What to do for migraines?

Question

I have suffered with migraines for years. I am tired of having to dope myslef up, or lay in a quiet darkened room for relief. Is there anything else I can do for them? Anyway to prevent them?

I am looking for non drug solutions, I am tired of taking so many pills.

Answer 1

I have them too. The best thing I know is to do whatever it takes to reduce the stress in your life, and also, chart what you've eaten on the days you suffer with migraine. Perhaps there is a trigger food that is so simple you're overlooking it. Mine is cheese or chocolate. Which really sucks, but I can have it in moderation. So much for my world famous four-cheese lasagna, though.

Answer 2

I agreed with most of the answers already given that you have to know what triggers your migraine. I myself suffers from migraines but having found out after many painful trails that going under the sun for too long gets me a migraine, I'm never found without my hat under the sun. And it works although I still do get migraines but only rarely.

Answer 3

Some time a migraines can be trigger by a food allergy. Such to much chocolate, vitamin c.If drink red wine that can do it. If you are eating something with a lot of MSG. Stress can cause and for women it can be hormonal thing as well.Putting a clod pack on head or over eyes can help.

Answer 4

There's a drug call Relpax that I've heard is really good. Check with your doctor.

You should also try to figure out what triggers your migraine. Try to keep a log with the frecuency of the migraines and try to link a common factor. Once you figure out what is the trigger of your migraine than you can try to prevent them.

Answer 5

Believe me, I empathize! And I also look for non=drug solutions.

This may surprise you, especially knowing how bad one feels during a migraine, but it really does help to soak in a very cold tub of water. OR, place an ice cold pack around your neck. Heat is what people usually think will help, but cold is what works. It is worth the initial shock.

I have tried EVERYTHING and now I go right to bed with an icepack, and wake up an hour later with no migraine.

About prevention, I have tried for years to figure this out, and finally determined some of the triggers. It is different for each person, but here are some of my triggers that I avoid to prevent a whopper of a migraine: aromas, change is sleep patterns, fluctuation in caffeine intake which causes caffeine withdrawal, dehydration and high altitude.

Good luck, Migraines are often misunderstood... but I get it!

Answer 6

I have had migranes for 13 years. I started taking Inderal and Celexa about 9 years ago. By taking these two medicines I end up having, maybe, one or two a year. That is great compared to having them 5 or 6 days a week.
Good luck from a fellow sufferer.

Answer 7

Try caffeine. It's always helped me...(a little).
Have you tried Excedrin Migraine?

Other than dark quiet rooms....I suffered... until I finally was given Imitrex (by self injecting). A couple of years after I started the Imitrex....the migraines just stopped. I suffered for a lot of years.

I think it was hereditary because they stopped for my Mom when she was around that age and also for HER Mom when she was around that age.

Good luck with those.....OH, BTW.....Imitrex can be taken via nasal spray now too It works even faster now.....(in case you hate needles).

Answer 8

A non-drug solution:

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

Answer 9

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/1/1700_50245.htm