. (Fortunately I dont get them often.) This works pretty well, hopefully you won't get any while there though!

 

[qtwns]

I get sinus headaches that trigger migraines, and god does it suck. I always make sure I have my sinus pills with me, and an Imitrex. I know that if I feel one coming on, I will drink a coke, and take my sinus pills, saving the imitrex for the last possible moment. Hopefully it breaks the cycle.


OMG!!! Eureka!!!I am a life-long, full-blown migraine sufferer and have battled severe sinus headaches as an adult (sinus surgery helped, but they are getting worse.) Lately I have had a hard time determining the difference between my migraines and sinus headaches b/c both make me so sick. Your post caused a light bulb to go off! This is what is happening to me!!! The sinus is triggering the migraines! Thanks for your post. Now I know I'm not nuts. I keep my sinus pills with me as well as my advil liqui-gels (my doc says they work faster and recommended a 1200mg OTC dose for me--please don't try this w/o your drs. advice!!) I also have my migraine meds, too.

Can someone please tell me the magic of Excedrine Migraine? Is it caffeine? This would be good to know in the case I don't have my meds w/me. Thanks!

 

[nativetxn]

I learned the hard way, that if I don't wear polarized sunglasses, I get awful migraines.

 

[copper0426]

I just told my husband, I can't believe there are that many of us that get these migraines. Mine starts with vision where I have a spot missing in my vision, then it is like I've looked into a light bulb and see the filiment all over the place, then comes the pain, then the nausea. Mine come from a combination of thins, nerves, blood sugar and lack of sleep are just some of the reasons I get mine. I try and eat a banana or have orange juice along with taking excederin or motrin. A long time ago, my optometrist SP? said I have migrane symplex and that I can only put Ice on my head and lay down in a dark area. I put Ice directly where it hurts and freeze it away if I am at home.

The strange thing is last week I was tallking on the phone feeling good, then walked into my room to fold clothes and bamm one hit. Couldn't figure out why I got that one.

I will definately keep the 1st aid stations in mind while at Disney. Thanks

Diane

 

[bridgettesmom]

Migraines..ugh!! I get them often too.I usually take Advil Migraine and they don't help.... First thing tommorow,I'm getting some Excedrin Migraine!!

Thanks!!

 

[jenr812]

Migraines..ugh!! I get them often too.I usually take Advil Migraine and they don't help.... First thing tommorow,I'm getting some Excedrin Migraine!!

Thanks!!

Definitely get the excedrin migraine - the advil doesn't do anything!

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I've suffered with migraines off and on for years. But, something really strange happened to me recently. I bought a treadmill about a month ago and realized that when I worked out hard I would get a migraine. I had 4 in 2 weeks time. I did some research on webmd and found out that I get exercised induced migraines . At this point, it became necessary to go to the doctor and start migraine prevention meds.

I am on Inderal and have been able to exercise without the tightening feeling in my head....Also, no migraines.

Good luck to you all out there. They are terrible but eating something, anything, at first sign does help.

 

[Shagley]

Wow, I didn't realize there were so many of us that suffered from migraines. Does anyone else get weather related migraines? I seem to get really bad ones when the weather is changing, and it is becoming overcast and rainy. My Doctor said that he hadn't heard of changes in weather causing migraines, but it gets me every time. I also get migraines from being over stimulated, so I am preparing for the worst while at WDW. I am going to keep my imitrex handy, take a zip lock baggie in case I need to get some ice to put on my head, and make sure I drink plenty of water. I didn't realize until just recently that dehydration was a trigger for me.

Odd things that trigger my migraines (in addition to all the "normal" things)...

weather
over ripe bananas
artificial cheese flavoring (on crackers and snack mixes)
flowery smells (aromatherapy would kill me)
yogurt
artificial sweetners (especially aspartame / nutrasweet)

What are your odd migraine triggers?

 

[MickeyMouth]

I'm also a member of the migraine club. Mine are mostly menstrual migraines. However, some other triggers are stress, lack of sleep, eye strain and neck pain. Sometimes, if i'm lucky, I will get the visual aura before the migraine. Unfortunately I can't take any preventative meds or meds like imitrex. If I can catch it early, I'll take a Fiorocet with an Advil and drink a coke. If it's a really bad one with nausea, I take Fiorocet with codeine and Phenergan (for the nausea), put a heating pad on my head and sleep for a couple of hours. Many people do not understand how horrible a migraine can be. Fortunately, I have never had one at WDW.

 

[DisneyMim]

WOW!!! I can't believe either that so many of us have migraines. It certainly helps me to know that I am not alone. I've had them since I had my son (he is 16). Mostly they are hormonal, but I do get weather related ones too. Like Mary Poppins, mine come when the wind changes, that is, when the weather changes.

Yes I have had them at Disney. Many times. What doI do? Different things. I first try Exedrin Migraine. Coke/coffee. I will sit down somewhere quiet and let my husband and kids go on a ride. Sometimes I do have to just stay in the room and lie down, not all the way flat like another poster said, but with lots of pillows. I also have tried ice and/or heat. Believe it or not I have bought those heat wrap things and put one on the back of my neck where the pain is the worse and go around with that on. Sometimes it helps. I think that the first aid station might help you as you say most of yours go away within 30 minutes or so. I've been in them and they are comfy. It really is something you have to experiment with. Migraines can knock you for a loop, I know. Some of mine have lasted 5-6 days. It can totally wipe out a vacation. I hope all goes well with you and everyone here who has migraines.

Good Luck!

 

[DiznEeyore]

What a great thread -- full of lots of good advice, and I don't feel so alone anymore! I get monster migraines, triggered by sinuses (have chronic sinus infections) and stress which are exacerbated by meds that I have to take.

And it always seems that on our travel days, I end up with a really bad one. Our first day at WDW is always a bust because as soon as we check into the resort, I'm lying on the floor of the room with a pillow. I'm thinking those are due to the stress and conditions of flying, 'cuz I haven't gotten them when we've driven.

For everyone that swears by Excedrin Migraine, I'm guessing that caffeine is one of the major ingredients? I'm really sensitive to caffeine (minor heart palpitations) but I almost think it would be worth it if it would knock out a migraine ...

 

[Aimee K]

I am not a physician, or a nurse, but have suffered diagnosed migraines and have studied them extensively as a massage therapist. This is not medical advice. (enough disclaimer ?)

I began getting classic and hemi migraines during my first pregnancy. It's important that you discuss your headaches with your doctor. Many people who suffer 'migraines' have really bad headaches, but not migraines. Migraines sometimes mimic other conditions, so it's important that you see a doctor qualified to diagnose migraines and rule out some other more serious conditions before you take even OTC medications.

I thought I was having a stroke when I first got a migraine. I still do sometimes. I get ocular disturbances, paralysis to one side of my face and one hand, I lose the ability to form complete sentances, then lose speech altogether for about 15 minutes. These symptoms quietly go away after about 40 minutes, and then if I'm lucky I'll just have what I call an 'imprint headache'. Kind of like a shadow of the full blown one sided pain I sometimes get which can last 2 or more days.

I have personally had GREAT experience with acupuncture. After about 6 treatments, I was migraine free for almost two years. They are brought on by hormones in my case. (and bad flourescent lights) I have begun to get them again, so it's time to see the Acupuncture Physician again! I have a script for imatrex, and doc reccommended asprin therapy as a preventative. I'd rather go the Acu route though.

 

[londonpenguin]

Wow! So much good information ... and so many sufferers!

I haven't been able to figure out what my triggers are. The one I got the other day happened while I was just standing in the bus tunnel waiting for the bus ... just like I do every evening. I got one once during my lunch hour: I was reading my book and glanced up when someone walked by me. Wham! Electrified snakes for half an hour. In fairly close succession, I got one when I was bending over putting lotion on my legs, and I got one after I had bent over to pick up my cat. I refused to bend over for two weeks! I've gotten them while out for a stroll; I've gotten them while sitting at my desk doing nothing. I would be so happy to figure out my triggers.

At least they don't last very long ... I feel like such a whiner compared to those of you who have multi-day migraines. Ugghh! I feel sick just thinking about it.