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| Migraines?
Posted: 8/25/2006 5:49:31 PM |
When i do get a migraine what i have noticed most is its usually around the time of a major shift in the weather. I've noticed this factor too. The times that my mum, my friend and I are all knocked out for the day and the weather is changing too, are too frequent to ignore. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 8/27/2006 9:56:34 PM | I'm on Neurontin as a preventative, which seems to help; I tried Vitamin B2 which helps some people (not me) and Magnesium as preventatives; the latter seemed to be helping. I wasn't getting them as frequently. Anyway, last week I had a killer migraine that lasted for four days. When it finally ended I realized that I had run out of Magnesium - so now I know for sure that it does help to prevent them. I also take Maxalt wafers but Relpax works even better - problem is, it's not yet covered by insurance.
For the nausea I drink peppermint tea, sniff peppermint oil on a tissue, and eat candied ginger which helps a lot. I actually get a craving for it when I have a migraine.
OP if you're still reading this thread, I'm wondering if the Magnesium helped you.
I feel bad that I have passed this curse down to my daughter. She says that exercise helps to prevent hers. Also massage seems to help.
Sometimes if nothing has helped the pain, I take 2 Migraine Aleve and 2 extra-strength Excedrin. Then I lie down in a dark room with one of those gel-packs on my head - I always have a couple in the freezer.
My dentist gets bad migraines, has tried everything (like me) and says what has helped her most is yoga. She has a yoga teacher who has helped a great deal with muscle tension. I'm thinking of trying that too. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/1/2006 7:59:58 PM | I get migraines all the time. I mainly have to stay away from chocolate or else I'm dead meat.
I take a med every morning to prevent it and when that doesn't help, I take the Advil Liquigels. Those seem to tame the beast. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/1/2006 10:56:52 PM | | Oops I meant Advil too, not Aleve. I take 2 liquid gels and two Migraine Excedrin. It knocks me out but when the pain gets that extreme I need to be knocked out. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/2/2006 8:11:24 PM | Thanks for this valuable information. My sister suffers from migraines weekly. Please rush your response.
Thanks a million,
Mike | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/2/2006 8:16:56 PM | Thanks for this valuable information. My sister suffers from migraines weekly. Please rush your response regarding where I can purchase Rosemary aromas Espana- Essential Oils.
Thanks a million,
Mike | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/3/2006 6:11:39 PM | | What does your sister take for her migraines? Has she been to a neurologist? They are trained to diagnose and treat migraines. The medications which are approved for migraines have a much better track record than essential oils. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/3/2006 11:48:58 PM | I've been getting migraines for about 30 yrs now, and have been on lots of different preventatives (most that didn't work), Cafergot (worked, but made me puke - then bounce-back headaches), Fiorinal , and Imitrex. The Imitrex quit working for a while but the dr increased the dosage to 100mg at onset, then 50mg in 1 hr, and 50 more mg in another hour if it wasn't gone. Usually works. But not always. If I can't get the meds quick enough, I have to take Fenergan with it to hold off the nausea/puking. And the fenergan knocks me out too, helping me get some sleep.
I can pretty much catch the beginning of one (starts like a sinus headache) and take 3-Advil (600mg), one Claritan D (knocks the sinus part), and drink a coke or head to Starbucks for the caffein boost. I can't remember if the caffein is supposed to dilate the blood vessels so the blood can flow easier, or if it constricts them to keep the pressure even. Oh yea, and get someplace dark and sleep right away. Mine usually make me very sleepy - if I can crash in a dark, quiet place for at least an hour, the migraine will often disappear.
The comments regarding weather changes are very real: if you can watch the daily weather report and pay attention to the barometric pressure rising or falling, and track your headaches, then you might be able to prepare for them better. "Girding your loins"...er...head...as it were.
Also, didn't see where anyone had mentioned one of the #1 triggers for migraines (I may have just missed it) the food preservative MSG. I can't eat seasonings or foods containing it and have to be very careful when eating at salad bars or Asian food because it's used quite a bit. I can usually tell when something has been "dosed" with MSG because I'll start getting extreme dry mouth within an hour, the aura starts developing and the migraine will come marching hard on its heels shortly after that.
A couple of medical people also mentioned staying hydrated. I live in Arizona and have to keep a liter of water with me all the time to keep hydrated otherwise a migraine will hit. One of my sons started getting them at about age 8 or 9, but no meds were available for kids that young. He finally figured out on his own that he was dehydrated. Playing outside, riding his bike, swimming (yes, it will dehydrate you) all sucked the moisture out of his body. He started drinking about a gallon of water a day, and he's been almost migraine free for over a year now. (Now, at age 22, his headaches are hang-over induced). 
Good luck to all of you sufferers. No one can really understand how debilitating a migraine can be until they suffer their first one. (Paybacks are a real b*tch!) | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/3/2006 11:55:06 PM |
Has she been to a neurologist? They are trained to diagnose and treat migraines.
When I changed doctors about 6 years ago, he insisted I see a neurologist for a MRI to check for tumors (very scarey, but thank God clear) and an eye dr to check for problems with my optic nerves. Everything checked out and said it was probably hormonal (guess what time of month they hit?), climate related (allergy/weather - see previous post), dehydration or food sensitivity.
Neorologist didn't give me anything more than the PC did - Imitrex & fenergan****ail - except a big bill.
Good luck. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/26/2006 5:56:09 PM | Update: I finally got in to see yet another neurologist. I'm starting daily meds again, neurontin which is actually a seizure medication. It's suppose to help quite a bit, so we'll see. Also, seeing as things like imitrex, relpax, maxalt etc. don't often help, he also perscribed me nadolol to take with them when I get a migraine. It's a anti-inflammatory which really helps when combining the two as soon as I first start getting a migraine. Good idea for everyone who also feels that the meds don't help enough. I also take stematil when I get one cause I'm a puker, lol, gross I know, but what can ya do!
I really help this works, and without nasty side effects from the daily meds. If not, I really don't know what I will do. I'm really fed up with always feeling like crap. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/27/2006 4:32:32 PM | Good luck with that. I'm on Neurontin and it definitely helps me. Maybe I'll ask about the Nadolol, I need more help than Maxalt sometimes with the bad ones.
For the nausea, I sniff peppermint oil on a tissue - really deeply inhale it, and I eat candied ginger. It's awesome for that - I rarely ever vomit - last time was after I drank red wine - should have known better - it's a huge trigger for me - chocolate too.
I know what you mean by being fed up. My neurologist isn't very responsive at all. I'm looking around for a new one.
Take care... | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/29/2006 4:19:37 PM | O.P.
Did you ever go to the chiropractor or acupuncturist?
I used to have migraines from a damaged spine. I was in a bad car accident when I was 5. I didn't receive medical care and my spine healed improperly. Because of this I started to get migraines when I was 18. If you have never been to a chiropractor you may have some spine problems and not know it.
I don't have experience with acupuncture but I have heard alot of positive comments.
Good luck, keep working at it. You will find the source. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 9/30/2006 6:19:26 AM | | i know all about migraines!!!my ex suffered from them for years.after everything finally a doctor noticed something with her eyes??that sigh ended up leading us to the hospital for a C T scan.with that they found a small cyst on her brain!however a surgery was done and to this day not 1 migraine!!i dont hope for all that suffer from them have to have brain surgery but trust me we were spending lots of money on herbs,acupuncture,etc all things that were not even going to help!if C T scans were given to all maybe you could get more answers or start by getting yours eyes checked!good luck all i feel 4 ya. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/1/2006 8:56:28 AM | | I didn't notice the migrane thread before I started on on my Cluster Headaches!! However, I can relate have empathy for anyone who suffers from headaches. I take neurontin and tegretol on a daily basis. I use the imitrex when all else fails or to stop one befroe it gets to bad. Cluster headaches due have a different cause than migranes. From my understanding migranes due have a link to stress. I won't go into Cluster causes because they are different and well not completely understood. To move on, Getting into a hot shower then jumping right into very cold air has helped me alot if I can catch it before it is past the point of no return. Learnig about emotional balance in your life can be very helpful as well. I have learned that friends of mine that have migranes have had alot of help in reducing theres by looking at how controlling there thinking is. They had to learn how to let go of the intrernal grinder if you know what I mean. One other thing I can think of is my sister gets Botox injections in her neck and has had pretty good success in reducing her headaches. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/1/2006 9:13:46 AM | I'm not sure if it's been mentioned (because I didn't see it when I scanned the post) but...
In addition to muscular tension, subluxed vertebrae contribute to cluster and migraine headaches. I used to suffer terribly from migraines. Now I know that if I have one, something is out and the chiropractor is a saviour.
Do your research on the chiropractors in your area and try it out. An old boss of mine used to get them so severely she was off work for three days and in the dark. Now she never gets them, but she sees a chiro regularly. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/4/2006 7:07:45 PM | | I have suffered with migraines for a number of years now. I usually end up in the ER on intravenous. Finally one Dr. prescriped beta blockers. They worked wonders. There are a few side effect (one being high blood pressure) but they worked for me. Unfortunaley they also effected my asthma and i had to go off of them. So back to the drawing board. My Dr. has prescribed something that starts with Z i can't remember the name. Would love to hear if pills really work. I think mine are all hormonal. lol Good luck | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/4/2006 8:15:43 PM | TXMN, very very good point on the thinking habits. He's referring to the kind of brainwave action, beta-waves, that are the basis of what is called excitatory brain chemistry. I mention this in the cluster headache thread. In some, its associated with a genetic problem with an enzyme called GAD. Scientists are exploring the idea that its "programmed" into genes, during the formation of gametes, a result of excessive cortisol, a stress hormone. Some neurochemists believe it may also be reinforced during gestation, when additional maternal stress may turn on and off genes not normally altered in function. The result? A tendency for a tightly related set of genes on several chromosomes to be turned "off", that is, their expression is repressed. These include genes that protect glial cells and neurons in the brain from oxygen free radical attack.
During intense brain action, like that of a constantly "busy" mind, is prone to intense neural activation. That means energy is used to drive this neural activity, mostly in the forebrain. That, in turn, causes excessive oxgen consumption that results in very natural production of free radicals. Unnatural is the inability to keep these free radicals from damaging membranes. That membrane damage causes inflammation. Another poorly controlled gene encodes for fatty acid hydrolase in the brain. It produces compounds that bind to the endocannabinoid pain detection system. Other compounds produced by fatty acids, called prostanoids, control blood pressure - vasoconstriction. Related compounds cause the inflammation associated with vascular headaches. They are also part of this migraine pathophysiology. We have an unusual overabundance of pain receptor activation, of vasoconstriction, of inflammation.
Endocannabinoids respond to NMDA. NMDA is produced by GAD excitotoxicity.
NMDA also activates certain nerve fibers in the scalp, jaw, back of head, neck, upper back and shoulders. This tension is part of the progression of a migraine, and it dovetails with the vasoconstriction,
Now, you have a straightforward connection between unusually overactive brains, excessive oxygen consumption, a buildup of membrane damage, overactive signalling of pain, altered local blood pressure, and inflammation, and this spreads, to the back of the neck, jaw, and upper back and shoulders as excess tension. That tension, by the way, at the back of the neck signals to the body to release more inflammatory agents. It worsens, or "locks in" this vicious cycle that maintains these headaches.
So, stress control, primarily by use of meditation, yoga, regular exercise, proper sleep and hydration (dehydration being a contributor to these headaches as well) is key to the successful control of migraines.
All of this information has arisen in the biomedical literature within the last 5-8 years, much of it very recent.
Remember, this is a birds-eye, simplified view of the molecular mechanism of migraines. The science is quite complex and goes into much greater depths.
One worrying aspect is that modern medicine tends to look for a panacea in a pill, and it pursues those avenues over less exotic, nonpharmaceutical pathways to control of this condition.
While your drugs may help, there are additional steps that can be taken to avoid and also minimize these headaches.
Cheers. (sorry for the length, its necessary to describe the cascade of cause and effect) | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/4/2006 8:20:24 PM | Tactilelady, you are getting close. Add taurine, theanine, perhaps GABA, to your magnesium and B2. Now, note that B2 is needed for B6 to work. B12 also needs B6 for absorption.
My bet: your conversion of synthetic B6 is impaired (as it is, in a sizable chunk of the public). You can try P5P. However, I simply used B vitamins and zinc, and with these other supplements, my headaches stopped. Cold. Thats after 12 yrs of almost continuous headaches. So you might simply try my recommendation for supplements.
My goal is not to foist supplements on you; its to address a common minor malnutrition state that has regrettable results in the migraine prone individual. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/4/2006 11:18:37 PM | | Well... mine have reached that really unbearable level where about 1/3 days I have a severe migraine and the rest of the time is a constant bad headache. I'm seeing the acupuncturist tomorrow... assuming I can make it :) She reckons she can work magic so let's hope. If it does work on my it'll probably work on anyone since I've had migraines forever and I'm cynical about acupunncture. Cynical, but now desperate enough to try. The rosemary oil didn't help, although it does a great "wake up" call to the senses. I take vitamin/mineral supplements (in ref to above) and I've experimented with my diet too -- pretty sure its's not that. I am just a stress monkey and I get trapped in cycles of bad head -> stress about how it affects my work -> worse head -> more stress. I never relax, I forgot how to, and I'm sure that is making it continue to get worse. I think meditation would help, if I could learn how, but my brain is too busy and noisy so far, I can't begin to make it still or quiet. Anyway, I've reached desperation point now, and I'll see if the acupuncture lady is any good! | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/5/2006 11:21:19 AM | | ((To Sombient... I'm very interested by what you wrote in msg 67 -- can you recommend any good online resources to learn more about this? I would have messaged you to ask this but your restrictions block me.)) | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/5/2006 2:28:48 PM | Rune, not sure why you couldn't message me; I'll try contacting you.
I'm a senior scientist; what I describe is a "snapshot" (top-down forest view) of this medical condition - derived from approx. 15 yrs of study. The biomedical research reports that I've read are available on the web - however, they are highly technical publications and give the "tree view", they focus on intricate details, rather than a broad presentation.
This website does a passable job (with the exception of the comment on vasodilation, rather than vasoconstriction; both vessel anomolies maybe present as a result of NOS - nitric oxide synthase enzyme action).
[url=http://headaches.about.com/od/migrainedisease/a/what_is_mig.htmAboutheadaches.com]AboutHeadaches.com[/url]
Note the symptoms notes in the 'prodome' section of the "Anatomy of a Migraine" page linked on the site listed above.
The increased voiding may contribute to the dehydration stress I frequently see as co-causative (along with stress, lack of sleep, and consumption of omega-6 fats and saturated fats, for instance, present if I eat cheese, eggs, or chocolate in a larger dose).
I am ~95% confident that migraineurs (migraine patients) have a basic autonomic system disorder related to impaired protection against oxidative stress.
My interest in this problem is personal; I coped with these chronic headaches for years - which drove me to find the best possible molecular explanation for the syndrome and identify causes and potential solution. Those I posted here.
The main thrust of a migraine treatment program should include:
1. Reduction in the physiological intensity of stress response. The aim is to reduce the damage incurred by poor adaptive response to daily stressors. That requires that excess "baggage" - psychological trauma and sources of excessive worry are addressed, if present. New behavioral coping mechanisms be adopted to alleviate emotional stress and reduce the degree of physiological response. Life-style changes coupled with stress management techniques are necessary.
2. That active chemical intervention be used to reduce excitatory chemical action within the brain and body. While the neural syndrome that is the central feature of migraines is the one we think about treating, in fact, the entire body is suffering from excessive oxidative stress. Use of antioxidants and their precursors, key metabolic cofactors (B-vitamins, ascorbic acid and trace minerals) involved in two interlinked chemical pathways in the brain and liver that sythesize the two primary antioxidants that fight oxidative stress: glutathione and NAC, are highly recommended. NAC you can take as a supplement. Glutathione you make in liver, using those cofactors mentioned. You also use these cofactors for the B12/folate and methylation pathways. Finally, I recommend use of simple supplements that combat (inhibit) the excitatory chemistry that is incorrectly regulated in autonomic system disorders and in migraineur disease (theanine, GABA).
Having gone thru more than a decade of suffering from these headaches, I empathize with those who have them. I offer up what I know of treating them as a public service. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/5/2006 7:17:13 PM | I think part of the cause for migraines are the trans fats in foods.
When I first started my full time job. I used to get severe migraines that were very painful.
Once I started eating only healthy foods and anything that didn't have transfats in it. When I stopped buying all those Iced caps at Timmys.
I suddenly stopped getting headaches. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/6/2006 7:36:51 AM | Okay I finally read your post Sombient. It has some interesting information. Im not surprised with the overeating of foods with lots of saturated fats is part of the problem. I reduced them in my diet when I found out it has an effect on cognitive decline and im glad I did.
Some interesting stuff on what happens to your brain if your one of those really nuerotic thinkers. I tend to be an overthinker and suffer a lot of stress. I also work in the evening which makes it work. Getting 5 to 6 sometimes 3 or 4 hours of sleep as well as lots of stress as a result of not being able to settle when in bed.
Ive tried meditation but im not able to adjust to it yet. Im too jumpy and my brain is too fast for it's own good. Im not as compulsive as I used to be at least probably part of being a bit burnt out with age. I used to have a lot of trouble controlling invasive compulsive thoughts. It's not as bad now but I still have the problem slightly. I think it's why I get easily stressed.
I also have trouble paying attention to something for a long amount of time. Im not sure if im a bit add but I have trouble fufilling responsibilitys a lot. Is there any food combinations you might know of that could be beneficial?
Im already trying to eat more healthy and eat things like Blue berries when I can. Eggs for the Achetcholyne (Sp?). Green tea, As well as foods like brocolli and Spinach. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/6/2006 9:43:30 AM | Yes, foods rich in antioxidants - lots of greens and brightly-colored vegetables and fruits in moderation, are essential to help combat the effects of stress.
Acetylcholine in eggs is a good way to get choline - in which you have a modest deficiency - make sure you use the omega-3 eggs, not regular eggs, which have twice the amount of saturated fats as the omega-3 eggs.
Procrastination and stress go hand in hand, as does stress and anxiety disorders and migraines. They are related to a problem with over-stimulation of the brain.
In your case, Frank, your sleep habits are primarily culprit here.
Good sleep hygiene is absolutely essential to health. Many typical illnesses and mood disorders are directly attributable to poor sleep habits. Ben Franklin knew this - he too, observed that those who lacked regular exercise, good nutrition, and sound sleep had poor health.
In bed by 10pm (a must), up by 6am and eating breakfast no later than 7am is essential. Why? It forces the body clock that controls cortisol and its alter ego, melatonin, to be released at its normal time, each day, weekday or weekend. This is called 'Circadian Rhythm'. Abnormal sleep patterns results in reduced immune system function and tissue repair, causes high daytime and evening cortisol release, and with it insulin sensitivity loss (poor glucose tolerance), increases fat cell activity and decreases lean muscle mass.
Lean muscle mass has been recently (2004) to be absolutely correlated to autonomic system controls. Thats breathing rate, blood pressure, heart rhythm and energy metabolism.
So regular exercise is also critical. It forces normalized breathing. Breath-holding is a common neuromuscular adaptation to chronic stress. We may not even notice it. In the anxiety prone, its typical. The 'cure', is to reduce our negative response to stress - exercise / meditation / good sleep hygiene, reduce stressor where we can, and use diet pro-actively to ward off the negative consequences of excess stress reactions. | |
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| Migraines?
Posted: 10/6/2006 3:12:43 PM | Update on the acupuncture... I doubt I'll shock anyone by saying that the acupuncturist reckoned my main problem was incessant overthinking. She also thought that sleep was an issue. Darn.. sleep is dull and a waste of time... I could be thinking. 3-4 hours should be enough really, shouldn't it? (Same boat as you anyway, Frank). She identified my neck and back as problem areas and stuck the needles in there. She also recommended increasing the type of exercise that gets the spine and neck moving: walking or swimming... I've got to say that I've now had a few hours of much reduced pain levels. First in what feels like a very long time. OMG it is nice not to be in so much pain *dances about mentally, if not physically* even if it only lasts a little while, even just for this evening it is nice.
Just wanted to share that with you guys. Definitely consider seeing an acupuncturist. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that things are going to get easier now... | |
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