Who else gets them, and what do you do to stop yourself from hitting yourself in the head with a claw hammer to make the pain go away? [bang] [bang] [bang] :'( :'(
The s/o gets them. I can honestly and thankfully say I've never experienced one. Although..I'm sure some of my allergy-related episodes are very similar. She can tell me two days in advance when ones coming. I massage her neck and forehead and pretty much keep my distance when they occur.
Caffeine...
ok, I'm not joking about this... but apparently sex (and orgasm) undertaken just at the onset of a migraine can stop it. Been some research on that.
If I feel I migraine coming, I bale from wherever I am, take two asprin, and sleep to reboot my system. Usually stops it dead. [thumbsup]
It's not necessarily the sex, it's the release of serotonin caused by the climax. Masturbation should work as well...
Go find a Picnic Table ;D
I get them horribly. A few things I've learned/tried over the years.
#1) Eat well, stop drinking alcohol and always exercise. When I am following this routine, I'm wayyy better off.
#2) Take your medicine as soon as you start to feel one coming on. Me, I take IM Imitrex, so as soon as I feel one coming on I give myself a shot.
#3) Sleep well. Lack of sleep/crazy hours will kill you.
#4) If you're having a truly bad one (that Imitrex or whatever SUI you take isn't helping with), the only thing that will cure it is sleep and the only way to sleep is to take some serious painkillers. Over the last 5 or 6 years, I've been to the hospital a handful of times where I've had to go on a Morphine IV to kill the pain enough to sleep (although usually 3-4 Vicodin will do the trick).
#5) YOu'll laugh at this, but earlier this year I did the botox in the forehead thing that has been talked about so much in the journals lately. And I gotta tell you - it works. It's not covered by insurance, but it's only ~200 bucks and lasts 3 months a pop (and compared to the cost of Imitrex 200 bucks is nothing). I suffer from serious migraines as in debilitating, multi-day migraines and at different times in my life I've gotten them as often as 6x in one month.
#6) When you're in your "prime", they are the worst. For some reason, the more "active" your brain is (and this is usually in your 20s-30s), the more prone you are to having them. I found that the ages of 22-26 were the worst for me.
#7) Cold compresses on your eyes. I keep about 10 of those freezable eye things in my fridge at all times. When I get a migraine, I grab one, head into my pitch black room and lay down. As soon as it warms up, I switch them out.
That's about alL I can think of right now...
Oh, and make sure that you're seeing a Neurologist who specializes in them. It makes a huge difference. Before I met my current Neurologist, I was seeing my GP who was pretty much goddamn useless. It's a very specialized field and the good ones make a big diff.
My SO also gets them. I have been fortunate enough to never have one.
Apparently the cure is to get upset with me for no reason [laugh] [laugh] j/k.
I can tell when I am getting one and I head home, take 4 Excedrin, go to bed with earplugs and my blackout eye covers.
Usually after a couple hour nap I am OK.
If I don't do this, I'll get a full blown one and the light hurts and nausea etc. I sympathize with everyone that gets them.
and learn which meds are likely to give you rebounds. Chart your headaches and look for more frequency...sometimes it's the meds and it's time to swap up meds or actually lower dose.
in highschool I took Zomig. Felt one coming on, popped it and 30 min later no migraine.
Downsides: if you took it for a regular headache, caused a migraine
EXPENSIVE, my doctor was cool, he gave me 25 6 pill trial packages, lasted me several years.
Quote from: roy-nexus-6 on June 06, 2008, 12:03:31 AM
ok, I'm not joking about this... but apparently sex (and orgasm) undertaken just at the onset of a migraine can stop it. Been some research on that.
If I have a good migrane sex is the last thing that i want to be doing... unless i don't have to move and it can be silent and pitch black.
The only thing that works for me is to avoiding light, avoiding noise and sleep. I have not taken a pill yet that has done shit to take the edge off a migraine
Quote from: oregunduc on June 06, 2008, 11:57:11 AM
I have not taken a pill yet that has done shit to take the edge off a migraine
Have you tried the IM Imitrex? It's the only way that
really works for me. About 10 minutes after i give myself the shot, I feel
much better.
Quote from: roy-nexus-6 on June 06, 2008, 12:03:31 AM
ok, I'm not joking about this... but apparently sex (and orgasm) undertaken just at the onset of a migraine can stop it. Been some research on that.
If I feel I migraine coming, I bale from wherever I am, take two asprin, and sleep to reboot my system. Usually stops it dead. [thumbsup]
Yup, I get them and they're pretty bad..
If you have a gf, ask her for a Bj. After that, go to sleep in a cool, dark, silent room. You'll wake up refreshed. It really is the best medicine for it, and I have tried every med in the market.
It seems wierd, and you'll probably have a hard time explaining it to her, but it really does the trick...
If anyone who gets migraines is also diabetic, there may be a different way of getting rid of them. It might not be migraines for the same reason that everyone else gets them. I'm not sure how it works, but some diabetics have problems with neuropathy. It's basically pain that occurs in a place in the body, and usually the same place every time. Some get it in their feet. Some get it in their elbows. It doesn't make sense where it appears. My mother gets it in the form of a migraine and takes a first generation antidepressant, amitryptline, which has been very effective at preventing them. The antidepressant doesn't work well for what it was designed to do, since its effects are short and one of the side effects is drowsiness, but she takes one before bed. It puts her to sleep, all the mood altering effects happen while she's sleeping, and she no longer gets migraines. Just be careful if you do take it. Overdose, even if fairly minor, is usually fatal, and there is no treatment for it.
Quote from: Ducatista on June 07, 2008, 07:58:35 PM
If anyone who gets migraines is also diabetic, there may be a different way of getting rid of them. It might not be migraines for the same reason that everyone else gets them. I'm not sure how it works, but some diabetics have problems with neuropathy. It's basically pain that occurs in a place in the body, and usually the same place every time. Some get it in their feet. Some get it in their elbows. It doesn't make sense where it appears. My mother gets it in the form of a migraine and takes a first generation antidepressant, amitryptline, which has been very effective at preventing them. The antidepressant doesn't work well for what it was designed to do, since its effects are short and one of the side effects is drowsiness, but she takes one before bed. It puts her to sleep, all the mood altering effects happen while she's sleeping, and she no longer gets migraines. Just be careful if you do take it. Overdose, even if fairly minor, is usually fatal, and there is no treatment for it.
Damn... I think i'd rather have the headache...
a chiroprator guys!!!
but that depends on what is causing ur migrains..
sometimes it can be a mechanical issues, like if ur atlas(C1) is out of alignment that could cause ur muscles/nerves to be pulled out of wack....
i have friends that swear by that, and say a special chiro for ur atlas and being cracked a bit has helped more then u can image!!
[beer]
thanks for all the suggestions [thumbsup] I'm back on planet earth now!!!
Quote from: Kaveh on June 08, 2008, 04:08:30 AM
thanks for all the suggestions [thumbsup] I'm back on planet earth now!!!
...but why are you awake at 4 am?
me reason you are...just got done playing ps3 [cheeky]
Quote from: ducmouse on June 07, 2008, 09:52:13 PM
a chiroprator guys!!!
but that depends on what is causing ur migrains..
sometimes it can be a mechanical issues, like if ur atlas(C1) is out of alignment that could cause ur muscles/nerves to be pulled out of wack....
i have friends that swear by that, and say a special chiro for ur atlas and being cracked a bit has helped more then u can image!!
[beer]
I was wondering if someone would mention this. My father in law is a chiropractor (and a good one) and he says most times he can help with migrains.
Could it be an outside stimulus of some sort causing them?
I ask because I used to get the occasional migraine while working for a previous employer. Five or six times throughout the course of a year or so, and they were brutal (the first time I was terrified that something was seriously wrong with me). The job was fairly cushy (so they weren't stress-related), but some of the equipment that ran outside my cubicle used xylene as a cleaning/purge solvent in some labeling units; I could never smell any fumes, but my cube was probably full of them. I never proved it but I think that was a primary factor, and if I had a Mountain Dew and a little vending machine bag of M&Ms together in the AM hours a migraine was virtually guaranteed.
I haven't had a migraine since I left the place.
I probably get them once or twice a month...
The cure for me is:
3 Excedrin, and some sleep in a dark, cool room.
If I need to keep functioning:
four Excedrin and a pepsi...
Like above.
Sleep to reboot the system.
I get the light show for about twenty minutes then headache.
take advil for the headache part.
Quote from: Ducatista on June 07, 2008, 07:58:35 PMOverdose, even if fairly minor, is usually fatal, and there is no treatment for it.
Not really. I've seen some very major overdoses with tricyclics (several weeks' supply taken all at once) that did not prove fatal. I'm not aware of any reports of fatalities in non-cardiac patients with ingestions smaller than 500mg. There's a pretty good chance your mother is taking 10mg to 25mg for headache, so a fatal dose might be more than she would ever have on-hand. There is most certainly treatment for TCA overdose, which is rarely fatal if treated in the intensive or cardiac care unit.
Incidentally, tricyclics are commonly used for classic migraine in non-diabetic patients, too. Sometimes they work great. Usually they don't.
For the guys here in particular, "cluster headache" is more common in men than in women and is often confused with migraine even by physicians. The reason this matters is that migraine treatments such as triptans, TCA's, anticonvulsants, etc. don't work well for clusters and there are two treatments that are often effective for cluster headache that don't work for migraine. Those are oxygen inhalation (not usually easily accessible for most of us) and applying an ice pack to the head (usually under the eye and next to the nose).
Sleep and sex are widely reported to be highly effective for many migraineurs. I'm not sure there's any evidence of a serotonin mechanism for the latter since there's a surge of oxytocin during orgasm but not serotonin.
Quote from: mstevens on June 08, 2008, 04:03:58 PM
For the guys here in particular, "cluster headache" is more common in men than in women and is often confused with migraine even by physicians. The reason this matters is that migraine treatments such as triptans, TCA's, anticonvulsants, etc. don't work well for clusters and there are two treatments that are often effective for cluster headache that don't work for migraine. Those are oxygen inhalation (not usually easily accessible for most of us) and applying an ice pack to the head (usually under the eye and next to the nose).
Also, cluster headaches can lead to a migraine. Kinda ironic how a migraine trigger can be a diff headache.
Sleep is what kills all migraines for me, but it's getting there that's the pregnant dog. If you're having (what I consider) a bad migraine, sleep is not something the pain will let you do. The triptans (Imitrex in my case) lowers the pain level enough to let me sleep *if* I take it in time. After that, it's some vicodin and hope for the best.
Also, I don't know how that works for you guys, but advil, excedrin, etc are all completely useless when i have a migraine - a regular headache yes, a migraine - hell no.
If you get migraines, please read closely. (BUT CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR)
There are two pharms you want to investigate. Neither are habit forming nor narcotic -- but again, talk to your doctor.
KETOROLAC
and
METOCHLORPRAMIDE
Get yourself a prescription for both. Ketorolac is the generic name for TORADOL, but Toradol is no longer made so you get it under the gen name.
You have to use an IM (intramuscular) injection, so it's a big needle. Right into the thigh or arm muscle.
When I get a migraine "halo" I give myself a shot of Ketorolac, and in about 30 minutes, the halos are gone.
The Metochlorpramide is for non-halo migraines. If you get a whammy, a quick-onset, then give yourself BOTH drugs together.
WHen I started, I need 1 ml of Ketorolac but now do as little as 0.3 ml depending on how severe the halos are.
Ketorolac is an NSAID. but it should be called "Nuclear NSAID" because it works so friggin' well.
Listen to me and you will thank me.
I get one every other month or so. I can feel it coming, but have found nothing to stop it from turning into a full blown nightmare. The only thing that works for me is a combination of caffeine, a lot of water, a few advil (but i have a low tolerance for medicine) and about 10-12 hours sleep in a cold, dark, QUIET room.
Quote from: ducatizzzz on June 09, 2008, 01:03:42 PM
If you get migraines, please read closely.
Wow. I've actually been to medical school, and I don't feel competent to give specific medical recommendations to strangers on the internet.
Different things work for and are tolerated by different people. Both ketorolac and metoclopramide have potential irreversible side effects (such as tardive dyskinesia with metoclopramide) that make them poor choices for some people.
The "thing" about vascular headaches (classical and atypical migraines, cluster headaches, etc.) is their protean nature and the great unpredictability of what will work for which sufferers.
Metoclopramide, incidentally, is sold under the brand name of Reglan in the US.
Quote from: mstevens on June 09, 2008, 03:23:16 PM
Wow. I've actually been to medical school, and I don't feel competent to give specific medical recommendations to strangers on the internet.
Thanks for the caution, I should have said Check With Your Doctor.
I've recommended Ketorolac to 2 friends (who did check with their doctors) and both are much better off.
I'll edit my post
Quote from: ducatizzzz on June 09, 2008, 03:26:09 PM
Thanks for the caution, I should have said Check With Your Doctor.
I've recommended Ketorolac to 2 friends (who did check with their doctors) and both are much better off.
I'll edit my post
This wouldn't have been much of a problem a few years ago. Someone would have called their doc or NP or PA and said "I wanna try ketorolac." If the prescriber had a problem ("you'll drill a hole right through your stomach, if the way you reacted to ibuprofen is any indication") they wouldn't get the med. Now people go online and get all kinds of stuff they have no business taking because nobody gives them accurate information about risks and benefits.
Whatever works, you should use. Vascular headaches suck big-time.
Quote from: NAKID on June 05, 2008, 11:44:03 PM
Caffeine...
+1
I get them. Feels like someone is shoving a spoon into my left eye. Tack on the nausea and a 60W bulb feeling like it has the power of 1000 suns and it s a really fun time. If I catch one early enough taking a few Exedrine Migraine pills then drinking a Coke and a bunch of water can sometimes do the trick. After one is in full swing I take a cool bath (I tend to get a slight fever when I get them too) drink a bunch of water, then try to sleep. If the pain isn't too bad a two hour nap can really help.
Otherwise writhing in bed and complaining a lot is about all I can do. :-\
sac
Quote from: SacDuc on June 09, 2008, 04:39:30 PM
Otherwise writhing in bed and complaining a lot is about all I can do. :-\
sounds like me having sex :-\
Quote from: bobspapa on June 09, 2008, 04:40:31 PM
sounds like me having sex :-\
use more lube. wear kneepads. take a muscle relaxer suppository. might improve it a bit.
Quote from: ducatizzzz on June 09, 2008, 05:22:57 PM
use more lube. wear kneepads. take a muscle relaxer suppository. might improve it a bit.
From years of experience? [thumbsup]
mitt
Quote from: mitt on June 09, 2008, 06:09:59 PM
From years of experience? [thumbsup]
mitt
of course, i care for my partners comfort down there ... [laugh]
I never got them until a couple years ago....one of my roomates headbutted me in the back of the head as a joke.
well....he got me good with that one [bang] that son-of-a-pregnant dog.....
anyways...they suck, i take some alieve (a bunch) and try to sleep it off in the dark.
Quote from: bobspapa on June 09, 2008, 04:40:31 PM
sounds like me having sex :-\
Dude, thanks a lot. I just had potato chips snort out my nose laughing. That hurts!
Here's my RX-Topomax 50 mg-1 in the morinng, 1 at night (PREVENTION)...If I do feel a Migraine coming on ,1 Maxalt 10 mg, if the headache is not gone in an hour, 1 more Maxalt. If the headache still is not gone ,no more Maxalt for 24 hours allowed. Maxalt is to( ABORT) the Migraine. I take 1 Fexofenadine 180 mg.in the morning for Allergy which seems to help (PREVENT) Migraines for me. If I still have the Migraine it will probably just continue to get worse and last for usually 4 days. When that happens I need Vicodin just to take the edge off or Percocet which still only allows me to function at a very low level and am able to sleep. I can drink no alcohol and tobacco smoke gives me an instant headache so ...no bars or resturants where people are smoking. Have had Sinus surgery with the hopes that that might help but to no avail. That wasn't why I had the Surgery... serious Sinus infection that couldn't be cleared up w/ antibiotics ( Sinuses wouldn't drain). CT scans come back unremarkable , have taken Vitamin B-2 , and Magneisum at my Neurologist's advice and Migranol (RX). Taken Tricyclics and Benzodiazapenes, Neuronton, Zomig, Amerge, Immtrex Injectable, Fiorinal, Fioricet, and this has been going on for close to 20 years . The only thing I haven't tried is this shiny thing I carry w/ me at all times around the property.
Quote from: DoubleEagle on June 09, 2008, 11:51:39 PM
Here's my RX-Topomax 50 mg-1 in the morinng, 1 at night (PREVENTION)...If I do feel a Migraine coming on ,1 Maxalt 10 mg, if the headache is not gone in an hour, 1 more Maxalt. If the headache still is not gone ,no more Maxalt for 24 hours allowed. Maxalt is to( ABORT) the Migraine. I take 1 Fexofenadine 180 mg.in the morning for Allergy which seems to help (PREVENT) Migraines for me. If I still have the Migraine it will probably just continue to get worse and last for usually 4 days. When that happens I need Vicodin just to take the edge off or Percocet which still only allows me to function at a very low level and am able to sleep. I can drink no alcohol and tobacco smoke gives me an instant headache so ...no bars or resturants where people are smoking. Have had Sinus surgery with the hopes that that might help but to no avail. That wasn't why I had the Surgery... serious Sinus infection that couldn't be cleared up w/ antibiotics ( Sinuses wouldn't drain). CT scans come back unremarkable , have taken Vitamin B-2 , and Magneisum at my Neurologist's advice and Migranol (RX). Taken Tricyclics and Benzodiazapenes, Neuronton, Zomig, Amerge, Immtrex Injectable, Fiorinal, Fioricet, and this has been going on for close to 20 years . The only thing I haven't tried is this shiny thing I carry w/ me at all times around the property.
That's a pretty brutal routine. I was on the topamax for a while, but the side effects really got to me, so I gave it up.
The one thing I notice you haven't tried is the botox treatment. I know it sounds a little out there to some, but it worked for me, it's cheap-ish (200 bucks every couple months), and while it
might not work, it seems worth a try at the very least.
Speaking if all this, I had a pretty bad one over the weekend, about 36 hours or so. It finally broke this morning at around 1am - thank god1
Well, Dr. Wife says most of the time they are caused by diet. Go see a Naturopath.