[RozG]

I had a really bad migraine and couldn't find my medication for it.

I just wanted to sleep but it's impossible with a migraine and no meds.

WMD tried something i really didn't think would work....relaxation stuff... like telling your body to relax and sleep from the tip of your toes to the top of your head.

Not only was i shocked to find it worked to eradicate the migraine...i got a great sleep too.

[HALLIEBETH87]

thats great! ill have to try that next time i get one...

[bebop]

sometimes eating chocolate helps too. use to when I would get one and had nothing I could eat it and the headache would go away. I was always amazed!

[RozG]

i find that with coffee bebop. maybe it's the caffeine?

[sabby]

It's definitely the caffeine! It helps to shrink the blood vessels that are wide open during a migraine and thats what the pain comes from...too much blood flow too quickly.

The trick with telling your body to relax is awesome. Very often I do that at night when going to bed...I say goodnight to my body starting at my toes and working up. Very rarely do I get past my shoulders...I'm usually asleep by then. I learned to do that many years ago when my mum was ill and I was dealing with everyone and everything and very stressed out. It's been a godsend to me So glad it worked for you too Roz!


sabby

[RozG]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
_sabby_ said:
It's definitely the caffeine! It helps to shrink the blood vessels that are wide open during a migraine and thats what the pain comes from...too much blood flow too quickly.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

ty for that sabby, never knew what causes migraines.

[I_WMD]

Cool Roz >> I glad this helped >>> Now do ya wanna know some more tricks to this relaxation thing ???....

This one is more after [ at least for me ] >>>..... When you have cleansed your body and mind from all adultrated ingestions i.e.>>> meds and alcohol >>> It is >>> OBE .

Very Cool !!

[kimmydawn]

PMR (progressive muscle relaxation) is great for so many things! I used to do it every night before bed with some really relaxing music. Helped my sleeping tremendously.

Yes, it's the caffeine. I once had a headache that lasted for three months...literally.

Nothing helped it to go away. At the end of treatments, I came away with the fact that almost every med given to me or labeled for headache/migraine (prescription or not) had caffeine in them. It does exactly what sabby said. It helps "throbbing pain" by narrowing the blood vessels and other things that contribute. The medical profession has always known this I guess, and still see the benefit of it in meds.

I began drinking coffee and haven't had anything more than the rare PMS headache since then. Have to be careful, though, because too much coffee can cause anxiety and headaches on its own...as can too much meds. One can get what's called a "rebound headache" trying to cure the original one.

I drink two cups in the a.m. and two in the afternoon and have been headache free for 8 yrs. now.

Good luck!

KD

[RozG]

wow (((((( KD )))))) this is a great post, both informative and hopeful.

Between yourself, wmd and sabby....i've already learned lots here about what the physical cause of a migraine is and how to help it.

It may seem weird to some that i've been having migraines since at least 14 years old and all my doc has ever done is give me meds and no information as to cause/alternate cures, so this thread is great info for me.

Now between muscle relaxation and moderate coffee intake...maybe i can be headache free too.

[ECHOES]

Here is a site I that offers relaxation, guided imagery, autogenics CD's. My previous psychologist loaned me a couple of cassette tapes and I liked them. I have ordered several CD's from them. One I do nightly is called "Warm and Heavy"--one CD with 2 exercise, "Warm" and "Heavy". Both are very very relaxing and help me get to sleep

www.wholeperson.com

[sabby]

One of the main causes of my migraines is stress and not eating. If I get too hungry, I will get a headache and it very quickly will become a migraine. Stress makes me neck muscles very tense and in turn creates a migraine. If I have what I call a "non descript" migraine as in being hungry or stressed, I can take any over the counter med with tylenol, caffeine and aspirin in it and it works great. If I get a full blown migraine with aura, I must take my immitrex prescription or it will not go away and I'll be down for the count.


sabby

[Sarah_Forester]

That sounds wonderful Roz! Could you explain more about the relaxation techniques you used? I've had a migraine all day today and I'd do anything to make it go away.
Thanks for the tip ,
Sarah

[I_WMD]

Sarah >> It is Find yourself in bed >> and on your back >> relax your arms at your waist across your abdomen without touching fingertips ..

Take slow steady breaths and speaking silently in your head >> Tell your toes to go to sleep .
" toes you may go to sleep now " >> maybe say it 3 or 4 times .

Next do the same for feet >> then ankles >> working your way up to calves and shins .

Knees >>> Thighs >> .... buttocks and waist ,,

Abdomen and lower back ..

>>> all the while ,, slowing your breathing ..
Now chest and shoulder blades ,,, shoulders to upper arms >> forearms >. hands ,, fingers ,,

Now as breathing more relaxed >> Neck ,, jaw ,, and mind >> your constant is to spend slow repetitive breathing ,,,

with eyes closed ,, and feel your muscles relax >> then tell your mind to rest now >>>

Al thoughts of the day should be replaced by now as empty thoughts and rest only left .

WMD . >>>>>

last night i had a migraine over my left eye .... had a glass of red wine with dinner .... came on suddenlyat friends house ... had to get home, felt like throwing up, lay with warm waterbottle on head ( ) and went to sleep, this morning feel shaky and groggy and tummy off it ....

just hav to have quiet and dark with migraine .... jx

[sabby]

((((((((((( jinny )))))))))))))) I can tell you what I think brought the migraine on...you will see it in this list of triggers for migraines

Lifestyle/Environmental

* Skipping meals or fasting
* Changes in sleep patterns
* Weather changes
* Bright or flickering lights
* Odors or pollution
* Stress
* Overexertion
* Menstruation

Foods

* Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
* Chocolate
* Processed meats
* Aged cheese
* Alcohol or red wine
* Too much caffeine

To all migraine sufferers......may you find relief quickly and completely!


sabby

[(JD)]

Let me add to the excellent list:

TMJ problems.

TMD is the disorder of your temporo-mandibular joint being out of place. Your jaw can be off a hair's thickness and cause real issues if you are senstive. If you grind your teeth, or wake with a sore, achy jaw, if it spasms sometimes while you chew making you bite your cheek or tongue, then you may have a problem.

If a dentist pulls back teeth, especially molars, haphazardly, then he can cause TM (by using the rest of your jaw for leverage, for example.) If you get hit in the jaw, especially from the very front, by a fist or a ball, it can cause the joint to go off.

If you get a headache or jaw ache after eating foods like an apple or steak, you might have TMD.

If you can't open your mouth wide enough for 3 fingers to fit into it, you might have a problem with your TMJ.

Sleeping
with inadequate support of neck and head can also cause migraines. (Especially if it causes you to hold your jaw "funny" while sleeping. Sleeping on your side can do it too, with excessive pressure on one side of your jaw.

Keep track of when you have migraines, or when the prodromes or auras come, and see if you can figure out why.

As Sabby said, bright or flickering lights can cause migraines. Florescent lights are known for this, as the light isn't filtered by the eye like incandescent lighting is.

Also, reds and oranges in bright hues, in abundance,(clothes, furniture, paintings) or in scrolling text especially with blue text cause not only migraines but seizures too, in susceptible people.

Taking medicines that open blood vessels can cause migraines. That's what a migraine actually is, too much blood flow to the brain, which is why caffeine and ice packs can help at times.

[RozG]

wow such an informative post Sky

also gonna add... real bright sunshine gives me migraines too...hence wearing shades outdoors LOL

[mandazzle]

For me, the main triggers used to be skipping a meal and too much sun. But now I seem to get them whenever they decide to show up. But I used to have the weirdest cure when I was younger. My mom would make me mashed potatoes when I had a migraine and it seemed to make it go away lol.

[(JD)]

Yes as everyone can see, if you are susceptible to having migraines, just about anything can set them off. Missing meals and bright lights are key to just about any of us I think. ((((hugs)))

Now for remedy (other than doing what I know to be good for me lol) I use the Zomig zmt that dissolves on my tongue. The quicker I take the medicine, the less likely it is that I will have a severe migraine. (You know what that is, the lay on your side in bed in the darkest, quietest room, with the bucket at the side for barfing, knowing that your head will explode if you have to barf.)

I have used the other meds with good success too (Imitrex comes to mind.) But nothing as fast as the zmt.
Can you take meds? Have you tried them? You can usually get a free sample. The med makes life livable. Even today I took one at 11:30 am just after my dental cleaning and tooth buildup...terrible stress on jaw. But, after eating some lunch, I was feeling ok and was able to continue on my list of tasks to get done today. (I don't recommend this though. And my MD says to lie down anyway and be sure to take the second dose.) I guess you just have to get to know yourself?

Feel better!

[lashaine]

The only thing that I have found that helps mine is Imtrex. My miagrains go to a full blown so fast that I can't not take it at the first sign.