I am a Sydney-based Naturopathy student and will soon be giving a presentation to fellow 3rd year Nat students on Migraine management. This is a tad ironic as I have been trying to master my own migraine management for approx 17 years (I'm now 26). I spent most days between the ages of 10 and 18 as a pain-killer junkie, with very little relief and even less idea of what was going on around me. I have avoided all meds now for the last 7 years. Anyway, while I certainly do not claim to have any 100% answers for anyone else's case, I remain confident that I will eventually be able to manage my own migraines (or at least greatly reduce the frequency) with lifestyle management. Already, a few years ago, I reduced my number of attacks from 30 completely incapacitating attacks in one 12 month period to 6 in the following 12 months, using no medication in either year!! (and don't believe anyone who tells you that if you don't need to medicate, the pain can't be that bad. Politely spit at their feet.) I have averaged 6 migraines a year for the last 3 years.
If anyone is a practising Naturopath/Herbalist/Nutritionist (especially if Australian-based, but also practicing elsewhere) with experience in successfully treating migraine long term, I would be very appreciative of contact with you.
By the way... tears have welled in my eyes each time that I read the poetry on this site. For the first time (ever) I have read my own experience coming from the words of others. If I weren't researching for this presentation I would not have thought to look. I will be reading a couple of the poems out to my classmates to encourage understanding and compassion in the people who will be asked to treat us, who have not experienced a migraine attack.

Leanne <jrumbold@bigpond.net.au>
Thursday, September 27, 2001 at 20:26:07

Hi again, everyone!! I am back again, and still with the same bad news. I am 6 weeks into the Depo shot and still have 6-8 more to go. I went to the ob/gyn to see if he could do anything at all. He gave me some estrogen patches to try and counter-act some of the roller-coaster hormone ride I have been on. Also put my on a valium regimen to try and help the same thing. Then I went and saw my neuro (my hero)and he increased the Paxil to try and fight the depression. So, basically I am a walking zombie at the moment.It is now Sept 25 and I have been in out-patient for shots 5 times since the August 3rd shot. Last Friday I told the nurses to just set me up a cot and I would be their mascot!! Gotta have a sense of humor about it a little!! I hope everyone is doing well and is as pain free as they can be!! Take care and my mailbox is always open!! :-) Visit my homepage at: http://hometown.aol.com/thebelle1/myhomepage/profile.html

Bonnie Allen <TheBelle1@aol.com>
Tuesday, September 25, 2001 at 14:24:04

Hello. I am a 33 yr old female who has suffered from migraines since early childhood. My father was a sufferer as well but has luckily "outgrown" his attacks as he puts it. My 9 yr old niece is also suffering. Like many of you, I have also gone the full gammet of possible treatment and tests. I have experienced the vomiting, the aura, the cluster headaches, the one-on-top-of-the-other migraines, tunnel vision, lightning rods, etc. I have tried to chart and understand the patterns of my migraines for years but to this day I have yet to understand why the patterns and triggers change throughout the years. I have been to the allergy doctor, the neurologist for more tests, the eye doctor and then to the family practitioner. First of all, let me tell you that I recently had sinus surgery in hopes that this would help alleviate some of the migraines (at least those that were allergy triggered). Unfortunately it only helped for a little while. Aside from the fact that I needed the surgery anyway, it didn't greatly improve my headaches like I hoped it would. I have tried many treatments such as Caffergot, Imitrex, Migranal, Maxalt, propranolol, Diltiazem, Inderol, Neurontin, Midrin and I'm sure others that I have forgotten along the way. I don't know about any of you, but the triptan drugs such as Imitrex and Maxalt actually worsened my migraine when I took it. Imitrex made me feel like I was being strangled and Maxalt made me feel extreme pressure at the base of my skull - almost unbearable (as if a migraine is to begin with). I started to have luck with the calcium channel blocker Diltiazem. It worked for me for about a month and a half. I thought it was the best drug in the world until I started getting unbearable muscle cramps. Not too long after that I started getting the muscle tension and pressure at the base of my skull and behind my ear. Unfortunately I have tried another calcium channel blocker that had the same result. Yesterday my doctor put me on a beta blocker (even though propranalol didn't work for me before). She put me on Nadolol so we'll see if that helps any. I must say though, I have been to many doctors and what makes the difference is finding a doctor that understands and who is willing to try every option out there. I was fortunate to find a family physician who herself suffers from migraine. She understands the pain and understands that each person has their own triggers and what drugs work for some, won't work for others. I was ready to give up my search for relief but she wouldn't let me. She is constantly trying to find alternative measures to treat migraine. She even told me that the drug Flovent which is used for asthma has the side effect of relieving migraines. I haven't gone that route yet though. So far what works the best for me for relief is combining Midrin with several ibuprofen. It doesn't make it completely go away, but it makes it more bearable. I usually have to keep taking it throughout the course of the headache (a day or two). I have learned to just deal with the hung over feeling the day or two afterwards. I am glad to have found this web page though. It's comforting to know that others are experienceing the same thing. It gets frustrating when family, friends and co-workers fail to empathize and understand what we are going through here. It isn't the same as having a simple headache.

Ava <ava.blair@mantech.com>
Tuesday, September 25, 2001 at 11:41:07

I wish I could've told you DON'T USE DEPO PROVERA because someone convinced me of the same - that it would be better for me than the pill, but it was WORSE and I gained 15 pounds! (I've NEVER gained weight over my 98 lb before this horrible shot). Since I got off Depo and still off the pill, I still get chronice migraines, but the intensity isn't quite as bad as often and I haven't been to the ER as often. And it feels good to have one less medicine... There are other methods for BC.

BEst of luck to everyone!

Dee <deecanitano@msn.com>
Friday, September 21, 2001 at 08:08:18

Hi! Everyone, How are all of you doing? I hope all are pain free.I have had migraine's for 15 year's . They started after my first son. I hate going in for a shot because the doctor's treat me like I'm looking for a fix . My stepfather suffred them to. I now know what he went threw . I never got to tell him that I understand now. And that I'm sorry for the dought I had in my mind.I have a ten year old daughter who tries to take care of me when I get sick. She shouldent have to do this . But she does it out of love. It is not fare to her . But I cant keep the pain hid . It is on my face . My husband is great he tries to help to . But sometimes I just want to be left alone. I just wanted to tell all of you I know how you feel.And as many people who dont know there are many more that do. My prays are with all of you LeAnn

LeAnn <llboyce@prodigy.net>
Monday, September 17, 2001 at 12:43:14

Well, for any of you who are keeping up with everyone I am back and not with good news! I took the Depo-Provera shot to stop at least the menstrual migraine and I have had a level 8-10 migraine ever since. I mean, I have had them daily for 3 years, but I have to say this is about the worse. I have been in Out-Patient 3 times this month and the last 2 visits it took 200 mg of Demerol to bring me any real relief. I am going to the nuero tommorow and will most likely go to Out-Patient again. Story of my life. Anyway, I have created a web page I invite all of you to take a look at. The address is: http://www.hometown.aol.com/thebelle1/myhomepage/profile.html.And I want to remind anyone who needs someone to vent to, chat with or exchange information with, please remember that my mailbox is always open to migraine SURVIVORS (not sufferers, we are survivors!) and their families!! Have a pain free night everyone!

Bonnie Allen <TheBelle1@aol.com>
Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 19:13:18

Does anyone out there get migraines from being in the heat and humidity for just, literally, 2 or 3 minutes, or get migraines whenever the barometric pressure changes with a storm front? I've developed extreme sensitivity to heat and weather changes, and I've tried everything from the blood pressure meds to seizure meds. Imitrex helps most of the time, but it doesn't seem to touch the headache when a severe storm comes through. It's pretty much like "arthritis of the head" since I feel a front coming just like arthritis sufferers can feel the weather changes. It feels like someone is pumping air into my brain and there's no way for the pressure to escape. Fortunately I have a neurologist who is willing to try anything I ask, because we've tried everything he knows to try. He's affiliated with the National Headache Foundation, and he's never made me feel like a drug-seeker. In fact, during my last visit, he told me that under my circumstances, he would be willing to allow me to become a "controlled dependent" to a long-acting painkiller such as Oxycontin. I'm not ready for dependency yet, though I'm not far from it to relieve this uncontrollable pain. Does anyone else suffer from these triggers, and if so, have you found a medication that relieves or prevents the headache? Please email me at JenLykins@aol.com and put Headache in the subject line.
Thanks to anyone with advice.

Jenny <JenLykins@aol.com>
Monday, September 3, 2001 at 22:36:45

Has anyone ever had any success with taking very small amounts of estrogen continuously to help control hormonal migraines?

Deb
Sunday, September 2, 2001 at 21:49:42

I have been taking Imitrex and now Maxalt for the past 7 years with great success. But lately I have been having side effects from the Imitrex or Maxalt, muscle and joint achiness after I take the med. My neuro has not heard of this side effect. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do. I am trying to take less meds but that is hard when I have about 6 migraines a month. I don't want to give up the Maxalt but I don't want more health problems.

Deb
Sunday, September 2, 2001 at 05:03:25

I have had migraines for 19 years. Several years ago I was
thrilled to find that Imitrex nasal spray almost always provided
relief. I am now experiencing sinus problems that I have never
had before, and wonder if Imitrex might be the reason. The sinus
pain and pressure is my cheek, eye and head is almost constant
and making me very depressed. I have had a scan done of my
sinuses (normal) and been given numerous antibiotics as well as
Flonase and Nasonex. I have cut all dairy from my diet, exercise
regularly and take echinacea and goldenseal daily. The sinus
pain persists and often causes a migraine which lasts for four days
or so. Has anyone else experienced this with Imitrex or have any
ideas of things I could try?
I would be most grateful for any response.

Lori <fpaneto@hotmail.com>
Saturday, August 25, 2001 at 14:28:37

Here is a tip for SEVERE headaches with unknown origins: i found a cure with a diagnosis of Hypothyroidism!! headaches are a symptom. I urge everyone to be tested!!!!!!

del <del13@earhlinl.net>
Friday, August 24, 2001 at 22:28:17

Sorry to hear that so many of you suffer from this terrible problem. I have had migraines for about 10 years after a waterskiing accident. I hurt my neck REAL bad and ever since, bam, I have had migraines. I have evry test known to man and every pill, but I have found only one thing that works. After trying SEVERAL different types of meds, I have found the ultimate med. I know that taking a narcotic is extremely dangerous, but if it works, it works! I take 2 vicodines in the morning and 2 at night. I feel like a new woman. I know what most of you are thinking, but I rather have a dependency problem, than these terrible migraines. I finally have my life back. No more spending days in bed and not going to work due to migraines.

Kris <kris_keller@hotmail.com>
Friday, August 24, 2001 at 02:39:21

HI, my name is Gail,
I have been having migraines since I was a child, except they disappeared I think when I was a teenager, to return again after I had my first child. I remember when I was young, how crook I felt in the stomach and my head hurt so much, if my parents painted the house. I remember I couldn't stand the smell of cooking when I was sick, it was so strong. I remember sitting on beach on the weekends when my parents took us swimming, and the heat knocked me about. The pain in my head was so bad I wanted to lay down and die. Theses migraines were not recognized then, until they returned again at the age of twenty one. After going to the doctors and finding out what
exactly was going on with my head, did I remember these same feelings as a child because them times stood out so vividly for me.
I now suffer migraine 2 to 3 days a fortnight. I suffer from common migraine, classic migraine (with aura) and classic migraine (with aura but no pain). I have been on upto 9 preventitives daily for a few months until they wear thin and the pain returns, then I stop taking them for a while and build them back up again until the pain breaks thru them again.

gail <bluecontact@excite.com>
Wednesday, August 22, 2001 at 12:26:31

I've gotten migraines since I was 10 or 11 - I'm not entirely sure when I first got one, as my family thought they were "sinus-headaches." My father and two of my aunts also get migraines, though they consider them sinus problems and have never had them treated/diagnosed.

I've tried various medical and alternative treatments (Imitrex (pills and nasal spray), Migranol, Wigraine, Zomig, biofeedback training, etc.). The Zomig works better than the other drugs, but it doesn't seem to provide lasting relief - ie I'll get another migraine the following day.

One thing that has actually HELPED is excercise. While intense exercise is a trigger for me, moderate, regular exercise decreases the frequency of my headaches enormously (from 4-5 a week to 2-3 a month). When I stop, I get intense migraines; likewise, when I start exercising again after a few weeks "off," I get exercies induced headaches. Obviously, this isn't a great solution, but it's worked much better than any of the drugs I've tried. If nothing else, this method increases my overall health :-)

Marisa Brandt <marisabrandt@yahoo.com>
Tuesday, August 21, 2001 at 15:43:24

Hello...I am 24 years old and have been having migraines since I was 8 years old. I can remember when I was little, being so sick that I had to have cold showers all summer, and stay away from the sun because my head hurt so much. I remember being sick to my stomach every time because I would take so many tylenol that my body couldn't handle it. I saw my eye doctor, who thought I needed sunglasses. I saw a neurologist, that said there wasn't anything he could do. I saw a physiotherapist who said I had bad posture, and my doctor, who gave me preventative meds (propranalol, Imigtrex, Inderal, and Tylenol 2's) then a Neurologist who told me to take Maxalt.

My migraines were always on the left side of my head, I had a CT Scan when I was younger, it showed nothing, and had my alergies tested which meant nothing. Now I have had treatment from a chiroprator. At first it seemed that I was cured by this - but now I feel in even more pain then before. My neck hurts constantly, between my shoulder blades as well. I have headaches almost daily, and at least a migraine every weekend.

I feel as though I can't go anywhere without a bottle of various pills, asprin, codeine, mersyndol, gravol - anything that will take the pain away, and I will just keep taking them until I feel some relief.

Some friends have suggested seeing a Homeopath - or one of those doctors who looks into your eyes - I am going for my first massage this week - in an attempt to relieve some of the pain. I just don't know what to do anymore - if anyone has any suggestions I am willing to try anything at this point. Help?

Lisa <lisa_hammy@yahoo.ca>
Sunday, August 19, 2001 at 20:58:24