Killer migraines

RenoisPrettierThanYou · October 2013

I get migraines.... a lot. I have a neurologist, and she's trying to medically help me. But, I wonder about alternative help, like accupucture or, hell, at this point I'll buy a magic hazelwood bracelet. Anyone have any experiences with non-traditional health treatments or "magic" they'd like to share? I'm at the end of my rope.

cloudymeatballs · October 2013

RenoisPrettierThanYou said:

I get migraines.... a lot. I have a neurologist, and she's trying to medically help me. But, I wonder about alternative help, like accupucture or, hell, at this point I'll buy a magic hazelwood bracelet. Anyone have any experiences with non-traditional health treatments or "magic" they'd like to share? I'm at the end of my rope.

Sent you a PM...

Leftie22 · October 2013

The only thing that really works for me is drinking an ice-cold Coke. I've had migraines since I was little, and it's all that works. A temporary relief measure that works for me (for some weird reason) is a pressure point someone once taught me. It only works while I'm pressing it, though, but nice for a minute of relief. You feel along the right side of your nose until you can feel the point where your nasal bone ends. Press gently just above that. It's kind of Iike magic for me, because it really does stop the pain. But like I said, only while I'm pressing it.

Sorry you're suffering.

TarponMonoxide · October 2013

I feel for ya. I just had an all day headache, too.

What about acupuncture? Have you looked into that?

arhayden1 · October 2013

Regular massage and exercise helped me. I think for the stress relief. But I also suspect mine are hormone related because being on birth control makes a big difference

RenoisPrettierThanYou · October 2013

Yeah, I intend to check into acupuncture. My PA told me though that massages can actually trigger migraines in some people because of the acid release...and, I think I'm one of those people

arhayden1 · October 2013

That sux I'm sorry

Sillygirl45 · October 2013

Do you have a pain clinic (or even better, a head pain clinic) in your area? Request a referral if you do. I'm so sorry you're going through this. My mom is a chronic migraine patient (like almost daily for the past 30 years). It is awful.

Rainzzzy · October 2013

Botox. It is injected into various places of the scalp and is effective enough that a decent number if insurance companies cover it for this purpose.

erollis · October 2013

Is it environmentally related in any way? I get migraines if the barometric pressure changes to dramatically and quickly. Thankfully this doesn't happen to often where I live. I've always had this.

Another factor was the building I went to school in had this "chemical", "hospital" smell that made me have migraines every single day. They were worse when I was in the school building. I quite going to that school and my constant migraines went away. So did the other symptoms that went with it.

The last factor was getting my diet in order. I eat improperly/ to much gluten I get a headache.

Drinking Coke helps because of the caffeine. It's a temporary relief I used frequently to make it through my classes. Never used acupuncture but I hear it works. Pressure points and massages also help temporarily.

RenoisPrettierThanYou · October 2013

erollis, those are interesting points. My last migraine, which lasted 10 days, occurred when I was in flight traveling back to the country. So the pressure aspect might have been why that one was so severe. I've been exploring new diets as well. I went gluten free a while ago for about 8 months, but saw no difference. There's a "headache" diet I'm reading about that may be worth a try, but it nixes ALL caffeine, which is however I get little bits of reliefe like a lot of you.

flounder31 · October 2013

I tried acupuncture for my migraines ( I get them 4-6 times a month) and it's been AMAZING. You need to at least try it.

shytown1552 · October 2013

Hello, I have suffered from migraines for about 6 yrs now after a softball accident. I had them about 5 days a week and actually had 13 day stretch where I ended up passing out and had to go to the hospital. Im not big on taking a pill every day. However now I feel so much better. I see the chiropractor about 2 times a month sometimes less. In the beginning I seen him about 2 times a week for 2 months. He does my neck, back (lower and upper), and my shoulder from softball. Honestly the moment after he does his thing it is instant relief. I can honestly tell when I am out of place and have a better sense of my body. Working out also helps. A combination of chiropractor and working out have done miracles to my daily life. I also have Rizatriptan for the headaches that may pop up. That pill is just for when I can feel a headache coming on. If it doesnt work then I can take another one in two hours and most of the time that does the trick. I wish you the best of luck with your migraines.

erollis · October 2013

RenoisPrettierThanYou said:
erollis, those are interesting points. My last migraine, which lasted 10 days, occurred when I was in flight traveling back to the country. So the pressure aspect might have been why that one was so severe. I've been exploring new diets as well. I went gluten free a while ago for about 8 months, but saw no difference. There's a "headache" diet I'm reading about that may be worth a try, but it nixes ALL caffeine, which is however I get little bits of reliefe like a lot of you.

I cut out almost all caffeine from my diet. It did provide me temporary relief but was actually causing me more harm in the long run.
I hope you find a combination of things (diet/ meds/ exercise /etc.) that work well for you.

Leftie22 · October 2013

erollis said:

erollis, those are interesting points. My last migraine, which lasted 10 days, occurred when I was in flight traveling back to the country. So the pressure aspect might have been why that one was so severe. I've been exploring new diets as well. I went gluten free a while ago for about 8 months, but saw no difference. There's a "headache" diet I'm reading about that may be worth a try, but it nixes ALL caffeine, which is however I get little bits of reliefe like a lot of you.
I cut out almost all caffeine from my diet. It did provide me temporary relief but was actually causing me more harm in the long run. I hope you find a combination of things (diet/ meds/ exercise /etc.) that work well for you.

I also did this and my migraines haven't occurred as often. I do drink coke if I feel one coming on, though. I also got tons of I migraines while I was transitioning off caffeine, but in the end, it was worth it!! I also have to keep my sleep schedule pretty strict, no sleeping in.

I love it, but going to bed too late or waking up too late also triggers awful migraines for me. I hope you find something that helps!

RenoisPrettierThanYou · November 2013

Thanks, Leftie

hiketheworld · November 2013

My migraines increased in frequency over the years, from rarely getting them, to 3-4 days a week. I went in to the doctor for a different reason and began discussing them with the nurse who was taking my vitals. She told me that birth control can often trigger migraines and having migraines plus being on birth control pills, particularly as I got older could be risky. I decided to stop bc as an experiment and sure enough, over the course of the next few months, the frequency of my migraines decreased. It's been at least two years since I took any bc and my migraines are now maybe once or twice a month and the really bad ones are quite rare. If you are on bc, I would seriously consider stopping it to see if that helps. That nurse changed my life, no doctor had ever told me my migraines may be caused by the bc.

RenoisPrettierThanYou · November 2013

I actually had never heard that before...as my as I love my BC, I could give it up to cut down on my migraines. I see my neurologist in December and will definitely discuss it with her. Thank you!

TarponMonoxide · November 2013

erollis said:

Drinking Coke helps because of the caffeine. It's a temporary relief I used frequently to make it through my classes. Never used acupuncture but I hear it works. Pressure points and massages also help temporarily.

Get some Coca Cola syrup from a pharmacist; see if that helps, also. THey used to give it for nausea; see if it will help your headache.

erollis · November 2013

TarponMonoxide said:

Get some Coca Cola syrup from a pharmacist; see if that helps, also. THey used to give it for nausea; see if it will help your headache.

Thank you. I'll be sure to inquire about it.

Erikan73 · November 2013

Not sure if this fits your situation but I had a friend who suffered from migraines for a very long time and on a regular basis. She tried massage therapy, stopping caffine, she tried going gluten free and other things too. After years of working with doctors they finally came up with the cause of her migraines....her boobs. She was doing well size wise and then had kids and became even larger in the chest. Turns out the weight of her boobs was pulling on her shoulder & neck muscles (even with a good bra) the and tension on those muscles is what caused the migraines. The weight was so intense she actually got indents from her bra straps. So after a few months she finally got approval to have a reduction done. She is happier, walking more straight up & her migraines are better too. I don't think she's had any since the surgery.

RenoisPrettierThanYou · November 2013

Thanks...but this could not possibly apply to me LOL. I appreciate your attempt to help though

MariaBend25 · December 2013

Have you ever looked at diet? I get horrible headaches almost every other day and most of the time I notice it is because I did not drink enough water, did not eat big enough meals ect. Sometimes I feel it coming on, realize I havent had anything to drink, and gulp down water and take 3 ibuprofin. If I act early enough i might curb it or at least prevent it from getting worse. If I don't catch it in time because of work ect, I can't stand any source of light, get nauseous, and it only goes away after drinking a bunch of water and getting a full night's sleep.

NavyBlue143 · December 2013

Mine were a hormone imbalance. They started around puberty, and no medicine or doctor could help me. For years, nothing worked. My PCP just threw vicoden at me and gave up. Then I was diagnosed with PCOS, put on BC and a testosterone blocker, and migraines stopped. Point is, often migraines are the body's way of saying something is off. Have you had a full blood panel done?

Also, peppermint and clove oils really help me. Rub a drop on your temple and your feet. Plus you also smell awesome.

RenoisPrettierThanYou · December 2013

NavyBlue...thanks for the post. The thought of aromatic oils scares me though - many smells set off a migraine within seconds.

I think I may have found a solution for myself though...at least I hope so. My neurologist put me on neurontin. I had no hopes for this drug at all. But, I've found I've only had two migraines since I started it 3 weeks ago. It's amazing the change it's made. I had no idea I could be a normal person again. It makes me groggy in the morning and I have noticed I'm searching my words at times, but so worth it.

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