Wow- I never knew so many people had migranes. I meet a lot of people in my job and it's seldom come up. You all have my sympathy or empathy as the case may be. I started getting migranes when I was about 8 yrs old. Normally they hit me about 3:00 pm on the way home from school or outside playing in the neighborhood. Totally disabled me, my only thoughts in those days were if I could just make it home and bury my head under the pillow in a totally dark room, I might make it to live another day. Nothing worked and not having ever had a migrane, my parents, teachers and doctors, didn't understand when I tried to describe it. My siblings of course saw no reason to refrain from making noise or hassling me. If only they would have had the pain they would have understood. By the time I was about 10, the doctors decided to test me for allergies, that was a treat. They stuck needles with little cups on them all up and down my arms and back. I was allergic to everything they tested me for. They started me on a regimen of shots weekly(then monthly) and pills daily until I graduated from high school. Cured my allergies and knocked the migraines down from multiple times per week to monthly and then periodically throughout the year. The older I got, the less the frequency until February 2006. I'm 55 now and I have had the same headache since Feb. (8 months). The initial symptoms ran the gamut from dizziness, light sensitivity, loss of speech and brain lock (Could not formulate a thought), depression, suicidal thoughts, the major headache of course. I had every test they could think of ( MRI, MRA, CT scan, dye , x-rays, blood work, mineral analysis, hormone analysis, etc. etc.) Finally ended up at a Nuero, who prescribed a variety of medicines which all worked to mimimize or mask the symptoms enough so that I could keep woeking, but if I thought about it I could feel the headache, I was just doped up enough so that the pain wouldn't drive me nuts. Half the time I'd be at work and wouldn't know what I was doing. I get paid for what I know (consulting) so when all you can do is sit their with a blank look on your face, people start to wonder. Each medication became ineffective within a matter of weeks, so they would up the prescriptions until I hit a max dose, then wean me off and try something else. Currently I'm using the max dose oF wellbutrin combined with nitriptolyne at night to make me sleep. The max of nitriptoyne causes such gastro intestinal acid that I have to keep backing off of that, but then I don't sleep and the headache rears it's ugly head. The wellbutrin quite working last week, and so have to try something else. Went to a chiropractor yesterday and he's reviewing my records before he'll treat me, as the area he believes is causing my problem(where spine connects to brain) is very sensitive and he doesn't want to cause some other condition. So now I have to wait. I will say however that when he was examining me yesterday he was doing some minor manipulation of the area and although I had some immediate discomfort for the next couple of hours, the headache diminshed more than all of the meds I have taken. So maybe there's some hope. I'll let you know how it works out, but this may be an alternative for some of you. I think there are a myriad of causes to these things, but maybe it will help a few. Here's hoping you all feel better soon!

Tom <tecone@comcast.net>
Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 12:58:38

I suffered from what turned out to be classic migraine symptoms in high school (I'm 57 now.) They always followed the same pattern: loss of peripheral vision along with moving visual patterns followed by nausea and vomiting and then a brutal, and I mean brutal headache. Not a usual headache, but a lock-me-in-a-dark-room, make-no-sounds and maybe I'll wake up in a half day and be OK headache. They were daily occurrences when I was 17-18 years old, and, as I recall, worse in fall. As I got older, the frequency dropped, but I would still get one every once in a while.
Then I read an article (don't remember where, but sure wish I did) suggesting that changing the partial pressure of O2 in the blood could help.
So, at the onset of the 'AURA' (thats the new-speak for the loss of peripheral vision and 'funny' visual effects) I breathe into a bag for 5 minutes or so.
Well, if I can get to a bag DURING the aura, I have been successful in short-circuiting the rest of the migraine cycle. The few times I either missed the aura onset or got to the bag too late, I developed the rest of the symptoms. Otherwise, E-V-E-R-Y migraine has been stopped in its tracks.
Now that my 24 year-old son has begun to experience the joy of migraines, he , too, has used this technique with decent success.

I can't claim this as a cure, but it certainly is worth trying...

For those of you with classic migraine (with the aura) try it. I hope it works for you.

Stuart Linderman <stuartlinderman@hotmail.com >
Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 18:30:47

I am intersted to know if anyone who feels that their migraines are connected to weather changes has moved and it has helped? I havent really considered this but it is intersting. read this

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/topstories/health/achesandpains/010712pressuremigraines.html

I have recently moved to Dubai. The most EXTREME of weather changes. It is the end of summer thankfully and the temperature is dropping. Everything here is artificial (even the people....:-)) Last week was extremely humid. I would say around 70-80% and it was the worst week of my life!! The average daily temperature is around 40-45 for the last three months and although everything is air conditioned the environment is abnormal and deranged. My migraines have worsened over the last three months.

There have been two periods when I have noticed a prolonged marked improvement in my pain. The first being on holiday in QLD (Northern Australia) and the other being in London for a few weeks where the weather was very stable.

A month ago I decided to leave here and move back to Aus. Maybe it is the itellectual vacuumm causing them!:-)

jascha oakes <jascha_oakes@yahoo.com.au>
Friday, September 15, 2006 at 14:07:58

I seems I am one of the few males in this group! I think the male population should be very grateful.... My heart goes out to all the women who suffer.

I am in a great mood today. Two weeks ago I had a migraine that only this morning has stopped. It utterly destroyed my life for two weeks. I read another entry where this person feared they might die, then feared they were going to die and then feared they wouldn't die. For the first time I was frightened and powerless. 3 years ago I went through chemotherapy which taught me how to cope with continual stress and trauma. I have been suffering for two years with both chronic headaches and migraines - they are fairly distinct. I have probably had maybe 7 days in the last year I was pain free. The migraines were greatly reduced for a period of 6 months but I still had the chronic daily headache. I think allot of that was due to rebound headache, something I was not really aware of at the time.

I think it takes a while to educate your self on the subject. It has taken almost the two years for me to really understand it. As the pain and anguish increase so does the search. Desperation forces the issue. Due to the specific nature of the problem most medical practitioners are generally useless and non specific. I saw a 'good' neurologist in Sydney but he really didn't know enough and did not specialize in it. I certainly don't blame him for that. Maybe part of there training should be spent in an induced migraine state? I think this would be very beneficial. I think most would drop out of that joyous little class! Maybe they could do it surreptitiously and put something in the air-conditioning and give everyone on the class one. Then, as people come stumbling out in mass of human misery begging for relief the pain free could offer a way out. �Now looky here, I know why are suffering you just don�t drink enough water!�. Thanks, wonderful�.Once on new years we were sitting around with and I was discussing my �problem� with someone, she was some kind of therapist. After telling her about all the attempts at neurology, chiropractic, dental etc�.She said with a serous gaze �if you come to my clinic I will rub the muscles in your jaw and your headaches will disappear!� I really didn�t know what to say? At this point I officially categorized her as brain dead. This is my system of evaluation. Previously she had raised my suspicion with her inane discussions on here sexual flings. I generally avoid people and discussions of this nature. I do have faith in natural therapy�s and herbal remedies though.

I have recently been looking into the idea of melatonin/serotonin. Allot of people (including myself) seem to wake up with migraines. One chemical seems to affect the other?? As one goes down the there goes up. Also most migraine sufferers are women with hormonal problems. Your sleep cycles from what I gather are affected by this balance. As you wake up melatonin is suppressed by the opening of your eyes and exposure to light. Serotonin then starts getting produced. I am a 32yr old architect from Aus and recently (8 months ago) moved to Dubai. I absolutely despise the place and have had great displeasure in living here. My level of anxiety has increased and general feeling of well being along with it. I think this along with the perpetuating migraine itself may have thrown my body out causing chronic migraine? I have also read about hypoxia and sensitivity to nitric oxide?? This from what I gather is affected during your sleep. I have started taking more herbal remedies and vitamins; B2 (riboflavin), D, Feverfew, magnesium + calcium (2:1) and a thing called 5-HTP. 5-HTP aides in the production of serotonin which again regulates your body in a number of ways. It is a neurotransmitter that affects pain. So I started taking it two days ago�.who knows it may be what�s helping today. It is a plant extract. If the migraines come back I am going to go back on a beta blocker (Atenolol � has less side effects or Inderal) as they are effective in combating over active brains and anxious people and should make my life bearable. It seems they are also more effective for people who have a chronic problem? I will keep searching for the cause and try and find a solution��

This is a good website for remedies and peoples experiences http://www.remedyfind.com

I find study�s peoples remedies on this website very helpful in understanding patterns and therefore solutions. I just wish more people new about it. The more the better!

Lets hope tomorrow is the same�.I can only hope

jascha oakes <jascha_oakes@yahoo.com.au>
Friday, September 15, 2006 at 06:15:07

I have been having migraines for about 5 years. I have been to 3 neuros and to the diamond headache clinic. I have a migraine nearly every day. My latest neuro says that my headaches have a cascade effect because my migraine lasts too long. He says that when my migraine doesn't brak within a few days then I get a tension headache on top of that, which of course doesn't break because I get no pain relief so I then have on top of the other 2 headaches a chronic daily headache.
When I went to Diamond I thought that was the answer to my prayers but I left there with bruises from elbow to wrist on both arms and only a slightly less painful migraine. I went to 3 more appts. there but then because it's 4 hours away and I really wasn't getting any help that I couldn't get here, I asked to have my care transferred back to a neuro here in Indy.
He is ok and tries but there are medicines that he will not try me on like topamax and depakote because I get kidney stones too. He keeps upping the dose of elavil and added lyrica.
I AM SO TIRED ALL OF THE TIME. I would just like a break from the pain.
I've been to the ER like 5 five times in 2 yrs so they always just knock me out and then when I wake up send me on my merry way.
I can't even work anymore. Please someone tell me there is hope out there. I've tried the triptans, dhe, butterbur, feverfew, antidepressants, betablockers, calcium channel blockers, sedatives, pain meds, chiro, the whole gamut.

thanks for reading.

Amy Cook <amycook@excite.com>
Monday, September 11, 2006 at 12:25:02

Hey,
I have been getting migraines for about 3 years now. Along with those, I get vision loss and I vomit. I haven't found a perscription that helps yet. My migraines will last literally weeks. They finally end when I am in the ER getting a morphine injection. Unfortunatley the migraine returns and I go through the process again. I am so frustrated with trying to find a medicine that works because I am unable to do day to day activities. If anyone has any suggustions for me PLEASE let me know.

Keri
Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 09:46:23

I just found this web page by accident. Has anyone found a link to MSG? I have had Migraines since I was 5yrs old!! I'm in my 40's now. I can remember coming home from school sick to my stomach from these headaches. The last few years they have gotten so bad, I have missed work, and have ruined lots of family time with my kids. I started keeping track of what I was eating. I noticed if we went to Pizza Hut, I would be sick a few days later. It wasn't until the kids decided to make pizza dough at home, and we looked up a recipe online, that we found an authentic recipe for Pizza Hut dough and it called for MSG!! Now we watch all of our foods, and this has relieved the migraines. I still get the stress migraines, but at least the MSG migraines are gone!! But, since I have eliminated this from my diet, it effects me very badly if I have anything with it in it. My kids, 13, 11 and 8 all watch foods for me, reading labels!! I have been on Imitrex and Vicodin. It might be worth it to take MSG out of your diets!!

Rochelle <gumlolgrp@msn.com>
Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 19:08:14

Hi all fellow migraine sufferers.. just wondering if any of you can help or give me some advise.. my GP has taken me off my prescription of Zomig (my lifeline) as she says my system has become addicted to them & my everyday painkillers such as Syndol which contain codeine & caffine..so I'm going through pure hell at the moment with no meds..I was wondering what is the best way to detox my system of the tablets etc..any help would be appreciated..

Regards to all
Lisa x

Lisa <dooballa77@hotmail.com>
Sunday, September 3, 2006 at 14:47:14

I made a list of everything that helps me with migraines which you can find at: http://jewexploringbuddhism.blogspot.com/2006/09/treating-and-preventing-migraines.html.

I suffer from migraines now about once every two weeks or so, although they are getting somewhat better with the treatments that I've been using. Since I know so many people suffer from migraines and to help me remember what I'm doing that's working, here's a list of what's worked for me:

1. acupunture
2. chiropractor
3. non-drug: taking Petadolex (Butterbur)*, Feverfew, homeopathic rememdies, 5-HTP, and magnesium and calcium (take these two together). Except for the homeopathic remedies, I take these every day as a preventative.
4. migrastick: peppermint aromatherapy oils in general are supposed to help, but this involves rubbing peppermint and lavender oils on temples
5. avoid all alcohol during a migraine or when I feel one coming on, drinking a lot of water
6. Advil 200-400mg 4xs/day
7. lay down with my feet elevated
8. heat on my back
9. Stretch out my back, neck and shoulder muscles
10. Massage these muscles as much as I can -sometimes, I'll get a therapudic massage (during a migraine, cranio-sacrial techniques are best)
11. caffeine - I don't usually consume a lot, so I just make myself a cup of green tea

Still, if I get a migraine, it won't go away fully until I go to sleep.

*Petadolex is often given as a prescription by neurologists, but you can order this pretty cheaply from vitamin shops (try Swanson's).

Karma <JewBuQuest@hotmail.com>
Sunday, September 3, 2006 at 10:10:42

Hello Fellow Migraine Sufferers!

I've been having migraines for about a year and a half, since I was 13. I am the only person in my immediate family that has them and we have done lots of research to find out what causes them. For me it's mostly lack of sleeping, yogurt, and red plums. I also found something else that I found interesting. You might already have figured this out, but just in case, sometimes migraines are genetic. I just recently met an entire half of a family for the first time and when we got to talking, every single one of them had migraines that are strangely similar to the ones I have. Some family trait to pass on, huh? =D

Good Luck!!

Rachel <bunnzie8@hotmail.com>
Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 19:02:27

Hi.
I think I may have had a migraine some years back but yeaterday I got my first one I have been able to identify. It hit me again this morning...beginning with seeing stars...aura... Could this be the onset of cronic migraine? Please reply....
Thank you!!

imani <imani.woomera@gmail.com>
Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 06:48:42

I had my first migraine when I was 13. I'm now 45 and I've had them now for 32 years. Before Imitrex there was only suffering until I couldn't stand it anymore and then going to the ER. I have the severe pain on one side, nausea, sensitivity to light, sound, and smell, and severe stupidity. When I have a HA, I can't put a coherent sentence together and I forget words. Even a mild one can leave me feeling mildly retarded. A few years ago I tried an experiment that changed my life. I took the list of known trigger foods and went off everything on the list. The daily HAs went away. I added each item back in for one week and found that onions and avocados will bring on a migraine. I only have to smell an onion and I'll get sick. I've cut those things out of my diet and I've gone from daily HAs to 1-2 month. I have a bad one maybe 3-4 times a year. I haven't been to the ER in several years now. If you try the diet, you have to be very strict about what you eat. Onions are in everything in one form or another. There's onion powder, dried onions, green onions, etc. A food will have broth in it and it will turn out that the broth had onion in it. It was a difficult change, but worth it to have my life back. I still get a migraine for other reasons...the monthly one or the messed up sleep schedule one, but I can deal with those with either the imitrex pill or the injection. I have the info on the diet if anyone wants to try it.

Carrie

Carrie Zeidman <czeidman@elanstudios.net>
Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at 16:39:31

Hi there all. I have been having migraines mostly related to my cycle since I was a teenager,now 42. Saw my GP last week who is concerned that because I am currently having them 3 0r 4 times a week that I may be having cluster headaches instead or medication 'overuse' headaches.
The pain I get is over my temple and radiates down the side of my face, mostly the right side at the moment. It is a pulsing pain and I can't eat or stay in the noise or light whilst I have it.Sometimes when I go to sleep I will wake up and the pain has moved over to the other side.
I take naramig, domperimol and tramadol when they are here as well as inderal la as a preventative.
Can migraines happen this often???

Wendy from kent <theoldbiddy@blueyonder.co.uk>
Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 14:24:44

I forgot to tell everyone, a doctor once told me to take 3 800 mg of ibreprophen and a cup of BLACK coffee and it would help your migraine. Works for me!

Denise <Likens_D@msn.com>
Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 01:36:07

Hi Everyone!
I. too am a migraine sufferer. My would be so bad that I would try to make myself vomit so the pain would go away. You know you are disparate when you want to bang your head against a brick wall, because it couldn't hurt any worse. Sleep is my enemy. Getting too much....migraine...not enough...migraine. Now I stay on a very strict schedule. I was told once I went through menopause they would subside....My thoughts.."Come on menopause." I have since began the first stages of menopause and I don't have them like I use too. I also take a daily dose of 5-HTP which helps produce serotonin, a chemical in your brian. I have been migraine free for 3 years and counting.

Denise <Likens_D@msn.com>
Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 01:31:39