Help with Migraines
Anyone out there in the blogosphere have advice for dealing with migraines?
Over the past year, I’ve started getting bad migraines a few times a month. Saturday night after the game, one hit me. Sunday afternoon, I gave up and took an Imitrex that my doctor prescribed. When I woke up Monday morning, the pain had subsided, but I had no idea where I was. For a while, I thought that I was in my old apartment in Knoxville. I wasn’t coherent until 3 p.m. that afternoon. Not so much a fan of Imitrex side effects.
I’m open to alternative medicine and holistic approaches to medical problems rather than taking more pills. Has anyone had any luck with alternative therapies for migraines? Is it worth pursuing acupuncture (even with my belonephobia)? Any other possibilities? The Internets appear rather vague on the issue of migraines, and there are a lot of smart people who read this.
I had a friend with migraines and she did the acupuncture thing and she wasn’t impressed.
I found for me, I had to find out what my triggers were. Turns out soft dairy products like sour cream, cream cheese, yogurt were my triggers.
When I get a really bad migraine, I haven’t ever found anything to help completely. I nap and stay in the dark, even resorting to wearing sunglasses inside.
Hope you find relief soon.
December 5th, 2007 • 11:53 am
I had migraines so bad, they were looking for brain tumors. Keep in mind too many pills can create “rebound” headaches–basically, breed more headaches. See a good doc (I have a great one if you want to email me) that is open to alternatives. Mine was great. My course meant meds and Frova for breakthroughs, but it changed my life.
December 5th, 2007 • 11:59 am
I get migraines. The triggers for me are female hormone changes, loud noise, and — this is a major cause — drops in barometric pressure, which occur a couple of days before it rains. My migraines start a couple of days before it rains and go away when it rains unless there is some major weather front continuing.
Some people say atenolol, a beta blocker drug, helps them. This drug does have side effects, but not too bad, so use a small dose — 25 mg or half that. If you have low blood pressure, don’t use that.
What often works for me is cold, cold wet cloths or ice packs on my face — forehead, eye area, temples — and the top of my head, but you have to start that when you first feel the headache coming on. I always try that. Also lie down in a dark room.
The sure remedy for me was one I was given when I was in the hospital for surgery and got a migraine — the painkiller Nubain. This is a narcotic.
December 6th, 2007 • 1:15 am
In Knoxville? Were we partying like rock stars in White Columns?
I’ve heard of people drinking caffiene to assist with migraines.
I have the biggest fear of needles I know, and I get four shots a week for my allergies. If you need a shot or two, I’ll be you’ll be fine.
Now I’m going to go cry just thinking about shots!
December 6th, 2007 • 9:09 am
My migraines are more stress induced and so sporadic I’ve never gotten formal meds for it. It sounds like yours is much beyond my realm… I hope they get better. That’s frightening to wake up and not know where you are!
December 6th, 2007 • 9:10 am
Donna–I’ve wondered if hormones or weather changes are a trigger. I’m used to adjusting my asthma meds for weather changes. The weather changed considerably in DC this weekend, so that might have contributed to it. I’ll ask my doctor about atenolol.
Thanks LJ. I’m glad you don’t have regular migraines. I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone.
Mrs. M–I wish this was something that I could get a shot for. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that a lot of people have suggested. A coworker found that it helped her during chemo treatments, so I’m willing to try it. This is far worse than any of my asthma or allergy issues. Albuterol may cause dizziness, but migraine pain is seriously debilitating. I was literally forced to lie down in a pitch black room for about 48 hours. And sadly, I wasn’t partying in White Columns. For some reason, I thought I was in my little room and woke up looking at that shelf that was along the wall by the door. So strange.
December 6th, 2007 • 9:19 am
If you have asthma, DO NOT use a beta blocker drug, such as atenolol. Beta blockers are known for triggering and worsening asthma and other reactive airway disorders.
December 6th, 2007 • 3:12 pm