RE: Warding off a headache.... (Full Version)

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Siona -> RE: Warding off a headache.... (11/26/2007 8:08:14 PM)

I've suffered with migraines for 36 yrs.
I've been taking Topamax for about 2 yrs. They worked great in as far as decreasing the frequency for those two years.
Something has changed, now they're coming back quite often and more intense.
A couple weeks ago I had to go to the ER for a shot. That migraine was the third in 2 weeks. The doc doubled up on the doseage of a cocktail of two potent drugs..it only took the edge off.
I'm at a loss here, I've no idea what else to do.
Mine put me down anywhere from a day to 3 days...(which is the norm)..I've had one last a solid week.
Suicide rate amongst ppl with migraines is not all that shocking if you've ever experienced a good one.
It's not an option for me..but I'd be lying if I said that thought never crossed my mind.




undinerising -> RE: Warding off a headache.... (11/26/2007 8:17:10 PM)

Advice from a migraineur:

1. See a neurologist. No really. Do it. Get an MRI while you're there. If you sweet-talk the technicians they'll let you take copies of the film home, which is cool because then you have photographic proof your brain exists. I have mine set aside to be turned into posters.
2. Get some caffeine in your system- coffee if you can stomach it, or tea or even soda.
3. Carry on with that Tylenol; 5 is about equivalent to the acetaminophen content of my normal Midrin dose, and my liver is just fine kthanks.
4. Consider ice packs or heat (try one then the other) at the back of your neck.
5. Does this happen often? Do you grit your teeth when you sleep, or when you're stressed? That can feed a headache, oddly enough, through the muscles and tendon bits in your jaw  which attach around to the back of your neck.
6. Consider aromatherapy. I find peppermint most useful- it's also good in tea, calms the stomach right down.
7. Masturbate or have sex. I'm not kidding- in a book by Oliver Sachs, a really cool neurologist, I saw a study about migraine patients who find orgasm can completely halt their headaches. It has never outright got rid of one of mine but it has sometimes reduced the pain.
8. Are you drinking enough water?
9. See a neurologist. Did I mention that?



breatheasone -> RE: Warding off a headache.... (11/26/2007 8:18:01 PM)

When i feel one coming...i take 2 tylenol 2 advil(or the like) and a cup of coffee or Mt Dew or some caffine of some kind...that usually will do the trick....[;)]



MistressPav -> RE: Warding off a headache.... (11/26/2007 8:46:45 PM)

I have two words for you:

Orgasm and Vicodin
One or the other....guaranteed to get rid of a headache...FAST



topcat -> RE: Warding off a headache.... (11/26/2007 8:57:37 PM)

give yourself a brain freeze
 
or
 
hyperventilate into a paperbag
 
or
 
Vagus Carotid compression for about 1 minute.



sexyred1 -> RE: Warding off a headache.... (11/26/2007 9:24:48 PM)

Ugh, the dreaded migraine. I have had migraines for years. I suffered them and took everything, anti-depressants, which helped for a while then caused weight gain and stopped working, took all types of pain killers from Excedrine Migraine, to herbal, to  Fiorcet, Percoet, Vidodin, OxyContin, you name it, nothing helped the frequency and intensity.

Finally, I went to a neurologist who specializes in migraines in NY who runs a headache clinic. He gave me topomax, which is a preventive measure; it does make you kind of dopey, but it is work it.

He also advised 300 milligrams of Co-Q10 daily, exercise, biofeedback, etc. Those did not particularly work.

Then in January, I was rushed to the hospital with such bad head pain, I actually wanted to die. I had demerol in the emergency room and prompty threw up and it still did not stop the problem. It turned out I had a massive sinus infection AND a migraine at the same time!

The emergency room doctor asked if I ever took Imitrex; I said no. He injected with me Imitrex and in 15 minutes, 13 hours of hell went completely away.

I now take the 25 mills of topomax at night, and if I get the start of a migraine, I take the pill version (cannot do needles even though it is available as injection) of Imitrex. Also, ice packs galore.

The neurologist said to STOP caffeine, but I drink tea all day, so I have not gotten rid of it. So far, cross my fingers, my headaches are under control.

And I agree with whomever said that unless you have experienced a real migraine, you cannot imagine the pain.



LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Warding off a headache.... (11/26/2007 9:27:29 PM)

Since this continues I will add that prevention is key!  It has never once failed since I recognized my triggers at age 12 that when I get a whopper of a migraine it's been because of mutliple variables I allowed to slip- not sleeping or eating well on schedule, eating a trigger food like MSG or chocolate, reading too long at a time, not taking allergy meds or something else that I KNOW is bad to do, but think I can let slide just a little longer so I can do other stuff.

Until my body decides to knock me down a few pegs.

Now, I don't even get the worst migraines- they rarely last more than a few hours, hardly ever throw up from them anymore and are much easier to catch in the early stages.

But always, if I had really paid attention to my body and given it what it needed and kept a good balance, I know it could be avoided completely.



BossyShoeBitch -> RE: Warding off a headache.... (11/26/2007 9:46:23 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: topcat

give yourself a brain freeze
 
or
 
hyperventilate into a paperbag
 
or
 
Vagus Carotid compression for about 1 minute.

Give yourself a brain freeze?  What?!?  That's a new one to me... If it works, then bring on the slushies!!!
Could you elaborate on Vasgus Carotid Compression?



BBWnNC72 -> RE: Warding off a headache.... (11/28/2007 7:59:04 PM)

taking that much Tylenol is dangerous and it can do the opposite of what it is intended to do.  it can canceal out if not make you sick.

when i get a migrain,( i do try to get to it before that), i take one extra strength Tylenol and 2-200mg motrin, then i lay down with my head submerged in a very hot bath. works wonders, the combination of the tylenol and ibuprofen also works well for arthritis and other pains. learned that from a doctor when i was the Resident Services Director and took care of all medications for a 40 bed assisted living in Cali.



Maya2001 -> RE: Warding off a headache.... (11/30/2007 5:24:39 AM)

I have had migraines for a while , Tylenol only helps me if I take earlier in the beginning of the headache otherwise I was left having to ride the migraine out, out had one that lasted 3 days which simply would not subside with the Tylenol finally end up at the hospital where they put me on a couple of bags of morphine drip to get it to break .  there is a drug out called Maxalt RPD  designed to help break even advanced migraines but only works for migraines  will do nothing for other forms of headaches  but if you have any kind of cardiac problems you cannot take, also there are known drug conflicts  and   requires a prescription.   



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