Migraine treatment options - what else can I try?

[Ellie]

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

 

 

Intensive elimination diet

 

 

This. I have known several people who found that certain foods were their triggers. Mostly it was dairy, but one friend found that *pickles* triggered her migraines.

[Greta]

Interesting. Have you tried a ketogenic diet for a period of time?

 

Maybe a device could help? The Cefaly came out a few years ago and I believe there are some newer ones as well.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=migraine+device&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

 

 

Yes, I was on a ketogenic diet for many years, and was still on it when my migraines first turned chronic.  Going off of the ketogenic diet actually helped a little, but not a lot.  I've read very mixed reports - some people say a ketogenic diet helped their migraines, others say it worsened their migraines.  Weird, huh?

 

 

Thanks, I will check into the Cefaly!

[Greta]

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

 

 

 

This. I have known several people who found that certain foods were their triggers. Mostly it was dairy, but one friend found that *pickles* triggered her migraines.

 

 

Thanks for the hugs!  Yes, pickles and olives are big-time triggers for me!  As are nuts, citrus fruits, eggplant, figs, bananas, pineapple, vinegar, and a million other foods that I dearly love and miss.   :sad:  Honestly, there isn't much left in my diet to eliminate!

[regentrude]

Forgive me if this has already been mentioned :

Have you investigated whether the cause is spine/neck? My Dd had phenomenal success with chiropractor.

[Dynamite5]

I've seen lots of posts for drugs, some of which I tried, up until the time I wished to conceive. I did not want to have medication in my body, so I tried acupuncture and it. changed. my. life.  For real! If yourself a highly qualified, certified acupuncturist and get started, I believe you will thank yourself. (Please don't go to a chiropractor who has studied acupuncture for a weekend--you want a quality practitioner.)

 

I had acupuncture several times in the first 6 months, tapering down to yearly and now haven't had a treatment in over 10 years. I had my first migraine last week after more than 5 years. It was a miracle treatment for me. I hope you decide to give it a try!!

[Greta]

You guys are a wealth of information and help, as always! Thank you all so very, very much for all of the ideas! You’ve given me hope, and that in and of itself helps more than you know. I am looking into everything that was mentioned, and will talk about some of these with my neurologist at my next appointment (in March).

[Pronghorn]

I have never had the headaches, but I used to get migraine aura. That quit when I began using fiber supplements for digestive issues.

[Hypatia.]

Chronic daily migraines along with occipital neuralgia here, I totally sympathize.

 

Are your headaches primarily on one side? One thing I didn't see mentioned was radiofrequency ablation (RFA). I've had it done to my occipital nerves for my neuralgia, and since my migraines are always in the same place (feels like a grapefruit spoon digging into my right eye socket) I also requested an RFA of my right supraorbital nerve. Usually they test with nerve blocks first (depending on where your pain is), and if those are successful then RFA may be an option. It can be hard to get insurance to cover it, though.

 

Oh, and straight-laced (never experimented with drugs in high school or college), former security clearance holding person here who has found relief with MMJ.

 

edit for clarification: the radiofrequency ablation of my right supraorbital nerve was specifically for migraines and did give me relief.

Edited February 7, 2018 by Hypatia.

[Greta]

I have never had the headaches, but I used to get migraine aura. That quit when I began using fiber supplements for digestive issues.

That’s interesting. I have noticed that sugar will trigger migraines for me, and sugar also triggers, well, let’s just say GI tract inflammation and leave it at that. So I had wondered if it was about gut flora or something.

[Greta]

Chronic daily migraines along with occipital neuralgia here, I totally sympathize.

 

Are your headaches primarily on one side? One thing I didn't see mentioned was radiofrequency ablation (RFA). I've had it done to my occipital nerves for my neuralgia, and since my migraines are always in the same place (feels like a grapefruit spoon digging into my right eye socket) I also requested an RFA of my right supraorbital nerve. Usually they test with nerve blocks first (depending on where your pain is), and if those are successful then RFA may be an option. It can be hard to get insurance to cover it, though.

 

Oh, and straight-laced (never experimented with drugs in high school or college), former security clearance holding person here who has found relief with MMJ.

 

edit for clarification: the radiofrequency ablation of my right supraorbital nerve was specifically for migraines and did give me relief.

My migraines are rather unusual in that rather than being on one side of the head like they are for most people, they are primarily on the back of my head. The pain will sometimes radiate into my temples, jaw, and eyes, but equally on both sides, and the back always hurts the worst. For that reason, I never thought that my frequent “bad headaches†were migraines until a doctor told me they were!

 

If you don’t mind me asking, does MMJ work as a preventive? Or do you just take some when you feel a migraine coming on?

[Ellie]

Thanks for the hugs!  Yes, pickles and olives are big-time triggers for me!  As are nuts, citrus fruits, eggplant, figs, bananas, pineapple, vinegar, and a million other foods that I dearly love and miss.   :sad:  Honestly, there isn't much left in my diet to eliminate!

 

:crying: :crying: :crying:

[cuckoomamma]

I started having migraines when I was 6.  Once I hit puberty they were more frequent, more severe and I always vomited.  I missed a ton of school.  When I was in college I started going to migraine specialists without a great deal of help.  I finally lucked out and found a doctor who treated me for hypothyroidism, even though I was only borderline low. That helped ever so slightly.  I tried what seems like every medication. By the time I had graduated and was working I was missing several days of work a day and was taking heavy doses of muscle relaxants and steroids to make it through.

 

The headache center where I was a patient recommended that I be filmed for a documentary on incurable migraine headaches.  I had been hospitalized several times for diagnostics and treatment.  

 

After my first daughter was born I found out that she was allergic to several foods.  I pulled those out of my diet because I was nursing.  In the first year of her life, I think I had one migraine.  This was after years of practically daily headaches.  

 

The migraines gradually increased but not nearly as severe as they'd been.

 

Second daughter was more allergic than the first. I pulled out every common allergen and then some. The migraines disappeared.  

 

The girls are clearly not nursing any more!  I cheat from time to time and pay the price.

 

I'd recommend tracking your food diet and looking for more patterns.  You could even post here and see if anyone recognizes anything.  Each person is different, so clearly your triggers may not be mind. But, we may spot something you're missing.

 

My heart goes out to you.  

[rmtzc2009]

I too am a chronic migraine sufferer. At my worst I was having 15-20 migraines per month. It was at that point my Neurologist recommended medical cannabis. Its not legal in my state but we have a medical program that I was able to get approved through.

 

I've tried all of the meds you listed above. What worked for me was medical cannabis. I'm down to maybe 3 migraines a month. I've gone from mostly non-functional to thriving and enjoying life.

 

Being part of my states medical program I have been so encouraged to see people using cannabis so that they can live normal productive lives. You can consume cannabis without smoking and without getting high.

[Hypatia.]

My migraines are rather unusual in that rather than being on one side of the head like they are for most people, they are primarily on the back of my head. The pain will sometimes radiate into my temples, jaw, and eyes, but equally on both sides, and the back always hurts the worst. For that reason, I never thought that my frequent “bad headaches†were migraines until a doctor told me they were!

 

If you don’t mind me asking, does MMJ work as a preventive? Or do you just take some when you feel a migraine coming on?

 

Sublingual tincture that's high in CBD is helpful as a preventive for me, and there are other options that help wit bad flares.

 

The back of my head feels like it's being slammed into a tile floor - that's my occipital neuralgia.

[Kanin]

Thanks for the hugs!  Yes, pickles and olives are big-time triggers for me!  As are nuts, citrus fruits, eggplant, figs, bananas, pineapple, vinegar, and a million other foods that I dearly love and miss.   :sad:  Honestly, there isn't much left in my diet to eliminate!

 

All of those foods (except bananas and figs) are high in salicylates. Salicylates are compounds found in fruits and vegetables that are basically defense systems of plants (protect against disease and pests). I suspect my DH has problems with salicylates, but his are mostly digestive. I read that they can be related to migranes, as well.

 

You can read more about salicylates here: https://atpscience.com/salicylate-foods-sensitivity-intolerances-and-food-list/

 

As far as hydrating, an ER doc told my DH once that the best thing for hydration is not water, but something with a little sugar and salt added, like watered down Gatorade (50/50). Something about the electrolytes helps your body absorb the water better rather than having it go right through you.

 

One last thought, histamines? Have you ever tried to take an antihistamine during a migraine? 

 

Sorry you're suffering :(

[Greta]

I’m so sorry for all of you who have migraines, and especially those who have it even worse! :(

 

And I deeply appreciate the further information and suggestions!

[muttmomma]

My migraine story.. stick with me here.

 

i started having migraines approx 15 years ago.  They progressed in both frequency and severity.  I could never pinpoint exact triggers.   Sometimes my migraine would comeback again and again for up to ten days. I seemed to always get one close to or during my cycle, but never on a predictable day, food didn't matter etc.

 

Ive always gotten chiropractic care and have meds from drs.  I've tried several prevenative meds with no luck either.

 

Moved to a new state and had to find a new chiro.  This guys tells me that they are positive they can help.  I said , yeah yeah.  Didn't believe him for a second.

 

They do orthogonal atlas adjustment.  I think I spelled that right.  It is a machine that creates a vibration.   Mind you, I had atlas adjustments before that didnt help.  I went every week for a little over a month....and low and behold....no more migraine.  AT ALL.

 

http://www.atlasorthogonality.com/PatientSite/faq.html

 

[kbutton]

All of those foods (except bananas and figs) are high in salicylates. Salicylates are compounds found in fruits and vegetables that are basically defense systems of plants (protect against disease and pests). I suspect my DH has problems with salicylates, but his are mostly digestive. I read that they can be related to migranes, as well.

 

You can read more about salicylates here: https://atpscience.com/salicylate-foods-sensitivity-intolerances-and-food-list/

 

As far as hydrating, an ER doc told my DH once that the best thing for hydration is not water, but something with a little sugar and salt added, like watered down Gatorade (50/50). Something about the electrolytes helps your body absorb the water better rather than having it go right through you.

 

One last thought, histamines? Have you ever tried to take an antihistamine during a migraine? 

 

Sorry you're suffering :(

 

I have a lot of intolerances that make my histamine levels go berserk. Some things I can't eat at all, and some things I can eat in moderation. Antihistamines can and do help, but if I take them regularly (vs. avoiding things), I get triggered more to not being aware of my sensitivities.

 

And another poster mentioned atlas orthogonal chiropractic--my chiropractor does the manual kind, and it didn't help with migraines, but it helps with tension headaches (which IMO are worse than my migraines because the migraine actually responds to NSAIDS). My tension headaches occur at the base of my skull and in my neck, but they are thankfully very rare. 

 

Maybe you are getting a tension headache in response to pain from a migraine? 

[a82allison]

Ask your doctor for a trial of INDOMETHACIN. It worked miracles for my husband.  It evidently works on a specific type of headache that some people mistake as continuous migraines. My husband tried a large majority of all the things you listed and nothing worked. He struggled for years with it.  Finally saw a neurologist who prescribed a trial - and the very first dose worked amazingly.

[Hypatia.]

Ask your doctor for a trial of INDOMETHACIN. It worked miracles for my husband.  It evidently works on a specific type of headache that some people mistake as continuous migraines. My husband tried a large majority of all the things you listed and nothing worked. He struggled for years with it.  Finally saw a neurologist who prescribed a trial - and the very first dose worked amazingly.

 

I've heard this mentioned in a few different places now, I think I'm going to ask my neuro about it at my next visit! 

[MBM]

Greta, I just read that Rhonda Patrick (scientist who runs Found My Fitness) had her mother take 9 grams of organic beet root powder (Activz brand) to help lower her blood pressure. As a bonus, her mother's migraines went away. Might be worth considering.

 

https://www.foundmyfitness.com/news/s/xgeesp/drinking_beetroot_juice_prior_to_exercise_makes_brains_of_older_adults_perform_more_efficiently_and_similar_to_a_younger_brain

 

A little more information about beets and what they do in our body:

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUaFDPZATek/?hl=en

 

 

[Greta]

Thank you all for the additional replies! I am continuing to investigate everything that’s been mentioned. I appreciate it.

[Catwoman]

I have been lurking and taking notes! :)

[6packofun]

No answers, just saying thank you for posting and hugs.  My middle dd sounds just like you, exact same experiences with meds, supplements, down to the amitriptyline working for about 6 months and then being less effective.  *sigh*

 

Of all the things she's tried, Benadryl has been most "effective" and I am not convinced it isn't because it just makes her sleepy and the sleep helps.  She takes it with rapid release acetaminophen or even Excedrin migraine and it's the best we've got, but only helps about 50% of the time.  She has put off college because of her suffering.  :(

Edited February 12, 2018 by 6packofun

[Greta]

No answers, just saying thank you for posting and hugs.  My middle dd sounds just like you, exact same experiences with meds, supplements, down to the amitriptyline working for about 6 months and then being less effective.  *sigh*

 

Of all the things she's tried, Benadryl has been most "effective" and I am not convinced it isn't because it just makes her sleepy and the sleep helps.  She takes it with rapid release acetaminophen or even Excedrin migraine and it's the best we've got, but only helps about 50% of the time.  She has put off college because of her suffering.   :(

 

 

Oh, no!  That's just awful.  Please give her my hugs and sympathy.

[Vintage81]

No answers, just saying thank you for posting and hugs.  My middle dd sounds just like you, exact same experiences with meds, supplements, down to the amitriptyline working for about 6 months and then being less effective.  *sigh*

 

Of all the things she's tried, Benadryl has been most "effective" and I am not convinced it isn't because it just makes her sleepy and the sleep helps.  She takes it with rapid release acetaminophen or even Excedrin migraine and it's the best we've got, but only helps about 50% of the time.  She has put off college because of her suffering.   :(

 

:grouphug: to your daughter. I'm so sorry for her suffering. 

[Amy in KS]

Migrelief ... but try it daily for three weeks before giving up. Yes, I had tried Magnesium, b, and feverfew before trying it, but this combination cured a chronic daily migraine that never completely went away for many YEARS. Way better than Topamax. I still get migraines a couple times a month, but I can always get rid of them now with Excedrin Migraine. Oh, and low inflammation diet (very low carbs and dairy) helps, too.

[SweetandSimple]

This is one of those things that I wouldn't have believed until I saw the proof, but my husband's almost-daily migraines went away when he stopped consuming citrus. Crazy, but wonderful!