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Good day my name is Diana Robert from Chicago,i want to use this privilege to thank Prophet Abulele for curing my HIV AIDS. I was diagnosed of this disease in the year 2016, and because of this, i was very unhappy with my life, and i went into research on how i can get cured, i contacted a lot of physicians,i have taken all manner of drugs such as Didanosine , Complera , Atripla, and many more,but the disease got spreading each day,All this period of my life, i was sad and unhappy so one day as i was in the internet i decided to sign in a friend guestbook, only for me to see a testimony of a lady on how she was helped by Prophet Abulele, at first i was confused to contact him at the moment because i didnt want to be scammed again but the next day ,i decided to contact him,when i contact Prophet Abulele through his email: email@example.com ,he assured me that he will help me cure my HIV/aids,so i believed and followed his instructions,then he prepared a herbal medicine for me,afterwards he sent me the herbal medicine through courier service,and when i received this herbal medicine, he gave me step by instructions on how to apply it, when i applied it as instructed i was totally cured of this deadly disease within 7 days of usage, if you are suffering of this diseases you can as well Contact this great herbal doctor Called Prophet Abulele on his email: email@example.com
Hi Everyone! My name is Twenna Clyton. I was diagnosed with HERPES 2 in April of 2012 when I was 24 years old who just completed my MA in sociology at the University of Northern Colorado where I explored the role of stigma in the process of disclosing a genital herpes diagnosis.I have wanted to get this virus cured, I am happy to share that with you! few weeks ago i came on search on the INTERNET if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr Gumbla and she also gave the email address (firstname.lastname@example.com) and advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help so i told my husband about it the he ask me to write him because this pain has been constant especially in my knees. so i wrote to Dr Gumbla telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that it was going to be cured!! then i took the medicine he sent me, which few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the Dr assured me that i have cured hence i have taken the medicine and then after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE. I can understand that lots of people are been diagnosed with this same virus so am excited to be able to share some of my experiences and thoughts about this man that you can as well contact him for help living with genital herpes is not a good thing..HERE ARE HIS CONTACT: EMAIL : (email@example.com) OR YOU CAN AS WELL VISIT HIS his website http://eromosalspiritualtemple.webs.com BETTER STILL CALL OR whatsApp HIM viA+2348161850195..GOD BLESS
Hi Everyone! My name is Twenna Clyton. I was diagnosed with HERPES 2 in April of 2012 when I was 24 years old who just completed my MA in sociology at the University of Northern Colorado where I explored the role of stigma in the process of disclosing a genital herpes diagnosis.I have wanted to get this virus cured, I am happy to share that with you! few weeks ago i came on search on the INTERNET if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr Gumbla and she also gave the email address (email@example.com) and advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help so i told my husband about it the he ask me to write him because this pain has been constant especially in my knees. so i wrote to Dr Gumbla telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that it was going to be cured!! then i took the medicine he sent me, which few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the Dr assured me that i have cured hence i have taken the medicine and then after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE. I can understand that lots of people are been diagnosed with this same virus so am excited to be able to share some of my experiences and thoughts about this man that you can as well contact him for help living with genital herpes is not a good thing..HERE ARE HIS CONTACT: EMAIL : (email@example.com) OR YOU CAN AS WELL VISIT HIS his website http://eromosalspiritualtemple.webs.com BETTER STILL CALL OR whatsApp HIM viA+2348161850195..GOD BLESS
Hi Everyone! My name is Twenna Clyton. I was diagnosed with HERPES 2 in April of 2012 when I was 24 years old who just completed my MA in sociology at the University of Northern Colorado where I explored the role of stigma in the process of disclosing a genital herpes diagnosis.I have wanted to get this virus cured, I am happy to share that with you! few weeks ago i came on search on the INTERNET if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr Gumbla and she also gave the email address (firstname.lastname@example.com) and advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help so i told my husband about it the he ask me to write him because this pain has been constant especially in my knees. so i wrote to Dr Gumbla telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that it was going to be cured!! then i took the medicine he sent me, which few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the Dr assured me that i have cured hence i have taken the medicine and then after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE. I can understand that lots of people are been diagnosed with this same virus so am excited to be able to share some of my experiences and thoughts about this man that you can as well contact him for help living with genital herpes is not a good thing..HERE ARE HIS CONTACT: EMAIL : (firstname.lastname@example.com) OR YOU CAN AS WELL VISIT HIS his website http://eromosalspiritualtemple.webs.com BETTER STILL CALL OR whatsApp HIM viA+2348161850195..GOD BLESS
I am very glad to be sharing with everyone here for the marvelous work Dr Uyi has done for my life, i was diagnosed of herpes virus and ever since i have been very unhappy, i so down broken everyday, until one day when i came across a shocking testimony about how Dr Uyi cured someone of her herpes virus, without wasting much time i contacted him immediately on his email address: firstname.lastname@example.com and after i explain myself to him about how terrible i have been, and he assure me that he will help me to cure my herpes virus, after he has prepared the herbal medicine he sent it to me and when i have received it and started using it i was totally cure within 2 weeks, i am forever grateful to Dr Uyi for helping me get rid of the herpes virus, if you have similar virus and you want to be cured contact his email address: firstname.lastname@example.com or you can call his Mobile:+2348077199766....
He can also cure the following disease..
FIBROID TUMOR and many more..
I am very glad to be sharing with everyone here for the marvelous work Dr Uyi has done for my life, i was diagnosed of herpes virus and ever since i have been very unhappy, i so down broken everyday, until one day when i came across a shocking testimony about how Dr Uyi cured someone of her herpes virus, without wasting much time i contacted him immediately on his email address: email@example.com and after i explain myself to him about how terrible i have been, and he assure me that he will help me to cure my herpes virus, after he has prepared the herbal medicine he sent it to me and when i have received it and started using it i was totally cure within 2 weeks, i am forever grateful to Dr Uyi for helping me get rid of the herpes virus, if you have similar virus and you want to be cured contact his email address: email@example.com or you can call his Mobile:+2348077199766....
He can also cure the following disease..
FIBROID TUMOR and many more..
i am Manish Gautam, i live in Guwahati india, September 2015 I learned my HBsAg was reactive when I was required to undergo medical exam for an employment in Broad, and the doctor told me there is no permanent cure for the disease, I was worried and confused thought my life has come to an end, in December i came across a forum, (MED LAB) Who cured all kind of diseases including hepatitis b, I contacted them via email email@example.com and made purchase of the hepatitis Vaccine, i received the Vaccine through DHL within 3 days, when i received the Vaccine i applied it as prescribed and i was totally cured of hepatitis b within few's days of usages, i went back to my doctor and he confirmed i was free curable cured from the disease, am so happy now living a normal life again thanks to MED LAB. Viewers contact MED LAB via email: email@example.com
Susan Malila
I am Susan Malila from Dallas Texas, United States.i have been living in pains for the past 2 years now not until i meet Dr prince who was able to restore my life back with his herbal medicine, i have been HIV positive for the past two years now everyday of my life i cry to God as I was a mother of 2 cute kids who were looking up to me i was still taking my medication from the hospital which cost me a lot, I also did some prayers to God that he should do some miracle in my life,Few Months ago i was browsing on net when I found some good testimonials about Dr prince Herbs, and someone recommended that he has cured Hiv,diabetes,cancer,ulcer,and so many other disease I always had faith that God could use someone to heal me, then I contacted Dr prince and I told him my problems, he told me not to worry that with God all things are possible and also that he was going to prepare for me some herbal herbs which i am to take and he is going to send the medicine to me, well after all the guidance and medication from Dr prince he advice that i go for check up again to see my status result and he assured me of good result, i was afraid at this point cause i never wanted someone to tell me again that i am positive, after 2 days I went to the Hospital for check up and they said the result was to come out by Friday, at 11:00 AM on Friday the Doctor called me and told me that the result was out and I am Negative, I was shocked and could not believe it, I immediately called Dr prince and told him about the good news he told me to rejoice and make sure I share my testimony with my friends and that is why I am doing this right now, friends you can contact Dr prince today on ( firstname.lastname@example.com )or call him on +2348163241499.
i am Manish Gautam, i live in Guwahati india, September 2015 I learned my HBsAg was reactive when I was required to undergo medical exam for an employment in Broad, and the doctor told me there is no permanent cure for the disease, I was worried and confused thought my life has come to an end, in December i came across a forum, (MED LAB) Who cured all kind of diseases including hepatitis b, I contacted them via email email@example.com and made purchase of the hepatitis Vaccine, i received the Vaccine through DHL within 3 days, when i received the Vaccine i applied it as prescribed and i was totally cured of hepatitis b within few's days of usages, i went back to my doctor and he confirmed i was free curable cured from the disease, am so happy now living a normal life again thanks to MED LAB. Viewers contact MED LAB via email: firstname.lastname@example.com
I have been suffering from (HERPES) disease for the last four years and had constant pain, especially in my knees. During the first year,I had faith in God that i would be healed someday.This disease started circulate all over my body and i have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago i came on search on the internet if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr Gumbla and she also gave the email address of this man and advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help, so i wrote to Dr Gumbla telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that i was going to be cured!! hmm i never believed it,, well after all the procedures and remedy given to me by this man few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the Dr assured me that i have cured,after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE, So friends my advise is if you have such sickness or any other at all you can email Dr Gumbla on : (email@example.com) or thought his website http://eromosalspiritualtemple.webs.com or call or what'sapp him with +2348161850195.. THESE ARE THE THINGS DR GUMBALA CAN ALSO CURE.. GONORRHEA, HIV/AIDS , LOW SPERM COUNT, MENOPAUSE DISEASE, PREGNANCY PROBLEM, SHORT SIGHTEDNESS PROBLEM, Stroke, Bring back ex lover or wife/husband....sir i am indeed grateful for the help i will forever recommend you to my friends!!!
My migraine trigger is corn. I must severely limit my corn intake - corn products of any kind including corn sweetener. I get the aura about 20 minutes before the headache. If for some reason (pot luck at work or whatever) I have accidentally exceeded my corn allowance, I take 3 aspirin w/caffeine IMMEDIATELY when the aura starts. This will halt the migraine headache about 90% if the time.
Hello Dear brothers and sisters , My Name is JASIM LEXY from USA , this testimony is all about the great DR IMONAH the herbal doctor that just save my life by helping me in curing my HERPES after i have spend all my life savings looking for cure from fake spell casters and fake Herbal Doctors who claimed to be real and they scammed away my money without helping. I Also tried medications from different hospital and clinic but all seems to be in vain until the day I went Online to do some research so i met DR IMONAH so i take him as my last hope, He assured me that he is going to help me , which he did he prepared a Herbal Medicine for me and send it to me in my country so i take the Herbs as he has told me to take it , so am glad and so much happy to say today that i am cured due to the help of the herbal Medicine cure that was being prepared by DR IMONAH which i take and it heals me and make me Normal again after i tout i have lost Hope and i have been scammed so many times by dose who claimed to be real , now am cured by just one Man DR IMONAH , i do not know how to THANK you DR IMONAH cause you have saved my life and giving me reason to live Again , so if you know you are reading this and you needs cure to your sickness HERPES or any other type of illness you have and you need it cured and also who has also been scammed by other fake spell casters, worry no more, here is the ultimate solution to your problem, contact him now through his email Via mail at : (firstname.lastname@example.com) or you can visit his webs today Via At (www.drimonahspiritualtemple.webs.com) he is the right one that can help you from any type of diseases you have or problem, he is there Waiting to help you ALL GOOD LUCK ...
Hello Dear brothers and sisters , My Name is JASIM LEXY from USA , this testimony is all about the great DR IMONAH the herbal doctor that just save my life by helping me in curing my HERPES after i have spend all my life savings looking for cure from fake spell casters and fake Herbal Doctors who claimed to be real and they scammed away my money without helping. I Also tried medications from different hospital and clinic but all seems to be in vain until the day I went Online to do some research so i met DR IMONAH so i take him as my last hope, He assured me that he is going to help me , which he did he prepared a Herbal Medicine for me and send it to me in my country so i take the Herbs as he has told me to take it , so am glad and so much happy to say today that i am cured due to the help of the herbal Medicine cure that was being prepared by DR IMONAH which i take and it heals me and make me Normal again after i tout i have lost Hope and i have been scammed so many times by dose who claimed to be real , now am cured by just one Man DR IMONAH , i do not know how to THANK you DR IMONAH cause you have saved my life and giving me reason to live Again , so if you know you are reading this and you needs cure to your sickness HERPES or any other type of illness you have and you need it cured and also who has also been scammed by other fake spell casters, worry no more, here is the ultimate solution to your problem, contact him now through his email Via mail at : (email@example.com) or you can visit his webs today Via At (www.drimonahspiritualtemple.webs.com) he is the right one that can help you from any type of diseases you have or problem, he is there Waiting to help you ALL GOOD LUCK
Hello Dear brothers and sisters , My Name is JASIM LEXY from USA , this testimony is all about the great DR IMONAH the herbal doctor that just save my life by helping me in curing my HERPES after i have spend all my life savings looking for cure from fake spell casters and fake Herbal Doctors who claimed to be real and they scammed away my money without helping. I Also tried medications from different hospital and clinic but all seems to be in vain until the day I went Online to do some research so i met DR IMONAH so i take him as my last hope, He assured me that he is going to help me , which he did he prepared a Herbal Medicine for me and send it to me in my country so i take the Herbs as he has told me to take it , so am glad and so much happy to say today that i am cured due to the help of the herbal Medicine cure that was being prepared by DR IMONAH which i take and it heals me and make me Normal again after i tout i have lost Hope and i have been scammed so many times by dose who claimed to be real , now am cured by just one Man DR IMONAH , i do not know how to THANK you DR IMONAH cause you have saved my life and giving me reason to live Again , so if you know you are reading this and you needs cure to your sickness HERPES or any other type of illness you have and you need it cured and also who has also been scammed by other fake spell casters, worry no more, here is the ultimate solution to your problem, contact him now through his email Via mail at : (email@example.com) or you can visit his webs today Via At (www.drimonahspiritualtemple.webs.com) he is the right one that can help you from any type of diseases you have or problem, he is there Waiting to help you ALL GOOD LUCK .
Good day every one i want to inform the public how i was cured of HSV 2 by a Doctor called Harrison.i visited different hospital but they gave me list of expensive drugs to treat the symptoms and never cured me. A closed friend of mine introduce me to a Herbal Doctor who cured her. I was scared to contact him because of what i experienced from fake doctors. she encouraged me and gave me his email i searched his email on net and i saw a lot of people testifying about his goodness. when i contacted him i asked him series of questions, i also ask him to show me his herbal certificate and license given to him by his Government he gave all the information i needed that gave me hope. He send a Herbal medicine to me that i took and it seriously worked for me. am now HSV negative. God bless you for being a sincere and great men. Am so excited, you can contact him if you have any problem Email: email@example.com add him on whatsapp +2348079540032. you can contact me for more information +1381-1541-3574 or email me on firstname.lastname@example.com.
Good day every one i want to inform the public how i was cured of HSV 2 by a Doctor called Harrison.i visited different hospital but they gave me list of expensive drugs to treat the symptoms and never cured me. A closed friend of mine introduce me to a Herbal Doctor who cured her. I was scared to contact him because of what i experienced from fake doctors. she encouraged me and gave me his email i searched his email on net and i saw a lot of people testifying about his goodness. when i contacted him i asked him series of questions, i also ask him to show me his herbal certificate and license given to him by his Government he gave all the information i needed that gave me hope. He send a Herbal medicine to me that i took and it seriously worked for me. am now HSV negative. God bless you for being a sincere and great men. Am so excited, you can contact him if you have any problem Email: email@example.com add him on whatsapp +2348079540032. you can contact me for more information +1381-1541-3574 or email me on firstname.lastname@example.com.
Good day every one i want to inform the public how i was cured of HSV 2 by a Doctor called Harrison.i visited different hospital but they gave me list of expensive drugs to treat the symptoms and never cured me. A closed friend of mine introduce me to a Herbal Doctor who cured her. I was scared to contact him because of what i experienced from fake doctors. she encouraged me and gave me his email i searched his email on net and i saw a lot of people testifying about his goodness. when i contacted him i asked him series of questions, i also ask him to show me his herbal certificate and license given to him by his Government he gave all the information i needed that gave me hope. He send a Herbal medicine to me that i took and it seriously worked for me. am now HSV negative. God bless you for being a sincere and great men. Am so excited, you can contact him if you have any problem Email: firstname.lastname@example.com add him on whatsapp +2348079540032. you can contact me for more information +1381-1541-3574 or email me on email@example.com.
I have been suffering from (HERPES) disease for the last four years and had constant pain, especially in my knees. During the first year,I had faith in God that i would be healed someday.This disease started circulate all over my body and i have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago i came on search on the internet if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr ERO and she also gave the email address of this man and advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help, so i wrote to Dr ERO telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that i was going to be cured!! hmm i never believed it,, well after all the procedures and remedy given to me by this man few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the Dr assured me that i have cured,after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE, So friends my advise is if you have such sickness or any other at all you can email Dr ERO on : (firstname.lastname@example.com) or thought his website http://eromosalspiritualtemple.webs.com or call him with +2348161850195.. THESE ARE THE THINGS DR ERO CAN ALSO CURE.. GONORRHEA, HIV/AIDS , LOW SPERM COUNT, MENOPAUSE DISEASE, PREGNANCY PROBLEM, SHORT SIGHTEDNESS PROBLEM, Stroke, Bring back ex lover or wife/husband....sir i am indeed grateful for the help i will forever recommend you to my friends!!!
I have been suffering from (HERPES) disease for the last four years and had constant pain, especially in my knees. During the first year,I had faith in God that i would be healed someday.This disease started circulate all over my body and i have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago i came on search on the internet if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr ERO and she also gave the email address of this man and advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help, so i wrote to Dr ERO telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that i was going to be cured!! hmm i never believed it,, well after all the procedures and remedy given to me by this man few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the Dr assured me that i have cured,after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE, So friends my advise is if you have such sickness or any other at all you can email Dr ERO on : (email@example.com) or thought his website http://eromosalspiritualtemple.webs.com or call him with +2348161850195.. THESE ARE THE THINGS DR ERO CAN ALSO CURE.. GONORRHEA, HIV/AIDS , LOW SPERM COUNT, MENOPAUSE DISEASE, PREGNANCY PROBLEM, SHORT SIGHTEDNESS PROBLEM, Stroke, Bring back ex lover or wife/husband....sir i am indeed grateful for the help i will forever recommend you to my friends!!!
I have found that LSD acts as a preventative and has reduced the frequency and duration of my migraines by 80%. Aside from that, moving from a low pressure coastal climate to a higher altitude, with higher barometric pressure and lower humidity climate has also made a huge difference. Changing my lifestyle to avoid exposure to artificial fragrances helps too. I also find medical marijuana to be the best pain remedy during a migraine. I used to have migraines at least 20 - 25 days a month. Now I only lose about 4 - 7 days a month to them. If two or more triggers happen at the same time, I am done for. I also eat a really clean diet all organic / GMO free, additive free, mostly home made. I walk 5 - 7 miles a day. I have experienced relief in the past from acupuncture and Ergotamine IV as well as Cafergot. I really don't know why they're no longer available, but this led me to look into other non-specific 5ht receptor agonists (hence the LSD mentioned above).
I have been suffering from (HERPES) disease for the last four years and had constant pain, especially in my knees. During the first year,I had faith in God that i would be healed someday.This disease started circulate all over my body and i have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago i came on search on the internet if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr ERO and she also gave the email address of this man and advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help, so i wrote to Dr ERO telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that i was going to be cured!! hmm i never believed it,, well after all the procedures and remedy given to me by this man few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the Dr assured me that i have cured,after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE, So friends my advise is if you have such sickness or any other at all you can email Dr ERO on : (email@example.com) or thought his website http://eromosalspiritualtemple.webs.com or call him with +2348161850195.. THESE ARE THE THINGS DR ERO CAN ALSO CURE.. GONORRHEA, HIV/AIDS , LOW SPERM COUNT, MENOPAUSE DISEASE, PREGNANCY PROBLEM, SHORT SIGHTEDNESS PROBLEM, Stroke, Bring back ex lover or wife/husband....sir i am indeed grateful for the help i will forever recommend you to my friends!!!
If any one can give advice or insight... I have been recently diagnosed with migraines after suffering from recurring headaches with aura becoming more and more frequent until I finally completely lost my vision on the left side. At that time I was diagnosed with uveitis which resolved after about 6 weeks of medication but the horrific headache, dizziness, eye pain and visual disturbances have not resolved and an MRI confirmed migraines. I am also having leg weakness and numbness on the right side and vision loss in the left eye, not to mention trouble reading and concentrating or thinking and remembering.The headache has been consistent and unrelenting for 12 weeks now and I am feeling desperate. I have been on Topomax but do not feel any difference yet. Any advice from fellow sufferers is greatly appreciated.
I did not begin to experience migraines until May of 2013, when I had to see the dentist for a large filling on the top right side (#13). In june of 2013 a burning sensation began under my right eye. I saw the doctor fearing I had inhaled a mold spore or something similar was occurring. They stuffed an endoscope up my nose and came to the conclusion that they were just headaches not the result of some sort of localized infection. I saw my dentist who x-rayed the region and determined there was no abscess. I was then treated for migraines for the next 9 months. My teeth on the top right side were constantly sensitive to temperature changes from food. I experienced 3-5 migraines of significant intensity per week during that time period. I want to talk briefly about successful migraine treatments then what occurred this year.
Treatment by excedrine was unsuccessful due to rebound headaches. Immitrex also proved a temporary relief until I came onto this site and learned about the drug "treximet" which is a combination of Immitrex and alleve (naproxin sodium). I switched from excedrine to alleve plus immitrex with the approval of the neurologist treating me. Those two together provide significant relief from migraines. Other successful treatment included a block of ice in a bag applied directly to my right temple and the area below my right eye. Staying in completely dark conditions also helped. I am one of those migraine sufferers that gains light sensitivity during and after the migraine, and warning of impending migraine by halo experience.
In january of 2014 I had a root canal done on that tooth. The entire nerve was necrotic! The terminal end of the root was in the same spot I had originally complained about a localized burning sensation. Since the root canal I have only had 2 migraines of significant intensity, a dramatic reduction in frequency and severity.
Due to my training in molecular biology I came to the following hypothesis: The bacteria attacking the nerve were triggering signaling up the nerves in my face, inducing migraine. This is outside of my personal field of study (bacterial genetics) but I wanted to contribute this information to the community for doctors who do study this.
There is a significant gap in dialogue between the dental community and the medical community. The idea that a root canal treatment would alleviate migraines indicates a need for the two groups of treating doctors to communicate with each other. I believe any migraine sufferer who had sudden onset should consult with their dentist on the off chance that they need a root canal on one of their upper teeth.
This website was been fantastic, it clued me into the treximet combination and other possible therapies. I sympathise with other migraine sufferers and I hope this post helps you find relief.
I turned 68 today and had my 1st migraine at 17 after falling and fracturing my skull. Over the years I've tried everything. Nothing works completely except Maxaran by IV in the ER. We live on the eastern side of the Canadian Rockies and get Chinooks, huge barometric pressure changes, sometimes twice or three times a week. Visual auras blind me and are followed in 20 minutes by pain and nausea, extreme sensitivity to movement, light, and smells. No sharp cheese, wine, citrus, chocolate, glare, reflections, movie theatres. Fatigue triggers them as well as misalignment/subluxation of neck, rib and spine. (I have Ehlers-Danlos, so I'm very loosely strung together.) I also have to take a medication which causes migraine in normal people, but without it I can't walk, so it's a cath 22 situation. Propanolol dropped my BP so low I had to admitted to the cardiac unit. HRT was a nightmare of constant migraine. Imitrex made me too weak to sit up or hold my head up. I now take 25 mg topamax daily, 40 elavil before bed, and Tylenol 2 (which is tylenol, caffeine and codeine). I'm so glad to hear others say topamax causes aphasia and memory loss. I once had an eidetic memory, now I'm lucky to remember what day of the week it is and it scares the life out of me. Funny thing my genetics show I am at not at high risk for migraines, yet my Dad, sister, grandmother, and several aunts and uncles had them. My sons also have had them from puberty. Thanks, this is a really good discussion and has given me some ideas.
While driving North with cruise set to 67mph, my vision Disappeared. I told my passenger I felt dizzy but it was more than that. My voice seemed to be coming from a dark place (no light whatsoever) unconnected from my body. I could no longer see the road in front of me nor the car around me. This lasted approx a minute; I never left my lane even though I was on a gentle curve--no swerving at all.
I went to the doctor who said it might be TIA or a visual migraine, however visual migraine is one sided from what I have been reading.
I would like to hear from others who may have experienced something similar and possibly hear how this turned into a diagnosis. Thx!
My migraines are triggered by muscle tension in my neck and shoulders. I get trigger point shots every 6 weeks that contain an anti-inflammatory. My doctor also uses botox. If you live near Chicago, look up Dr. Gokani. She's great. I also find acupuncture and cupping to help
A PhD friend of mine wrote a great blog post about the science behind migraines, and why certain treatments work well. Thought some of you might find it interesting: http://checkedbyscience.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/migraines-in-the-spotlight/
Optical migraines only in my case - no pain - always gone in 20 minutes
I have tried pretty much everything - topamax, botox, diet, SRI's, neurontin, lyrica, beta blockers - to no avail. What now works for me (going to a neurologist who specializes in migraine) is Depakote for prevention - that took me from 2 per week to one every two weeks. When they do come on, a sumatriptan plus two Aleve seems to always work. I also get a prodrome (precursor) where I get so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open. When that happens, I just go ahead & dose up, not waiting for it to start. I have also had the symptom cutaneous allodynia, try taking a shower and my scalp feels like the water is burning it, and skin is super sensitive to touch and heat. I have been using triptans for maybe 15 years now, with no apparent ill effects. Do beware of the old ergotamines. They can cause heart valve problems.
My partner has had migraines for the last 10 years or so and by fluke chance after doing the Braverman test it recommended she increase her Gaba.
One of the only things we had in the house at the time to increase her Gaba was Glutamine. I generally use it for body building purposes to help improve general immune system health and increase absorption of food consumed.
Anyway she started taking about 1-2 teaspoons of glutamine once or twice a day in the morning and evening and it was like magic. Her migraines have COMPLETELY disappeared as long as she continues to take her glutamine each day.
Obviously this may not work for everyone but she has tried literally EVERYTHING we found on this forum and none of it helped.
Usually she gets migraines randomly every few days or sometimes every few weeks. But it has now been over 6 months since she started taking Glutamine and she has not had single migraine since!
The other thing she noticed was that she used to get migraines when she ate oranges, drank wine, or got too close to a cat. But now she can do all of them and as long as she's had her glutamine she has absolutely no problems at all.
Now when she feels like a migraine might come she will take a bit extra glutamine and it will stop it coming as well.
We are 100% certain it is the Glutamine because she has deliberately not taken or changed anything else so that we could know the exact solution.
Anyway I really hope that this helps other people as I know how much migraines affected her life and I truly hope that this post will make a difference to other migraine sufferers.
I used to get excellent and rapid recovery from Naproxen, but after a few years of use, it barely does anything anymore. I now have a two-pronged method:
1) Zomig, ice, sleeping mask, silence, moderate painkillers, coffee and if possible sleep. This stops about half of the migraines in their tracks, and causes a little relief in the rest.
2) In the instances when the first method hasn't worked after 60-90 minutes, I know from experience it won't. I then smoke a small amount of medical marihuana. This rarely lead to instant recovery, but a remarkable symptom relief, I would say 90%, much better than heavy medication including large doses of codeine. It's the difference between writhing and moaning in bed, and having a nagging pain and feeling a bit under while watching a movie.
I have been taking Maxalt for about 6 years now (tend to take it about once every 3 months) and it works great in halting my migraines that begin with an aura (loss of vision, flashing lights) usually around premenstrual cycle. Now at 43 years old, I have a kidney stone (about 4 mm size). Since I maintain a fairly healthy diet and exercise regularly, I am wondering if the Maxalt has played a factor in my kidney stone(s).
My daughter has had a 10/10 migraine since August. She was in the hospital for 7 days on every medication with no relief. They sent us home with a recommendation for Botox injections. No doctor will see her for the injections. Does anyone know a physician that will do injections on a 14y/o. We are desperate for any help.
When I feel my migraine coming, i just go for a hour run (very difficult to get to run with a migraine but I force myself). The exercise gets the migraine out !
my husband is having migraines every two hours. is this normal
Also an MHNI patient-over 30 years. Zomig was fantastic but now I have hypertension and take hydrocodone instead. Now that I am over 50 I sometimes have auras but no headache. My blood pressure med is a calcium channel blocker and it helps prevent the headaches. Worst trigger is flashing lights. 2nd worst is change in barometer pressure.
Avoid fleurescent lights at all costs. That is my biggest trigger. Also, if you are sensetive to fleurescent lights then computer monitors will give you migraines too. A standard LCD monitor will give you less headaches than an LED monitor. LED monitors have much more flicker due to how the brightness level is controlled. An option might be to turn the brightness to 100% using your monitor buttons and then using a software control to turn the brightness down.
Well the only thing that ever worked for me was Midrin which they stopped making!!!!
My first migraine occurred after I had joined a group which owned a winery and I started to drink wine regularly. On one occasion after spending a day in emergency care a neurologist recommended taking red wine out of my diet as well as other foods such as coffee, chocolate, bananas, and some others I do not recall right now. Eliminating red wine appears in retrospect to have been the important one for me. Either that or the simple passage of time provided the cure for me. There were triggers such as irregularity of meal times which were important when I was suffering from migraines but they matter not any more. I could experiment with drinking red wine again but forget it, not even for the good of other sufferers.
I tried Topamax and it was the worst experience ever. It took me from migraines to shortness of breath, constant nausea, feeling completely disabled. I could not function and after 5 weeks I quit. I then went back to regular migraines and was actually thankful! I know some love it but be careful. Sumatriptan works great for me. Love it.
A headache specialist suggested I get a night/bite guard from the dentist. Since I started wearing them to sleep (about 13 years ago), I have only had three migraines, and then my old remedies of spicy food or capsiasin nose spray, rest, and eyeshades helped quite a bit.
Helminthic therapy reduced the overall severity and frequency of my migraines for a total improvement of about 70%.
I am currently using Migralex for pain while eliminating Excedrin Migraine because of the horrible rebound headaches. Migralex does not work as fast as Excedrin, but Migralex does seem to be doing its job with pain relief. One thing Ive noticed... I feel very clear headed. I hope the trend continues!
After twenty years of pain from migraines, with every doctor who specialized in a different field of medicine diagnosing me with a different disorder, from gynecologists, general practitioners, neurologist, psychologists, rheumatologists, pain management, etc. I have gone 14 days with constant pain from migraines with every one of the symptoms listed below. I even had symptoms of a small stroke only to have the ER Doctors tell me I had a pinch nerve. My right arm and leg were numb and also my tongue. I slurred my words. I couldn't see. Pinch This! I tried every medication under the medical spectrum to no avail for my migraines. Botox shots have been my savior from this pain. These shots do not stop all headaches but at least I have a life I have been able to returned to. I still have fibromyalgia but I can and will fight the good fight with the big F!
Re: Change in barometric pressure — Always the day before a major weather change I get a migraine. A clue for me is that the day before the migraine, I feel exceptionally good and almost euphoric. What's worse is when the "unholy trinity" descend on me: barometric pressure change + hormone change (just before cycle) + allergens... I want a hole drilled in my head to "let it bleed out" - it feels like my brain is bleeding inside and builds pressure. I feel like the whole left side of my head is sliding down...it's awful!!
Re: Craving Trigger Foods — I crave all things sugar, chocolate and starch....
Re: Regular Exercise — Unfortunately, regular exercise doesn't seem to help my headaches at all. No change that I can tell.
Re: Caffeine — Caffeine constricts the blood vessels in your head which reduces headache pain, but the relief is only temporary. Since caffeine is addictive, it actually causes rebound headaches. Your body will come to depend on the caffeine and if you skip it, you will get a bad headache plus fatigue. So it's not worth it to take caffeine on a regular basis. However, it might be helpful if you only use caffeine no more than about once per week. Doing this will provide relief and will prevent dependence and rebound headaches from developing.
Re: Follow Dr. David Buchholz's "Heal Your Headache: the 1-2-3 Program" — The main side-effect is that if you follow Buchholz's highly restrictive headache diet, you will not be able to live a normal life--no eating out at restaurants, not being able to eat the same food as your family, etc.
Re: Follow Dr. David Buchholz's "Heal Your Headache: the 1-2-3 Program" — I've been following the program for years, but it has never worked for me. So why do I keep following it? I guess all those rave reviews on Amazon.
Re: Migrelief — I did not notice any side-effects, but it just did not work.
Re: Migrelief — MigreLief did not work for me. I took 2 pills per day for over 4 months, but my headaches never improved at all.
Re: Sensitivity to flashing lights — When im facing flashing lights, like on the computers and on rapid and bright strobe lights, I feel sick and get an unexplainable feeling that affects almost all of my senses. I, or my family, doesn't know what it is. Any suggestions?
Re: Excessive Yawning — i suffer from migraine and excessive yawning both , and now i found these related together
but i don't think they come simultaneously
Re: Relpax — I have had migraines for 37 years and Relpax works wonders for me. I am able to break the 40 mil in half and it still works well.I only wish it was around years ago. I have to pay $50.00 for a co-pay for 6 pills and that stinks. Wish there was a generic for it.
Re: Heat — I have the misfortune of having lived for several years (with 5 more years to go) in a hellishly hot climate in the Middle East. It has made my headaches much worse.
Re: Perfume — Perfume, incense, and strong air freshener give me an instant pounding headache, which can last for days!
Re: Stevia — Yes I think so to
Re: Excedrin Migraine — Yes, this works but if you use it regularly, then you get hooked on the caffeine in it and then you will soon have to take it everyday in order to treat the withdrawal headaches. So it's best to not take it more than about once/week.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — I was forced to try Dr Reddy's Sumatriptan by my prescription provider (Medco.) Even though my doctor prescribed Maxalt they felt that Sumatriptan was an equivalent medication. I have not found this to be true. It does alleviate my headache but not as well or fast and I hate the side effects. My side effects have been chest pains that make me afraid I'll have a heart attack, stiff/sore legs/ankles/feet that make it hard to walk, I feel drugged when I take it and even on the day after. I gave it a chance... now I will take my Maxalt prescription to a local pharmacy and buy it out of my own pocket It's expensive but I am afraid to continue taking the Sumatriptan.
Re: Disodium food additives: disodium guanylate, disodium insonate, etc. — It made me puke! I couldn't hold it down.
Re: Hospitalization with intravenous DHE — I tried this and felt great for a week. After the week was over the migraines slowly started creeping in and they are now worse than ever. The good thing is I can cross it off the list as I was lucky enough to get to try it.
Re: Eye Drooping — I agree. Most people can tell right away I have a headache. My left eye droops quite a bit. That is the side the headaches tend to start on.
Re: Relpax — Magic pills. 15-20 minutes and I am fine.
Re: Fiorinal/Fioricet (Butalbital/Acetaminophen/caffeine) — This will knock our a headache for me. I get headaches often post menopausal. I have taken this drug for years---when needed, and have never desired to exceed dosage. I do not find it habit forming and it is effective, for me.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — The magic bullet for me. If you can live through a migraine you can live with the side effects, it's just a few pins and needles and some frustration at not being able to find a few words when you talk. My hair didn't fall out. I think some people are on way too much, start on a small dose and work your way up, I still get mild migraines but I can function - go to work, do everything I usually do. I'm out living my life. TRY IT, it could give you your life back.
Re: Food triggers — Tannins! As I got older, I noticed certain foods (red wine, coffee, tea, berries, chocolate, etc) almost always resulted in a migraine (with aura) a day later. I found this website: http://www.widomaker.com/~jnavia/tannins/index.html. The foods she listed were almost an exact match for me! Plus she mentions additives, which are themselves tannins. Since removing the tannin containing foods (which is hard, not going to lie), my migraine frequency has dropped significantly! I have a migraine less than once a month now (when before it was up to three times a week). Once (I was sleeping regularly, and not eating tannin containing foods), I went three months with NO MIGRAINE. If you have food triggers, I highly reccommend this site. I just hope it helps people as much as it has helped me.
Re: Zanaflex — I have had Chronic Daily migraines for 2 and 1/2 years now. Since addingTinizidine/Xanaflex, I have had significant relief.
Re: Change in barometric pressure — This is the most annoying trigger for me because no one ever seems to believe me. As soon as I wake up on a rainy day my head like its going to split in two. Horrible!
Re: Fiorinal/Fioricet (Butalbital/Acetaminophen/caffeine) — Good so far
Re: Butorphanol (Stadol) — This is the only thing my headaches respond to, No side effects.
Re: Runny Nose — I off and on only have the same side of my nose runs clear....not sure the cause
Re: Malt products and biproducts — Yes I agree. With Easter here recently I bought one of my favorites, malted milk balls. After eating a few of these I experienced a migrane that evening. It seems as though I had the same experience last year.
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — I get the classic migraines. First I get light-headed and then feel really thirsty. Quickly I take ibuproben - however, it is too late at this point.
My hearing become muffled then I feel the everything spinning. When I close my eyes I see a light spirling in circles then the attack happens. The headache begins in my temporal region then migrates towards the frontal part then through the parietal region. During then I see Flashes of light continuous off and on for 15-20 minutes. I become sensitive to sound and light. I become unconfortable and have to find a cool corner to crouch. The sensation is excruciating and usually last for several hours. I wake up feeling groogy and weak.
Re: Occipital Nerve Stimulator — Check out the Michigan Head and Neck Institute. MHNI.com - they do a lot for migraines and I had some success there. It seems that whatever treatment I find works only lasts for 1-2 years. They do specialize in chronic daily migraine and have an in-patient program at Chelsea Hospital in Ann Arbor. Might be worth the trip. I know it was for me. Even though I didn't get a "cure" I have better meds and in a better place in my life to accept my condition (although I'll never give up trying to get rid of these headaches).
Re: Occipital Nerve Stimulator — I had the trial test inplant, worked great will get the unit installed on the 13th of Jan. Looking forward to it. Medtronic (spelling?) is the leader in this. Do a web search and get a lot of info. It wont take away all the pain but am looking for 80 to 90% reduction in events. I am now at 7 to 10 full migrains a week. Good luck!
Re: Occipital Nerve Stimulator — I'm actually looking to have this procedure done. If anyone has any information on Neurosurgeons performing this procedure - in the US - I'd greatly appreciate if you passed it on. I've been getting trigger point injections in my occipital area - mainly lidocaine, but also sometimes bivucaine & occasionally steroids (though no steroids for the last 2 years) - for 5 out of the 61/2 years i've had my current - and constant - Chronic Daily Migraine With Aura...it is the ONLY thing that has ever_ and consistently continues to_ bring down the pain by a couple notches. I'm specifically looking for a clinic, Surgeon, etc. implanting the (relatively new-ish) wireless bion neurostimulators. Thanks for any & all help.
Re: Scotoma / Blindspots in Vision — Not sure which is being referred to but here is the medical definition I found: scotoma [skɒˈtəʊmə] n pl -mas, -mata [-mətə] 1. (Medicine / Pathology) Pathol a blind spot; a permanent or temporary area of depressed or absent vision caused by lesions of the visual system, viewing the sun directly (eclipse scotoma), squinting, etc. 2. (Psychology) Psychol a mental blind spot; inability to understand or perceive certain matters [via Medieval Latin from Greek skotōma giddiness, from skotoun to make dark, from skotos darkness]
Re: Shopping — I'd love to blame all my problems on shopping. I don't think it's a trigger for me, but I know that when I'm forced to go in the middle of a headache it shoots the pain level back up the scale. If it's the mall I have to avoid the department stores like the plague, I even think about a cosmetics counter and I'm in pain and nauseous
Re: CPAP machine — Did the study, no apnea
Re: Propranolol (Inderal) — On it for a few years, worked moderately for a while, until it didn't
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — On depo provera, went off it for a while, and have had several severe migraines, back on it per neurologist's and gyno's recommendations. No results yet.
Re: Paxil — On it for both depression and potential migraine preventive benefits. Don't know how much it's helped with the headaches, but it's helped with the head.
Re: Pain in/above one eye — It isn't in the eye itselft exactly, it's behind the left eye. It is an extremely sharp pain
Re: Vertigo / Dizziness — I end up on the floor a fair amount of the time. More often than not it's vertigo. It will often fall out of the bed trying to sit up or reach for my glasses. Usually this is before the headache hits full stride. The vertigo often progresses to syncope or black out
Re: Pain in/above one eye — The zap. I kind of think of it like those lightenint screen things, where when you touch them all the static electricity is attracted to your finger. It feels like an electric shock concentrates right over my left eyebrow
Re: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — Never heard of the connection, interested to hear this. I've had two cysts rupture. One just a couple of weeks ago, it was a great distraction from the headache. Another about 10 years ago, that was bookmarked by migraine headaches. Gonna be doing some digging and QA with Gyn and Neuro about this.
Re: Feeling hot, then cold, in cycles — No numbness, but the hot/cold, eye watering definitely. Even in the ER or hosp treatment, I'll be sweating fiercely when I get there, 10minutes later I've cleared out their blanket warmer before they've even got a line.
Re: Irritability — I'm usually raving the day before the aura starts.
Re: Sinus Pressure — I always get sick in the fall, it has gotten progressively worse over the past few years. I have always had severe migraines in the fall as well. I think it's time to move to the tundra
Re: Pounding Head — My neurologist calls them "pounders", which is apt. I can actually see my pulse in my eyes. I can feel in in my neck and jaw as well, but the pain is focused in my left temple and behind my left eye and along a line from my forehead into my hairline.
Re: Feeling like head is going to explode — I know exactly where to put the drill bit on/in my skull to make it stop.
Re: Sensitivity to flashing lights — Flashing lights are worse for me than stationary lights, I can eventually acustom myself to a stationary light, I still hate it and hide from it--sunglasses, sleep mask, the works. But a flashing light is about the most painful thing in the world, on equal footing with a screaming 2-year-old
Re: Neck Pain — I get my neck pain secondary to the 'head' part of the headache too
Re: Short term memory loss — I hate this, I feel like I'm 310. The topamax makes it worse. With the really bad ones I loose entire days it seems.
Re: Sinus Pressure — I had a septoplasty performed when I was a teenager and I went almost 8 years without a migraine. The bone was actually completely occluding my left nostril and triggering nearly constant sinusitis. My headaches are almost exclusively on my left side. It was the first time in my life I didn't have a headache at all. Unfortunately they have since come back. I am convinced that surgery in some way helped to stopy my headaches then. I am working with my ENT and neurologist now to hopefully find a way back to the happy zone again.
Re: Itchy head — My face always itches after the DHE
Re: Eye Drooping — Always the left eye, the headaches are almost always the left, eventually the whole left side is pretty slack. The very few times I've had any problem with the right there is not drooping.
Re: Olfactory Hallucinations — It's like I'm pregnant I can smell everything and it all bother's me. I've been smelling powdered drink mix today, earlier this week it was brownies, neither of which I have around. Food smells drive me nuts. But the chemical smells are almost painful, and even the suggestion of animal smells can spike a headache or make me severely nauseous.
Re: Elation / Intense energy — Apparently I go off like a wind-up toy when I come out of a headache, drove my mom nuts when I was a kid.
Re: Allodynia — Hair puller here too.
Re: Continuous migraines one after another — I'm in the middle of month 3, I have a constant low grade headache that finally dulled in the past 2 weeks to the point that I could sit up without nearly passing out or vomitting. Been in and out of ER half dozen times, hospitalized, several dozen meds. Lost my job the minute FMLA ran out. Spikes with most minor trigger, light, sound, certain movements, and I'm back on my back in the dark. I've had ones last 4-6 weeks before, but this is the longest. Diagnosed at age 6. But I'm at the end of the rope. No luck with the trips or BP meds here either, and the morphine never did much for me either. Fentanyl has been my most useful pain med, hate it.
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — This has been a recent addition to my migraines, and is a cause for anxiety. I've also had extremely low BP occasionally when I present mid-headache. Never been able to trust my feet, but I'm getting black spots in my vision unable to walk sometimes.
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — I find it with the topamax as well, but I have always noted it with the in the downswing of the headache itself as I'm heading into it. It often acompanies the vertigo, nausea and aura for me. The topamax just makes it hang on. I was loosing words so often before that I haven't noticed a dramatic increase with the topamax, just an increase in the frustration and length of time it takes me to rebuild my vocabulary
Re: Itchy head — Mine does 'buzz' in a twitchy way.
Re: Bending head down or looking down — I have to read with a book elevated as if I keep my head in a downward position to long it will trigger a migraine.
Re: Neck/Back pain — My neck pain is associated with my migraine headaches. I was diagnosed with cervicalgenic migraine headaches. I am unable to take a drug daily to stop headaches from accuring due to my sensitivities to drugs. At the onset of headache I take either Frova and or Maxalt. I wish I could make these stop!
Re: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — I know four unrelated women who all had the constellation of conditions: PCOS, Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia, and low blood pressure... and all four had TIAs, aka Transient Ischemic Attack, "mini-stroke," "micro-stroke." I haven't heard of any studies linking TIA to more than one of the conditions in the same patient, and I know 4 patients isn't statistically significant even if there were an actual study as opposed to "merely" anecdotal evidence, but it seems likely to me that such an odd combination of conditions in women of different ages, races & medication regimens would lead to TIA in all 4 by coincidence. And between the pre-existing conditions (there's a popular misconception that any patient who comes in reporting multiple symptoms or diagnoses is hypochondriac and/or medication-seeking), her age (under 30) & the fact her systolic was only in the 140s (regular stroke raises already-high BP to 200 or higher; 120 is low-normal, her normal is 105-115) during the TIAs, the ER staff refused to believe my fiancée (one of the four) was having a stroke for the first THREE HOURS we were at the ER! Obviously this led to them not administering any tests or treatments, until a nurse actually watched and listened to her trying to speak & ran for a doctor. So... beware, & please share if you or anyone you know had a TIA with 2 or more of these pre-existing conditions!
Re: Icepick/Lightning headache — This is the migraine where out of nowhere there's a sudden stabbing localized pain, so acute it often makes you cry out, but it only lasts a few minutes, or even less than one minute. For me they're usually in my right temple. Occasionally a lightning headache will then turn into a "regular" migraine for me, but most of the time it's just miserable (and sometimes embarassing if it makes me scream in public) for a moment.
Re: Allodynia — I'm confused! My current neurologist says allodynia with regard to migraine ONLY refers to symptoms on the scalp. I do get intermittent allodynia symptoms in a discrete area on one arm -- a slight touch or draft feels like someone slapping a sunburn -- and I was relieved when I thought migraine finally explained what that was & where it came from, but the doc said no... was she wrong?
Re: Photophobia (sensitivity to light) — My migraines often don't hurt too much at first (or at all -- I get all kinds of screwy 'aura' migraines with symptoms like aphasia, partial blindness, temporary paralysis, etc., often without any discernible head pain) but almost invariably include sensitivity to light. So anytime I suspect one, I cover my eyes with a hand (too much light comes through my eyelids to just close them) and deep-breathe for a moment to relax out any stress tension, then uncover & open my eyes suddenly to see if the return of the light feels like a punch to the brain. Great for catching an incipient migraine in the prodrome & taking my Relpax that much sooner.
Re: Continuous migraines one after another — That's horrible, bkokel! Have you tried any of the blood-pressure-lowering drugs which reduce incidence for some migraineurs when taken prophylactically? My fiancee also had TIA (over 2 dozen in one long scary month) & got no relief from triptans anyway, but Atacand prevents almost all her migraines & greatly reduces the severity of the ones that do break through. She doesn't have high BP, either, it runs around 115/90, low-normal.
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — I get just about every other symptom lumped under the umbrella term "aura migraine" ...but not the actual auras or other visual disturbances! Closest I've come was a blind spot in one eye during a migraine.
Re: Nagging pain in one side of head — There's really no one "best medicine" for everyone, sarav. For any condition & treatment for it, some sufferers won't be able to tolerate a given medication (allergy, interaction, etc.) and what works best for one person may only be second- or third-best fort another. Also, what insurance will cover takes some medications out of the running for some people; I would gladly take Midrin rather than Relpax for my migraines, as they work about equally well for me and Midrin's less likely to suddenly be discovered to cause some horrible side effect after 40+ years on the US market... but Medicare part D plans don't cover Midrin, even though it's cheaper.
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — I don't think my frequent near-syncope attacks are related to my migraines, as opposed to my screwy blood pressure (it runs low, as low as 76/49 at times, and my doc's trying to figure out whether a POTS or NMH dx fits me better) but I'm going to start checking for correlation now!
Re: Perfume — glad to see I'm not the only one!
Re: Sleep — can't sleep when I have a migraine either but I have found that if possible, getting the same amount of sleep can help a little. Not too much, but not too little (hard when you have kids!)
Re: Numb or tingling fingers/hands/arms — this can be an early side effect of topamax
Re: Phonophobia (sensitivity to sound) — phonophobia when I looked it up is a morbid fear of sounds including- your own voice- which isn't what I have- I'm not scared- everything is just so loud!!!!
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — When a migraine is coming on I will see what could be flashes of light or something out of the corner of my eye but when I go to look at it.. nothing will be there... it's a bit unsettling.
Re: Sensitivity to flashing lights — please see my comments under photophobia
Re: Sinus Pressure — I also have a sinus headache migraine connection. Hopefully someone will look into this. I've been mixing sinus/ migraine concoctions for a while now and I've almost got it down- it would be nice to just be able to have a dr. prescribe it right from the beginning.
Re: Tinnitus / Ears ringing with repeating noise — I agree that the tinnitus is from the topamax. I've asked my neurologist if this is a side effect and he didn't think so, but I was sure of it- I'm glad someone else has felt it too.
Re: Photophobia (sensitivity to light) — I've found bright light can bring on or worsen a migraine. Dark Sunglasses-even on a cloudy day can help. Flash of a TV in a dark room or a strobe light can really cause pain.
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — I've found the aphasia is from the topamax- it gets worse the higher levels you take... and stops when I wean myself off of it.
Re: Facial tightness up to 24 hours before migraine — tightness accompanied by scalp tingling
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — Headaches always begin with dizzy on standing, near fainting, loss of balance, sometimes unable to stand without assistance
Re: Excedrin Migraine — I've been using Excedrin for 2 years, at first, it was very effective, it will cured your pain in just 20 or 30 minutes, BTW, I have migraine every once a week, on the fall, I will get more often. Anyway, now the Excedrim seem get less effective after 2 years using, maybe I should try Treximet.
Re: Vivactyl — Taking 10 mg in combination with Verelan PM (300 mg) reduces severity of migraines; although I take it daily, it does not seem to decrease the number of migraines I get, just makes them less severe when I get them. Have tried higher doses of Vivactyl, but it didn't help.
Re: Caffeine — I do not do caffeine. Once while out of the country, I had a severe migraine that my normal rescue meds did not help. Out of desperation, I finally took 1 aspirin & 1 Tylenol, and drank a Coke. It took the pain away. I later tried it again and it didn't work.
Re: Neurontin — Didn't help with migraine, even after taking 3600 mg per day; it did make me extremely fatigued.
Re: Pregabalin (Lyrica) — Didn't help and made me goofy.
Re: Hydrocodone — A well-meaning but inept doctor gave me hydrocodone for migraine. It didn't reduce the pain and kept me awake; I threw up the 2nd one I took.
Re: Midrin — Used this when first diagnoses. Wasn't effective.
Re: Verapamil — Taking Verelan PM (300 mg) with 10 mg Vivactyl daily helps reduce the severity of migraines. It has never seemed to decrease the number of migraines I experience.
Re: Noritriptyline — Taking 10 mg in combination with Verelan PM (300 mg) reduces severity of migraines; although I take it daily, it does not seem to decrease the number of migraines I get, just makes them less severe when I get them. Have tried higher doses of noritryptiline, but they don't help.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — Made migraines worse and made me feel doped up.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — Gave me rebound after taking for several years. Now, not particularly effective for me. Did the shots when they were the only form available; then changed to pills. Nasal spray never worked.
Re: Maxalt — Too slow to be effective.
Re: Depakote — I seemed to be sensitive to this whole family of drugs; they don't work and make me goofy.
Re: Amitriptyline — Gave me weird dreams
Re: Zomig — Got horrible rebound after using Zomig for several years. I had to quit cold turkey for 3 months to stop the cycle; it's one of the most painful things I've ever had to do.
Re: Amerge — Too slow to act.
Re: Elation / Intense energy — I sometimes get a burst of energy ~4-8 hours before the migraine symptoms start.
Re: Migraine lasts for a week — Did you ever try Topamax or try a QuiGong Relaxation Therapy & Mind Expansion cd by Bill Douglas
Re: Food triggers — Frozen turkey instantly causes a migraine for me. If the turkey is fresh killed I don't have a problem.
Re: Sore spots on head — I have a sore spot on the tight side top of my skull during a migraine
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — During a migraine I see light flashes when my eyes are closed.
Re: Tinnitus / Ears ringing with repeating noise — I always have ringing in my ears but I think it is from the preventative meds Topamax and Neurontin.
Re: Short term memory loss — This has started happening recently and is very disturbing.
Re: Continuous migraines one after another — I have had migraines that have gone on for as long as 5 weeks. Nothing helps - hospital treatment, long term preventative meds, prescription abortive meds - have all been unsuccessfull
Re: Museums — I also love museums, antique shops, art museums, but need to pace myself because of sensitivities to mold, dust, chemicals, other people's fragrances in public places.
Re: CPAP machine — As I am aging with chronic illness(es), including FMS/ME, I improved using O2 @ nite, then more with CPAP. I am one who actually had an ischemic CVA, on side of brain where migraines usually occur, one year ago. Etiology is traced to long hx of frequent, severe migraines and sleep apnea. I encourage everyone to discuss possible sleep study with a neurologist. Take migraines seriously! Thankyou.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — Had a hard time giving myself the shot. Nasal spray did not work at all
Re: Sensation of blood rushing and pumping in head — this is a result of the zomig
Re: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — i had a ruptured ovarian cyst once that landed me in the hospital for a week. I had 3 days worth of migraines while there.
Re: Tinnitus / Ears ringing with repeating noise — i feel like my ears are always ringing
Re: Excessive Urination — i think it is related to the zomig
migraine queen
Re: Dark room and NO NOISE! — I have lived over half my life in a dark quiet room with or without a cool washcloth
migraine queen
Re: Eye Drooping — I do have drooping of the eye but I have permanent nerve damage to the left side of my face from Bell's Palsy in 1994
Re: Dihydroergotamine injection and nasal spray — I have had DHE IV's many times in combo with Zofran which helps alleviate the stomach issues. Initially, it makes it a little worse but not as bad a triptans, but within several hours I feel better.
Re: Continuous migraines one after another — I suffer from chronic migraine...my head hurts nonstop!
Re: Low blood sugar / Hypoglycemia (skipping meals or getting too hungry) — If I eat a healthy snack (apple; banana etc) in between meals it helps considerably
Re: Exercise — overexertion gives me an instant migraine - need to increase intensity slowly and over time
Re: Strong emotions — trying to avoid conflict (at work; with spouse, friends etc) is a migraine trigger - need to take a moment and respond honestly as to what I'm thinking/feeling instead of "biting my tongue" or holding back
Re: Neck Massage — I think it helps more with overall health/relaxation rather than migraine specifically. have had a migraine start after a massage therapist worked too much on my neck
Re: Eliminate Aspartame/Phenylalanine — not sure if it's eliminating diet soda among other lifestyle changes I'm trying but it seems to be helping. decided to eliminate after I got a sudden, blazing migraine after drinking a large diet soda
Re: Blood Pressure medicine — Since intense exercise (sustained high heart rate/level 9 exertion) is a migraine trigger I suspect there is a vascular component to migraine
Re: Frovatriptan (Frova) — Love Frova! Has a longer 1/2 life than Imitrex and works really, really well for menstrural migraines
Re: Verapamil — Thus far, have had good success with it but not sure if it's the meds or lifestyle changes (diet; sleep habits etc) that are contributing. Elevated my heart rate and seems like it makes it more difficult to work out (or I'm more out of shape than I realize)
Re: Allodynia — ironically, i find that pulling on my hair (scalp) on the side of my head that is painful can alleviate symptoms
Re: Driving — If I'm going to drive more than 20 minutes I have to time medication and coffee intake to be at peak effectiveness or I get extreme nausea, light sensitivity and sometimes feel close to passing out. As soon as I stop the symptoms dissapate but if I persist it can bring on a full migraine
Re: Shopping — I think it is the motion of eye scanning that brings on the symptoms as well as smells
Re: Pain in/above one eye — without medication I get this multiple times daily, I call them pings and it feels like someone is flicking their finger at me. The pain is not severe but the consistency is annoying.
Re: Feeling hot, then cold, in cycles — I've had 4 extreme events in 2 1/2 years leading to two ER visits because I nearly blacked out or event lasted for hours and I thought I was having a heart attack.
Re: Neck Pain — since a major migraine event in 5 months ago I"ve had daily neck spasms almost continously until I started on a muscle relaxant
Re: Single pupil dilation — I wake up in the middle of the night feeling like construction lights are shining in my right eye only to realize my room is dark
Re: Cervical Epidural Block — Helped out for about 6 weeks
Re: Feeling like head is going to explode — Certainly feel I would feel better if a hole were drilled in my head to relieve the pressure....like brain is too big for the cavity (know that isn't the case - considering my SAT scores )
Re: Feeling like head is going to explode — It alternates between feeling like my head is in a vice and that something is trying to get out of my head. I want to do a headstand or get my head under a table and push up against the bottom of the table - to equalize the pressure.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — made my complex migraines better, but had to get off because it caused kidney stones. Also caused severe short term memory loss.
Re: Irritability — my irritability starts 6-8 hours before my first symptoms
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — They are black and white and yellow zigzag lines, like a children's drawing of a mountain range on its side in the periphery of your vision. At first you don't want to acknowledge that it is there but then you can't, and realize it is aura and a migraine is starting. Then you worry if you should take your drugs and "waste" them in case it wouldn't turn into a bad migraine or not . . . anxiety producing.
Re: Butorphanol (Stadol) — Before menopause I used to get relentless three day "burning coal" migraines that no amount of Imitrex or any other drug could stop. When they came, I just had to live through them, miss work, miss life. I asked my neurologist for something that would just knock me out. She gave me Stadol. It completely relaxed my body and while it didn't stop the migraine--I could still feel it and knew I had a migraine, I no longer cared. Only good for the migraines that just won't quit--it is the "big gun".
Re: Hydrocodone — Hydrocodone is my "collapse" drug. When I have toughed out a migraine all day, when meds. haven't helped and it won't stop, I come home and take it and go to bed. I do get itchy feelings, usually on my face but don't mind because the sleepiness and relaxation are worth any itchiness. I do suspect it causes rebound though if used too often.
Re: Botox — Botox is my present miracle. After 17 years of trying every drug--Lamictal, Neurontin, Depakote, Verapamil, beta blockers, Nortryptillyne, Topamax, etc. and gaining over 40 lbs. I fought with my insurance company and got 30 botox shots in the left side of my hairline, around my left eye and across my forehead. My migraine always start under my left eye and if escape travels up to the midpoint of my left side of skull. I have had two sets now of Botox and migraines are decreased by 40 to 45 percent, migraines I do have are actually controlled--I can stop them with Maxalt, and the lurking migraine are gone. There are real beginnings and endings to migraine now, with my head completely clear in between. I love Botox and hope it continues to work.
Re: Noritriptyline — Caused weight gain, did not help migraine.
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — Caused monster migraine which sent me to ER. (I try never to go to ER where I am usually treated like a drug addict--in 17 years of migraine have gone in maybe half a dozen times). Doctor at ER was horrified that I was prescribed birth control, said they make migraine worse and to stop immediately.
Re: Maxalt — This drug is wonderful. Imitrex wasn't working anymore for me. I could not stop a migraine EVER, just bring the pain level down. With Maxalt I am able to actually stop a migraine. Hope this continues.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — First time I tried it, I had such severe short term memory loss that I had to stop it. I couldn't even remember which teeth on which side of mouth I had brushed AS I was brushing. Second time I was able to tolerate it, though I search for the right words more frequently. Does not seem to have helped migraine either and I did not lose any weight.
Re: Neurontin — Did not help with migraine but caused a photosensitive rash all over my body. Doctor suggested I just wear long pants and long sleeves and a hat! I stopped taking it.
Re: Verapamil — Did nothing for my migraine, caused horrible constipation--made me understand what a quality of life issue constipation is--I will never find ads at relief for it funny again.
Re: Depakote — GAINED WEIGHT, every time I stepped on the scale I weighed more. I started exercising more, watching what I ate, didn't make a difference, weight kept creeping up. Did NOTHING for my migraine.
Re: Genetic — I have a mitochondrial myopothy (MELAS) that causes my migraines/sensitivity to frequent migraines.
Re: Depakote — Didn't help my migraines, and do NOT take this if you have a mitochondrial condition!
Re: Morphine — I only take morphine as a last resort, when I have already had at least 2 migraines during a week and cannot take another triptan (frova is what works best for me). Usually at this point I have nausea/vomiting and have a prescription for something to calm my stomach first, then a 15 mg morphine pill. One is almost always enough, and keeps me from the ER.
Re: Maxalt — Though this seemed a possibility to help a mid- or low-level migraine only if taken prior or immediately at start of migraine, I am allergic to artificial sweeteners, so the extreme nausea was not worth using this.
Re: Seizures — I have seizures due to a mitochondrial condition that are normally under control due to prescriptions, but my usually minor myoclonic "jerks" during my worst migraines.
Re: Zonegran — I was on this as a substitute for Topamax, because I couldn't take the horrible side effects any more... The cognitive side effects were slightly less than the "Dope-a Max", but not much. I no longer take it. It did seem to help with my migraine frequency, but it just wasn't worth it.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — Was on varying doses for about 5 years. A TERRIBLE drug...my family called it "Dope-a Max". Hair fell out by the handfulls, couldn't think, concentrate, or remember anything, caused me much difficulty at work (Med Tech in busy Hospital Lab), had difficulty speaking. It DID diminish the frequency of my migraines, and I Did Love the weight loss... but the terrible cognitive side effects FAR outweighed the helpfulness. Now that I am off of it, I have gained back the 20 pounds that I lost while on it, but I have my Brain, and my speech and my senses back.. oh and my hair stopped falling out.
Re: Low Estrogen — I take birth control pills for 3 months straight then put on an estrogen patch for the week of my period. This seems to help a bit and allows me to stay ahead of the migraine.
Re: Ice — I tie ice packs to my head and lie down, does help a bit
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — I find it hard to get the words out and my thinking is garbled
Re: Brain Surgery — Cerebral Angiogram caused a slew of back to back migraines for me that was terrible.
Re: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) — Usually 4 advil and chugging a coke will decrease the pain and slowly get rid of the aura.
Re: Pregabalin (Lyrica) — Didn't help with migraines, probably because I couldn't tolerate a large enough dose to do any good. Side effects were too bad and appeared quickly after beginning this medication.
Re: Relpax — Stops the aura in 30 minutes or so, and shuts down the migraine before the throbbing pain can set in. Provided it's taken in time.
Re: Morphine — Given morphine in the emergency room, had very little effect on the aura or the pain. Couldn't believe how bad I felt after taking it.
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — I figured it was from just getting older (52) but is it from topamax?
Re: Flashing lights/ strobe lights — One strobe light flash is enough to give me a migraine, and they are tough to avoid. Movies, TV (especially ads) have more flashing lights all the time.
Re: High altitude / flying — You are experiencing a pressure change in both cases. There is less atmosphere at altitude, because there is less air above you, so less air is pushing down on you. In airplanes, they only pressurize the cabin to the equivalent of about 8000 feet above sea level, just like a high mountain. I get migraines every time I go to high altitude, or fly and I'm least likely to get one at the coast. I think I was destined to be a beach bum!
Re: Humidity/rain — These are symptoms of pressure changes!
Re: Being out in windy weather — Windy weather means a pressure change, the atmosphere is trying to equalize the pressure by moving the air around (wind). So, if your migraine is affected by pressure changes, wind is an easy symptom to pick up on to know that a pressure change is either on the way or is happening..
Re: Citrus — I'm allergic to citric acid, and if somebody squeezes a lemon slice at the next table over at a restaurant, I have an asthma attack and get a migraine.
Re: Low pressure systems — This is my big trigger! The worst part is that there is no way to avoid it, trigger foods can be avoided, but not the atmosphere.
Re: Museums — Could it be that too many museums and other public places use florescent lights? And it is likely to get worse, because they are less expensive than incandescent lights!
Re: Strong emotions — Prolonged extreme stress was almost surely the original cause of me getting migraines in the first place, and now stress (especially caused by emotions) can trigger a migraine.
Re: Change in barometric pressure — My neurologist calls me the barometer! I know when the pressure is going to change before the barometer changes. Here in Phoenix, in the hot part of the year (most of the time!), every afternoon as it heats up, the pressure drops. So, there goes my afternoon, because a lower pressure gives me migraines. Traveling to altitude and flying are the same problems.
Re: Reflexology — I will try anything that isn't chemical (I have tons of food and medicine allergies). My husband or daughter rubs my hands and/or feet on Reflexology pressure points. They focus on headache, nausea and intestinal areas, because I am likely to have digestive upsets with my migraines. It is not 100% effective, but combined with a triptan and rest in a dark room, I feel much better. I have as many a 5 migraines a week, so relief is wonderful!
Re: Maxalt — It is the only triptan that does much for me, and it always takes two, but it is starting to lose its effectiveness. Now I sleep a lot, because I have to add sleep to Maxalt. My doctor is adamant that I take no more than 2 every 24 hours, to try to keep from having rebound headaches. I live in an environment with strong low pressure changes for months on end, and those have a bad effect on me.
Re: Pain in/above one eye — I have this situation, except my pain and migraines are always on the left side only. I have never had a right side migraine. My left eye does not see as well as it used to. By the way, has anyone else developed essential tremor, like I have?
Re: Prescription Prophylactics — Most prescribed propholactics either do not work at all or lose effectiveness over time.
Re: Regular Exercise — As much as I hate to admit it, it does seem like I get less migraines when I am exercising regularly.
Re: Sinus Pressure — Dealing with migraines for a while now, and all of a sudden they almost always start with sinus pain - I panic as soon as it starts and it does not always turn in to a migraine.
Re: Propranolol (Inderal) — Side effects of Inderal: After daily treatment for several years I started becoming depressed. This was at a dose of 40mg/day. The doctor weaned me off and did not start another course of daily preventive treatment.
Re: Scotoma / Blindspots in Vision — What is this?
Mr Z
Re: TENS — For me, the TENS masks the pain but it does not stop the headache. After I take the unit off, the headache is still there.
Mr Z
Re: Wine of any type, not just red wine — I think its the phosphates in wine that can cause migraine.
Re: Midrin — If I take 2 midrin at the onset of an aura, I seldom get a headache. My aura symptoms normally last between 30-45 minutes which gives me ample warning to take the midrin---as long as I am awake. I seem to get auras in my sleep and wake with an sever migraine.
Re: Ice — I find that, for me, ice makes my head aches worse, so I do not use ice. I like warm, heat better.
Re: Stop Smoking Cigarettes — I don't smoke so that does not affect me.
Re: Caffeine — When I have a migraine caffine will help. It seems to open up the blood vessels and helps the headaches other than that I limit the amount of caffine I have on a daily basis.
Re: Sleep — I try not to go to sleep unless I have a full blown horrible migraine. I usually can go on if I catch the migraine early enough, but if I don't than I have to lie down and let it run it's course -- and then I am no good for the rest of the day.
Re: Excedrin Migraine — I use these and it helps a lot. It has to be the one with all three ingredients to work, though. Most of the time it will work unless it is a full blown migraine and then I still have to take a Relpax.
Re: Depakote — Made me very tired and I gained weight. I asked my doctor to take me off of it and now I use topomax
Re: Prednisone — Only used when I have very bad headaches and I need a quick relief. My doctor gives me the pred. pack. I don't like to use them unless absolutely necessary.
Re: Hydrocodone — Makes me itchy in strange places and do not like to use narcotics unless I absolutely have to.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — Currently on 250mg a day. Love the weight loss benefits, but did not seem to be helping until my doctor found I had a vitamin D dificiency. May be going off the topomax if that continues to help. Topomax alone did not seems to be helping alone.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — Shots worked for awhile, but they do not work any more. Switched to Relpax and that seems to be working well.
Re: Cervical Epidural Block — The first one was horrible and made me very ill. The second one was better, but made me ill as well. Neither really made my migraines better so the third one was never given.
Re: Nagging pain in one side of head — I used Imotrex injectible for quite a while until I found Relpax. Relpax helps without causing any problems such as nausea or "swimmy head" feelings. Excedrin also helps me when I catch the headache really early. The caffine seems to help the headache a lot.
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — Am currently taking Topomax which helps, but causes slowness of remembering things. The headaches do not cause the aphasia itself, only the medication.
sharon pennock
Re: Menstrual — I will have a migraine on the onset of my period. Sometimes it will last for 2 days and sometimes it will last for 7 days. Not sure why.
Re: Change in barometric pressure — This is a major trigger for me.
Re: Relpax — My miracle drug. I could not survive without Relpax. I just have problems with my insurance not allowing me enough to make it through the month.
Re: Maxalt — Maxalt worked for me the first few years, but quit working altogether.
Re: Elation / Intense energy — I sometimes feel like I am high (like a drug high) as I'm coming out of a migraine.
Re: Olfactory Hallucinations — My number one sensitivity is to smells. When I have a migraine, all smells bother me.
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — Extreme sensitivity to smell. It is like having super keen smell. I can smell things that I ordinarily wouldn't be able to smell.
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — I never realized that there was actually a name for this. I thought it was just something that I experienced.
Re: Dihydroergotamine injection and nasal spray — I give myself a shot when I first feel the migraine symptoms. It will either alleviate the pain completely or make it more tolerable. There are some digestive side effects, but they are mild compared to migraine pain.
Re: Pregabalin (Lyrica) — Lyrica has changed my life!! It has eliminated my daily headaches, and I went from having 3-4 migraines a month down to 1 per month. There are side effects when you first start taking it, but they dissappear completely.
Re: Craving Trigger Foods — I always crave peanut butter.
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — Syncope, also known as fainting, or a sudden and brief loss of consciousness.
Re: Reduce salt intake — I have low sodium and end up in the hospital for treatment.
Re: Vitamin B2 — I take Vitamin B for short-term memory loss due to two brain surgeries.
Re: Magnesium — I have low magnesium and have to take supplements.
Re: Pain in/above one eye — I had two brain surgeries for an aneurysm behind my left eye. Ever since I have constant pain behind my left eye.
Re: Slurring Words — My hemi-plegic migraines resemble a stroke.
Re: Trouble concentrating — I have constant short term memory loss and migraines since my two brain surgeries. I have also lost all spelling and grammar skills that I once had.
Re: Uncoordinated, stumbling, unsteady — My migraines resemble a stroke.
Re: Tingling Lips — I can tell when a hemi-plegic migraine is about to occur when my lips start to tingle. My face then goes numb on the left side and I become paralyzed on the left side. This usually lasts anywhere between 4-48 hours. It resembles a stroke so I always have to go to the hospital each time. Usually every 3-4 months sometimes more frequently.
Re: Continuous migraines one after another — Ever since two brain surgeries I always have a migraine. Some more severe than others but they never stop. I cannot take any Triptans since I had a TIA. I have tried all migraine medications, anti-seizure medications and regular pain medications none work. I end up in the hospital and I am given Morphine. I now see a pain specialist who treats me with Morphine to lessen the severity of some of the migraines and keep me out of hospitals.
Re: Feeling like head is going to explode — My head feels like my brain is being squeezed as if you took a large amount of Play Doh in your hands and squeezed it through your fingers.
Re: Perfume — Especially noticed when around a woman who smelled like she emptied the bottle on herself and her clothes!
Re: Low pressure systems — Definitely! And I have not found any way to get rid of this type of migraine headache. Imitrex, butalbitol, or hydrocodone don't phase it, or relieve it.
Re: Bright sunlight / eyes not protected from sunlight — This may actually be more of a trigger for the real cause - squinting of the eyes for too long a period.
Re: Boredom — Interesting thought! This may well be a cause (one of many).
Re: Heat — a few times I have gotten a headache from working out in the heat for too long. 'Course, I live in Houston, so it could be in combination with the pollutants from the refineries.
Re: Stop Smoking Cigarettes — Many people were 'on me' to stop smoking cigarettes because it would "stop the headaches": family, family physician, neurologist, fellow workers. One word answer: BULLS**T!!!
Re: Excedrin Migraine — I have been using the Walmart 'generic equivalent' and have found that it will cure or delay most migraines if taken with 3 generic, enteric coated aspirin. Helps when you are not at home and cannot get to take the Imitrex.
Re: Fiorinal/Fioricet (Butalbital/Acetaminophen/caffeine) — I too am using the 'generic equivalent' and have found that this helps considerably with muscle tension headaches, but not migraines if used by itself. If used with Imitrex, and taken early on, it will cure a migraine and leave me headache free for the remainder of the day.
Re: Treximet (formerly Trexima) — Tried it, didn't like it, went back to Imitrex.
Re: Hydrocodone — Works for really bad headaches. Kind of a 'last resort' drug for me, but will cause rebound headaches if used too frequently.
Re: Botox — Botox treament about 18 months ago reduce frequency of headaches by about 60-75%. Time for another round in both temples and back of head, but no insurance and Social Security only income are delaying that indefinitely.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — Taking 50 mg dose cures the headaches, but seems to start causing rebound headaches after about 6 months. On the other hand, it beats Aspirin hands down.
Re: Phonophobia (sensitivity to sound) — This seems to be the same as, or very closely related to, "Phonophobia".
Re: Sore spots on head — Only when the trigger points at my temples are activating (usually, one or the other).
Re: Extreme pressure/throbbing behind eyes — These symptoms occur during are what I refer to as a 'Moderate' headache.
Re: Feeling like head is going to explode — This happens to me only during the most severe headaches, about once or twice per year. By definition, this is 'Extreme' pain. "If you hear a POP, you know my head exploded, and I'll feel better!"
Re: Blurred Vision — Doesn't "single pupil dialation" cause this, too? They both are usually indicators of an impending headache for me.
Re: Fatigue — Best idea is to take the meds, then take a nap.
Re: Phonophobia (sensitivity to sound) — I think my symptom in this area is closer to "Hyperacusis" (a sensitivity to loud noises). Loud, repetitive sounds are particularly annoying.
Re: Neck muscle stiffness — When the trigger point activates, there is no denying the neck pain.
Re: Uncoordinated, stumbling, unsteady — Only with the worst headaches, and if I try to stay out of bed to do anything. Best idea is to give up and give in to the pain.
Re: Irritability — I think most people get irritable when their head hurts and their eyes are threatening to cross.
Re: Sinus Pressure — See my comment under "Sinuses".
Re: Pulsating, Intractable Pain — Only the worst headaches have this.....about once or twice a year.
Re: Sensitivity to flashing lights — What is the difference between this and photophobia?
Re: Neck Pain — A trigger point is located at the base of the back of my skull. When this 'activates', the neck pain is the first indication of an impending migraine.....time to take some meds.
Re: Sinus Pressure — I live in Houston. Because of the location of the refineries (both oil and chemical) in relation to the city, most people in Houston have sinus problems (but they won't get cured because it would cost the big companies some money). Given that, many migraines are preceded by clogged/swollen sinuses.
Re: Single pupil dilation — I guess this is what is happening when my eyes stop focusing together. This is the point at which I stop driving and let my wife take over the car.
Re: Pounding Head — Doesn't happen often (as opposed to migraines, which are almost daily), but when it does, it involves the whole forehead region (behind and above the eyes) and puts me in bed for 4-6 hours.
Re: Itchy head — This does happen after the pain has left, but I always thought it was a mild allergic reaction to hydrocodone. Interesting!
Mr Z
Re: Magnesium — magnesium citrate will cause diarrhea; however, if you go to the pharmacists and ask for magnesium oxide you will not have this problem. I take 400mg/day. Its available without a prescription but you do have to ask for it.
Mr Z
Re: Prednisone — this works when in go into a migraine cycle that lasts for several days on-end.
Mr Z
Re: Occipital Pain (pain at back of head) — I went to several dentists and they found nothing. It took me a while to figure out what was going on.
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — Going OFF BCP has helped.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — I was on 100 mg a day for 5 months, not only did it make my migraines worse, I felt as if I were an alzheimers victim. Getting off this drug is the worse migraine I've ever experienced and I did not think anything could be worse then the migraines I experience.
Re: Sinus Pressure — sometimes my migraines almost seem like sinus pressure right at the bridge of my nose, so I'm not sure whether to take my migraine meds or my sinus meds until it's too late and I have a full blown migraine and then it's zomig time and bed. I'm useless once the migraine sets in and this will last for a few days at a time. it's ugly.
Re: Chocolate / Sugar craving — I find I crave carbs when I have my migraines, not necessarily chocolate or sugar but breads, crackers types of things.
Re: Allodynia — I've had severe migraines since I was in my early 20's and my skin would be super sensitive, now I'm finding my skin is super sensitive all the time but worse during my migraines. Almost as if I'm being electrocuted.
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — took topomax, that was a total nightmare, not sure which was worse the remedy or the withdrawal of going off this stuff, it was horrible in the worse sense.
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — all this time I just thought it was related to getting older.
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — I don't know what this is either.
Re: Food triggers — citrus, red wine, aged meats, aged cheeses, soy, peanut butter, vinegar, onions, hot dogs,
Re: Change in barometric pressure — Hurricane season. Or even just when it rains a couple of days in a row.
Re: Ice — Ice helps, but its so hard to keep an ice bag on your head when u are lying down to try and sleep it off, I found this product and it is AWESOME -- has been a LIFESAVER. I take it on vacations and such just in case. When i feel a migraine coming on I take a Maxalt, put this cap on and sleep for 2 hours, and then I can function like a normal person the rest of the day!! The migracap SO worth the $$ -- highly reccommend. www.migracap.co.uk/
Re: Oxygen — Was given pure oxygen at the ER once. Intersting treatment, But it did work though!
Re: Cooling headbands — Ice helps, but its so hard to keep an ice bag on your head when u are lying down to try and sleep it off, I found this product and it is AWESOME -- has been a LIFESAVER. I take it on vacations and such just in case. When i feel a migraine coming on I take a Maxalt, put this cap on and sleep for 2 hours, and then I can function like a normal person the rest of the day!! The migracap SO worth the $$ -- highly reccommend. www.migracap.co.uk/
Re: Dietary changes — These foods trigger my migraines, and if I have more than one of these in the same 24 hour period (like I have a hot dog at lunch and then a lemonade for dinner) FORGET IT. Its an ER visit to kill the pain. Butt here is my list: onions, hot dogs, soy (soy sauce, peanut butter -- the regular has soy in it!!), aged cheeses, aged meats (salamis), if I drink alcohol I try to stick to lite beers and clear liquors, cannot even SMELL red wine or forget it, anything citrus - oranges, orange juice, lemons, lemonade, limes...
Re: Sleep — If I take something (Maxalt) and then lie down with an ice pack, usu within 2 hours is kicked and I can function the rest of the day like a normal person.
Re: Paxil — Doc put me on the lowest dose, and I could not even get thru 2 days on it without being asleep ALL day! Then tried to tell me to stay on it for 3 months and keep upping my doses! I could not go to work and sleep for 8 hours, so I got a new doc :) Was crazy. NOT a drug for me or migraines I believe.
Re: Lexapro — My doc switched me to this casue it was a new-fangled drug. But did NOT work for me at all. Even on the smallest does it did give me VERY vivid dreams! Was scary.
Re: Morphine — Right. what pain does morphine not cure? I was in the hospital a few days once (for something else) and got a migraine while there, and asked if Ic ould take my Maxalt, and the hospital would not alllow, instead kept giving me morphine!! But it worked. Seemed like overkill though.
Re: Relpax — A miracle! Knocks it out, but does make me a bit drowsy, makes my body feel as heavy as a pile of bricks.
Re: Noritriptyline — Is great for me, I suffered from chronic daily headaches from the moment I woke up everyday until I started on a lo-dose of this everynite - 25 mg. I have noticed though that it seems to keep me UP when I take it at nite and I can't fall asleep, yet if I take it in the a.m. it makes me drowsy then! But I can't say enough for how it has relieved my daily headaches. I did not realize it until my doc switched me to Lexapro, which did NOT help AT ALL. I switched back to the Nortrip. Plus its only $4 at Walmart :)
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — Mircette has been alife saver, a very lo-dose of hormones that don't make me ill, and I take them straight thru and only have my period few times a year, since this is a trigger for my migraines. I like that being on the bc I feel I have somewhat control over my migraines and the ability to usu know when they may occur. (when I stop the bc to have a period)
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — All forms (injection, nasal, pill) that I tried made me nauseaus and made my chest feel tight and like I couldn't breathe. Not effective AT ALL on my migraine :(
Re: Maxalt — Maxalt is my miracle drug, it knocks out my migraines within 2 hours like nothing else I have ever tried. Imitrex works for my mother, but it just made me ill.
Re: Sinus Pressure — I live in South Florida. When hurricanes blow thru our area I get migraines because of the change in the barometric pressure.
Re: CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Sub-cortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (Gene 19 NOTCH 3)) Genetic mutation — This is a very rare neurodegenerative disease with the hallmark of severe migraines, Trans Ischemic Attacks, and seizures among other serious issues. It is diagnosed through DNA testing.
Re: Fluorescent lights — I hate fluorescent lights with a passion for his reason. They have always triggers headaches in many people I know.
Re: Alcohol — I would say that most of us already know to avoid this!
Re: Heat — From heat and humidity quickly into A/C and back again will trigger a major episode for me. Or even in the winter, from a warm home to a cold, blustery day and blam a headache
Re: Shopping — I agree with the rest on the triggers, mainly the lighting. Don't forget the constant temperature change which seems to affect me, also. Oh, yeah--the noise...
Re: Inhaling smoke and other strong odors — Any petroleum products and perfumes can trigger a migraine. Try getting in an airplane with a lady sitting near you doused in her "fragrance", and try to ask to be moved. To me it is worse than cigarette smoke! I cannot even go down the supermarket row with detergents.
Re: Continuous migraines one after another — I had this quite often until I started to take Imitrex and now Zomig nasal spray.
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — Not sure what this is....
Kamila Carmichael
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — I get Deja Vu
Re: Intense throbbing on both sides of head — Intense throbbing on both sides of the head
Re: Toradol — had allergic reaction to toradol
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — I don;'t know what this is....
Re: Photophobia (sensitivity to light) — I have to have dark and quiet. If I am around others or at the store, I have to leave, the auras start first, then I know I better make my way home.
Re: Reglan with Aspirin — My doc prescribed three aspirin and one Reglan tablet at the onset of a migraine. It works with "normal" migraines and hormonol ones, and with nausea ones. It does not work for my food additive induced migraines. For that I have to take Maxalt.
Re: Aspirin/Salicylic acid — My doc prescribed three asprin with one Reglan tablet at the onset of a migraine. If it's a typical migraine or hormonal, it works. If it's a food additive migraine, it doesn't and I use Maxalt instead. But asprin & Reglan are DIRT CHEAP compared to the Rx meds.
Re: Cymbalta — Taking it for fibromyalgia & psoriatic arthritis; has added benefit of lessoning my migraines; taking 60 mg/day
Re: Midrin — I liked this and took it quite a long time - but I always had a hangover for two days from the sedative in it
Re: Maxalt — I love how Maxalt is dispensed - individual foil packets. They're SO nice for carrying in my wallet. No side effects, works well and quickly
Re: Cervical Epidural Block — I had 4 injections in my cervial spine for osteoarthritic degeneration and they slowed down my migraines
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — I HATE how Imitrex pills are dipensed - 6 tablets on a HUGE folded cardboard "box". It's so hard to have them mobile. I switched to Maxalt (individual foil packs) for that reason alone.
Re: Smell of food cooking — smell of food, yes; not crock pot cooking
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — what is this? i have never heard this term?
Re: Elation / Intense energy — This comes with the relieve of pain and probably drug induced
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — I have had so many back to back migraines and now the daily topamax that going blank and losing words is a common occurance for me.
Re: Dietary changes — Following a tyramine free diet really has helped my migraines! It is a pretty boring way to eat but it is certainly worth the reward of not getting a migraine all of the time.
Re: Sleep — When I get a migraine, the only relief generally comes with time. If you can sleep that time away, great. I tend to knock myself out with Nyquil or something. Now that I'm a Mom, though - no dice. Gotta just deal.
Re: Toradol — Works great, but doc limits it, and it knocks me out for 8 hours.
Re: Progesterone drop at end of cycle — I used to get them twice a month for a week at each time until I had my ovaries removed. (Plus other times) Now I don't have the clockwork migraines but can't pinpoint the other ones
Re: Naproxen (Aleve) — deathly allergic to this and therefore possibly all anti inflamitories
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — I lose words due to the Topamax that I take daily for my migraines.
aunt money
Re: Sleep — Here's the problem I can't sleep when I have a migraine if I could I'm sure it would help. I know when my sleep is regular and peaceful I'm generally migraine free.
aunt money
Re: Noritriptyline — Worked great unitl it caused me to have problems with my heart :( Now I'm struggling to find something that works!
aunt money
Re: Continuous migraines one after another — I'm working on one that's been going on for 5 weeks now with little or no relief - ER visits and the heavy duty shots there gave me a little break, but not much.
aunt money
Re: Single pupil dilation — oh my! I thought this only happened to me and that I was going crazy! Thanks for the validation!
aunt money
Re: Itchy head — I never thought about this before, but this does happen - weird.
Re: Eliminate Red Wine — I never drink red wines. I have always gotten a regular headache from it. I can drink white wines with out any problems.
Re: Aspartame — I consume 5-6 diet sodas a day that contain aspartame. I very rarely have migraines. If I want to have a migraine all I have to do is eat candy and stay up all night on the computer.
Re: Progesterone drop at end of cycle — I seem to be getting a migraine at the end of my cycle every month. It results in a week long off/on migraine misery.
Re: Shopping — I agree with cathoo - over stimulation, perfumes etc, and harsh lights.
Re: Ice — This usually helps make it a little less awful.
Re: Neck Massage — The relief is only temporary when the massage ends, back to the pain.
Re: Feverfew — Hasn't been effective for me. I'm nervous reading about stopping taking this. Do you have to ween yourself off it slowly then? I don't think that I want to take this forever as it hasn't been doing me any good.
Re: Eliminate Red Wine — I've not ever been able to drink any wine without fear of a migraine =(
Re: Sleep — I can go to sleep sometimes with a migraine, but usually I wake up from the pain and don't get more than a couple hours or so sleep at a time when I have them. Sleep is a huge escape from the pain.
Re: Maxalt — Maxalt worked for the first few migraines that I had. When it did work it stopped them completely. But when it stopped working w/ just one 10mg, I upped the dosage as per the instructions and suffered a rebound instead. Thinking that it was a fluke, I tried it once more with the next migraine and had another rebound.
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — I stopped taking BC and had less migraines for a couple of years. Now it's back to the same old thing.
Re: Seeing a bright shadow coming out of words when reading — Can't focus. Blurred vision in the extreme.
Re: BC Powder — this is the ONLY over-the-counter medication that eliminates/lessens the pain of my severe migraines in less than 30 min
Re: Nausea — i notice that nausea is significantly more severe right before i get my period
Re: Gatorade — My 11 yr. old son has been able to reduce the number and severity of his migraines by drinking 1-2 bottles of Gatorade when he first feels a headache coming on. He still gets about 2/week, but the Gatorade helps him make it through the school day without vomiting or having to come home early.
Re: Flashing lights/ strobe lights — can't look at them for even a second!
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — Allergic reaction 2 mins after injection couldn't breath never tried again
Re: Ice — If I have no Imitrex I can only live through the pain by applying ice to my head in order to allow me to sleep on and off. I practically freeze my head but at full onset even that doesn't quite reach the pain center and offers minimal relief.
Re: Maxalt — This did not work at all for me, did not even touch the migraine and left me feeling worse
Re: Amitriptyline — It did not work for me at all. One of the many prophylactic's I tried that never helped.
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — This was the first thing my doctor tried (35 years ago) and it seemed to make them worse and come on more often so I never took the pill again
Re: Toradol — Didn't even touch my migraine, no use at all
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — The pills did not work unless I caught it early enough but I usually wake up with full onset so they were unsuccessful. The injection works for me (thank God) 98% of the time. When I inject I experience almost immediate tingling in my extremities (toes and fingers and anywhere there is a cut or scrape) and then a tightness in my shoulders and neck, then it reaches my head and the migraine and medicine seem to 'do battle' in my head, the pain actually gets worse for a short time and then it recedes and within 20/30 minutes I wouldn't even know that I had a migraine.........it has been a miracle cure for me!!! The only issue now is that I am unemployed with no medical benefits and I can't afford it, it is very expensive; about 50 dollars a shot and I experience 8 to 12 migraine a month
Re: Indomethacin — I have never tried it
Re: Sleep — I have always maintained an avg of 7-9 hrs sleep most nights in my life.I have been very fortunate to get sleep. Not always a good sleep but have always tried to get sleep.I have always struggled to go to sleep though. Sleep is always what I need to lose a migraine though.Nothing else has ever worked.Not even the heavy narcotics they give me in the ER. I still need sleep in order for them to work correctly.Without sleep I am not getting rid of the migraine,its as simple as that.
Re: Caffeine — I went thru a 3 yr lifestyle/diet/medication study at my local hospital when I was in my late 20's early 30's. I tracked everything I ate,everything I drank and all medication for 1 solid year & half to look for any food or drink triggers. I was never able to find any. The closest we found was hormonal maybe and that was not even consistent enough to say 100% that it was hormonal. We could not find Alcohol to be a trigger either.I went a solid 6 months without a drop of Alocohol in this study and had them the same as with Alcohol.
Re: Codeine with Tylenol — Bothered my stomach,"made my guts boil" as one pharmacist put it!
Re: Baclofen — Taking it now for another condition,and see no effect neither negative or positive to my migraines.
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — Due to heavy family history of cancer related to estrogen, we cannot have any HRT. so this was not an option to me.
Re: Butorphanol (Stadol) — this was a drug that helped me immensely but it was saved for those killer ones,the really wicked headaches. It was a knock-out drug. It did at times cause hallucinations at times so I was afraid to take it when I was home alone. It did help the pain and it did put you to sleep.
Re: Morphine — Of course it helped the pain, but seriously you cannot live on this stuff and function daily.
Re: Propoxyphene (Darvocet) — This was the first medication i was given with Cafergot for migraines. It worked for a brief time,until I developed an allergic reaction to it.It took the pain away after I got a migraine, I never found a drug to prevent them until Topomax.
Re: Frovatriptan (Frova) — Tried this very briefly and had a reaction!
Re: Propranolol (Inderal) — sorry I was wrong on this med
Re: Cymbalta — Currently taking,did not notice any improvement
Re: Toradol — This made me much more sick to my stomach. since nausea is such a problem for me anyway, This just added to that problem for me. Also I can no longer take any NSAIDS due to having taken so many for a chronic back problem.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — Sadly I was never given this medication until already in my mid 40's. This is by far the only thing I have taken thru the years to make any difference in the severity and frequency of my migraines.It still doesn't help me when I do get one. However I do get them less and they are less severe and that is huge to me now. I wish this was available to me 25 years ago. I have tried every other drug out there I think!
Re: Short term memory loss — this again happens with only the killer ones or the worst ones I get.
Re: Nausea — I get severe Nausea,that is one of the worst things of having a migraine.Often I have had to leave work once the Aura has passed and i was able to see again. I would be so nauseous that I wouldn't want to be sick at work,even if the headache was tolerable.
Re: Olfactory Hallucinations — All smells are unnbearable when I am getting a migraine or while I have one. I can often tell I am going to get one now if I am sensitive to a smell. Afterwards I look back and say I should have known it was coming as this or that smell bothered me.Normally I never am bothered by smells.
Re: Eye Drooping — When I have it,it is severe. I rarely have it though.
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — This was the first sign to me the 1st time I ever got or knew I had a migraine. I totally lost sight in my eyes.More so in one then the other. It started slowly then I couldn't see. Then I had the most horrific headache of my life.I was just 19 and called my Dr and said I have a brain Tumor. He had me come in and examined me immediately. He told me I had a classic migraine.He gave me a shot of Demerol. Told me to go home close my eyes and sleep it off. During the Aura,I am super sensitive to light,smell,sound and just about everything. The only thing I can do is go into a dark room and hide from the world.
Re: Allodynia — Very,very sensitive to touch on any part of my body when I have a "killer one" Mainly though my head is the worst part. I remember one treater told me to ask my partner to rub the part of my head that was throbbing. For me that was not good.The ever so slight touch was bad real bad.I couldn't have even the slightest touch to my head at all.I am super sensitive to touch. but especially so on my head.
Re: Feeling hot, then cold, in cycles — I often get numbness in my face on the same side of the migraine. I will also get that same numbness in my arms or leg on that same side of my body. Those are only with the absolute worst migraines that I get. I do get the seats and the chills with the really "killer ones' as I have started to call these over the years.
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — I get this with the migraines that I have the very worst of pain. when none of my pain meds work. When the pain is at its very worst,I lay in the dark and at times I am think I have blacked out.I am not sure sometimes if I have or not.
Re: Itchy head — This happens after my migraine,in what I call my migraine hangover.
Re: Botox — I love this!!! I have tried a million other things (I'm also on Topomax for prevention and take Imitrex as abortive meds) but this has by far been the most help for me after three yeas of increasingly chronic migraines...I'm disappointed to read that it might decrease it's effectiveness, because I would love to decrease the topomax if possible... I have botox in my forehead, scalp, neck, and a little in my traps...
Re: Occipital Pain (pain at back of head) — For me it's both the side and the back of the head when my migraine is at its most severe...
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — I had moderate - significant improvement for awhile. But I was taking 300mgs a day. The cognitve side effects far outweighed the benefits.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — I had minimal relief with it. I had horrible side effects. Most were cardiovascular. I felt like I was having a heart attack every time I would give myself an injection. It was terrible. The pills didn't help at all. I figured the side effects weren't worth the minimal relief that I got.
Re: Naturopathic Treatment — The practitioner told me to stop taking all of my western medications. This sent a red flag up the pole, I really was looking for a meeting of the two sciences but she was not willing to work this way. I really need migraine medications and just could not see myself not being able to stop a headache with little white pills that melt under my tongue. Perhaps I didn't give it a chance but I also vomit and live in a great deal of pain too regularly to take a chance.
Re: Acupuncture — Portland OR has sliding fee community acupuncture it is wonderful. I am so lucky to be able to go more than once per week if I need to. Fees state @ $15 more if people can afford to pay more. The key is regular treatment in order to feel the results. I also respond well and it does depend on the practitioner.
Re: Sleep — Too much sleep will trigger a migraine, too little will. All too often I'll sleep 8 hours just what I need and awaken with a migraine. I just have not been able to wrap my brain around all the possible triggers.
Re: Caffeine — My neurologist believes one cup of coffee is more that enough. After that it can actually cause headaches. I have weaned myself down to that.
Re: Hydrocodone — Narcotics really should be the last option for a migraine. Cause rebound headaches.
Re: Toradol — Caused rebound Headache
Re: Prednisone — Had major attack which had lasted over a week. It worked fairly quickly but steroids do have side effects. Talk to the Dr. about these prior to taking oral or IV therapy. be prepared to feel HUNGRY and tense.
Re: Amitriptyline — Gained weight!
Re: Botox — This has changed my life,I have been going for a year now. I still get a migraine now and then but not nearly as often as I did. I have been told you can become resistant. Too bad, I don't look forward to life as it was. Headaches that would last for days at a time.
Re: Pounding Head — Always in my left temple, at times the right. It is severs you can see my temple throb.
Re: Relpax — Relpax works best for me of all the triptans, with almost no side effects.
Re: Irritability — How can you not be irritable when you are having a severe migraine that lasts for a couple of days at a time?
Re: Fiorinal/Fioricet (Butalbital/Acetaminophen/caffeine) — This is butalbital (a barbiturate) with caffeine or aspirin. I take 1 every 4-6 hours, but 2 can be taken if needed. This medicine takes the pain away completely, and the caffeine keeps me from becoming too drowsy. It allows me to keep up a normal life while I have a migraine. The only side effect is a slight spaciness and aphasia (forgetting words.)
Re: Maxalt — I've found that Maxalt has been very useful, and I rely on it to stop my migraines. It now takes 2 10mg fast-dissolving tablets to work. At times, I have taken as many as 6 tablets in a little over 24 hours (3 to beat back the migraine, and then, it would recur, and I would have to do the course again). I'm very curious what others experience, esp'ly when taking 2 or 3 10mg tablets.
Re: Migrelief — Migrelief is a combination of magnesium, riboflavin and feverfew. It is to be taken twice a day, and is not supposed to start giving relief until after at least 2 weeks. Well the day after I took it, I got tremendous relief - up to the 2 week point. Then it no longer worked for me. This is generally what happens to me. Whenever I try something new, it works for at least a few days, and then stops. This has been going on for 28 months. I've had a non-stop migraine (except for the few days of relief) since March 2007.
Re: Strong emotions — Significant crying leads to migraines more often thqn I'd like.
Re: Relpax — Worked for about 1.5 years - then started having no effect.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — The pills did nothing. The injections are currently working greater than 50% of the time.
Re: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) — Advil Migraine pills have helped if I take them when I'm feeling fatigue or some of the distant (1 day before migraine) symptoms. However, I usually don't want to take it because, at that point, I'm not completely sure if I'm even going to get a migraine.
Re: Sleep — My migraines have never left me unless I go to sleep/take a nap.
Re: Neck/Back pain — I've had neck pain a day before I get a migraine; it was as if the neck pain creeped into my head and became a migraine. Maybe muscle pain is also just another sign of stress, which can cause a migraine on its own.
Re: Tight muscles in cranial base — This is a symptom of oncoming hormonal change for me....just like the tight low back many women suffer from.
Re: Phenobarbital — Took this for awhile in combo with tylenol, can't remember name of drug, but it quickly stopped working.
Re: Flexiril — For "tension-type" migraines. I've used this for years. Takes care of my worst migraines until recently when the migraine severity has become worse. It's a muscle relaxant and it makes you sleepy, so no activity while on it.
Re: Skelaxin — Best for "tension" type migraines. It'll help mild migraines and "knock down a notch" the moderate migraines. Non-drowsiness version of muscle relaxant.
Re: Caffeine — Always helps lower the intensity except in the worst of cases, in which nothing but narcotics help. Decaf coffee is just as effective, because it contains enough caffeine to do the job, I've found it only takes a little to be effective.
Re: Magnesium — Was supposed to help, I tired this, didn't work at all. Even opened the capsule under my tongue. No effect.
Re: Excedrin Migraine — Only helps in combo with something else (I use skelaxin) and only for mild migraines, or at the beginning to try to keep it from getting severe.
Re: Allodynia — I don't like to be touched, it's uncomfortable, not really painful, but more like electricity touching me.
Re: Pounding Head — When pounding, it's usually in temple region
Re: Itchy head — More like a buzzing.
Re: Feeling hot, then cold, in cycles — No numbness or crying, but I usually get really hot, like a hotflash that doesn't go away. I sweat and my face gets red and hot and stays that way. I'm uncomfortable and stay that way until the migraine starts.
Re: Continuous migraines one after another — I've had this...had a migraine for 6 weeks just a couple of instances of one day and one and a half day relief. Otherwise it was severe down to moderate, back to severe, occasionally mild, but other than those 2 instances, constantly there the entire 6 weeks.
Re: Occipital Pain (pain at back of head) — This is my migraines at their most severe. Moderately painful migraines stay to the side, but when they are very bad it's the back and onto the top of my head that hurts.
Re: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — I don't technically have the cysts, but one doctor said I had this, another said it was close, but not technically this diagnosis.
Re: Neck muscle stiffness — Hormonal migraines, usually start with clinching of the jaw, and neck tightness, indicating tension. The aural effects start soon after, then onto the migraine itself.
Re: Tinnitus / Ears ringing with repeating noise — tinnitus is ringing in the ears
Re: Elation / Intense energy — I have either this or extreme fatigue, yawning and foggy head during prodrome.
Re: Sensation that arms or legs are not part of body — Sometimes this happen before aura
Re: Salty foods — I went to an ayurvedic practioner and drink warm h2o with ground ginger s&p in the a.m. And same at pm subbing licorice root for ginger. It has helped cutt back a.m. migraines..something about water retention and a tendency towards dehydration
Re: Short term memory loss — The day after I have to have someone else dial my phone numbers at times
Re: Drooping/numbness on one side of face — This sounds like a stroke, not a migraine!
Re: Nagging pain in one side of head — Zomig & Imotrex are wonderful for migraines. Imotrex makes many people nauseous. I've heard good things about Relpax.
Re: Cervical Epidural Block — First time it made everything worse. Since then I've had a series of upper cervical epidural blocks for my neck and I've seen marked improvement. Only problem is each treatment only works for about a month.
Re: Nerve Block Injection — I got major relief from these injections, but it only lasts for 3-4 weeks if i'm lucky.
Re: Bending head down or looking down — Sometimes if i do a lot of house cleaning/scrubbing looking down I'll get one
Re: Change in barometric pressure — This is one of my worst triggers for me (Besides wood smoke & heat) My head is a barometer and I wish there was a way to prevent this. Sometime I wish I could have a hole drilled in my head to release the pressure this causes with the migraine. I'm suffering from this right now with the change of weather.
Re: Naproxen (Aleve) — I've had nothing but positive experiences with Aleve. Sometime it seems like the only thing that will work besides a hospital trip for a shot of toradol. I highly recommend the over-the-counter version of naproxen - Alleve.
Re: Zomig — The effectivness of Zomig has varied, depending on the sevarity of my migrane. Sometimes it helps alot, other times, it has done nothing at all. I prefer Aleve for everyday migraines and headaches (or Excedrin Migraine as well) but both are not available in Canada. For severe migraine, I require a trip to the emergency dept of the hospital for an injection of liquid Toradol.
Re: Strong emotions — If I get really angry or stressed, it is almost a guarantee that I will get a migraine.
Re: Chiropractic Treatment — made my pain much worse
Re: Naproxen (Aleve) — Initially I was given prescription strengths of naproxen (550mg up to 2X per day)as a migraine treatment but ended up almost dying from a nosebleed caused by taking so much of this drug. I now only use OTC doses of naproxen for muscle pain.
Re: Coenzyme Q10 — Anyone who gets migraines should try adding CoQ10 to their diet. I take 200mg a day and it has decreased the number of migraines I get every month. The other poster is correct--it is about $30/month and if you stop taking it for more than a day or two, you will probably get a migraine. The extra energy it provides is a nice bonus.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — Imitrex made my migraine pain much worse.
Re: Yoga — it made me so dizzy I literally fell over. just bending or sometimes even slightly turning my head will make me just spin out of control. I was in a class with frail, unhealthy people at the time, which was pretty sad, (I was 39 then) and thought it would be perfect for me. but I sucked. exercising makes it much more exagerated for me
Re: Wear sun-glasses with even the smallest amount of sunshine — i finally coughed up the extra $$ and opted for the light altering lenses for my glasses. I love them
Re: Cymbalta — current med
Re: Nerve Block Injection — currently getting bilat cryoanalgesia occipital blocks which seem to mask some ot the pain; but none of the other effects of the migraine - aura, sounds, dizziness, nausea, spinning effects, buzzing in the head feeling.
Re: Foot Massage — the ONLY time I enjoy having my feet touched
Re: Depacon — this is my rescue when hospitalized or in the infusion chair
Re: Effexor XR — bad side effects
Re: Zonegran — have been on this med also since starting namenda; and have had best results together as preventatives.
Re: Prednisone — this used by IV during rescue, horrible side-effects, takes several weeks to clear out of my system and get back to normal
Re: Toradol — has been my only abortive I can actually take that hasn't caused either tia, anaphylaxis, or other life-altering effects. it is no longer useful rather, it is not working for me. I have no rescue pain med at this current time
Re: Amerge — anaphylactic reaction; told never to take triptans again
Re: Namenda — this is the medication I am currently being treated with, one of them, and am now fighting with my insurance for. started in '06, and has made the most significant difference. have been fighting for the past year now with the ins co
Re: Dihydroergotamine injection and nasal spray — first time I had IV in the hosp, it worked well. then I had nasal at home, it was awful, ended up back in the hosp; gave it to me again, and had adverse reaction to it, made the migraine worse than the previous. because of hemiplegic migraines, I'm told I shouldn't have had Dhe
Re: Depakote — funny, in pill form, this had no real effect; but this in IV form as a rescue for me along with a few other nasties does the trick
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — I had a great outcome in the beginning of the injection, but then ended up with a tia and an anaphylactic reaction to the stuff. It gave me terrible side-effects while I was using it; heavy breathing, racing heart. I know a lot of the skin and muscle sensitivity were related to migraine, but it seemed to increase that, even when the pain of the migraine would subside.
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — due to tia, and risk of stroke; BC was limited to a month, and I stopped for fears of my own. A good choice, my neuro thought.
Re: Prednisone — Major improvement while on drug, migraine after completing prednisone pack.
Re: Neck Pain — Neck pain is the warning shot before the migraine. I've done many things to address the neck pain directly with mixed results. I've learned that there is a muscle group that begins at the base of the neck and goes up the back of the skull, ending above the eyes, which could be part of why neck stress would lead to migraines.
Re: Acupuncture — I've had a significant improvement in the frequency and severity of my symptoms with acupuncture. I want to note that my acupuncturist told me I respond well to treatment and that some people don't. I think it is worth trying but if you don't have any results after a couple of treatments it is probably not worth pursuing.
Re: Sleep — I find that often a nap of an hour or so will help relieve a migraine, at least to some degree. Also, while taking Ibuprofen doesn't do anything by itself, taking a couple of pills right before bed will often have a good effect once I wake up. This goes for both sleep at night and daytime naps.
Re: Eliminate exercises that affect trapezius muscles — Oh, forgot to say that this is an avoidance strategy rather than an improvement strategy. I find I get fewer migraines when I don't deadlift at these times, and if I get a migraine avoiding exercises that tighten the traps up at least prevents the headache from getting worse.
Re: Eliminate exercises that affect trapezius muscles — I find that my migraines come mostly at season changes: between Spring and Summer, etc. I get them about 2-3 days before there is a major change in the weather. So around those times I make sure not to do any weightlifting that puts stress on the traps, which in my case is mainly deadlift variations.
Re: Cranial Sacral Therapy — Didn't work, but to be fair- I don't know if she was doing it right. I think she was still in training.
Re: Tingling Lips — I get this in response to hypoglycemia (when my blood sugar is too low) along with my gums tingling/numbish too. Often followed by a migraine. But usually my migraines are independent.
Re: Ginger Ale — i find the same sometimes. it is the sugar and the carbs. apple juice will do the same.
Re: Ginger Ale — If I have it in the house and take it with my meds at onset for some reason it makes me feel a bit better. Could be the sugar?
Re: Wear sun-glasses with even the smallest amount of sunshine — I also wear the as soon as migraine..day or night! Burberry makes really flexible glasses that don't squeeze but still stay on and are light weight and big frames..block out lots light/reflections..My fav. brand..trust me worth the $$$
Re: Pain in/above one eye — My migraine usually lasts around 2-3 days at a time, and the pain would start on one side of my head and then move to the other side before it fades away.
Re: Change in barometric pressure — This is major trigger for me..How do you fight the weather?/ Does anyone know why this is .on a scientific/biological level? BTW www.mediclim.com is a site you can join that will tell you in advance if the weather in the next 24 hrs will be a migraine trigger. it helps to be mindful to take care those days..however egardless i tend to get them anyway and now I find it just makes me nervous to get an alert
Re: Exercise — If I over exercise..could be dehydration
Re: Heat — only as in humidity
Re: Ice — I love ice! I instantly pack my neck with ice the minute I have aura ..even befre the pain starts. If I get cold in my body I heat a heatable bean bag and place it on my stomach. Ithink adding it quickly as poss. has been helpful to me
Re: Yoga — Yoga has been such a huge aid in coping with migraine I am taking a certification course. Be careful of shoulder stands back bends..poses such as bridge or wheel. Anything the bends the neck back has not been good for me. I am currently studying why it is effectice. At anyrate I have less anxiety about my migraine and a reduction of severity and at time frequency. The key is however to LISTEN TO YOUR OWN BODY. If soemthing doesn't feel good in a class get out of the pose and do soemthing else. I for example, can do a perfectly aligned supported shoulder stand , but for now it makes me feel worse. It's my body. It's a mystery is it the breathing/ The chiropractict side..the flushing out of toxins? is it the time for my self..the meditative quality? I don't know but I practice regularly 3 or more time aweek for 1 hour or more and didn't see improvement until 3 months in. Yoga is not a quick fix and I understand not for evryone one but if you arer unning outof options try it. Maybe it won't help your headaches but you will get healthier!
Re: Biofeedback — I went thru a biofeedback program when I was a kid. if I am having a migraine it is usless except in the accepting your pain rather than making it worse by freaking out. I think it is usuful over all for body awareness. I beleiveit has helped me listen and be more in tune on those days i feel in the'red zone' for migraine..and plan my day accordingly ..cancel stressful events or be careful in wht I eat. Also when I feel anxiety building to be aware of it and try to breathe regularly .
Re: Acupuncture — I have maybe gotten lucky. I have THE best acupuncturist .I live inthe Boston area and she is amzing. She is Native American and a Shaman..a natural healer in general. In my 30 or so years of Migraine I feel acupuncture has been in the top helpful things for me (acupunture, imitex injection with naproxen, ice, yoga, giving up cofee, giving up triggers and processed foods, regular sleep patterns and yoga). I instantly had less severity in my migraines. I also happen to be a person who beleives I will never be without headaches but want to cope with them as best i can. In this reagrd it is also incredibly relaxing and anxiety-reducing . i am looking for aid in living with migraines not a miricle cure. I go 2x a month. It is expnsive as my ins. won't cover ($95.00 a session) but it helps me so much I forgo in other areas of my budget.
Re: Rolfing Sessions — i think rolfing is an agressive massage not throwing up
Re: Alcohol — My head cannot tolerate any alcohol whatsoever.
Re: Caffeine — I gave up caffeine. It has a short term effect to help but basically it's no good long term. Like re-bound drugs. better option is to give it up..I used think I needed a cup a day. took me 3-6 months to not miss it and I did wean off by adding more milk and less coffee. Read 'Heal you headache..1-2-3 program' has a good explaination as to why to avoid. I feel this was major as well as dietary changes in helping my meds be more efective..And I feel better
Re: Dietary changes — Huge help in giving up foods..I agree about msg..you can do a google search for it's other names..ex natural flavorings, whey protein, soy isolate, malt falvorings.etc. Basically processed foods. In gen. i avoid cheese alcohol, caffeiene, beans,avacado, bananas, yogurt, nuts,figs(dried fruit),anything pickled or preserved, deli meats..and so forth
Re: Dietary changes — I avoid my triggers which are the common alcohol and chocolate, but then the other is less common--mushrooms. I cannot have ANY quantity of these three without suffering.
Re: Eliminate caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas) — I quit caffeine because I have fibrous breast tissue, and caffeine only makes it incredibly more painful. However, I was more easily tripped off to get Migraines when I was off of it. I've lowered my intake still from a very high consumption rate, but I still have it in my diet.
Re: Phenobarbital — As akid it gave me irritible mood swings and did nothing
Re: Phenobarbital — As a kid I tried this..nasty mood swings
Re: Dihydroergotamine injection and nasal spray — I had an ergot inhaler when I was a kid. It was awful. It tasted awful it smelled weird UCK. Maybe not the same thing but it didn't ehlp.
Re: Wear sun-glasses with even the smallest amount of sunshine — When I have a Migraine, I wear sunglasses everywhere. Day or Night, it doesn't matter.
Re: Biofeedback — I only went to one biofeedback training, and while it didn't help me when I was there, I tend to use it when I get panic-y with a Migraine. I lay down, if at all possible, and just try and relax all of my body, starting with my toes and, however slowly, moving up.
Re: Botox — i read you can get it in your neck? Anyone?
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — I'll take any and all of side effects if it helps with PAIN..hello? I had short run of'success (less severity and duration) with pill but it stopped working. Now I take injection(with 2 or 3 naproxen) and it will turn a 8-10 hr migraine into a 3-5 hour migraine. It has been the best working thing for me(Migriane from 6-36years old) Additionaaly yoga and cutting out caffeine and proceessed food have increased med. affectiveness. I recently with injection had a 1 hr migraine!!!Side effects ..instant tingling in face(how i know it's working) heaviness of legs..and yes the after-drugged out hung over slow and heavy feeling. P.s I shoot in the butt my dr. said best place for women is this true? Something about fat and absorbtion?
Re: Toradol — This is the only medicine I've tried that works 100% of the time. However, due to it being very bad for the kidneys, my doctor will only give 5/month and always calls for blood work afterward.
Re: Treximet (formerly Trexima) — I like this new Imitrex/Naproxin hybrid. The large dose of anti-inflammatory in the Naproxin eases the harsh "BAM!" of the Imitrex. Although some, mainly my pharmacy friends, have argued "Why not just take Imitrex and Naproxin for cheaper?"
Re: Depakote — I was taking depakote, along with Topamax and pain killers. The cognitive difficulties associated with Topamax got 400% worse. Not only could I not find my words, I couldn't even speak without sounding drunk.
Re: Noritriptyline — Loved the feeling on the medicine, even loved the side effects--but it did nothing for my Migraines, so I really had no reason to take it.
Re: Diarrhea or Bowel Incontinence — Always with aura(at begining)
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — Without going to the hospital, my story was just the same as "KristyB." I am on the ring now and only have a period every three months. I start taking sterioids before the period which has improved the severity of the Migraines, although none of my other medicines will touch them except for maybe Toradol.
Re: Pulsating, Intractable Pain — Am i the only migraineur who has always had steady non pulsing pain? (think brain-freeze pain)
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — The shots/pills, with me, sometimes work and sometimes don't. Usually they take a very long time to work-over an hour. I haven't experienced any side effect other than fatigue.
Re: Vertigo / Dizziness — I have had 2 severe vertigo attacks w/o migraine but they follwed a migraine pattern in terms of build of and having nausea, throwing up..staying alone in my room and duration/fatigue
Re: Eye Drooping — My droopy eye is right side. usually in addition I'll have neck soreness/stiffness pain on that time too.At time when I just have reg. headache it droops now. Sometimes my whole eye balls seem on different planes.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — I've taken it for over 5 years now. 200mg/day. It is what saved me from a life of daily Migraines. The cognitive difficulties get extremely annoying especially in the first year or two(I even went off of it for about 7months to see if they would return to normal because I hate feeling stupid), but after being on it for so long now, I only have menstrual Migraines, my word difficulties are minimal compared to what they were. However my short-term memory is a complete blank. I do wonder if I'll ever get that back.
Re: Excessive Yawning — I agree.. with prodrome. i 've just become aware of this as a symptom so now I'm anxious about yawning!
Re: Single pupil dilation — Sometime I have unequal pupils most all of the time..w/o migraine
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — this usually is more due to dehydration..If i've been vomiting a lot.
Re: Uncoordinated, stumbling, unsteady — Anyone who has ever taken Topamax knows what this is like. I used to constantly drop pens and keys ALL DAY LONG, no matter how hard I tried, or if i was even looking at my hand when i did it.
Re: Short term memory loss — My memory, I feel, is completely screwed up because of the medicines I take to prevent Migraines; most importantly Topamax.
Re: Trouble concentrating — Can't remember things just told to you, what you had for breakfast, your pin number, your boyfriends middle name--all for a few moments, and then eventually it will come to you. Difficulty getting the right word out, or replying quickly to someone else. I attribute all of this to Topamax, an anti-seizure medication I take to prevent migraines. Every person that I've talked to that takes it long term has these symptoms too.
Re: Sensitivity to flashing lights — I have light sensitivity all of the time, but ESPECIALLY with migraines, or if I am about to get one. My doctors find it strange that I can listen to my ipod at full volume with a Migraine(so no sound sensitivity), but lights are like my worst enemy.
Re: Excessive Yawning — I don't yawn when I have the actual Migraine, but I think taking Paxil is related to it. I've tried now taking it at night, instead of the morning.
Re: Nagging pain in one side of head — I feel the same way Elaine. My Migraines used to be "chronic daily" and "chronic hormonal" and since being treated in Chicago, I now only have the latter. But no matter what I do, that is the pain that kills me for 4-5days/month. Steroids help.
Re: Near-Syncope / Fainting — Syncope is triggered by a large yawn for me
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — Good fo rmigraines but it make worse my kidney stones condition
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — Made me very very depressed after 3 weeks at 2 x 25mg. Did nothing for my migraine associated vertigo. Loss of words, inability to multi-task, confusion, general feeling viral. Would consider a re-trial starting at a much lower dose (12.5mg) and titrating up much slower.
Re: Botox — major improvement but after 2 1/2 years it stopped working due to immunity.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — No help at all
Re: Sensitivity to flashing lights — All of the time not just when I have migraines.
Re: Neck Pain — The neck pain only comes after the migraine has hit it's highest "head" pain point.
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — I used to get them more frequently when I was getting my auras.
Re: Chocolate / Sugar craving — It triggers my migraines and never crave it.
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — I used to get auras but approx. 11 or 12 years ago they just disappeared.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — This is life savor - got rid of all my migraines except for the menstrual ones.
Re: Genetic — I positive for the MTHFR C677T & A.... (I can't remember) genetic disorder and Leiden V (thrombophilia).
Re: Too much estrogen — Any attempts to regulate my cycle that increased my estrogen levels, would immediately cause headaches.
Re: Amitriptyline — It was attempting this treatment to find out I am allergic to tri-cyclic antidepressants.
Re: Namenda — Wow! Prescribed for another condition but received the wonderful side effect of reduced to far less frequent migraines! It has actually given me back my memory as well.
Re: Craving Trigger Foods — I crave foods especially that contain Glutamates.
Re: Photophobia (sensitivity to light) — I prefer low to no lighting wherever possible. I also added lower flashing lights (anything like a strobe) will trigger a migraine when no other symptoms are present.
Re: Eye Drooping — This one symptom is how others can tell I have a headache before I do. Actually whole left side droops.
Re: Eye Drooping — This one symptom is how others can tell I have a headache before I do.
Re: Aphasia / Inability to speak — Losing words has been the most troubling symptom I think I've had.
Re: Olfactory Hallucinations — Perfumes, cleansers seem to intensify all of my migraine symptoms
Re: Amerge — Very slow acting.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — Possibly caused a heart attack in 45 year old female.
Re: Onions — Onions are one of my worst triggers and sometimes it is hard to stay away from them. At restaurants I will ask for no onions in my food or meals but even if the smallest amount is in my food I get a Migraine.
Re: Coffee / Caffeine — I meant to write Coffee! If I even have a drink of coffee I get a migraine.
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — They put me on Birth Control to stop me completely from having a period because my migraines are so bad during that week that no medicine will stop it and I end up going to the hospital. Even though I have migraines almost every single day they aren't as severe as they are during my period.
Re: Citrus — If I drink citrus juices before bed I often wake up with a migraine.
Re: Botox — I tried botox in several forehead points and the first time I went 4 months without a migraine. I have had the treatment a few more times but now seem to be getting migraines as often as I used to. Forehead botox has really helped with these nagging mild headaches that I used to get almost every day.
Re: Nausea — I always have severe nausea. It is as if my stomach completely shuts down hours before I get the headache. I can get a migraine late in the day and vomit my morning cereal. It looks like I ate it 5 minutes ago. I will wake up with a migraine and dry heave for 6-8 hours even though my stomach is empty.
Re: Excessive Urination — This is how I know I really am going into a full blown migraine. I will need to pee every 10 minutes; urgently!
Re: Boredom — Very interesting, I wish a neurologist would study the mechanism behind this one. I think this might also be associated with the "visiting museum," "watching a movie" or "shopping" 'causes' listed prior as well. I can't say that I'm ever bored per se as I always feel so much to do. BUT on days where I'm slower or can't be bothered to be super busy, it seems the migraines creep up more then too. So it could be that keeping busy helps prevent the migraines rather than boredom causing them. There probably is a psychological link to being distracted from the pain. BUT additionally, I definitely believe there is a physical component to this.. perhap slower or less neuron activity. I've read that some migraine research shows excess brain activity in dead space when in pain... and when people/brains were trained to refocus (via specialized biofeedback computers), it pulled or transitioned that activity away from the bad zone taking the migraine pain away. This sounds very related to keeping busy versus being bored/or calmer.
Re: Botox — After doing Botox and having NO pain relief at all, it was very obvious that the migraine triggering and pain was not coming from "tense" muscles or that kind of stress. Botox only left me in worse condition because it made it very difficult and scary to swallow at times, and weakened my neck uncomfortably. I would not recommend this treatment unless you can really verify that your migraines are triggered by stress/tension beforehand. Whereas mine are more likely attributed to something chemical/hormonal going on in the body.
Re: Headstand (10-20 seconds) — This has been a life-saver for me. And luckily completely natural. It's amazing what a bloodrush or quick toss of the body's fluids can do. I'm not sure if it just jumpstarts pathways or triggers other pathways. I usually go up for about 15 seconds breathing really deeply and slowly, using my arms to take the pressure off the head/neck. It may seem slightly more irritating to the pain while in position, but it always works miracles by the time I come back up. As I come up I hang in the half-bent pike position to let my neck muscles and arms completely relax (for 5-20 more seconds) after being in a tenser position up side down. I come up slow into the standing position feeling a little woozy for about 5 seconds.. and then usually feel at least 50% better. Sometimes I continue to get completely better, and sometimes it's only short-lived pain relief, but worth it nonetheless.
Re: Heat — Sometimes heat application/warm bath helps, but most the time it aggravates it more. I think it really depends on the source of the migraine for that day.
Re: Amitriptyline — It actually made my migraine far less common, especially the ones I got when I first woke up. It has a rare side-effect of slowing the heart-rate ... I ended up getting it and I'm a serious athlete. Even under hard exercise conditions I couldn't get my heart-rate above ~80 bpm. I had to stop the therapy because of this ... but if it wasn't for the side-effect I'd say it was the best prophylactic therapy I've tried.
Re: Metaprolol — Love it! Ok - when I started it, my blood pressure dropped a bit more than I'd like. Felt eyes rolling into head about to faint once during first week. Since it's a blood pressure med and mine was normal. . .what to expect? But, it eased the daily headaches up tremendously. I was able to get up in the morning and. . .WORK OUT!! Wow - something every migraine patient is urged to do, but pain and drug side effects prevent most of the time. That is, until you find the right combo. Yes, there are side effects. Yes, they are crappy. No, I will not give this up. I have a life now.
Re: Excedrin Migraine — Oh, yes! The non-prescription god of migraine drugs. The perfect combo of pain killing meds for the ones that don't want to go to the other side (my co-worker won't get an Rx and she suffers a lot too). Wash this down with a can of soda for those mid afternoon migraines and you're good to go. Just don't do it everyday or you're causing more headaches than you need to from the drug consumption. Took these forever while I was in denial. Now if I'm out and about and have forgotten my meds - at least I know I can go to the store and get these and a soda!
Re: Noritriptyline — This helped for the first 6 months. Then I needed to up my dose. When I did - let's just say there's a reason antidepressants have black box warnings. Good grief! And it didn't help anymore.
Re: Amitriptyline — Yuk - SLEEPY. Ask if you can come into work late with this one. Don't know if it actually works cause I didn't stay on it long enough.
Re: Vitamin B2 — They say it helps - I take a B complex vitamin and make sure I get the textbook daily migraine dose. I won't stop taking it - just in case. B vitamins are supposed to be good for the CNS anyway. . .
Re: Hydrocodone — Oh, yes, give me drugs! If you can't have fun making fun of this disease. . .what can you do? I've moved beyond hydrocodone now, but when I took it it was working. It was more for tension type migraines and less full blown Imitrex needing migraines. It seemed like I started to have some sort of allergy to it because I started getting a heaving chest and difficulty breathing. Took it as Vicodin and Vicoprofen. Vicodin wasn't as effective because it was Tylenol.
Re: Neck Massage — Depends on the therapist. Sometimes massage helps, sometimes I end up with one. I usually would not go get a massage with a migraine - especially not a full blown one. I do it more for maintenance.
Re: Eliminate caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas) — Too much caffeine is not good for me, but I definitely need some for migraine management. I don't return to neurologists that start with "you need to stop all caffeine" because I know it helps me.
Re: Magnesium — Take this daily. Don't know if magnesium is helping or if it's a combo of my daily vitamins. But it definitely counteracts all the constipation the other drugs will cause. I know that if I don't take my combo of daily vitamins (250mg of magnesium in there) I feel like junk.
Re: Chiropractic Treatment — Sometimes helped, sometimes gave me migraines for weeks. Not worth it for me. The migraines caused were more than the relief it gave.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — Probably the granddaddy of abortives. LOVE IT. Yes, it comes with nasty side effects - like feeling like you've been run over by a semi-truck once your migraine finally subsides. Skin is sensitive to hot water, sun, muscles can ache, breathing can get funky (not always), and can feel a sore throat after taking it. Diarrhea and vomiting experienced may also be caused by the migraine itself since migraine is known to work on your digestive system and make you vomit.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — This literally gave me a life back. Just before Topamax, I remember camping and mapping out the nearest ER just in case the heat & sun got to me. I never went to the ER for treatment because my partner's a paramedic and I could see how well that would go over. I always felt like I was dying, but would tell myself I'm not - it's not life threatening. After Topamax, I never even considered the ER again. Been on it almost 4 years, up and down in dose - at 50mg now. Over 100mg too much hair fell out, although lots still does. Cognitive difficulties, tingling limbs, difficultly finding words, aggression & irritability - yes. Organs are probably turning black or pickling - but it's so worth it just to be off that couch living!
Re: Acupuncture — Tried acupuncture for a while before the migraines got really bad. I was able to lay off the abortives for a while. But the cost of the treatment really outweighed the results. Tried it again later with an internalist that also practiced acupuncture. That definitely was useless since there was so much stress driving 45 minutes to his office so insurance would pay.
Re: Sleep — I really need between 8 and 9 hours a night (sometimes more). I can function on 7-7.5, but anything less could help trigger a migraine. I can't sleep in on weekends either because too much sleep will cause it as well.
Re: Caffeine — I read somewhere that caffeine helps speed drug absorption. If I need a quick fix, I'll take my abortive drugs with a soda or coffee. I drink a cup of coffee every morning to get those blood vessels in order for the day - but only one. Too much caffeine will make me sick. But I'm a firm believer in caffeine for the treatment of migraine.
Re: Boredom — not sure why, but when I just have nothing to do and no motivation I often seem to get a migraine
Re: Staring at a computer/screen too long — older monitors ... especially if they have a slow refresh rate (anything below 60 Hz)
Re: Inhaling smoke and other strong odors — diesel exhaust fumes really get me ... if I'm in an underground garage or general enclosed area with trucks I almost immediately get a migraine.
Re: Hydrocodone — It really helps with the pain, but the sleepiness and general narcotic effects prevent you from being too productive
Re: Axert — worked great ... although you definitely need to take it BEFORE the migraine starts, otherwise its useless :(
Re: Heat — Heat packs applied directly to the neck and upper shoulders help a great deal of the time. My migraines begin in that area and the heat helps relax the neck and shoulders.
Re: Control blood sugar — When my blood sugar is stable, I am less likely to get a migraine. I am hypoglycemic so maintaining proper glucose levels is critical to my well-being.
Re: Caffeine — a strong cup of coffee at the outset of a migraine can often minimize its effect and lets me get on with my day.
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — it works but with disastrous results: violent diarrhea and vomiting that lasts several hours. It is as if the entire body has a massive constriction. Not worth it at all!
Re: Imitrex/Imigran (Sumatriptan) — it works but with disastrous results: violent diarrhea and vomiting that lasts several hours. It is as if the entire body has a massive constriction. Not worth it at all!
Re: Salty foods — definitely works for me!
Re: Caffeine — Excedrin Migraine contains caffeine, that's usually what I take.
Re: Rolfing Sessions — Not exactly a "rolfing session" - I don't force myself to throw up. My migraines will do that for me *without* any encouragement. (I hate throwing up!) So... I try to relax and not get sick until my body starts sending out the classic "you're going to throw up" signals (chills, gagging etc)... Afterwards the pain flares even worse, but then subsides within 5-10 minutes.
Re: Sleep — Above average success, however too much sleep can also give me the migraine in the first place.
Re: Shopping — I think the combination of the stress (too many people), chemical perfume smells (cosmetics, soap stores) and harsh lighting put together are a trigger.
Re: Inhaling smoke and other strong odors — Chemical perfumes are horrible. A spill of some sort of scented cleaner at a local store sent both myself and my mom (who hadn't had migraines in years) into attacks. Walking past the perfume counter at department stores, or the fake flower section in craft stores is very hard to do.
Re: Change in barometric pressure — Sudden changes in weather always bring on a mild headache and irratibility. Other triggers in combination will make it a full-on migrane
Re: Sleep — Actually getting to sleep during an attack (real deep sleep, not a fitful nap) is my best natural relief from the symptoms. I find it's best to sleep on the recliner couch and not in bed, possibly because my head is raised.
Re: Caffeine — A couple of tylenol ultra (with caffeine in it) taken early enough can save the work day, but I'll still be drained for the rest of the day. Too much caffeine makes it worse!
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — Didn't have migraines before taking BC, but I had been taking them for years before having migraines. Changing pill types did not change.
Re: Olfactory Hallucinations — Every chemical smell becomes really intense. Natural smells (i.e. real flowers) won't bother me, but perfumes, shampoo and scented cleaners do. This is probably a trigger of my migraines.
Re: Nausea — Often I'll have nausea shortly before the headache is noticable.
Re: Excessive Yawning — I've never associated this with migraines, but perhaps they are connected.
Re: Elation / Intense energy — Elation, Intense Energy during Postdrome
Re: Allodynia — During a Migraine attack, certain things not usually associated with causing pain or discomfort may indeed do both. This is called Allodynia. A light touch of the skin on your arm can cause awful pain. Stroking the hair on your head during a Migraine attack can also cause this pain during a Migraine attack.
Re: Excessive Urination — Excessive peeing during Prodrome
Re: Excessive Yawning — Excessive yawning during Prodrome
Re: Olfactory Hallucinations — I smell fresh baked pound cake or freshly baked chocolate chip cookies during the aura phase
Re: Alcohol — All it takes is one beer or one shot for me to get a raging migraine. Also creates severe pain in left occipital branch of my neck. I obviously don't drink anymore, sadly.
Re: Low Estrogen — I get my worst migraines just before and after my period and also during ovulation,when estrogen levels are reduced.This does seem to indicate a connection with estrogen fluctuation.
Re: Coenzyme Q10 — Been taking it for a year now,i think it helps a little and with migraine we can use any help we can get.More than that, i feel it really energises me and i have more stamina during my work out.Only problem is ,its extremely expensive and what i've noticed with supplements is that whether they help you much or not ,once you stop them the headaches seem to become worse.So,you just continue taking them anyway.
Re: Sleep — Insufficient sleep does trigger bad migraines for me the next day.So even if a good sleep schedule does not reduce attacks,atleast adhering to it will prevent attacks caused by disrupted or insufficient sleep.
Re: Caffeine — I'm a decaf drinker, but caffeine does help a fraction of the time (even though it has nothing to do with an addiction/withdrawal-effects since I rarely drink it).
Re: Neck Massage — 1 out of 5 massages seems to have helped moderately (usually back massage as well). BUT 4 out of 5 times it only feels great while happening and as soon as the massage is over, pain all comes back the same.
Re: Birth Control Pills / Hormone Replacement Therapy — Helps temporarily (pseudo-balance), but ultimately made me much worse in the long-run.
Re: Dietary changes — Keeping away from my trigger foods has definitely reduced the frequency of bad attacks. I avoid, alchohol,wine,cheese, sea food,spinach,dry fruits,cured meats,chocolate,cocoa,coffee, nuts,citrus fruits,papayas , pineapples,raw onions , raw tomatoes and msg which is a major trigger for me. Hope this list helps others keep their migraines at bay.
Re: Feverfew — Initially feverfew did help,it brought down the intensity of the attacks i had,still does, but a word of caution, discontinuing it leads to debilitating and continuous migraines.Also all brands are not effective.I use BOOTS FEVEREFEW from U.K. W hen i tried a brand called MIGRELIEF from the U.S.,it was not effective and i suffered horrible migraines till i went back to the earlier brand.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — Topiramate did not help my migraines,maybe the dose wasn't high enough but the drug also made me very depressed so i discontinued it in a very short time.
Re: Depakote — Used depakote for 6 months,it really helped the migraines, both the frequency and the intensity ,but gained a lot of weight and also severe hair loss,so stopped taking it.
Re: Dietary changes — I disagree about MSG being easily avoided, many foods list it as "natural flavoring" instead of actually listing MSG. Also, you can't read ingredient labels when dining away from home, so gatherings can be VERY difficult. I am still compiling a mental list of foods that need to be avoided after 7 or so years of finding out about the MSG link.
Re: Magnesium — Had one Dr suggest this, but just gave me diarrhea, no effect on migraines.
Re: Topiramate (Topamax) — Took this as a preventative but was only truly effective at a dose of 300mg/day. The only problem with this high dose was I was having extreme cognitive difficuties, mainly word-finding difficulties. Had to go down to 200mg/day, which was not enough to prevent my attacks.
Re: Relpax — After trying both Maxalt and Imitrex, which worked for a while then became less effective, I am now taking Relpax as my rescue med. I combine a 40mg pill with 500mg Napoxen Sodium and 8mg of Zofran, as the first two give me nausea. This is usually very effective as a treatment, but I find that this is also becoming less effective the longer I take it.
Re: MSG — I have found that MSG will set off an extreme migraine. It is found in sooo many foods that it can be hard to avoid, but I have become a religious label reader. I can usually avoid MSG this way, but every once in awhile, I miss it. Makes it very hard to eat at potlucks, family gatherings, holiday parties, etc., but worth it when I can avoid an attack.
Re: Sinol Headache Nasal Spray — I have horrible migraine headaches, and I saw a video about this product on the news one morning and had to try it. It really worked for me and I had tried just about everything out there.
Re: Photophobia (sensitivity to light) — An absolute aversion to light. I pray for a cloudy or rainy day when I get a migraine because the worst thing would be having to go out in the sunshine.
Re: Nagging pain in one side of head — It's not a pain you can ignore and go on about your business. The more you try to move forward with your work, you only make it worse. All you can do is lie down, even though lying down doesn't really help, and just wait for it to go away by itself, which usually takes at least 12 to 16 hours.
Re: Aura / Seeing flashes of light — I get tunnel vision and heightened sensitivity, especially to sound, smell, and temperature
Re: Sinus Pressure — In the spring and fall when the barometric pressure and temperature are fluctuating rapidly and frequently my sinuses go haywire, which leads to migraines.
Re: Salty foods — I find that salty foods like chips or popcorn really help get rid of the headache. It's also usually a pretty fast-acting solution.
Re: Shopping — Like museums, I get shopped out really fast. I start developing a headache within about 15-30minutes.
Re: Museums — I love museums, but my body hates them. Inevitably almost every time (especially art museums), I get a headache. My dad says the same thing. Unfortunately, the Louvre was a challenge. Could it be the staring/focus, or could it be stuffy buildings?
Re: Chocolate / Sugar craving — Historically people have thought chocolate and sugar may trigger migraines, but recent studies have shown that it may be more of a symptom to crave it just before a migraine attack. I notice for myself I always want to eat just before and when I get a bad headache or migraine. My body feels like it will help fight it off, but it never does. I used to wonder if it was a glycemic response, but I have done the measurements to prove otherwise. I still wonder if it's a leftover response from migraines that were nutritional/glycemic related in the past.
Re: Nagging pain in one side of head — I've been diagnosed with Migrain. I'm taking Difmetre (Italian Medicine based on Coffeine) which has effect if taken in time.
Re: Alcohol — I seem to migraines more often when I have one drink vs. a couple at a happy hour, etc..
Re: Midrin — I took Midrin while pregnant - it worked well, but I soon gained a tolerance for it.
Re: Bad pillows and mattresses — Pillows and mattresses that don't provide sufficient support can cause migraines during the night. That was certainly the case for me. I have tried every pillow and many types of mattresses and almost despaired. Now we have latex pillows and mattress that provide just the right support and the problem has lessened. Every one is different so try different types. It might help.
Re: Short on oxygen / stuffy atmosphere — I find stuffy rooms very difficult and prone to give me migraines. I often woke up with migraines in the morning. I now sleep with the bedroom window open a crack and it seems to help.
Re: Inhaling smoke and other strong odors — Smoke is a quick trigger for my migraines. I cannot walk into any area that has strong smells and particularly smoke.
Re: Food triggers — I always knew some foods did not make me feel well but when I had tests for allergies, they discovered that my allergies to certain foods actually can trigger headaches. In particular, beans, corn and too many starches at one time. I now avoid these and the incidence of migraines has decreased. It would be a good idea to get oneself tested for food allergies that can act as triggers.
Re: Stress — Stress is definitely a factor often compounded by not enough sleep, not enough exercise and not eating well.
Re: Watching a movie — About 75% of the time I will get a headache just from watching a movie (any kind- funny, horror, drama- doesn't matter).
Re: Heat — If I overheat (hot day, exercise, etc), sometimes even if I'm hot only for a few seconds, an immediate headache will set off.
Re: Dietary changes — MSG Monosodium Glutamate is a trigger for migraines. Determining any triggers in your diet can be tricky, especially if you have more than one trigger. MSG is easily avoided if you take the time to read labels on foods you eat. Avoiding it makes my migraines go away completely and I wonder how many people are suffering needlessly because of this horrible food additive.
Re: Zomig — excellent prevention of headaches with 200mg of riboflavin(vit b2). To abort the attack I use Excedrin Migraine, the triptans do not work for me. Sleep is also a good alternative if I am at home. It is a good idea to keep a headache diary and see if you can pinpoint trigger foods. I have had to eliminate parmesan cheese and red wine from my diet.
Re: Exercise — About 10% of the time exercise makes my headaches/migraines worse or starts one, but 90% of the time exercise makes it better (at least for 30min).
Re: Progesterone drop at end of cycle — EVERY time my progesterone drops at the end of my period (relating to a bbt temp drop) I get a massive migraine that lasts usually all day.
Re: Low blood sugar / Hypoglycemia (skipping meals or getting too hungry) — If I miss a meal, or go too long without eating. But it has never been officially recorded with a glucose meter.
Re: Alcohol — Form of dehydration or reaction to too much toxin (poison)
Re: Alcohol — Even just one drink (often even a glass of beer or wine in a day) will sometimes set a headache or migraine off
Re: Maxalt — over time - Maxalt became in affective
Re: Midrin — was not strong enough for severe migraine - I passed out then woke up with the migraine still there
Re: Acupuncture — Acupuncture can be a very effective relief providing long-term results. However, it must be administered by an expert in the field. Acupuncture remains a largely unregulated profession and many so-called practitioners have only had minimal training typically of two or three weekends. Professionals can study up to two years. This makes a significant difference. Always ask about their qualifications before accepting treatment from an acupuncturist.
Re: Nagging pain in one side of head — I was diagnosed with Migraine after ruling out many other problems . i was given medication (Sibelium) which had some effect. If properly monitored and prescribed i think sibelium is the best medicine.
Re: Biofeedback — Didn't really work for me. Sometimes brought my pain level down 1-2 levels but usually was only temporary. I enjoyed thoroughly learning about it, and it did help me understand my body better (especially my heart's impact/relation). I tried it for about a month.
Re: L-Arginine — L-Arginine is a natural supplement that acts as a vasodilator. Vasodilation has been said to help some headaches/migraines, but in my case, it didn't really work. I was able to rule that out as one of the potential causes of my pain.
Re: Sleep — Did not work for me. I manage my sleep schedule perfectly, 8hrs every night. I tend to go to bed and wake-up at exactly the same time every day. I ensure I get quality sleep 95% of the time (of which is controllable). This has not made a difference for my headaches/migraines, but I just believe it's a healthier way to be regardless. However, I have noticed on the random occasion I get less than 4hrs of sleep a night, I never get a migraine that day, but the next day I will always get one no matter how much more or less I slept that 2nd night.
Re: Eliminate caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas) — Did not work for me. I quit caffeine for months, and nothing changed.
Re: Control blood sugar — I also tend to get headaches/migraines upon skipping meals. But all too often I get them anyway. An endocrinologist administered a glucose-intolerance test and found that I was hypoglycemic. Since then I have been 100% diligent in monitoring my glucose levels throughout the day. So far there isn't a direct correlation to my headaches. The cause is still undetermined.
Re: Nausea — Dizziness and nausea always go together for me.
Re: Photophobia (sensitivity to light) — Aversion to light - feeling the need to be in a darkened rom
Re: Control blood sugar — I had to make sure I ate breakfast - skipping it would increase my chance of getting a migraine in the afternoon.
Re: Avoid heavy backpacks — the backpack was cutting into circulation to my head and triggering migraines. the same thing happened when I wore my child in a sling after 18 months when she got heavier.
Re: Acupuncture — No significant difference (maybe minor relief). But the acupuncturist may also not have been well practiced or specialized.
Re: Maxalt — Pretty much took my migraines away wtihin 30min completely. It was only symptom releif (not really treatment). It also made me a bit dizzy and a weird feeling in the back of my throat/head.
Re: Chiropractic Treatment — Sometimes worked a little. About a third of the time worked great, about 50% of the time a little temporarily, and otherwise- not.
Re: Dietary changes — I've never been able to find an exact trigger. Grapes never bother me, and then one day I got a quick 15min striking headache after eating a few. It's too hard to tell what is affecting what. Sometimes I think it could be a combination.
Re: Feverfew — I have tried a variety of herbal remedies such as feverfew and vitamin compounds which included B vitamins which are labelled as helpful. Not much relief.
Re: Acupuncture — Acupuncture has provided some temporary relief. But be careful who you use. The first acupuncturist I tried was a local chiropractor who said he specialized in this practice. He placed the needles in the wrong places (directly to the head instead of the back of the neck) and immediately triggered a massive migraine. The second acupuncturist I tried was the head of a college for acupuncturist. His results were better.
Re: Biofeedback — I tried biofeedback which was at the time an experimental process. They monitored the body's involuntary physical responses: such as breathing, pulse, heart rate, temperature, muscle tension and brain activity through an electrical device that was attached to my finger. The objective was to see if changing breathing patterns affected the incidence of migraines. It did not but it did reduce the severity at times.
Re: Dietary changes — The most comprehensive list of foods, that may trigger migraines, I found on the internet.