Migraines &@?!*% suck.

[UncleEJ]

That's all.

[Guest]

Yes.  Yes, they do.  I'm sorry.  :(

[Greta]

They sure do. I just got home from an appointment with my neurologist over this very thing. He increased the dose on my amitriptyline, so I am hopeful for some relief in the near future! I sure hope you are getting some relief too. :grouphug:

[amy g.]

So sorry.

 

I woke up the other night with a headache bad enough to make me throw up.

 

I had to brew a cup of coffee at 1:00 in the morning and take a take a zofran to keep a little of the coffee down.

 

That did seem to help a little.

 

I hope you feel better soon.

[Selkie]

I'm sorry. I had a nasty one that lasted for three days last week. 

 

Hope you're better soon!

[Midwest Momma]

I'm sorry. I had them for years. My best help was a very hot bath and the combination of Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine.

[TravelingChris]

Yes, they are horrible.  Fortunately for me, they have become rare now that I am past menopause.

[zoobie]

Yes, they do. Sending virtual ice packs, cold Mexican Coke, Aleve/Excedrin, and a dark quiet room to you with a :grouphug:

[Guest]

I'm sorry. I had them for years. My best help was a very hot bath and the combination of Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine.

 

This is exactly what I take for mine.

[crazyforlatin]

It's how I lost weight, but since taking 400mg of b-2 with added magnesium on a daily basis, I don't really get them anymore. I still get headaches but those go away 24 hours later with ibuprofen and Tylenol. Nothing used to make a migraine go away. I'm very sorry for yours.

[Ellesmere]

It's how I lost weight, but since taking 400mg of b-2 with added magnesium on a daily basis, I don't really get them anymore. I still get headaches but those go away 24 hours later with ibuprofen and Tylenol. Nothing used to make a migraine go away. I'm very sorry for yours.

 

Do you mind sharing what you take? My doctor said to do the same (B2 and magnesium) but the magnesium I tried did not go well. 

 

My sympathies to anyone who gets migraines. I've been getting them since I was a teen. They have been much worse over the past few years. I can only tolerate Zofran for nausea. I had an ice pack work but only once. With other meds the side effects were not worth the help, if any, and my last dose of meds made things worse. I wished so much that I'd followed my instincts and refused them.

[crazyforlatin]

I like migrelief by quantum health since it's one pill that contains 200 mg b2 with magnesium of 180mg.

 

Otherwise I take any b-2 400 mg with nutricology magnesium citrate. I take it in the morning.

 

Sorry I'm on cell phone, can't link.

[Spryte]

Yes, they do.

 

I am on day 13 of taking Axert. 13. Unbelievable.

[Greta]

This is just a point of personal curiosity - I doubt anything can be done about it.  But do any of you other migraine sufferers get extreme auditory sensitivity with your migraines?  I don't tend to get the nausea that plagues so many (and believe me, I recognize that nausea is far, far worse!).  But it's like my hearing becomes super acute, and not in a good way.  Ordinary sounds became painful.  Like the little clanging of silverware on plates during a meal.  And sounds louder than that, particularly if they are percussive or high frequency, are just excruciating.  I've even resorted to wearing ear plugs on bad migraine days.  My medications help the pain, but they sure don't help the other symptoms like that or the light-headed, disoriented, brain-fog feeling.  Do yours?

[Ellesmere]

This is just a point of personal curiosity - I doubt anything can be done about it. But do any of you other migraine sufferers get extreme auditory sensitivity with your migraines? I don't tend to get the nausea that plagues so many (and believe me, I recognize that nausea is far, far worse!). But it's like my hearing becomes super acute, and not in a good way. Ordinary sounds became painful. Like the little clanging of silverware on plates during a meal. And sounds louder than that, particularly if they are percussive or high frequency, are just excruciating. I've even resorted to wearing ear plugs on bad migraine days. My medications help the pain, but they sure don't help the other symptoms like that or the light-headed, disoriented, brain-fog feeling. Do yours?

Short answer is yes.

 

Longer - - hearing, touch, sight are all distorted or over sensitive. Dh says I complain that things taste off just before I get hit with a migraine, too.

 

All I can take right now is Zofran for nausea, which I don't know is worse. They are all hard, depending on how it goes for you. So sorry you experience them too.

 

Spryte, hugs to you too. That is awful. I feel lucky I have only been down ten or so days out March so far. Hope you are better soon.

Edited March 19, 2017 by Ellesmere

[Greta]

So sorry you experience them too.

Same to you! :grouphug: And to everyone who has them!

 

That's interesting about things tasting "off" before your migraine hits. I haven't noticed that about myself but I might try to pay more attention, because early warning signs are helpful (the sooner I take an Imitrex, the more likely it is to help.). Usually my first symptom is a wave of dizziness or that light-headed, about-to-faint feeling. Then the pain within half an hour or so of that.

[Spryte]

What do you all take for your migraines?  I saw a few mention Imitrex - anything else?

 

As for taste - I tend to crave red meat right before a migraine.  It is odd.  That's really the only time you'll find me looking for a big, juicy burger or steak.  I was a veg for most of my adult life, and I just don't care for meat at all, usually.

 

I get into a cycle and there is an interplay between muscular spasms and the migraine.  I'm on Day Bazillion this round, it feels.  I've lost count.  The intense muscle spasms in my neck and upper back start as a result of the migraine, then they cause the migraine, then the keep going because of the migraine.  It's a vicious circle.  

 

I also have Trigeminal Neuralgia, which triggers migraines.  Anyone else with that?  Oh, the pain.  No wonder they call it the Suicide Disease.

 

A year ago, I started taking propranolol daily - and it cut my migraines down significantly.  What used to be a 4 day event, 3 - 4 times per month turned into 12 hour events maybe twice a month.  Heavenly.  I was able to build up a small reserve of Axert (my insurance only allows for a certain small amount per month).  

 

I have now, this horrible month, blown through my entire reserve of Axert.  Aaaagh!  This was triggered by a stomach bug and now I'm just in this horrible cycle.

 

I smear Icy Hot all over my neck, in my hair, and down my back.  If DH is in town he can do massage which helps.  But he's traveling, so I'm out of luck.  Just taking Axert and hoping this will end soon.

 

I used to take Valium, Advil and Axert - to both break the spasm and hit the migraine, but I'm out of Valium.  So ... Blech.

 

Anyone with any tips?

[JaneEyre]

Just curious what everyone does if a migraine hits after you have had a drink? I have been having a glass of port sometimes in the evening, but have been wondering lately about what to do if I was to get a migraine not long after. I suppose I wouldn't be able to take the Tylenol I usually take with coke...

I usually only have a migraine every few months, so it hasn't been a problem yet. I just like to worry ahead!

[Hyacinth]

Just curious what everyone does if a migraine hits after you have had a drink? I have been having a glass of port sometimes in the evening, but have been wondering lately about what to do if I was to get a migraine not long after. I suppose I wouldn't be able to take the Tylenol I usually take with coke...

I usually only have a migraine every few months, so it hasn't been a problem yet. I just like to worry ahead!

 

I would follow the same protocols: Excedrin Migraine (which is basically the cocktail of aspirin, Tylenol, and caffeine that others mentioned up thread) or prescription Zomig if I sense it's warranted, hot shower, cold ice pack, and peppermint essential oil on my head and neck. One or two alcoholic drinks wouldn't alter my pain avoidance plan at all.

[Spryte]

Just curious what everyone does if a migraine hits after you have had a drink? I have been having a glass of port sometimes in the evening, but have been wondering lately about what to do if I was to get a migraine not long after. I suppose I wouldn't be able to take the Tylenol I usually take with coke...

I usually only have a migraine every few months, so it hasn't been a problem yet. I just like to worry ahead!

 

I worry about this, too.  I would alter my pain plan for a drink or two, and have.

 

I don't take Axert, but might take Advil.  I'd add in caffeine, and probably wait for more drugs, till the alcohol is out of my system.  I'm a lightweight.  I get some relief from Icy Hot (kind of like Bengay) smeared on that half of my head, in the hair, on the temple, down the neck and back, etc.  Have to be careful not to get it in the eyes.  They actually market some stuff that comes in a stick form for this purpose, can't remember what it's called.  So maybe I'm not too weird in using this as a relief technique.  Ice packs help sometimes, too.

 

Not sure if it's the best plan, but it's what I do.

[Ellesmere]

Same to you! :grouphug: And to everyone who has them!

 

That's interesting about things tasting "off" before your migraine hits. I haven't noticed that about myself but I might try to pay more attention, because early warning signs are helpful (the sooner I take an Imitrex, the more likely it is to help.). Usually my first symptom is a wave of dizziness or that light-headed, about-to-faint feeling. Then the pain within half an hour or so of that.

I don't notice my sense of taste changing but I am really bad at recognizing my prodrome symptoms. (Silly because I get them often enough.) Dh is more observant than I am.

 

But it used to be I'd have some sort of issue with my vision (losing partial sight or scintillating scotomas) and they always came at the same time of the month. But then I stopped having a regular, predictable pattern. Sometimes, but not always, I get very sleepy for a few hours before the pain -- a sleepiness not explained by poor sleep or diet and feels different than regular sleepiness for me. 

 

Apparently I complain about smelling things that no one else does. I will sometimes slur or not be able to talk properly even though I can think exactly what I mean to say. I sometimes get a weird ache in my mouth. I went to the dentist thinking my teeth were going to fall out but had a perfect checkup and all was clear. Turns out every time I get that feeling, I also have a migraine. The least funny of all is when I get roaringly hungry and feel like I'm going to throw up.

 

Glad Imitrex can help you!

 

[Ellesmere]

What do you all take for your migraines?  I saw a few mention Imitrex - anything else?

 

As for taste - I tend to crave red meat right before a migraine.  It is odd.  That's really the only time you'll find me looking for a big, juicy burger or steak.  I was a veg for most of my adult life, and I just don't care for meat at all, usually.

 

I get into a cycle and there is an interplay between muscular spasms and the migraine.  I'm on Day Bazillion this round, it feels.  I've lost count.  The intense muscle spasms in my neck and upper back start as a result of the migraine, then they cause the migraine, then the keep going because of the migraine.  It's a vicious circle.  

 

I also have Trigeminal Neuralgia, which triggers migraines.  Anyone else with that?  Oh, the pain.  No wonder they call it the Suicide Disease.

 

A year ago, I started taking propranolol daily - and it cut my migraines down significantly.  What used to be a 4 day event, 3 - 4 times per month turned into 12 hour events maybe twice a month.  Heavenly.  I was able to build up a small reserve of Axert (my insurance only allows for a certain small amount per month).  

 

I have now, this horrible month, blown through my entire reserve of Axert.  Aaaagh!  This was triggered by a stomach bug and now I'm just in this horrible cycle.

 

I smear Icy Hot all over my neck, in my hair, and down my back.  If DH is in town he can do massage which helps.  But he's traveling, so I'm out of luck.  Just taking Axert and hoping this will end soon.

 

I used to take Valium, Advil and Axert - to both break the spasm and hit the migraine, but I'm out of Valium.  So ... Blech.

 

Anyone with any tips?

I haven't tried Imitrex. And I'm obviously not having success with mine. But my doctor asked me to read Heal Your Headache 1-2-3 by Dr. Buccholz (link here to articles about his protocol). I should not have tried his diet without talking with one of my specialists. Could be coincidence but since trying it I can no longer eat some foods and my diet was already slim pickings from genuine, serious food allergies.

 

I do think his ideas about medications make sense, from what I remember. (Avoiding rebounding from OTC stuff, using meds like propranolol or amitriptyline.) He's a no caffeine, cold turkey advocate, and I disagree there, unless I'm an outlier. I've quit caffeine and done it gradually, no problem. 

 

I also didn't see improvement so I do drink a measured dose of coffee daily, nowhere near a full serving. But I'm not a doctor, so I'm not really arguing for or against his methods. 

 

I don't think I'm typical regarding reactions to meds, but I once got a shot of ketorolac and one of promethazine and never, ever again for me. But supposedly it does offer relief. I did it only because I was out of my mind in pain and coincentally had a physical with my PCP. Someone had driven me in and was also just wanting me to feel better, hence the encouragement. I was in pain for days afterward, both migraine and at the injection sites.

 

So sorry you have TN, on top of everything else. And I won't even get started on the small insurance allowance on Axert. 

 

ETA: I do take B2 and found the magnesium supplement that was mentioned by crazyforlatin. If I'm brave enough to try magnesium again, I may try it since both my PCP and OB/GYN mentioned it.

Edited March 19, 2017 by Ellesmere

[Only me]

I'm sorry. Yes they do. My college daughter gets them and they affect her life so much. She has tried everything for the pain and prevention. It seems like anything the doctor gives her (especially meds that are meant for things like epilepsy or nerve pain) leave her with a horrible brain fog. Last year it was so bad that she had trouble learning anything. She already takes Propanol daily and then a rescue med when she actually starts to get one but now the doctor has her on a 3rd medication. So far it hasn't helped and it also puts her in a fog. She struggles so much with this and it breaks my heart.

 

I've also had them bad throughout my life. They are awful. I hope you find relief. Actually Excedrin migraine helps me but I'm in so many other meds for other things so I can't take it.

[zimom]

I'm sorry. I had them for years. My best help was a very hot bath and the combination of Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine.

 

 

As someone else mentioned, these three ingredients can be found in Excedrin.  

 

I have had chronic migraines since I was a teen.  For years I kept them fairly under control (5-6 a month) with daily Topamax with Excedrin or Imitrex for breakthrough migraines depending on the severity and time of day (no caffeine after around 2 pm for me).   After a few years I added CoQ10, B2 and Jigsaw Magnesium.    My neurologist has recommended the product Migravent to replace those three supplements as it contains all three.

 

Now in addition to all those I receive the Botox injections in my head every three months as my migraine frequency increased dramatically.  With the injections I am back to about 6 a month.  Last month I only had ONE migraine.  Probably a record for me since I was 16!!!!   

 

Over the years I have tried propranolol and amatriptaline (sp?) without success.   I recently went to a chiropractor and appreciated his honestly that he felt the chance of helping me was slim although he knew many chiropractors would be happy to take my $$.  

 

Keep working with your health care provider.  I don't think I will ever be migraine free but at least I am functioning again.  

 

 

edited to add:   an ice pack on the back of the neck during my migraine is a big help.  And of course, a dark quiet room.  

Edited March 19, 2017 by zimom

[UncleEJ]

I take Effexor (an antidepressant) for prevention and Imitrex or Relpax for a rescue med. I like the Relpax better, I have less side effects but I have a harder time getting insurance to cover it. They definitely like Imitrex better. I also have Crohn's disease and therefore cannot take any NSAIDs, only Tylenol, which is worthless. The only thing I have is the rescue meds. Luckily, the Effexor seems to be keeping the numbers down a lot, so I'm thankful for that. 

 

I don't get any auditory or taste symptoms, more visual and motor skills. I will usually lose the ability to use my right arm at the very beginning of a migraine, even before a visual aura. For instance, the one I got the other day, I was doing school with DS and I went to poke him in the arm for being silly. The sensation of me touching him didn't match up with the visual. It is so freaky. My right arm will often go tingly and numb. and every once in a while the right side of my face.

 

I also lose the ability to read and sometimes speak. And I always get a visual aura of some kind. They are not always the same either, sometimes a zigzag or stars or just blurry. Every now and then I will get, what feel like my prodrome symptoms, but instead of getting the headache, I will have a bad episode or two of GI distress. 

 

Funny story about tastes and cravings. My Neurologist suffers from migraines and he told me that right before he gets a migraine he will seek out chocolate. He said that he doesn't even like chocolate but he eats it like crazy before a migraine. The weird part is that while he is doing it, he doesn't realize what it going on. He said he will go to the store and buy a basket full of chocolate and bring it home and not even remember doing it. I just thought I'd share that one!  

[Guest]

All of you who suffer from migraine need to be aware of the possibility of suffering hemiplegic migraine as well. I've had three hemiplegic migraines in my lifetime (about once every ten years), but they scare the hell out of me. I was in the ER last week because of one. Just be aware.

 

Info: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/hemiplegic-migraine-headaches-symptoms-causes-treatments

Edited March 20, 2017 by Kinsa

[Farrar]

I do Imitrex now. And I'm so glad I have it.

 

My doctor told me once I'd had the Imitrex for a month and we knew it was working that regular migraines are considered a worse disability than blindness. I'm still a bit boggled by the odd comparison, but it really made me pause. Like, I don't know if you can rank disabilities in the first place, but if you can, regular migraines really are on the list. It's serious business.

[Farrar]

All of you who suffer from migraine need to be aware of the possibility of suffering hemiplegic migraine as well. I've had three hemiplegic migraines in my lifetime (about once every ten years), but they scare the hell out of me. I was in the ER last week because of one. Just be aware.

 

Info: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/hemiplegic-migraine-headaches-symptoms-causes-treatments

 

Holy crap. I think I may have had a mild version of this once. My side got all tingly and I lost feeling in my arm. I was too busy being in pain from the migraine to freak out too much. And then when I had slept off the migraine, the arm was better and I decided it was one of those things I just didn't want to think too much about.

[crazyforlatin]

How fast does imitrex work?

[BigMamaBird]

I used to get them frequently.  Luckily mine have been managed by chiropractic care.  When I do get one I treat it with the hottest shower I can stand and a quiet, dark room.  

[UncleEJ]

All of you who suffer from migraine need to be aware of the possibility of suffering hemiplegic migraine as well. I've had three hemiplegic migraines in my lifetime (about once every ten years), but they scare the hell out of me. I was in the ER last week because of one. Just be aware.

 

Info: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/hemiplegic-migraine-headaches-symptoms-causes-treatments

That must be so scary. I haven't had that happen to me to that extent. But I do get a lot of numbness and sometimes can't grasp things in my hand. Never paralysis though.

[UncleEJ]

How fast does imitrex work?

It usually starts to help in about 20-30 minutes.

[J-rap]

Yes, they sure do.  Our entire family life pretty much revolves around migraines and its effects.  They are a stubborn gene, too.

[Spryte]

It usually starts to help in about 20-30 minutes.

Same for Axert. Imitrex didn't work for me, sadly. Nor did a few others. I was so grateful to find anything that took the edge off. It doesn't make it go away, but makes it tolerable. Is imitrex the same?

[LifeLovePassion]

I get them too. I take 2 Excedrin migraine and 4 ibuprofen all at once and lay down/sleep for a couple hours if can.

 

I get Aura migraines. Some tingling and numbness, occasionally slurred speech and nausea.

[Farrar]

Same for Axert. Imitrex didn't work for me, sadly. Nor did a few others. I was so grateful to find anything that took the edge off. It doesn't make it go away, but makes it tolerable. Is imitrex the same?

 

For me, at least, Imitrex doesn't make the other elements of the migraine go away, but it does make the pain stop. So I still may feel out of it or be a little sensitive to light or noise. It often makes me sleepy. But so do migraines, so I'm not sure if that's the drug or the migraine. I usually don't have the nausea that I can get with a migraine, but I think that's because it's the pain that's causing it, not the migraine itself, so when the pain is gone, I feel better.

[Greta]

I get into a cycle and there is an interplay between muscular spasms and the migraine. I'm on Day Bazillion this round, it feels. I've lost count. The intense muscle spasms in my neck and upper back start as a result of the migraine, then they cause the migraine, then the keep going because of the migraine. It's a vicious circle.

That sounds to me like you would be a very good candidate for Botox treatments. Has your doctor ever mentioned it? My neurologist is a big believer in it, but I was skeptical since I don't notice any correlation between muscle tension and migraines myself. So I wanted to try amitriptyline instead. But it might work well for you.

 

I don't know what Trigeminal Neuralgia is, but it sounds nightmarish. I'm so sorry that you have so much to deal with. :grouphug:

[mommymonster]

I have an odd migraine trigger... Sudden changes in weather. For example, if it has been sunny and warm and then a storm blows in, a migraine will just nail me. Does anyone else have a similar trigger? Any "cocktail" of medicine that helps? I use an ibuprofen/ Benadryl/ Diet Coke combo that helps maybe half the time, but when it doesn't work, it is days of mind-blowing migraine.

[Greta]

For me, at least, Imitrex doesn't make the other elements of the migraine go away, but it does make the pain stop. So I still may feel out of it or be a little sensitive to light or noise. It often makes me sleepy. But so do migraines, so I'm not sure if that's the drug or the migraine. I usually don't have the nausea that I can get with a migraine, but I think that's because it's the pain that's causing it, not the migraine itself, so when the pain is gone, I feel better.

Pretty much the same for me. Imitrex drastically reduces the pain, but it doesn't touch my other symptoms (sensitivity to sounds and light, that icky dizzy light-headed brain-fog sleepy feeling, weakness and fatigue, slurred speech, slowed and muddled thinking). I'm still profoundly grateful to have it though!

 

Also, someone asked how quickly it works, and for me it's about half an hour.

 

Aspirin plus coffee is my other go-to remedy. Advil doesn't work very well for me and Tylenol doesn't work at all. I've heard some other migraine sufferers say that Aleve worked really well for them, but it was about the same as Advil for me.

 

 

 

 

I also get this tingly numb feeling down the back of both arms and especially in my pinky and ring finger of both hands. Weird huh? Anyone else get something like that?

[crazyforlatin]

A cocktail of over the counter meds don't work at all for me, which is why I have to religiously take b2. Even a plain headache can cause me to vomit a couple of times, but migraines cause 6-8 per day for 3 days.

[Greta]

But I do get a lot of numbness and sometimes can't grasp things in my hand.

 

 

 

Some tingling and numbness, occasionally slurred speech and nausea.

And somehow I missed this when I asked if anyone gets numbness and tingling. That's a perfect example of what I call "migraine brain". I swear it's like my IQ drops to half of its normal level when I have a migraine! (And it isn't that high to begin with!)