Horrendous migraines?

Question

Today I had one of my worst migraines, & I suffer them at least once a month [& I don't think it's related to my periods as the migraines are random not 'set' times like periods]. Today at school [I'm 15] I felt the start of a migraine in maths. My vision was starting to go peculiar & I had a strange tingly - almost like pins & needles - in my hand. By English the headache had kicked in & I found it hard to concentrate, words were a jumble when I tried to read my work. By Art I felt on the verge of actually throwing up, my headache was horrible & my vision was awful. I had some dissolving tablets with water & I assume that's why my headache is very minor right now after two extra paracetemol's since coming home. The journey home in the taxi was awful as well as my headache was really hurting & I actually wound down the window thinking if I was sick, I'd do it OUT of the car 'cause I really did feel as if I'd puke. -cont-

I've been to the Opticians & they say my eyesight is fine, it's just migraines affecting it occasionally. I've been the doctors as well & it was the doctor who told me it was migraines I was describing. My question is, what's the best way to stop them? I had lots of water, pressing cold things to my forehead. I got the tingly pins & needles feeling in my mouth as well which was very unpleasant. My uncle used to get them lots when he was a kid, but no one else in my family did. Why do I get them & how do I stop them or at least lower the pain?

Answer 1

Anna,

I would highly recommend that you try to see a neurologist or headache specialist regarding your particular migraines.

You described some events during your description which were not common to all migraineurs. This is not to alarm you, but instead to suggest that you have a variant of migraine, that is different from the norm. This has both good and bad elements. It is a type common to teenage ladies. It cannot be treated with the new better migraine medications, as they can make it worse and even be dangerous for patients with that type of migraine.
However, most people outgrow these in a short time. (as I said they are most common in teen girls)

If you see a neurologist, remember to mention all the visual symptoms, the jumbled words, and the pins and needles feeling in your hand. These may seem like just a normal migraine but stand out from your description as significant features. The other symptoms are common to all migraines.

Don't worry, these can be treated. There are many treatments, but they will be individualized to you. In my practice, I use conventional, medicine, acccupuncture, biofeedback and naturopathy combined as the patient requires. However, I always get my patient stable on traditional medications before I try alternatives. Do not let a Chiropractor adjust your neck until you are cleared by a neurologist. You may have migraines or just tension headaches, or they may be the basilar artery migraines they sound like they could be. At any rate, Chiropractic manipulation is dangerous for patients with some forms of migraine. Once you have your diagnosis, if you want to try manipulation and are cleared, I see no problem, but get cleared first. Many Chiropractors do not have enough experience in migraine varients to understand the issues.

Here is a website to look into

www.headaches.org

look under patient information/educational resources

I recommend you fill out the headache diary.

Look into the headache diet

read about analgesic rebound

and read the page on "How to talk to your headache doctor"

These can help you get started. The other information will help you as they make recommendations and give you treatments.

Good luck.

I have had migraines (mostly controlled) since 1987 and it is why I started working with headache patients. Bless you!

Answer 2

Any doctor would say the best way to avoid migraines is to never break routine, go to sleep and wake up at the same time everyday, eat your 3 meals not to far apart, at the same time everyday. as stated by other people here... Avoid the common triggers. And like my neurologist always says. ALWAYS TAKE YOUR MEDICATION AT THE VERY FIRST SIGN OF A MIGRAINE!!! :p Never try to rough it out, cause if you take the meds to late, your stomach digests at a slower rate during a migraine (it's why you feel like throwing up).

Answer 3

Hard luck - I used to get headaches like this at least once a month, and they are extremely debilitating. It will be little consolation to you to know that they eased off then stopped after the menopause. Here are a few tips I picked up: 1.keep a record of what you eat and drink to help you identify any trigger foods - mine included chocolate, alcohol, cheese and orange juice. 2. Avoid late nights, stuffy or smoky places, loud noise, too much tv or computer use 3. Have a window open in your bedroom at night, and drink plenty of water. 4. Take ibuprofen as soon as you get that headachy feeling ( a note to school will ensure that you are allowed to do this in class) 5. If when you go to bed you feel a bit headachy, have two ibuprofen then. 6. Ask the doctor for medication to prevent/ease the symptoms - e.g. a tablet you can put under your tongue to stop you feeling sick. Good luck - I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Migraines are thought to be caused by blood vessels constricting and then suddenly dilating. I've had some success with a product called Feverfew. I found this product at healthydirect.com.

Answer 5

Well, if the doctor has seen You, then he would have given You something to take for migraine. I take a prescription drug called Sumatriptan. I find it to be very good. If You are still very worried then I suggest that You go back to the doctor.

Answer 6

excercise ,electic shock device,calming techniques like mediatation,water,enjoying yourself,doing things and not doing anything that makes it worse and doing things that will improve it,being aware of causes,i find that fats and carbs ie ,bread,pasta cereals,cheese,basically these i will trigger migraines.good food are fruits and veg and low fat meats ie tuna not makerel or any fatty fish,and chicken with skin off,not beef which has chlosterel or prawns and fatty meats are pork,beef and lamb,also cut down on salt and butter,even polyunsaturated are bad and monosaturated all fat are unheathly, also eating small occasional meal and not starving yourself,dehydration and moderation , don,t eat too much of anything because too much of anything is bad for you.you also may be allergic to certain food that trigger migraines ie cheese or e- numbers ie e100 or any other substances they put in foods.you could be also allergic to plastic or things you don't eat that might trigger migraines

Answer 7

See a Practioner who does Bowen Therpy.

Answer 8

Hi Anna when i was little i used to suffer bad headaches, and was found to have glaucoma and had to have drops in eye . Boy if i missed the daily eye drop my head would ache. Is there any history of it in ur family ??

Answer 9

Acupunture will help lessen the pain.