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Thread: Migraines

  1. #1
    Featured Member southstbabe's Avatar
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    Default Migraines

    Ever since puberty I have suffered from migraines. I've taken so many different meds for them. I use to take Imitrex but that stopped working for me. My doctor thought I should try a preventitive med, Topamax (sp), it's an anti seziure drug that thay found helped prevent migraines. I hated it. It made me feel so funky I stopped taking it. I did discover a hormonal conection. Every time I had my period I got terrible migraines. This made me switch from the patch bc to the nuvo ring, which I leave in four weeks instead of three before I put in a new one and I only take it out and leave it out every three months, so I only have my period four time a year which equals less migrains. But I'm still looking for an escape from them. I can loose an entire day becasue of a migraine. The pain is horrible. Sometimes all it takes to trigger one is if I run into someone who is wearing strong cologne or perfum, cigerette smoke and list goes on. So if anyone else out there suffers like I do or knows someone who does who can help me out I will forever be greatful.

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    Default Re: Migraines

    I too have suffered and struggled to resolve migraines, for about 15 years now. Unfortunately I have not been able to link it to anything specific. At least you have been able to link the migraines to a few things, such as your periods. Perhaps they are caused by deficiencies with the loss of blood? Do you take vitamins? You mentioned another trigger seems to be strong scents (cologn and/or perfume). Have you been able to determine which kinds?

    Personally, my migraines are very random and I've not been able to associate them with a single thing within my life, such as diet, exercise, vitamins, scents, lights, etc. I've had MRI's and a host of other tests run, with ZERO results. I finally gave up and have a Dr. prescribe pain medications for when I get them. With or without the pain meds they knock me out for 1 - 3 days though.

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    Veteran Member HoneyHITZ's Avatar
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    Default Re: Migraines

    ive had migraines since i was 14, and they got worse after i was 16 and on the pill... when i was 18-19, they were unbearable. Now, i have to be watched so i dont OD on vicodin when i get one... the only thing that works for me is a drug called neurontin... its an anti-seizure med also, but, im the type that gets side effects from EVERYTHING and I've never had a side effect from this medication. They use it because it is well tolerated by people, which is good.... only thing is, they gave me the generic kind at one point, and my migraines came back... worse, with slurred speech, numbness, etc, and when the neurologist (who was a jerk by the way) switched me back to the brand name, it was fine... havent had one since... you might want to try it... good luck, and know you're not alone... oh and by the way, my trigger is MSG (monosodium glutamate) which I can smell if it is in a product now, lol... good luck!


    <Rhiannon_SW> :that's where Jimmy Hoffa went!
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  4. #4
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Migraines

    Ladies, this may be cold comfort, but I've heard migraines often disappear as one ages (say, mid 30s). I suffered from them all through my 20s, but the last one I experienced was a good dozen years ago.

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    God/dess Bunny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Migraines

    I have had them since I was 11. I get "classic migraine" which has an aura before the pain starts. The only connection to anything I've found is hormones. I CANNOT take birth control pills or I'll get migraine after migraine and be incapacitated. Now I get them every few months maybe or I'll get a cluster of them in a week or two and then they will stop. Sometimes stress seems to bring them on. Nothing preventative has ever stopped them for me and Imitrex only made me feel worse. I take Vicodin. I know it will kill the pain or at least numb it enough so it's bearable. Plus it makes me sleepy so I can usually fall asleep and sleep some of it off. I have another little bit of drug samples from my doctor but I don't know if they help. I take them with the Vicodin just in case. I can't recall what it's called right now but it's a pill. I'm 32 years old now and been having them basically over 20 years. I've been to a neurlogist who specialized in migraines and never been able to really stop them completely. I even tried biofeedback therapy and it didn't help.

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    God/dess britneyireland's Avatar
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    Default Re: Migraines

    I've had migraines since I was 16. I was medicated with Imitrex from 16-23 when I was hospitalized because I couldn't keep any fluids down. I finally said NO MORE DRUGS, and I haven't had a bad one in 6 years.

    Personally, a lifestyle change was in order. I started monitoring how much water I drank, making sure I had 125 oz of water daily. Yes, thats FIVE 24oz bottles daily. I replaced coffee with green tea. I began practicing yoga and pilates daily to stretch my neck muscles and teach me to relax my jaw. I had a bad habit of clenching my teeth when I was stressed, which always triggered a headache.

    I also became a big believer in the power of chiropractic therapy. The xrays showed that my neck actually curves the wrong way. This is a common trait in migraine sufferers because it impinges the nerves that go to the brain. Through chiropractic adjustments, I am beginning to bring my cervical spine closer to "normal"

    In my experiences, I've found Eastern philosophies of medicine (acupuncture, chiropractic, herbalists, homeopathic docs, etc) to produce better results than Western Medicine (drugs, surgery) for chronic pain. In fact, most health insurance companies are beginning to offer alternative therapy to avoid the higher costs of surgery. My insurance, Cigna, covers unlimited chiropractic, acupuncture, and even massage therapy!

    I know, I sound like a nut case...but it has worked WONDERS for me. Granted, if I were in a car accident I'd want to be taken to the hospital, not my chinese herbalist....but for everyday issues they offer some great alternative therapy.
    Rebecca Avalon







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    Default Re: Migraines

    I have had migraines for 4 years, and I tried the Topamax and the Neurontin too! Neither of them helped my migraines. The Topamax got me to where I stuttered really bad and couldn't even spell my own name! bad ataxia, verrry weird... and ther Neurontin just made me supremely tired.

    I just started beta blockers, and it has brought me from 6 - 8 migraines a week to 2 - 3 a week.

    For pain, the only thing that works for me is Zomig.

    Imitrex, Relpax (sp?), Midrin, even Frovas didn't really work for me. Zomig is the only thing that will knock them out.

    Migraines SUUUUUCK so bad....

    Laurie

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    Default Re: Migraines

    I too had this problem then one day I quit the mf job since then no migraines , best thing I have ever done . I am kind of looking for a job now but not a stressful one .Doctors want to just dope you up I think the side effects are worse you may not get them immediately but they will start to bother you later.

  9. #9
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Migraines

    Quote Originally Posted by britneyireland
    ] My insurance, Cigna, covers unlimited chiropractic, acupuncture, and even massage therapy!
    Dang. I wish our Cigna plan (the company just switched) had been that progressive. Years ago I went to a chiropractor to deal with an annually recurring neck spasm (caused by an accident in college)...and it worked! After about eight visits, that particular pain never came back. My experience with theraputic massage is limited, although I did just have my first Shiatsu massage session, which was interesting.

    What do you use acupuncture for? And, more to the point , has it helped?

  10. #10
    Featured Member Magdalena_666's Avatar
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    Default Re: Migraines

    I have been getting migraine headaches since I was a child. I have tried just about every pill and the only one I have found that has worked is called Maxalt. I have been taking it when I get a migraine for the past 5 years now and it is awesome. My migraine goes away within 15 minutes of taking it.
    The only side effect i have ever noticed from it is it makes me pee a lot.

    I don't know what I would do without maxalt because when I get a migraine I can't function. I have had to go to the emergency room before because my head hurt so bad.

    I hope you find something that helps!


    'Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things.'
    T.S Eliot

    I believe you Dottie and you have my support






  11. #11
    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Migraines

    Two things I'd recommend:

    If you haven't already, see a neurologist that specializes in migraines. That matters.

    Secondly, as BritneyIreland noted, if you suffer from chronic migraines, you need to recognize that a lifestyle change may be in order since even if you are prescribed potent opioid painkillers you will inevitably develop tolerance.

    It's about a lifestyle change and getting specialized treatment, which can include non-traditional medicinal options.

    Two cents.
    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

    William F. Buckley, Jr.

  12. #12
    aussiepunkshocker
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    Default Re: Migraines

    Chiropractic works for me thank goodness, but you sound like you have allergies and some underlying problems since you can pick what sets the migraines off, so I would suggest allergy testing and seeking a reputible (sp?) alternative health practitioner who can treat hormonal problems aswell as doing something to boost your immune system. Large doses of vitamin C (Orthomolecular medicine) may help you over come the allergy problem when confronted with something which sets you off. Or Homeopathic medicine. Sorry I am unable to supply links etc currently but maybe there would be some useful info over at curezone.com or Dr Mercolas site or just try googleing the keywords and therepys - good luck (-:

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    Featured Member southstbabe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Migraines

    I've changed my lifestyle quite a bit. I hardly ever drink anymore, a couple of beers is about all I can tolerate and I quit smoking years ago. I try to keep a healthy lifestyle in general. Drinks lots of fluids, eat my fruits and vegies. I definetly could stand some more exersise. I've been considering yoga and I've also kicked around the acupuncture (sp) alternitive. I've often told people that when I have a migraine the pain is so bad that if someone told me to drink drano it would make the pain stop, I would. I've landed in the emergency room plenty of times because of the pain and the vomiting. I'm going to ask my doctor the next time I see him about some the the meds that have been mentioned. The worst part about my migraines now, is that my 8 yr old son suffers because of them. He looses his Mom for the day, sometimes 2 days and the poor thing has to stay quite and almost fend for himself. Thank god my husband handles the Mr. Mom roll very well when he has too.

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