Migraine
 

I suffer from migraine and the attacks can be quite severe. I've tried loads of different medicin but the last one caused such horrifying side-effects that I've dropped medicin completely. So I was wondering if some of you have tried some alternative methods like acupuncture, herbs or zone therapy? Or anything else for that matter?? I've read that acupuncture can be very helpful as can a supplement of D-vitamin. But I'd like to hear some of your experiences before I start on any alternative methods... ;)

Well, the only things I did, were take excedrin and sleep. I thought mine were related to my sinuses, and they were not. My dentist thought it was my wisdom teeth coming in(when I was told years ago they wouldn't), and had them pulled. 2 years migraine free, knock on wood. Sorry I can't help you more.

One herb that can sortof help if the headache is related to tension in any way is Valerian root. Camomile tea adds to the relaxation effect. It can be found at your local health food store in a suppliment form. Sometimes even found at a walmart pharmacy with the vitamins.

I have also found that ice packs on my neck are a great relief. I heard somewhere, something about a migrane sometimes being related to blood flow to the head. You might play around with this and see what feels better. Sometimes a heating pad or hot pack helps my mother. If you still needed to do work or be up and about you could look for those stick on heat pads that they sell for injuries or cramps.

Also there is are two acupressure points that seem to have an effect. One is pressing the hollow between your thumb and forfinger near where the bones join the hand. Use your left hand and press this area on your right hand between your thumb and forfinger of your left hand. (Hope that was clear enough. lol) The other point is between the knuckle of your big toe and your second toe. On the ball or your foot in the hollow between those knuckles. press firmly with your thumb. It's easier if someone else can do it for you. I've also found that sometimes this "point" moves on me up to the skin right between those same toes. Pressing and pinching and rubbing gives me enough relief to at least talk on the phone or something. I will see if I can look up the points and get a diagram of some sort. I'm not satisfied with my descriptions of where to press. The truick is to press hard enough that it's slightly uncomfortable for about 10 seconds. Then rub firmly for a while. I've heard things about this releasing pain reducing chemicals in your body that end up helping your headache. I don't know how accurate that is but these are things that help me sometimes.

I know you've given up with meds. I got a new one this year that supposedly is brand new. Maxalt. It's fantastic. It works for me. When I feel the aura coming on, even before the headache hits full force, if I take Maxalt then I usually do not even get a headache. Be forwarned that it does work by raising your blood pressure. For me this is only 3-5 points usually though and the cause for my migranes is usually a drastic drop in pressure. Check with your Dr and see about it. I hope you can find the relief you need.

My wife has had terrible migraines in the past and has been on numerous meds for them. She now uses a mint oil that she applies to her forehead, base of her skull and just below her nose. The cooling action on her forehead and neck help ease the pain and the smell opens up her sinuses a bit more.

I'd be very grateful if you could find a diagram of the acupressure points! I've looked up Maxalt on the Internet and the possible side effects don't sound that bad so I think I'll give it a try. Especially when you say that sometimes you don't even get a headache at all if you take it during an Aura attack!

Thank you so much for this tip! :icare:

The one I have been told about is squeezing the skin between the thumb and index finger. Dont know how accurate thi is though

yeah I think I know what acupressure point you're talking about but I just want to be 100% sure y know? ;)

http://www.geocities.com/jrh_iii/acu...upoints.html#1
Here's the point for the hand.

http://www.geocities.com/jrh_iii/acu...points.html#21
Here's the point on the foot. Here they say behind the ball. Personally I get more relief when it's just a hair closer to the toes - ON the ball of the foot. There's also another point that they mention on this site that is in the same place but on the top surface of the foot. That could be the reason it seems to work for me on the ball.

Personally, Excedrin Migraine works for me.

One of the women in my office went for acupuncture and it worked great for her.

Thanks! :icare:

Of couse my migraine passed during the night but I'll definitely try it next time!

oppps! that was me Nancy writing.. hehe I'd forgotten that I was using my boyfriend's computer instead of my own! :rolleyes:

Ok, you might think i'm retarded for saying this and that's ok. YOu might not want to do this at all, but It works. Smoke marijuana and within about 5 minutes all headaches are gone. HAlf the reason it's illegal is that pharmaceutical companies won't have revenue if Weed was legal. It cures headaches, backaches, almost any bodily ache or minor pain. It also cures insomnia, bordem, increases appetite, and rejuvinates the body. It also has it's "downsides" for some people. Tee tah

My girlfriend also suffers from nasty migraines. The last few months she has been taking B-2 vitamin supplements and it seem to really be helping. The headaches have gone from daily to maybe once a week (usually less).

Most of the stuff we've read recommends really loading up on the B-2 (aka Riboflavin I think). I think she takes a 100 mg supplement 3 or 4 times a day. It's way more than the RDA, but the body can only absorb so much at a time orally, so I don't think you can really "overdose".

Anyway, if you search around (google) you should be able to find some more info.

Hope this helps.

Oh my God! :lol: I guess it can't hurt to try?

Nancy, just a quickie, but make sure that you are adequately hydrated. A neurologist aquaintance of mine uses a fluid bolus as the first line of migraine relief.


Good Luck...cause migraines suck...(um tilted poetry?)

I was in the same boat about a year ago and found out that going to a chiropractor could help. I was out of all other remedies and therefore tried it and it worked. The chiropractor showed my X-rays and working on a computer(a.k.a. looking at the computer screen) put so much the pressure on my neck caused me to have migranes. Look into it, because it helped me.

Heres a little tidbit i found while doing research a while ago..

http://www.erowid.org/plants/mushroo...medical1.shtml

I'm not encouraging anything there, just though that was interesting;)

Try seeing a neuromuscular massage therapist. If your migraines are not chemical in nature, its highly probable they are caused by muscle tension. I'm actually in massage therapy school right now, and its been amazing to me to see what NMT (neuromuscular therapy) can do for a persons headaches; even debiliating migraines.

wow sprocket - LSD? :lol: I was looking for a more natural alternative method like Parker suggested..

I don't think that my migraine is chemical in nature because I nearly always get it during my period. Either it's my hormones or it's muscle tension that causes it - which I personally think is the main reason since my back is crooked. This gives me a sore back from time to time... I wonder what a neuromuscular massage therapist will charge me for an hour? :hmm:

This sounds exactly like me. My Dr explained that during my period the hormones caused tension and made me more sensitive to stress. Also, My blood pressure would drop. Once to 63/32 but always ran exceptionally low during my period. The Maxalt that she gave me works my raising the blood pressure. I didn't realize how much my low blood pressure it made an effect on me. I would always get this "aura" where I got dizzy, lightheaded, felt weak, and tense.

Maxalt was my miracle drug. I got migranes more than just on my period but I could always count on one then. I was getting knocked out of commission about 3-4 times a month before I got Maxalt. Now I can stop them before they start. I hope I don't sound like I'm pushing it but I'm so hyped about being free of my debilitating migranes that I gotta get on my soap box once in a while. Good luck.

ive suffered from migranes since i was young and this is some of the best advice ive found.

How about the side effects? Do you suffer from any of them? I've read about them on netdoktor.dk and they don't sound so bad compared to some others I've tried which gave me pain, legs that felt like stone and drowsiness :(

Definately no drowsiness. In fact I've had no side effects at all that I've noticed. I am still nursing my daughter some and and haven't noticed any changes at all with her when I take it. I love that I don't have to take it all the time and when I do take it I usually only have to take one pill to stave off the headache. When I haven't taken it right away and the headache has gotten to the migrane intensity I have had to take one or two more when possible but it reduces the intensity right away.

The first time I took the maxalt I waited until I knew it was a migrane I was getting and not just a tension or sinus headache. Within half an hour I was pain free and not drowsy and out of it as I had been with codine.

That's not saying that there might be side effects for someone else but as far as I've read they aren't all the common. Some of the side effects, like dry mouth, flushing, or tingling would seem worth the trade to be migrane free. It does say that you should not take it if you have any heart, blood pressure, or siezure problems.

You're the second one who's says that maxalt really works for you so I think I'll give it a try! ;)

say.... is your daughter your first-born? Couse my boyfriend told me that he'd read some where that getting pregnant can start migraine at women who's never had it before in their life but it can also end it completly and it'll never return?! :hmm:

Yes she's my firstborn. Had migranes before. The frequency was greater after pregnancy but my hormones were fluctuating more because I was nursing. That could have somethign to do with it. Who knows, once I'm done nursing that could all change again. Hormones definately have something to do with my migranes. SO the Doc says. That's why she recently started me on Seasonale BCPs with a 91 instead of 28 day cycle. I love them. lol

Have you tried Imitrex? If so, how is it compared to Maxalt.

Migraine sufferer.

Thanks raeanna74.

I sure hope so for ya girl! ;)

Maxalt is in the same class of drugs as Imitrex, the triptans. It is just a little newer than Imitrex though. The generic name for Imitrex is Sumatriptan and Maxalt's generic name is similar, Risatriptan.

The Dr told me that the side effects are less common with Maxalt than in Imitrex. I have not tried Imitrex. From what she told me is sounded like Maxalt had just come out in 2003 so is quite new.

I know someone who has this problem because of her high blood pressure. Something that she says has helped her a bit is doing scalp stretching (I know it sounds strange). Someone who knows how gently pulles the hair around your scalp for a few moments to stretch the muscels there. Think of it as a massage for you ailing head.

thanks raeanna74. do you notice any upset stomach. One of the effects migraines have on me is the nausea and when I take Imitrek it makes it worse.

Being it the same type of drug I would think it would have the same side effects. But, since it's newer they might have remedied the problem.

Pinklily you got a web page for head stretching?

I've had several things work for mine... Mine seem to be linked to low blood sugar.

1. Zomig is a new drug, and it's one of the 'dissolve under the tongue' variety. Haven't had any side effects and it seems to work.

2. My chiropractor showed me a pressure point about 2 inches above the wrist, between the two bones of the inner forearm.

3. I've been hearing that botox can permanently cure migraines. Not interested in trying it, though.

4. Since I went on a low-carb diet, I haven't had a single migraine. Another benefit of stable blood sugar.

Zolmitriptan (Zomig) is also in the same class of drugs and works the same way as Imitrex and Maxalt. I have only tried Maxalt but have had no stomach irritation problems. You can get Maxalt in the dissolving tablet form as well as the Zomig. Makes it nice if you are on the run when you sense the migrane aura. Nausea can be a side effect of any of these but they are all slightly different so it's possible that one could cause you nausea and the others wouldn't. My Dr did tell me that if I ate with it that could help prevent tha nausea but I've not had any problem with food or without.

Ive been getting migrains for over 20 years. I get them so often that I cant afford to get prescriptions and buy expensive medicines all the time. The only thing that I have found that works is an over the counter drug called "Mersyndol". Be warned though that it does make you very drowsy if your not used to it. Which is usually a good thing as sleep is the best medice for my migrains.