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Migraines
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Hi ladies -

I've had a headache/migraine for about 4 days now and I am worn out. I've tried the usual Advil and Excedrin Migraine formula, which usually kicks it, but no luck. I can't get into my doc for a couple days for anything stronger.

Any home remedies I can try? I'm still relatively functional so I'm not in bed but this low level pain is driving me crazy.

Thanks

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce
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Re: Migraines [jenhs] [ In reply to ]
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J,
I'm so sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. I suffer from migraines as well. I take Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc blend daily to combat them or I would have them all the time. Then I just get them every other week to a month apart and the Excedrin Migraine works great. Just a thought. Hope you feel better soon.

Myshenaniganz
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Re: Migraines [jenhs] [ In reply to ]
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Hmm... seems to me I remember a thread not that long ago about migraines. Maybe you have lyme disease like Maggs did :P


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I know I'm promiscuous, but in a classy way
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Re: Migraines [cuds] [ In reply to ]
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Found it, thanks.

Thanks for the encouraging words about Lyme disease. Now I have a whole new thing to worry about. Phhhbbbt.

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce
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Re: Migraines [jenhs] [ In reply to ]
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Hi Jen-
Have you tried Imitrex? my daughter-in-law is prone to migraines and has found some relief using this. I believe you need a prescription for it.

Chris
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Re: Migraines [chrisesposito] [ In reply to ]
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I'm about to try and get in to the local urgent care clinic to see if I can get an Rx. I've used it in the past and it has helped.

Thanks!

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce
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Re: Migraines [jenhs] [ In reply to ]
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Definitely try the imitrex, but it is most effective taken at the first onset of a migraine. If I wait too long to take it it won't help me at all, but that doesn't mean it won't help you. My sister is an M.D. and she has said that you can take 800 mg of ibuprofen (4 advil) at a time as long as you eat something with it to help prevent GI ulceration. This dose helps me even when I have a really bad migraine. My sis also said hot strong coffee helps some people but can make other's headaches worse.

I suffer from migraines usually once a week, and definitely around that time of the month and after a particularly long or hard workout. Most of the time I can control them, but they sure are frustrating, as well as painful. Good luck taming yours!
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Re: Migraines [txvet] [ In reply to ]
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I'm headed to the clinic this afternoon. I've developed a muscle twitch on my lower eyelid that is stressing me out too. Awesome stuff. So much for me getting back into working out!

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce
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Re: Migraines [jenhs] [ In reply to ]
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When I feel one coming on, I typically pop 2 excedrin migraine, chase them with a diet pepsi, lie in a dark room with a cold pack on my head and try to sleep for a few hours. I wake up with nothing more than a dull headache that usually dissipates within an hour or two.

As for the ones that just won't go away, I use Maxalt. I'm very sensitive to drugs, and Imitrex made me feel like crap (I don't remember the specific side effects, as it was a while ago, but it went on my 'never again' list).

Good luck and feel better!!!
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Re: Migraines [Leloo] [ In reply to ]
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Got into the clinic. The doc gave a pretty good neuro eval and didn't find anything he was really worried about. He gave me some Percocet to break the cycle and knock me out and also gave me a referral to a local neurologist who specializes in headaches. Should be pretty interesting. So, I should be pretty darn good soon. I'll try not to dose and post :)

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce
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Re: Migraines [jenhs] [ In reply to ]
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I recently started taking Butterbur and Feverfew which are supposed to help. Can't say I really can tell a difference yet.
http://www.nowfoods.com/...il&item_id=46555

Some aromatherapy is supposed to help also.
http://ezinearticles.com/...erapy&id=1168286

Good luck!!
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Re: Migraines [jenhs] [ In reply to ]
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Here's a home remedy that's helped me. First I make sure I'm drinking enough water. Dehydration is the cause of probably 90% of my headaches. If Excedrin doesn't do the trick, I put some water in the tub, as hot as I can stand it, and soak my feet while putting an icepack on my face and/or head. It seems to draw the blood away and help the pounding.
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Re: Migraines [jenhs] [ In reply to ]
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Sorry to hear you are suffering. Sometimes a good neck massage works to relieve the tension and often relieves the headache. I am a massage therapist and have had a lot of success with headaches and migraines. I usually find a really tight neck. If you can find an experienced therapist I think you can find relief. Good luck!
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Re: Migraines [jenhs] [ In reply to ]
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There are many natural remedies out there, but honestly they are not nearly as effective as the "Imitrex" like drugs out there (known as triptans). Imitrex was the first, but newer and better drugs have come out since. GENERALLY, the three known to provide the best and most consistent results are Relpax, Maxalt, and Axert. Although taking things like Excedrin Migraine and other pain meds work only to reduce the effects of pain, inflammation, and vasodilation. The triptans actually attack the migraine at it's neurological source, hopefully stopping it from continuing and progressing into pain.

If your migraines get frequent or severe enough, then a preventive agent might be an option for you. The best preventive option out there is Topamax, which incidentally CAN induce weight loss and/or loss of appetite, but it's not the cheapest option. If cost is a major issue, beta blockers are usually the first choice, but not the most effective.

The neurologist can also diagnose if you truly have a migraine or if it's something else. It's important to figure this out.

EDIT: I just noticed you're female...one other thought is if it's related to your menstrual cycle, which is a common reason women get migraines. If this is true, one of the triptans (Zomig) is known anecdotally for providing better relief from menstrual migraine than the other triptans.

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Last edited by: NamssoB: Aug 3, 08 15:05
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Re: Migraines [NamssoB] [ In reply to ]
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I take Topomax, have for almost 2 years now, and also take Maxalt when migraines hit. Before Topomax I was getting over 20 migraines a month now it is 4-8 depending on my stress levels, etc. It has had some bad side effects for me, but not bad enough to make me want to stop taking it and go back to all the migraines I was getting. The number of migraines I get also depends on the type of birth control that I am on, certain types make it better worse--even generic to brand name can make a huge difference.
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Re: Migraines [njtrigirl] [ In reply to ]
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As an update,

I got in to see a neurologist who focuses solely on headaches today. After my trip to the urgent care clinic and taking Percocet in an attempt to stop the pain I got in to see this guy. He is apparently one of the few specialists in the country. We went through my history and he talked to me quite a bit about how poorly most PCPs diagnose migraines and rarely know how to treat them. He is fascinating, kind of like a crazy professor more than a doctor. He had all these cool old medical gadgets in his office that worried me a bit. I made some crack about him using them on me and he came back with "Not yet" totally deadpan. Very funny. He talked with me for an hour!

The plan we are going with now is supplementation and medication. For supplements, B2 100mg/day, CoQ10 100mg/day and Magnesium 400mg/day. That is for long term management. The effects won't really kick in for 3 months.

For when I get the migraine I've got 3 different meds that we will try. They work in order of severity: Frova, Dexa and Relpax.

I can't believe I've waited this long to get help. He gets frustrated with people like me who always blame it on stress or being tired. When over the counter meds don't work it is time to get checked! When the last 4 days like mine do it is LONG past time to get checked.

I'm also keeping track of them and we will meet in 2 months to see how it is going.

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce
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