can anybody please tell me what's good for migraine headaches?

Question

she's taking presciption pills already but it not helping. this prescription is not the first they (doctors) have given her

Answer 1

Excedrin Migraine is the only OTC medicine that helps me with my migraines. It works wonders IMO. It has pain relievers plus caffeine the right ingredients to get rid of a migraine.

Answer 2

1) It helps to identify the things that can trigger the headaches, and to avoid these things when possible. Sometimes certain foods or additives (like MSG), or stressors (being hungry, being out in very hot weather) can trigger them.

2) Once you feel the migraine starting ,even a tiny bit, it's important to take the migraine medicine RIGHT away. The sooner u catch it, the more effective your medicine will be, no matter what kind it is.

3) Try different prescriptions--tell your doc if one kind is not working for u, because everyone is different. Imitrex is a common one, but it doesn't work for everyone. Midrin is one that can work pretty well. Even codeine, while it's not a specific migraine medicine works well on some people. My doctor has suggested taking a low dose of beta blockers every day, as a prevention. You might ask about that, if your headaches are very frequent and severe.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I take caffeine and an NSAID (usually ibuprofen, but aspirin sometimes or naproxen sodium) at the very first sign of a migraine. I get really intense auras, so I always know when one is coming. I've gotten some relief from Hyland's Migraine Relief melting tablet things--they're homeopathic. But it doesn't work for the headache part. It helps with the nausea, watery eyes, and stomach pain. I love those Be Koool gel cooling pads to put on my forehead--they definitely enhance the effects of any meds I take.

In general, avoid aged cheeses, alcohol (especially red wine), chocolate, smoking, and strong smells. I try to exercise a little--endorphins help and if you're not completely incapacitated, it helps to get your mind off the pain a little bit. I can't stand going to movies when I have a migraine or being under fluorescent lights--dim light is good and a cool room with a little breeze or a fan helps. And if PMS or hormones are an issue, get that stuff resolved--my migraines are manageable now that my polycystic ovarian syndrome is under control. If there are mental health issues, they can exacerbate migraines, too--meds can help sometimes. Manage stress and learn good breathing and stress-relief methods. Good luck and I hope you find something that helps--migraines are a b***h and a half and I hate hearing about other people having them because I know how bad they can be.

Answer 4

Don't laugh but I too suffer from migraines and they are horrid. The only thing that helps me is BC powder. I take one and chase it with coke. Right now I am on a blood pressure medication that is a preventative help for migraines and it has helped, but I still get at least one or two a month. I often have to take a nap when I have a migraine also.

Answer 5

I'm prescribed Periactin (cyproheptadine) as a preventative and Fiorinol (butalbital) once they start. This combination has worked extremely well for me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migraine#Preventive_drugs

Patients who have more than two headache days per week are usually recommended to use preventives and avoid overuse of acute pain medications.

Preventive medication has to be taken on a daily basis, usually for a few weeks, before the effectiveness can be determined. It is used only if attacks occur more often than every two weeks. Supervision by a neurologist is advisable. A large number of medications with varying modes of action can be used. Selection of a suitable medication for any particular patient is a matter of trial and error, since the effectiveness of individual medications varies widely from one patient to the next.

The most effective prescription medications include several classes of medications including beta blockers such as propranolol and atenolol, antidepressants such as amitriptyline, and anticonvulsants such as valproic acid and topiramate.

Sansert has been returned to the US market after being temporarily withdrawn by Novartis. Although highly effective, it has rare but serious side effects, including retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Answer 6

Well, there is a possibility to normally get rid of the migraine altogether:

There is this manual one-time treatment called Atlasprofilax. The effect on the self-healing power of the body is simply amazing - own experience. :-)

And it's really worth travelling far - at present, the treatment is available in California and Europe only, costing less than 200 Dollars. Good luck!

Answer 7

I take Depakote (1500mg/day) for my headaches, and it only works mildly well. Zomig works for the mild migraines, but for the really bad ones, I take Zomig and Vicodin together. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't. If nothing else helps, I go to the ER for some intensive pain killers and an IV drip to rehydrate.

Answer 8

Avoid Chocolates, Cheese, Coffee, Wine. Sleep properly. Don't stress out too much.

Answer 9

Theres a patch you put on your forehead call WellPatch Migrain Head Cooling pads. You cant get them in stores but you can online. I use them and they work fine.

Answer 10

I can't give any advice about medication, but she needs to avoid light. Tell her to go to a dark room for a while and rest.