Classic Migraine Help?

Question

I have what my doctor calls ' Classic Migraines'. I usually have one about every 2 weeks but it also can happed if I have any sort of tap or bump in the back of my head. I've been taking a doctor prescribed Maxalt but when ever i do take it all it does is make me nausous. Are there arny other ways I can prevent this pain?

Answer 1

Don't bump the back of your head!

Avoid "trigger foods" such as alcohol, diet soda,
chocolate, any other type of caffeine, almonds
and other kinds of nuts. Ask your doctor for a list of "trigger foods", or look it up on Google.

Answer 2

I have had migrains for over 15 years. I too took Maxalt and it work for a while. I have avoided the "trigger foods", but that did not help. I've gone to a chiropracter as well. That did not help. Migrains run in my family, so I suppose I just have to deal with it. However, I know have two different medications. neither of them or prevention meds.. the are pain meds. I never know which one will work. I have Vicoden EX - sometimes they make me nauseaus.. I also have ZOMIG - usally works 90% of the time. I started with 2.5mg.. and was increased to 5mg.. If I can determine my headache is a migrain and catch it early then I will split the Zomig in half and only take 2.5mg.. Zomig has been the most helpful for me. It does not make me drowsy. I can normally take the medications and just rest for a bit, then go about my day. I would say that in 1 out of every 8 migrains I do not get relief and have to suffer it out! Not a Cool thing!

Answer 3

*OUCH* I can so relate to your suffering! I experienced migraine headaches weekly, sometimes more than once a week, for over 15 years. They were so bad I'd have to ice my head, turn off all the lights for total darkness, have complete silence, sometimes vomit, missed a lot of work days, etc. Several trips to the MD and ER. I haven't had one in about 6 years now.

Searching on-line I found the CURE for mine... magnesium. Magnesium has been touted for years as a cure for migraines! Don't expect a doctor to tell you though. Something so simple eliminated so much suffering. There are dozens and dozens of testimonials at the weblink I've included below.

I drink homemade magnesium bicarbonate water. Here is the recipe:

1 Liter Seltzer Water, chilled (NOT soda water)
2 Tbsp (6 tsp) Original Milk of Magnesia*
3 Gallons Culligan Water (there will be some left over)

*Be sure to get the MoM in which the "active ingredient" is Magnesium-hydroxide and nothing else, and the "inactive ingredient" is purified water and nothing else.

Chill the Seltzer water for an hour or two in the refrigerator. Open it, and when the fizzing settles down, spoon in 2 tablespoons (6 teaspoons) of Milk of Magnesia, put the cap back on, shake gently every few minutes and watch the cloudiness disappear as the Mg-hydroxide reacts with the CO2 and becomes Mg-bicarbonate.

After you've made the 1 liter concentrate, measure out 1/3 of it (333 ml) in a measuring cup. Pour it into a 1 gallon bottle and fill with Culligan (or regular) water. I mix this 1-gallon at a time.

If you don't like the water, take magnesium supplements purchased from a natural/whole food store. They cost a bit more, but the quality is far better than something you'd find on a pill-mill shelf at chain stores. It's definitely worth a try! It took about 10 days of me drinking the water before my migraines completely stopped, and I've never suffered with them again.

Source: The Magnesium Website
http://www.mgwater.com/email02.shtml

Answer 4

well.. you really need to keep a list of foods and drinks and then see what the common factor is right before you get a migraine. i come from a family of migraine sufferers. We are ALL different !!! My sister has citrus that triggers hers and also bright lights. She can see a reflection off of a car or some water and get one right away.

Myself...not sure what causes mine. I know while I was pregnant it was my hormones. Also, I can't take birth control pills or they will start. I also was getting them when I was on the computer too long without breaks. Now I wear sunglasses while I'm on the computer. Yep.. even at night. I wear my sunglasses at night. LOL

So.. like I said...everyone is different ! You will be the only one that can possibly pinpoint your causes and then try to avoid those things.

For me when I feel like I'm getting one (I get the weird vision problems first) I drink 2 or 3 cups of coffee and it really helps so that it's not severe. But for my sister caffeine is a trigger. So again... be careful and pay attention to what you are eating and drinking and even light sources.

Did the doctor ever suggest the pills they have to "prevent" migraines?? because they do have medicine for that now.

Answer 5

If you're trying to prevent migraines, there are more options out there. Inderal is used in the prevention of migraines. So is Topamax. Ask your doctor about prescribing one of these meds. For pain relief from migraines there are medicines like Wygraine, Cafergot, Imitrex, and so on.

Answer 6

Drink plenty of water
Eliminate caffeine from you diet
Eliminate chocolate
Eliminate processed foods with additives and preservatives
Eliminate lunch meats, sausages, and peperoni
Do not eat nuts or peanut butter

Get good rest
Use ice on the back of your neck
wear sunglasses
take ginger, drink ginger tea, ginger snaps or ginger ale when nauseous
Ask your doctor about other medications for migraines and nausea
Stay in the dark when you have a headache and eliminate sound and bad smells

Answer 7

There are specific chiropractors (like myself) state specialize in migraine treatment. You don't have to take the toxic, anxiety inducing medication. Not all chiropractors do this specific type of treatment, so go to www.sorsi.com, all of these doctors can either treat you or know of a doctor that will be able to in your area. If you are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota are, go to my website at www.healinghandschiro.com.

Answer 8

Identifying the triggers for your migraines helps a LOT -- you want to know what's causing them so you can avoid them!

If the medicine isn't working, go talk to your doctor and tell him/her that. It can take multiple tries to find the right med.

Answer 9

Herbal supplements may help

Answer 10

http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html