[ThePainNeverDies]

Hi everyone,

I'm a constant sufferer of horrible, debilitating migraines. I have tried EVERYTHING to prevent them, ease the pain when I get them, and to get rid of them altogether.

Coffee,
Citrus,
Chocolate,
Cheese...

Tried getting rid of all of those from my diet to see if that makes any difference, I've even tried cutting out dairy altogether. I try to sleep them off, try dark rooms, cold flannels, sitting outside for fresh air, getting the sun soaking into my skin, wearing sunglasses.

I'm running out of things to try to get rid of these horrible, painful, yucky things. I get quite sick with them and turn into a bit of a grumpy, moochy, anooying thing lol...

Does anyone have any ideas that I could try? I'm sure I've tried so much more but I've got another one at the moment, so can't quite reach the realms of my brain that hold all of the information I need.

I don't usually spend time on the computer when I have a migraine, but I'm so fed up of them now that I'm hoping someone could shed some light on ways to prevent/cure/ease them somewhat so that they're more manageable when I do get them.

Thanks in advance!

[Polykronic]

Have you seen a neurologist? One that specializes in migraines can be your best resource.

Otherwise, I recommend the book "Heal Your Headache." My neuro gave it to me, and by following the plan --which is hard and extreme at first-- I nearly eliminated my need for medication. You have to follow it, though; going halfway won't work.

And, really, you should consult a neuro before starting anything you read in a book!

As a sufferer myself you have my sympathy, I have suffered for many years with migraines but they have decreased since my neurologist prescribed me Topamax, I still get them but not as frequent, I did try everything under the sun and nothing worked, Maybe give them a try too.

[ThePainNeverDies]

I've yet to make an appointment with the Neurologist, it's my next step. My GP has suggested it may be where I have been under extreme stress, which has now eased, so my brain has kind of 'relaxed' causing it to expand in my skull, which in turn causes migraines and such... We'll see, I suppose!

It was strange, I took painkillers earlier and could feel them struggling to take over the migraine, it was like waves in my head, pain, no pain, mild pain, pain, harsh pain... Such an irritating thing!

I'm boosting up my Vitamins B and D in the hope that it helps, I'm a pain for having low Vitamin B levels... Vitamin D is just a trial for now, I can imagine it's one of the things I'm lacking because I've had stomach problems recently, too. So I'm giving it a week and if nothing changes, I'll try something else. I'm seeing my GP on Wednesday for a few things, so hopefully we'll slip in some blood tests and other things.

In the mean time, is there anything else anyone can suggest?

[shezbut]

Where exactly is the pain when the headaches strike?

I get both typical migraines as well as cluster migraines. I've attached an article from Mayo Clinic, which may help you understand options better. Best wishes to you ~ hope that you find some relief very soon!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mig...adache/DS00120

[eskielover]

I have migraines......started around 1995 when I started taking anti-depressants that caused migraines as the side effects.....then they became continual without any relief.....only relief came from a huge demoral shot in the ER. Pain specialist finally found a pain medication that worked after I tried every other possible option including a neck fusion & DHA IV treatment in the hospital for a week......& one pain specialist tried shots into my back area.....

Being on the pain medication has taken away the pain of the migraines, but it's strange to have the migraine symptoms without the pain........luckily I have been on the same high dose since 2003 ....the only thing that worked, but it's important to go to a neurologist & figure out what normal treatments don't work before getting more aggressive treatments.

[Polykronic]

Figuring out your triggers is key. It could be uneven sleeping patterns, lack of exercise, or certain chemicals in foods you may not have thought of (try googling "migraine trigger foods" for good lists).

In addition to the above, I get triggered by bright sun and car exhaust, so I wear shades and try to avoid traffic or trucks.

I have never found any OTC medicine that helped. Avoid any meds with caffeine, as they can cause rebound headaches.

If you get nausea, ginger ale/tea/candy can be a great help.

I take Riboflavin and Magnesium supplements, as those have been proven to help with migraines. Also, Omega-3 and Feverfew. Again, though, these are all doctor prescribes and monitored, which is key.

Hopefully some of these ideas help you get a good start. I used to be bed ridden with severe chronic migraines and had to make a LOT of lifestyle changes (like the above -- nearly all the possible trigger foods are triggers for me) but the changes have made life enjoyable again.

[insideout]

Imipramine.

[eskielover]

Originally Posted by insideout

Imipramine.

I tried that & it really messed with my heart.....so that ended up to not be an option.....

It's ok to try these things....but always be ware of the side effects that they might cause.

[insideout]

i take mine with clonidine

[SeekingZen]

PainNeverDies,

As a fellow migraine sufferer, I've felt your pain and I'm sorry you are going through this. I suffered from severe migraines for nearly a decade, and I have tried just about everything...

I would definitely see a neurologist, as they will likely want to run a CT or MRI. I found Neurontin to be helpful as a preventative medication for several years. It decreased the intensity and frequency of the migraines. When that stopped working I was put on Topamax, which dramatically reduced the frequency of the migraines. I was also on a nasal spray which I would take when a migraine attack would come on. Fortunately I no longer experience 48-72 hour migraines several times a month, that went on for years and it was hell. I have only had about 3 migraines in the last 6 months and all were over in less than 24 hours, so just have hope that it will get better once you get the proper treatment.

I've also had insomnia since I was a child, and I believe that lack of sleep can cause a migraine to come on if you are prone to getting them, so try to stay on a regular sleep schedule and get at least 8 hours a night.

Some other suggestions: Use an eye mask with lavender when you have a migraine, or to sleep with in general. Get some relaxation into your day as often as possible (yoga, Pilates, a bubble bath, massage).

When I was at my worst I was desperate enough to try anything and I bought Head On; I don't know if they still make it but it did take the edge off when a migraine wasn't at it's peak. Have you tried that?

Origins Peace of Mind on the spot stress relief is also good to use on a daily basis.

Hope you can get some relief soon. Best wishes!

I always find the cause of my migraine to be stress related, I tried the patches for my head when I last had one, They did ease a little bit, Maybe you could give them a try?

[ThePainNeverDies]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies, and I am so sorry that I haven't replied until now. I've been quite sick with migraines and tiredness etc, even though I've been sleeping really well!

I went to see my GP about it today and I've got an appointment with the neurologist and I'm also having blood tests to see if my body is lacking anything.
As for the tip about Riboflavin, I drink Ribena every day for that very reason, and for Vitamin B, I have marmite some days. I try to stuff in a decent amount of Vitamin D, by eating fish once or twice a week and some meats, too.

I've avoided every trigger food that I've searched, and it's still not made a difference. I go to the gym 3 times a week, and cycle at least a mile every day - when the weither's good, of course - other than that, I walk for a good half hour every day - 10 minutes to work, 10 minutes at lunch time, 10 minutes home - and I generally keep my muscles as flexed as I can in the job that I am in. I have had my sight tested, and that is fine...

As for sleep, I have been sleeping really well more recently. I suffered horribly with insomnia for some years and that really messed me up, but I ensure now that I get plenty of sleep, because I get cranky and feel wretched in general if I don't.

SeekingZen: I will be starting Yoga and Pilates classes again, I did them not so long ago and found them to be very relaxing. I adore Yoga I also used to have massages every two weeks, but I don't anymore. I'm hoping to get them again, at least once a month.

I've not tried the lavender, I will definitely give that a go! I'll give the head patches and Head On or 4Head a go, it could help... I've only found nurofen express helps, so far. And even that takes a good while to kick in, which is so unfair

I'll update you all once I've got the neurology/blood test results, in the mean time, I'll keep you updated on the testing of different treatments!

Thanks again everyone, you're always so helpful

[misscath007]

I have found for mine topomax(which comes with a host of side effects not even worth talking about) as a preventative. Imitrex is a MUST but if you can't take it you will have to find something else. I would def see a neuro and get more info on meds. Some people swear by magnesium supplements.

My triggers are bright light, heat, barometric pressure changes. I have not found eliminating food triggers to be of any help in MY case but everyone is different.

[nicoleb2]

I just started on verapamil (a calcium channel blocker, apparently beta-blockers can make depression worse) to try to prevent migraines from happening. I started migranal nasal spray for when I get migraines. It has worked pretty well.
I used to take imitrex, but can't because it can interact too much with my anti-depressant

[ThePainNeverDies]

Thank you, both of you. I will take both your suggestions into consideration.

With the bright lights, it doesn't seem to make a difference to me. If anything, sitting in the sun helps. Not sure about heat, but I think the worst trigger for me is stress that has eased, then my brain relaxes after the tension of the stress has released, causing it to expand and make my head very painful - I think that's how it works for me, anyway. The stress is over now, though, so hopefully the migraines are wearing off as the stress eases more and more.