Migraine heachaches! Help!

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pressju

Cathlete
I had my first migraine in end of June. Then in the last three weeks, three more - 2 this past weekend which sent me to the hospital. No stress as cause - just arrived back from an incredinel vacation. Life is great. I am over 40 so this is supposed to be a bit late to get these. Going to a pain specialist this Thursday. Went off the pill in Feb, doc says this might have had an impact. Needless to say no exercise for a few days. Of course not much eating for last three days since even chewing hurt. Much much better now but the pain meds they gave me are way strong and are making me a bit wobbly (meds prescribed - hydrochodone; tried Imitrex at hospital but no help). No pain at this point.

Has anyone had these? What helped? What should I avoid? I am so healthy otherwise - this brought me to my knees!

Thanks.
Julie

P.S. I was the one who asked for a standing ovation a while back. Please hold your applause today else my head may explode!! Ha!
 
I am so sorry as I know how painful migraines can be. and often they begin after 40:-( Unfortunately for my DH she has suffered 2 within the past 2 months and is only 14. Hormones can be a culprit. It sounds like you are doing what you should. Keep a journal, what you were doing, eating, etc. before one of these hits, it may help to figure other things that set off your migraines. Hope you get this under control.
 
If they continue, and you're not adverse to medication, you might ask your doctor about a low dose of Inderal daily. About 5 yts. ago my DH was put on inderal for high blood pressure, and for the first time in his life he was migraine-free. At his first follow-up appointment his internist said, OH yes, actually Inderal is often prescribed off-book for migraine prevention, so we're killing 2 birds with one stone. DH has now been migraine-free for 5 years because of Inderal, a miracle as he used to get on average a severe day-long migraine about once a week, and he really suffered. When he first went on the medication he felt tired and had trouble sleeping, but those side effects only lasted a couple of weeks and now he feels completely normal, but with low blood pressure and no migraines!

I've only had a couple of migraines in my life but I remember them vividly and am so sorry you're suffering through this! I hope one way or the other they go away and leave you alone.
 
Fellow migraineur here. I am sooo sorry you are going through this - and to the hospital - yikes!

I've only ever had to go to the hospital once. They gave me such exquisite drugs and I went to such a happy place that night!

Anyway, I take an Imitrex inhaler when I get the aura that precedes my migraines. It tastes like crap (because it drips down the back of my throat) but works and then - oh so happy - I take Vicodin. Knocks me out.

I keep a migraine journal, noting the date/time, what I ate within the last hour, what I was doing when the aura started, and did I take the meds I was suppose to (was I able to, etc.), and did I actually get the full-out headache.

The next day I usually get what I call "fallout headaches", little minor niggling headaches that just hang on and on. Tylenol or Excedrin Extra Strength ususally takes care of those.

There are many theories as to diet/food that can cause migraines, one of the main culprits blamed is chocolate, but no way am I giving up chocolate!

You probably already know that some women get migraines related to their menstrual cycles but can you believe there are poor souls who actually get *orgasm migraines*!?!?!?!?!

Get thyself to an neurologist (if you haven't done so already) for a full examination, especially to rule out any physical conditions. I believe that you can beat this! Some times you have to futz with the meds to find the special combination that works.

Good luck!
Susan L.G.

P.S. There have been a few threads on this forum regarding this very topic, too, so search it out at well.
 
My migraines were never so severe that I went on meds but still no pleasure cruise...usually I get 2-3 per year, always near TTOM. Luckily, I haven't had one for over 6 months. One thing I have found that works is to drink Gatorade at the onset. It won't knock out the migraine completely but it does reduce the severity, and in my opinion, speeds up recovery time.
 
Thank you all so very much for your inpupt and for your good wishes. I am back at work today and took a pain killer since I felt another migraine coming on so am feeling I can bear it. All of your info was great, i will discuss with the oain specialist doc tomorrow. The Gatorade suggestion was new, never heard of Inderal.

And give up chocolate? Not a snowball's chance in hell!!!

Appreciate it guys. Will keep you posted.

Julie
 
Hate migraines .. I have suffered from them since around age 18 ..

eye stress, stress, hormones and food all play a role in mine ..

I have been on many pain killers when they hit .. all they do is knock me out but never really cure the migraine .. mine last for about 3 days .. and I am usually confined to a quiet dark place ...

My OBGYN changed my bc pills and that really helped .. now I mainly only have one or two a year ..

and this last time my Dr. tried Axert .. b/c my migraines are vascular .. Axert is NOT a pain killer .. it dialates the blood vessels going to the brain .. and guess what it worked! It did not totally kill the pain .. and it made me a little loopy .. but I could not beleive how much better I felt .. and instead of 3 days it only lasted one day ..

you may want to ask your Dr. about the type of migrain you have ..

Good luck .. a migraine is NO FUN at all .. ;(
 
Julie,

Sorry you're suffering migraines. They suck! I take Imitrex and that works about 80% of the time. I get the aura, but never before a migraine. How weird is that? I frequently wake up with migraines, so I can't take the medication at the onset. When I get one that won't quit for more than a week or so, I get put on a Medrol pack. Something about having to break the cycle. There are other types of meds that can help you if Imitrex doesn't work.

I wonder if you are pre-menopausal and that's what's causing them? Hormones can be a trigger. Triggers for me are Oreos :( ,caffeine, not enough sleep, too much sleep, alcohol, sometimes PMS but not always and my asthma inhaler that I'm getting switched b/c of the headache I've had for a month now! Even Medrol didn't work on this one. Painkillers can help a little bit temporarily (if you have the right ones), but when they wear off you usually still have the headache. I even had a shot of a painkiller a few weeks ago and it didn't even touch my migraine. Excedrin can help if it's not a full blown migraine, but can also cause rebounder headaches if you take too much (I've been there many, many times - it's that whole caffeine thing).

Good luck with your appointment. I hope they figure out what's up. Let us know, okay?

Suz

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
Hi Julie. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I've had migraines for 15 years, and they're more painful than most can imagine.

Most of my headaches go away if I eat a well-balanced meal and/or get some sleep. When that doesn't work, I take injectable Imitrex.

Yes, that's where you give yourself a shot, but the pills don't help. The shot works fast; maybe 15 minutes before the pain's gone and I'm totally lethargic.

I agree that you should keep a journal, but not everyone has triggers. Mine are often caused by a thunderstorm! Also, people will tell you to avoid red wine. I recently felt a craving for red wine when a headache was coming on, and the wine stopped it in it's tracks. Appartently the grapes have something that helps. My point is that everyone is different and what works for one won't always work for the other.

Good luck! Post an update, we're worried about you.
 
You probably already know about avoiding citrus fruit, chocolate and red wine, right?

Also, you might consider having a check-up with a chiropractor: they can sometimes treat migraines with manupulation if the cause is subluxation.
 
"Triggers for me are Oreos :( ,caffeine, not enough sleep, too much sleep, alcohol, sometimes PMS but not always and my asthma inhaler that I'm getting switched b/c of the headache I've had for a month now!"

Suz, do you mind if I ask what med you use for your asthma inhaler. My DD also uses an inhaler for exercise-induced astma--abuterol, and your comment makes me wonder if this is affecting her...
 
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