I use a cheap, old medication called Elavil, 40 mg at night, to prevent migraines. It is not a perfect solution, but it does help some, and, it does not cause the awful side effects that other migraine prevention drugs - Depakote and Topamax - caused in me (I could not tolerate either). this drug is not causing any side effects.

I also do not have insurance. I get a three month supply of Elavil from Target. I do not remember off the top of my head for how much, but I know that it is cheap.

A GP can prescribe it - you do not need to see a neurologist for it.

I have been having migraines since age 3.

Apparently, extremes of temperatures both help - ice has been mentioned on the thread, but I use the opposite solution my mother taught me when I was little - I take a very hot shower, making the water hit the back of my head (the nape). I would stand in a hot showed for 15-20 minutes to get temporary relief.

Imitrex and other triptans work well enough to stop an attack if you notice the precursors of an attack and use triptans right away. Once you are already inside a full-blown migraine, Triptans tend to be useless. Also, they are expensive.