Grateful for the site. I'm a 47-year old. Been suffering on and off with migraines since high school. At the time, I never thought my headaches were anything more than just that. But over time, and with education, I've learned that my headaches are anything but.

My migraines are indeed episodes. I'd say I get them about 2-3 times per month. They vary in intensity from moderate to severe. Usually it's a twelve hour period of misery. My triggers are, in no particular order, lack of sleep, changes in barometric pressure, not eating the right foods at the right time, and lately it seems, too much bright light (sun)- I'm a teacher and golf caddy on the weekends, so I'm often exposed to bright sun light.

Anyway, the only thing which consistently works for me is SLEEP. I've tried just about every med you can think of. I don't like the way the Imitrex type drugs make me feel. Narcotic drugs help with the pain, but mostly allow me to fall asleep which gets me through an episode.

The most frustrating part of my migraines is overcoming the "he has another headache" comments from well-meaning friends and family.

Thanks to everyone who has posted an entry. It's somewhat comforting to know that I'm not alone.

Mike <gatorgolfmike@yahoo.com>
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 17:03:46

I am writing on behalf of my mom. She has been getting migranes more recently. She just turned 60. It gets bad to the point where she can not even open her eyes. SOmetimes one side of her head is numb. Other times it starts from her neck. If I try to give her a massage, it shoots up in her head and hurts. Maxalt did not help. So we are going to try Fiorcet. Is that normal for a migrane to be that bad? DOes anyone know? We wanted to get her an x-ray of the neck/ Dr said it was not needed. We did an MRI of the brain years ago but that was negative. Could this be something else or just a migrane?

Nadia <nadyiah@Hotmail.com>
Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 03:29:36

Well, I think I finally diagosed myself this week after almost 30 years. My first encounter with a Basilar Migraine was in my 20's. I would all of a sudden go into this "brain fog" where I couldn't even understand what people were saying to me. I saw their mouths moving and could hear them speaking but could not comprehend what they were saying. During these spells, which lasted for days, I would have severe lightheadedness/dizziness and my scalp and face would be numb. I had no headache!

I went to a doctor and was diagnosed with Hypoglycemia. Of course everytime I had one of these episodes, I blamed it on something I ate that week. In my 30's and 40's no matter what I did I would continue to get these attacks. I was diagnosed with everything from Vestibulopathy, Panic Disorder, Anxiety,etc.

I started to doubt my own sanity. I felt that the doctors thought I was some sort of hypochondriac that just wanted attention. These symptoms are debilitating and last for days. I don't even think my family or friends believed me.

Fast forward 30 years later, I am still looking for a diagnosis but I experienced, for the first time, what started out as a blindspot (thought I was having a stroke). I told my husband I thought I was having a stroke so we needed to go to the hospital. Within minutes, the blind spot turned into bright zigzag lines and then brighly colored triangles, circles, flashing lines. If I weren't so afraid of what was happening, I would have enjoyed the show.

In any event my husband began looking up those symptoms on the internet and BAM, there all my symptoms were. All the symptoms I've been having for over 30 years with no diagnosis. I would have never believed you could be having a migraine without a severe headache.

I immediately called my neurologist, who at this point was treating me with Meclizine for vertigo. He said it definitely sounded like a migraine!

I am so happy and optomistic now since I know there are medications out there that can hopefully help prevent the debilitating symptoms I've been experiencing for so long.

Colleen <colleen_johnson@bellsouth.net>
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 17:22:28

At age 63 I am a lifelong Migraine sufferer, but a lucky sufferer because my triggers are food. Others are harmonal, or worse, Adrenalin (stress) induced.

In 1993, I was having migraines almost every day. Best relief advice I got was from my brother, a 'Nam era medic.

"First try two Tylenols and two Sudophed. Wow! That combo brought a lot of relief within thirty minutes...if I could keep it down.

Other advice sent me to an allergist to do all that patch testing. I learned that my major trigger was SOY, even that tiniest bit in a piece of bread would have me knee walking, commode hugging within twelve hours. Don't even talk to me about mayo or ALL COMMERCIAL SALAD DRESSINGS.

Next on the list is tomatoes (some are worse than others), chicken, mustard, walnuts, corn and bananas. OMG...ever try avoidance diet with that list? But,,,it helped tremendously.

Best PRVENTIVE supplement I have used is Feverfew. For a couple of years one Feverfew capsule and I could normally and no headache. Like others, my body acclimated to it and now I am back on avoidance.

Recently a friend that went to the clinic at University of Washington was told that no matter what your triggers are, to reduce frequency and intensity, Migrainers HAVE to get enough sleep, exercise and most important EAT REGULARLY.

Another surprise is how helpful is an Epsom Salt bath. When those neck and shoulder muscles start contracting, it helps so much! Only way your body can truly absorb magnesium to relax those muscles.

So glad to have found this website. All of us are on a journey, because our bodies are unique, but loved reading about other experiences and picking up some good info.

Gryphonsmom <cktynes@yahoo.com>
Friday, August 13, 2010 at 13:02:39

Hello, I started getting migraines in college 15 years ago. Mine always wake me in the morning at 4am. I've been to many different nuerologists, and tried acupuncture, chiropractic, changed my diet, gave up coffee, I've tried topamax, relpax, migraine herbal medicine, massage, freezing the nerves on my neck... I've even seen a dentist ! Nothing works.

Mine are on the left side of my head. I've been diagnosed with Hemi Cranium Continuum... by my nuerologist. I get migraines 2 to 3 times a week... so painful.. I cannot move my head..

Any suggestions.. any help out there. I've had blood work done by my endocrynologist.. and an MRI and cat scan. Doctors can't find anything.

I treat them with Imitrex right now... Topamax.. never worked but just made me stupid.. and I'm still feeling side effects of Topamax which I haven't taken in over 2 years..

Any other options..? Are there any great doctors..

I've exhausted my funds on scams and empty promises.. for help..

Thanks for this..

Robin <robinjeanspringer@gmail.com>
Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11:29:00

Hi, For anyone taking a triptan for their Migraines, Amerge (naratriptan Hydrochloride) just went generic last week. One of the manufactures approved to market is Paddock. It appears that they have shipped some of their product direct to the pharmacies. I went to my pharmacy (nationally known chain) and they had one box on the shelf. The pharmacist tried to order more, but it was not in his system yet. He said give it just a little bit and he will be able to order. You will need a prescription for either Amerge (with substitution permissable) or naratriptan hydrochloride 2.5 mg. My copay for 9 pills just went from $75 to $15. What a win!

Susan <sks0267@optimum online.net>
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 13:42:42

Hi everyone--I love the stories here, and wanted to add mine. I get moderately severe one-day migraines four or five times a year. I had one on friday and wanted to write about my experiences for my friends and family. People don't really understand what it's like, and I wanted to show them how. Check it out here, at my blog, if you're interested:

http://paperclippeople.blogspot.com/2010/06/migraine-diary-part-one.html

Thanks,

Richard

Richard Santos <richardgsantos@gmail.com>
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 15:52:24

Today I woke up with a horrible migraine. Last night for dinner I had a salad with ranch a stoffers spaghetti and iced tea. I think that may have something to do with it.

breanne reed <brereed2009@live.com>
Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 10:43:39

Aloha from Hawaii!
My name Evelyn and I have been suffering from migraines since the age of 18. There have been times when I did not know who to turn to, but with the help of my family, my friends, and my doctors, I have been able to cope with my conditions.

I am glad that I came across this website. It is a good feeling to know that there are people out there who are going through the same experiences that I going through. Right now, I have found that my treatment of Imitrex and Topomax is helping. My diet also consists of fresh foods, more water, and less sodium. It has made a difference. I'm hopeful that there will be a cure for all of us one day!

Evelyn <evieann808@yahoo.com>
Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 15:24:09

I have had migraines for about 10 years and they have become unbearable. I have been on a vareiy of anti-depressants to prevent them, imitrex, topomax, anitriptyline, maxalt, axert (which helped for awhile), an many others. I have seen mental health dr's, neurologists, chiropractors, optomotrist and several primary physicians. Despite all this and numerous medical test I continue to suffer.

In the past I would have 1-2 bad ones per month. But things have become much worse. Just this month I have had over 12. I had my worst one where the pain became so severe that I blacked out for 20 minutes in the tub luckily I was found. I have no memory of it or the rest of the evening.

I have auras, lose vision, extreme light and smell sensitivity, memory loss, besides constantly hitting 8,9,10 on the pain scale. Im becoming depressed because no can help it seems. Now I am worried about loosing my job or just being able to work. I don't know what else to do but life has becoming hell.

Jeremy Belcher <skullyman13@aol.com>
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 13:40:50

As one who suffers from chronic migraine it seems the only thing that does the trick when one gets full blown is a cocktail of 150 mgs of Demerol and 75 of Phenegan along with sleep. Should I be down at the beach when one hits I usually end up on the front porch of the beach house in a recliner with less of the cocktail and meditating. Either way I do my best to stay out of the ER.

ladyhuckleberry <ladyhuckleberry@aol.com>
Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 17:15:03

Hi guys,
I have had great success with my migraines after suffering for 19 years. I want to share my success in case it will benefit anyone out there. My migraines began after I gave birth to my one and only child. Prior to child birth I had awful monthly periods and endometriosis. Because of my history, I felt that my migraines were related to my hormones. I had my hormone levels checked several times, only to be told that they were in the normal range. I've done the normal CT scans, MRI, EEG scans. Been to every doctor around the world and tried every preventative medication out there. Narcotic pain relievers only intensified my pain. Triptans were the only thing that gave me any relief for about 12 hours. As I got older the migraines got worse. After having a migraine for 28 days, I decided that I was going to go against the medical field and try natural. This led me to a site that advertised an e-book called The Natural Cure to Your Migraine headaches. This book discribed my migraines completely. It recommend Bioidentical Progesterone. I began taking the Progesterone 52 days ago. During this time I have had two migraines, which only lasted one to two days each. My migraines in the past have always lasted five to seven days. I strongly recommend this to any woman that feels like her migraines may be hormone related. It has changed my life.

Brenda <bellneel@hotmail.com>
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 09:43:02

Hey Everyone. I just experienced my first ever real migraine this week. I've had a couple severe headaches in the past, but the one I just experience took me by surprise. It started off with 2 hours of a white foglike vision. I couldn't even type at work. Then after the vision impairment, I had an hour of severe headache. After the headache I felt some nausea and had to vomit. I am hoping someone can give me some feedback. I went to the Dr. and got a prescription. What I want to know is if I should pick up my medication. Is my experience really a migraine? According to my Dr. it is but I rather hear from the real experts... Thanks!

mya <mymy408@sbcglobal.net>
Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 03:21:40

I am 25 years old and have had migraines with aura since age 13. My migraines have gotten significantly worse over the past 6 months. I have been on multiple preventive medicines, triptins, and pain killers with no relief. I have a migraine almost every day. I have tried steriod shots in the greater occipital nerve and even had the nerve froze. I recently saw a neurologist that told me to take some tylenol and "suck it up". These migraines are taking over my life. If I make it through the work day all I do at home is sleep. I dont feel as though I have a life any more. I am driving 3 hours from my home next week to see yet another specialist in hopes that maybe I can find some sort of relief. I wish everyone that has this disease the best of luck, I truly understand your pain and suffering. Hang in there, we can make it through this.

Breanna <tismebeetchez@ymail.com>
Monday, March 15, 2010 at 11:55:17

Hi,
I just found this web-site. I am depressed from having 5 days a week of either headache or migraine for the past year. (Some weeks have been less.)
I've tried 4 preventative medicines through a neurologist that haven't worked. I tried biofeedback that didn't work. I may be getting rebound headaches but what can I do when I'm in pain?? I tried not taking anything last week and had the worst headache of my life! Any suggestions??
It's so frustrating!! I'm getting my 1st botox treatment this Thu. and am taking B-2,Q10 and magnesium for the last month. HELP!!!

Nadine

Nadine Wodarczyk <dwodarcz@twcny.rr.com>
Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 11:49:09