I am 52, menaposal, and migraine free for the first time in over 40 years. Hormones have been a big part of triggers for me, as have been barometric changes. Food links have been more difficult to pin down. I have always been particularly sensitive to light.
About 15 years ago I had a motorcycle accident that severely injured the right side of my face, and it made that side of my face extra sensitive during my headaches.
My experiences may be helpful.
Over the years two drugs have been helpful, Naprosen (Naproxen) which is perscription, and Midol, which is over the counter.If you think about it, it makes sense, migraines are constricted blood vessels, and and drugs which are meant to ease menstral problems could work for migraines. Now, admittedly, they didn't work all the time, but often enough to make them a key element in my fight to live normally. Only a few times have I had to resort to Demerol, which doesn't seem to take the pain away, just make me not care that I hurt.
Now, be prepared to the macho "I won't take a woman's drug" from men, but if he's desperate, he'll take it.
I have learned that massage helps, and have learned to massage the constricted muscles and blood vessels to ease the pain. A tip- start the massage away from the migraine area so that the muscles around the area are relaxed a bit before you go to the migraine site.
Start very gently, but don't give up, it's sort of like the old line about "why are you hitting your head against the wall?" "Because it feels so good when I stop." Also sometimes scratching your head with all four fingers sort of like you've got a bad itch helps too. Remember to start away from the worst site and work towards it.
After being migraine free for alost 8 months, I am now on HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) so it will be interesting to see if the migraines return. I have also been able to go withhout sunglasses more often, although that might change. I do not seem to be as sensitive to barometric pressure as I was.
Hope this helps someone.
Wilma F.
Wilma F. <wilmaf@kwic.com>
Port Dover, On Can - Date: 08/28/98 (Fri)
Time: 08:49:45 AM
One more question - for several years I have known that certain foods during certain times give me migraines. What I'm interested
in knowing is this: Does anyone else feel extremely dizzy, light-headed or confused after they eat certain foods (even when the
food does not give you a migraine)? I've always wondered if there is a link to my dizziness, etc. when eating many foods and my
headaches.
Stacia Baker <sbaker@e-z.net>
Portland, OR USA - Date: 08/28/98 (Fri)
Time: 02:53:06 AM
I had my first migraine when I was only 4 - at that time the only thing my mother could do
to relieve the pain was take me to the hospital for shots of demirol. I would experience these
headaches every few weeks. From the ages of approximately 14 to 21 I only experienced a
migraine once every few months. From the age of 21 until now (I turn 30 in October) I have been
getting migraines 2 to 5 times per month. Unlike my migraines of the past, these would last for
approximately three days, and even if I did manage to sleep, the headache was still there when
I woke up. I would vomit every 30 minutes or so the entire time I had the headache. Also, I had
a minor headache almost every day, and would take between three and 12 aspirin per day.
The migraine had changed a little, in that it was behind the eye and on the side of my head, instead
of at the temple.
A few months ago I began going to a neurologist here in Portland, Dr. Hubert Leonard. We have
been "testing" different preventative meds, as well as pain meds. I had previously had SOME luck
with the pain medicine butalbital (a mixture of aspirin, caffeine and barbiturate). While this pain medicine
no longer relieves the migraine pain, if I take it along with phenergan (for nausea) I can at least get a
little relief and a little sleep. Imitrex did not work, nor did zomig, etc. The dr. gave me samples of a
new nose-spray MIGRAINOL last month, and both times i used it in conjunction with the butalbital (which
I always take first) my headache went away, for the most part, after 30 minutes to an hour. I don't know
if Migrainol will always work for me, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
As a preventative, the dr. first tried inderal (he upped the dosage a couple of times), it helped some, but
made me feel lethargic and i think i gained a few pounds. He added amitriptylin (or elavil) to the mix - first 10 mg,
then 20, and now - for the first time tonight, i took 30 mg. This is an antidepressant, which I am fairly uncomfortable
taking - but which he assures me has no real antidepressant effect until the dosage becomes much higher. In the
meantime, he has taken me off the inderal.
The preventatives have made my daily "minor" headaches go away, for the most part. I usually have one or two
small ones a week, but tylenol makes them go away (and tylenol NEVER worked for me in the
past). I still have one to two major headaches a month, which last for 3 to 5 days, but (hopefully) the migrainol
will continue to work on those.
I do feel slightly uncomfortable taking antidepressants, and am especially unsure about trying some more "heavy
duty" ones - the dr. wants to put me on really strong antidepressants if the amitritylin does not work. I am very interested in
whether anyone has had any luck with homeopathic remedies???? Keep in mind that my migraines are triggered from almost
every source, from foods to perfume to change in climate, heat, and exercise.
I'll eat pain medication all day long, but when it comes to medicines that alter the brain chemistry like antidepressants do, I'm not
so sure.......does one's psyche and mental well-being become dependent on these meds???
If anyone has had any experience with these, please let me know - the last thing I need on top of
my migraines is to become completely manic.
Also, one last tip - BEFORE RESORTING TO PAIN MEDICATIONS, TRY 3 IBUPROFIN AND TWO EXTRA-STRENGTH
TYLENOLS.............I SWEAR IT WORKS IF YOU TAKE IT IN TIME......
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stacia Baker <sbaker@e-z.net>
Portland, OR USA - Date: 08/28/98 (Fri)
Time: 02:45:11 AM
I have read many people get relief from Vicodin or Lortab/Lorcet. I know these meds are narcotics. They are listed as Schedule II controlled substances. Codeine is a Schedule III. Stadol is a Schedule IV. This all means the lower the number, the more potential for addiction. I have heard people getting addicted to the Stadol, but what about the Vicodin & Lorcet (hydrocodone and oxycodone)? Has this been a problem for anyone? Have you had to detox? How much does your docs prescribe? I have never tried these other narcotics, and I wonder if they are as dangerous as Stadol ( which I want to quit using if I can find something less dangerous). Midrin, Imitrex, DHE, and fiorinal have not worked for various reasons. I am trying feverfew and St. John's Wort, and magnesium supplements, but havn't noticed a difference so far. Its only been a few days tho. Can anyone inform me about these other narcotic meds---do they cause rebound? Are they very addictive? Thanks for your feedback---I know I will get honest answers and not just one docs opinion.
Mary Jo <mdaniels@ncn.net>
IA USA - Date: 08/27/98 (Thu)
Time: 06:45:37 PM
I have been suffering from migranes for 10 years. It wasn't untill two years ago that I found something that works, Lorcet 10/650. I have tried everything imaginable, and this is the ONLY one that has worked at all! If theres anyone else out there who takes vicodin/lorcet will you please tell me about your experiences with it??
ayla <zeffsundys@aol.com>
USA - Date: 08/27/98 (Thu)
Time: 05:58:44 PM
i forgot to add this to my last comments.the doctors would not give me any pain medication.they gave me medicine to hopefully prevent headaches......
they started me on ZOLOFT,DEPAKOTE & TENORMIN.i am anxious to see how these meds will do on the migraines.....
tommy hollaway <tommy_hollaway@webtv.net>
seneca, sc USA - Date: 08/27/98 (Thu)
Time: 05:24:59 PM
8/27/98.....i thought i was going to have success with the maxalt....guess what? after the second pill i had the pain as bad as ever.i had to leave work this morning and go back to the doctor...they tried another new treatment on me.....this sounds gross but it helped for about 5 hours.i had a total of 10 injections....6 in the back of my head and 2 in each shoulder blade area.....basically what it did is numb the cranial area,neck and shoulders.....my head is still numb but my neck and shoulders are hurting again.the doctors told me to come back in the morning if i still had the pain....im not sure i can wait that long.....out of all the years i have had migraines this week has been the most intense....i am at the point that i don't know what to do.....
tommy
tommy hollaway <tommy_hollaway@webtv.net>
senea, sc USA - Date: 08/27/98 (Thu)
Time: 05:09:11 PM
