Migraines???

Question

Please before you tell me to go my dr,, or get a prescription,, I HAVE,, ok???

I am having terrible migraines due to stress in my life right now,, I can't avoid or lessen that stress. I have been trying to excerise but it's painful. My prescription makes me sleepy and have way way too much to get done, to be able to lay down and sleep all day.

I am also trying the normal stuff,, less caffine, then I tried more caffine,, cold clothes,, quiet room,, warm bath,, ect, ect,, does anyone else have any other ideas of something that will help?? Please?????

guess I left out too much of my info,, yes the majority of the problem is stress,, I have had a hisotry of migraines but since losing a lot of weight had not been having problems.
Recently due to a problem with my husbands work our entire family is under terrible stress, this is stress I can't change or avoid, There's nothing I can do about the stress other than just sit and wait for it to resolve it's self.
I am on Midrin for my migraines and it usually works great, but like I said makes me very sleepy, I am preparing to move so can't take a day or two off to just sleep.
I have glasses and just had a check up recently so that's not the issue and I am not staying on the computer very much these days,,
thanks for all your advice and help.

Answer 1

I have had migraines for years the topamax I take for my bipolar has helped reduce them tremendously. also there are better meds out there like zomig and imatrix. if the migraines are stress induced these may not work. there re trigger points at the base of your head.A tennis ball in the palm of your hand right at the point where your head meets the neck may relieve these spots(trigger point therapy workbook by Clair Davis) I have found that using a heated pad of sorts works nicer. also a hot shower or bath and heat over the eyes..

Answer 2

I have suffered from migraines since I was 10 years old-I am now 50 so I have had 40 years experience. I do know a bit about them. First, you can have a migraine at any time. There is no set pattern-I have gone months and even years without having a single migraine. There are many migraine triggers. Hormones play a big part. That is why women suffer from migraines 3 times more than men. A week before your period is the worst time. I found that birth control pills helped me. Also, sinus problems and allergies as well as hot weather can trigger migraines. Certain foods can also be a trigger-chocolate and sugar are the number 1 offenders. Cheese can also do it. Watch your stress level too. Ask your Doctor about the triptan drugs such as imitrex and maxalt. These are very effective-they are expensive though. I have found that 2 regular excedrin works pretty good most of the time-the trick is to take medicine before your headache gets to bad. Good luck.

Answer 3

Try writing down everything you eat in a day - you will have to do this over a few weeks. Also record the times that you get a migraine and see if this comincides with something you ate. Some people get migraines triggered by orange juice or chocolate and writing it down will make it easier to work out.

Light also aggrevates a migraine so try being in a dark room (curtains drawn etc) during the day if you get a migraine.

Another thing - have you tried essential oils? There are some headache relief products now based on Peppermint and Lavender oils which do help some people - not me, but it's worth trying.

I know how bad they can be - GOOD LUCK!

Answer 4

warm bath works every now and then for me...i feel your pain, i have gotten to the point now where i just accept the fact that there isnt anything i can do to stop the pain... No meds work for me.. Well, strangely enough, i have found that sometimes, benadryl can cure a migraine.... Even when it is not due to sinuses, benadryl can help. ALSO, Have you had your eyes checked? I always had perfect vision (or so i thought), but turns out i have an astigmatism and the stressing of my eye muscles causes migraines... So i got glasses, and that has helped a bit. Usually when i get a headache, i lay down and take a nap and that helps... I inherited this horrible burden from my mother, arrrgh!

Good luck finding a cure! Everyone has a different "cure", just keep experimenting.

Answer 5

You haven't given a very good history about your migraines..
I have suffered from migraines for years.
Just a reminder: stay away from nuts, cheese, red meats, and red wines. Are you a woman? Are your migraines stress related or are they menstrual?
As far as your prescription, what is it that you are taking? Doesn't sound to me like it's working. Imitrex is a good migraine medicine. Are you on anything to PREVENT the headaches such as Topamax or Inderal? If you are using a narcotic for your headaches then most likely you won't get rid of the migraine. Migraines involve nerves and blood vessels and opiate derivitives will not work for the most part. Lack of sleep is another factor to consider. Sometimes even after taking all of the medicine, sleep is the only thing that will get rid of the headache. I'm sure that whatever it is that is causing you to lose sleep will definetly be there come tomorrow. Get some rest!!!

Answer 6

It's probably stress as you said, however! do you feel tension in your neck muscles from your shoulders up behind your ears just before the headaches come on? also do you wear glasses at all? especially when you are on your computer? If so are they reading glasses (Magnified) or prescription ones? Is your computer monitor fitted with a dark screen to shield your eyes from the glare? Long periods of gazing into a computer screen will give you headaches! as well as a bad posture, i.e. no back- rest on chair, or computer chair is unsuitable too low so you are looking up at the screen! And the final one is, do you have any problems at home or work that would cause you stress? If you can eliminate all those things, then it's a medical problem where you should see your doctor. I hope this has helped.

Answer 7

Are you on the contraceptive pill? These can cause migraines if the medication isn't right for you (my sister started getting migraines for the exact same reason).

I would go back to your Dr and tell them that you want to rethink your current treatment.

I think this is an excellent article about migraine, and may help you... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migraine

Especially this part...
"Trigger avoidance
Patients can attempt to identify and avoid factors that promote or precipitate migraine episodes. Moderation in alcohol and caffeine intake, consistency in sleep habits, and regular meals may be helpful. Beyond an often pronounced placebo effect, general dietary restriction has not been demonstrated to be an effective approach to treating migraine.

Nonetheless, some people fervently claim that they have successfully identified foods which are likely to result in migraines, and by avoiding them, can decrease the likelihood of an episode."

Answer 8

I have suffered with migraines most of my life. Recently, my doctor put me on relpax, and they have helped tremendously. They don't make me sleep, and they knock my headache out within thirty minutes. They are very expensive though, so i hope you have insurance.

Answer 9

3 Co-Codamol & a large Vodka & coke does it for me!!!

Seriously, I dont know what you could do other than what you have already tried. Have you considered Yoga, Acupuncture, massage They can all be relaxing.

I hope things get better for you.

Answer 10

yes i have experienced this...yoga can be a option...also staying away from oily food or heavy food can be another option...you should definitely fix a routine for ur self...and not change it daily...eat fresh fruits and veggies and in a week there will be lot of differance...