What is the best way to get rid of a severe migraine?

Question

I have severe migraines everyday. I wake up it's there, I go to sleep it's still there. For the past 6 years I have lived with a migraine that never goes away. I've tried all of the major OTCs and prescription medications for headaches and nothing ever works. If there is some odd, non-medication treatment (besides accupuncture which failed to work for me) that you've tried and it worked for you please let me know.

I've also been to many doctors because of this, I've spent time at MHNI (Michigan Head pain and Neurological Institute) which specializes in headaches, and they can't even tell me what's wrong.

Answer 1

I have tried everything and had to go to the doctor for a prescription. I take Maxalt for my migraines.

Sometimes a cold cloth over my head and a dark ROM will help.

Write down what you have eaten or drank and what you have been doing in a journal to help narrow down what could possible be a trigger for your migraines.

My triggers are caffeine, certain perfumes and colognes and extreme stress.

Answer 2

Hannah, sorry you're suffering. If what I'm about to tell you doesn't work quickly be sure to see a doctor and find out if there is anything more serious causing this. One of the most inexpensive forms of treating a migraine at home is the ice wrap. The types you can buy in your drugstore are meant to be placed on either the forehead or neck of the victim but you can easily produce one of these at home. What you need to do is get a towel and wet it liberally then squeeze (but do not wring out) some of the water. Next fold the towel until you can easily place it in your freezer and leave it for about 5 minutes or until the towel has begun to stiffen. Unfold it and then refold it and placing the frozen sections in the middle and the wet parts of the towel to the outside. Once the towel has become reasonably frozen then place it around your head and eyes. For some this offers migraine headache symptom relief. Why not try to increase your salt consumption? If you feel a migraine beginning to start then eat a pack of corn chips (Fritos are good) or get some fries and cover with a lot of salt (or any other type of salty food) as these will help to calm a migraine attack. Although sometimes this method may not work it can provide you with a period of time in order to prepare the frozen towel treatment. It's not often we're told to eat salt! But this is a popular migraine home remedy and there are people who claim migraine headache symptom solutions from it. The next migraine home remedy treatment we will look at for a migraine will need the assistance of another person. What you need to do is go into a quietened dark room and relax as someone massages your scalp for you. They should massage your head and not your temples and 10 minutes of this treatment should do the trick. See how it works for you and if it offers migraine headache symptom help. However a great way of relieving a migraine is to prevent it and so closely scrutinize your lifestyle and see what could be causing your migraines. It may be a certain food you are eating or because you have not had enough sleep. Whilst others find that bright or flashing lights, loud noise or stress can cause a migraine attack. By defining what is causing your migraine attacks will go a long way to helping controlling and relieving them in the future. As you can see there are plenty of migraine home remedy treatments to choose from and it's best to find what's suited for you. Hope you feel better.

Answer 3

Wow, I'm sorry to hear about your pain. I sure can relate. I've had migraines since I was 8 years old. Sometimes I have them for 7 days straight. I too have tried almost everything there is and have seen many doctors. My advice is to find a really good Neurologist. Mine started me on a fairly new drug called Topomax along with a low dose of Prozac as a preventative. They do not prevent my migraines but have decreased their occurances. This drug has been a Godsend. When I get a migraine, Imitrex is the only medicine that works for me. Also, I recently have read a book called Heal Your Headache. It covers many foods that trigger migraines that I wasn't aware of (such as bananas). Good luck to you.

Answer 4

The only way I got rid of my migraine headaches was to put my finger down my throat and make myself throw up. It's true. When I was a kid I had migraines all the time. My mom took me to the doctor and when she told him how I made myself sick he said I was a smart girl. He didn't explain but I figure it works because it forces so much blood up into your head it "explodes" the headache. Now that I'm older I notice that fluorescent lighting can trigger a migraine. Flashes of bright light can too such as the glare off of the car's window in front of me--or someone suddenly shining a flashlight in my eyes.
I can't imagine having such pain for as long as you have...I really feel for you and hope this "treatment" works so you can get some relief.

Answer 5

a family member has severe migrianes to the point she passes out flat on the floor.
She has done a CAT scan and all types of tests nothing works for her except being in a very dark room with no lights.

MSG is a food additive used in certain foods trigger her migraine's.It is used alot in Chinese and Asian foods.
Watch what you eat !

Answer 6

oh man, I'm so sorry... I truly know what you are going through...

here's an unconventional medical approach...

I ended up seeing a nuerologist and we did a small dose of nortryptaline (an antidepressant)... and it helped. The constant trying to subdue the pain via narcotics/ibuprofen actually was making the cause worse and opened a cycle of pain....

AND, if you've done that already...
one thing that opens up the blood vessels... an orgasm... try that... standing up if possible... then a nap...
regular sexual activity along with good rest, good eating (these might be food allergies), plenty of hydration... all help with easing the tendancies towards headaches...

good luck!

Answer 7

I had migranes for 6 days in a row, and took Excedrin Migrane which knocked it out for a few days; however, the root of the problem was a pinched nerve in my neck. It was also making my hands go numb. Have your neck looked at, particularly if you have little tension knots in your neck and shoulders. That can really screw with you.

And after 6 years, I'd see a doctor as well.

Answer 8

see a doctor. if you truly had a migraine for over 2000 days you would have blown your head off with a shotgun years ago. furthermore, if you have a genuine migraine you'd be physically unable sit in front of a computer to ponder if some layman could help you.

Answer 9

Hi...I'm so sorry. Go to a neurologist. The right Dr. can help. There may be underlying problems that can be fixed. There are many meds that can work wonders to prevent them before they start.
Many people avoid certain foods, go to massage therapists, Chiropractors, do Yoga etc.

Answer 10

Have you seen a doctor about this? The most important is to find the cause of this. I would suggest aspirin or ponstan (mefenamic acid), but obviously you've tried it. Plus they both harm the stomach.