I've been having them for 23 years...since I was 20. I tried Imitrex and was scared to death by the way it made my heart race and beat like it was going to explode, plus it didn't help.
At different times, chiro and massage have helped...but they are costly too, depending how often you need them. I've tried acupuncture with great success...yes it is costly too, but works much faster and longer....you may only require a few treatments for life...who knows?
For the past 10 years, I've been popping 2 Advil Extra Strength and drinking loads of strong coffee....then depending on how long I've put off treating it and how bad it is, I either listen to the radio, watch/listen to some TV or read a bit just so that I don't concentrate on the pain. If I was silly enough to let it get really out of hand I have to do the lying down in a quiet, dark room trick. If it IS at that point I do some self hypnosis...picturing a fuzzy ball that seems to get bigger and smaller. I imagine this ball sucking out the headacheas it seems to get smaller and farther away.
Those are my little tricks. I have a wonderfully understanding 6 yr old daughter who knows just how to care for me when I have these (I'm so lucky!)
The coolest thing about being pregnant was that I didn't have a single migraine....but they came back after a year...RATS!
Personally, I think that caffeine is the best of the evils.
Lots of luck to you! Take care,

I am on preventatives, and I really think those are helping....at least for the last 15 yrs! I started mine when I was 7...I am 48 now. DD Started at the same age also.

When I was younger, I would HAVE TO just go to our BR, close the light blocking curtains and stay there until they were over. Those were the days that the Dr. (Dr.'S) would pat my hand and tell me it was 'just a headache'!!! (You younger ones that have been able to get help for your headaches have NO idea how lucky you are)

I did find out something interesting when I went to a specialist. I found out that I (and MANY people do) have rebound headaches. You keep medicating over and over and they just keep hanging on. The specialist wanted to slap me in the hospital right there and then to 'detox' my body!! I had 2 small children at home and no family in the area...I said that I would go home and quit EVERYTHING I was taking. I did....let me tell you, it was he!! for about 2 weeks!! Dean was about ready to put me in the hospital to GET drugs! LOL Now I am really careful to medicate when I need it, but not more than 3 days! Mine usually don't last more than 24 hours tho.

I have tried all the normal migraine meds oral and shots. They actually made me feel worse...although the headache would lessen, but like you, I didn't like the feeling of the racing heart!

I ALWAYS have Phrenilin on hand. (Although my druggist can't get Phrenilin any longer and has switched me to Fioricet...I don't think it kicks in as well.) As SOON as I have 'that feeling' (usually it is starts in one of my hands...they get almost asleep like feeling, and then it travels up my arm to that side of my head....strange) I grab one to start with, and if after 30-45 minutes it isn't slowing it, I take another, then I head to bed...because I know it is not going to stop until I do.

They are awful and unless you have suffered from a true migraine, you just can't/don't understand them. I sure hope yours starts to feeling better soon.

I know Vickey_MN (I haven't seen her around her for a while???) suffers from migraines, and I know that she has went through some EXTREME medical testing to see what was causing her so many....hers would last for months. I think she had alot of rebound also.

Kickypants- since you brought it up and since you won't think it's CRAZY- a headache clinic I went to back in the 80's had me learn to lie down and concentrate on "warming my hands". Meditation that redirects bloodflow away from the head area and more the extremities. It really does work to some degree. Try that when the fuzzy ball isn't quite working!

For me, migraines come when I have been under stress and it's finally over, often on a Friday night after a rough week.

If I put my feet in hot water and put a cold pack on the back of my neck at the same time it helps.

I'm 57, and I know I remember, as a child, having really severe headaches that would make me feel sick at my stomach. The school nurse would send me home, and my mom would send me right back (go back to school, you'll feel better). I know this was happening when I was in first grade, so I imagine I've had them pretty much all my life.

But was undiagnosed until my dd, at about age 10-11, started having monthy bouts of uncontrollable vomiting. Nothing worked--we would run to the pediatrician's office in the middle of the night for an injection that was supposed to control vomiting, but it didn't. He kept diagnosing her as having 'cyclicle vomiting' and claiming it was common among children (frankly, I've never known another child with it). He refused to order any tests, refused to refer us to a specialist. After a number of months, though, I just made an appt. with one of the pediatric gastroenterologists at CHOP. Within 10 minutes he'd diagnosed the problem, explained why stomach meds weren't working (because problem wasn't in her stomach, but her head), and for good measure, diagnosed me as well. DD has abdominal migraines--no headache but hours of vomiting.

What triggers us? She can't be around garlic. I will get a migraine immediately if I see a bright flash of light (strobe lights, police cars with the lights flashing, even a flash off a car's chrome when I'm driving). I also have a problem with a lot of cleaners. Mine seem to be slightly affected by allergies--I get more migraines in the spring and fall, when I'm more affected by seasonal allergies. And sometimes, there's no identifiable trigger at all--they just arrive unexpectedly.

What helps? One thing dd and I find works well--we take a long, hot shower (as hot as you can possibly stand) when the headache begins. Then, I lie down, keeping the top half of my body as warm as possible, and my feet cold. That helps because the hot shower opens up the blood vessels in your head, and then, cooling your feet, slows down the returning blood, so it doesn't back up in your head again. Some folks put a cool towel on their heads--that FEELS good at the time, but it actually prolongs the condition that causes a migraine (at least from the research I've done.) I find that an Excedrine Migraine (or Ex-strength Exedrine--they're the same), washed down with a Pepsi helps, but the caffeine does leave me bouncing off the walls. Of course, it goes without saying that quiet and dark are essential.

I will offer you this hope. Now that I'm past menopause, I find that I get fewer migraines, and they seem to be less severe usually. Which makes sense, since they are also tied to your hormones.

Hope you feel better soon, and find the exact combo of help that works for you--it does seem that everyone has their own triggers and their own specific treatments that help--no one thing works for all. Good luck

DG...i feel like I've been with you thru them DA**ed things...i think we bonded cause of our stupid headaches...there is hope...it's called menopause...mine have all but stopped...i might get two a year now...if that! I still keep an immetrex with me whereever I am!

I have had migraines since after my second pregnancy... DD is now turning 18 this month. I did not know they were migraines, always had headaches as a kid and caulked that up to the WIND in Lethbridge growing up. (Barometric pressure changes can often trigger both migraines and headaches and here we can have -20 one day and +3 the next) Spent almost one year after DD was born having days I wished I would DIE. With a small infant and DS was 3yrs old at the time I could not handle light, the pain over my right eye would feel like my head would explode. Always felt like puking, never had anything in my stomach but the pain over my eye and in my right cheekbone was always there. Worst ones lasted three days, taking 3 over the counter Advil or Tylenol EXTRA strength did NOTHING. (And I would take a second dose within 2 hours... nothing!) Finally saw a doctor and she asked me if I was trying to be a hero or something for not taking a prescription for my migraines?? (She also mentioned that taking certain Birth control pills will ENHANCE MIGRAINES!)

Over the last 16 years I have taken them all. Like any drug our body will get used to the product and to switch it up once in a while is my best advice. Imetrix, Zomig, Zomig Rapid, and there were others. Currently I am taking AXERT, it is a bigger dose and one of the newer drugs. Best results means taking the RX RIGHT AWAY. I used to hold off because of the cost, thinking the migraine would go away, but that is WRONG!! I do get some migraines that wake me up in the middle of the night but if I take AXERT right away, it is gone with-in 20 minutes. There is re-bound migraines, and usually I will have them two or three days in a row, but IF I TAKE THE RX right away I am fine for the day. I am 42 now, and they are triggered close to my cycle, though sometimes before, sometimes during, and sometimes after. I would not take the RX if we didn't have coverage, DH's plan pays for 90% so it is $100 for 6 AXERT and for me to have a productive day I can handle the $1.50 it costs us. (AFTER COVERAGE)

Triggers.. I binge on Chocolate almost always CRAVE IT when it is close to my cycle... I do drink occasionally... but if I get a hangover... it is different then a migraine. I do not usually mix types of alcohol... because I do get headaches from that, but it is different then my migraines. My doctor has always said to keep a food journal and then you can look back to what when into your body the previous days to getting the migraine. You would think I would do this, as I have had how many years of migraines...

I never read the side effects for drugs... especially for the migraine ones because the list is incredibly long. The only thing I notice is a cold nose? Odd I know, but that is it. DD gets occasional migraines, and has tried, (with Doctor approving) taking RX for migraines. She gets the fast beating heart, and STIF NECK. Migraines stays with her longer then with me, but she only gets one every 3-5 months, not monthly like me.

I never realized how many of us suffer from migraines, and I felt so stupid for not using something sooner. I am always willing to try anything... but I know that the DAYS I wasted trying to "fight it through" are gone.

I hope something works for you!

Rosie

Dramagal....I like that idea of redirecting the bloodflow by having to concentrate on it. If I don't keep my mind off the migraine all I do is think "ow ow ow that hurts hurts hurts!" Really doesn't help at all!

Never thought I'd say this but....kind of looking forward to menopause now yikes!!

I had mild migraines almost daily for the last 4 fall and winters. Mine seemed to be weather related since I didn't have them in the spring or summer. I was on Topamax*, Imitrex and a couple others. The only thing that helped was Darvocet or Vicoden and even those didn't always work, my neurologist at the time didn't want me taking the narcotics so he gave me a script for a nasal spray called Stadol - I used it once and I thought that I was going to go to sleep and never wake up. I felt so drugged! Never took that again!

When I was diagnosed with Hashimotos and started on thyroid meds my headaches went away. This is the first fall and winter in over 4 years that I haven't been plagued with those chronic migraines. I do still get mild headaches now and then, but nothing I need heavy duty medication for.

Your TSH can be normal if you have Hashimotos. They need to check for thyroid antibodies. I'm still not well, trying to figure out which of the medications work for me...but no more migraines!

* Topamax has a side effect of weight loss for some people... not me though and not my DF who took it. I did have tingling fingers and memory loss while on Topamax, a friend who took it started having hair loss - see link for more info on Topamax. She started taking the vitamin Biotin and that seemed to help. The headaches didn't go away for either of us on Topamax. It does work for some people though.

Here is a link that might be useful: Topamax Forum

I remember the first migraine I ever got...I thought surely I was dying of some horrid brain disorder! Dh took me to the ER because I was so out of it. And I have a very high pain tolerance. A shot of demoral didn't touch it. Finally went home with a couple of different drugs, fiorocet was one. I also took something I can't remember the name of when I was going to be in the sun. That was a trigger for me.
I hated the drugged feeling almost as much as the headache.
I suffered several years with them and finally happened upon a Dr in the ER that said, 'have you ever tried acupuncture?'
I hadn't, she did a whole series of needles and it was like almost instant relief.
I would go back every few months and the treatments lasted longer and longer.
I rarely get a full blown migraine now, but I do get the optical migraines. And when I feel one of those coming on I immediately fill the sink with the hottest water I can stand and put my hands in it. If I do that, continually adding almost boiling water, I can stop the headache.
It's strange how very hot water will almost feel cold after you get over the initial burn.
Migraines are no fun that's for sure.
But only someone who has had one can truly know that pain.
Hopefully some day they will come up with a magic drug to take the instant you feel it coming on.
I feel for anyone that suffers from these horrid things.

I take Topamax as a preventative. It's been a godsend for me. I used to have migraines every week or so -- now I get them only every 5 or 6 weeks. The side effects were pretty hard to deal with the first few months (sleepiness, tingling in hands and feet, and general dopey feeling), but I've adjusted well, and I'm very happy to be on it. For once in my life, I feel free.

When I do get a migraine, I take Relpax (the side effects from Imitrex were always too much for me) along with Aleve. There was a study done recently that showed taking Imitrex with naproxen sodium was more efficacious than just taking Imitrex alone; I'm not sure if the same holds true with Relpax and Aleve, but I figure it doesn't hurt ;) They're planning on releasing a combination drug of Imitrex and naproxen sodium, but I don't see why you should pay the money for that when you can just buy them separately and take them.

I occasionally get a migraine, but it usually starts and stops with just the "aura" , funny lights in my eye like an old fashioned flash-bulb pop. I take Clonidine for blood pressure and I think that helps ward off migraines. Talk to your doctor. There is generic Clonidine available and it costs me only a five dollar co-pay for 90 pills. My script is for three a day but I take only one. I do have good insurance that covers prescriptions. I'm in NY.

I use to have migraines for at least 2 days every week. One time I was off work for weeks because I had them constantly.

The best thing for me is a preventative. It's a calcium channel blocker - Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin). It has greatly reduced them.

They also did a sleep study which confirmed that my sleep was "non-restorative". So they also gave me a medication to improve the quality of sleep.

Mine are also triggered by my allergies, so I take an over-the counter non-drowsy allergy pill.

As you probably know, try to have the same schedule for sleeping every day of the week - which is easier said than done.

Also, if you drink anything caffeine, make sure that you have the same amount everyday, and have it at relatively the same time.

When I do get a migraine, the Relpax plus a Coke or Pepsi works the best.

Good luck,
Lynne

I suffered my first migraine about 10 years ago. I thought I was having a stroke. My vision was blurred and I was slightly off balance. I could see a starburst shape in my central vision that moved from one side of the eye to the other. It lasted for about 45 minutes. I went to the ER and they asked if I had a headache. I said no, I had no pain at all. They said "Well you probably will soon"
I saw a neurologist who did tests including a CT Scan and he confirmed that it was Migraine.
Funny thing though is, I never did get a head ache with that first one. Now I get the pain.
Usually if I have eaten citrus fruit or had red wine. And if you want to know if a storm is on the way just ask. DH calls me his human barometer.
ADVIL Liquigels work for me. If I take them at the first sign I can sometimes end it. Coffee and a couple of those works great!!
Sometimes the migraine hangover is as bad as the migraine event itself. I feel worn out after a bad migraine and just want to sleep.

Lynne, my BP med is Verapamil! I am also now on Benecar to go with it, as the Verapamil alone was no longer keeping down enough. When I first started with high BP, I had migraines from the high bp.

I had a friend once who had migraines. Her dr. told her to take 2 asprin and chase them with a coke. Something about the asprin and the amt of caffine in the coke together worked.

Also, I started a post about migraines and vertigo you guys might want to read.

Tami

This is my third time to try and answer your post. First time I wrote a LONG answer, second not so long so here goes. I have had them for over 30 years--sometimes going months without one. Lately they are getting rough. I am having one every week or so for the past 3 months. Chocolate, cheese and blinking lights can trigger mine. I also think stress and hormones too. Imitrex use to help but now the side effects are so bad I can't take it. Just plain ole asprin helps as much as anything. Excedrin if you need to stay up because of the caffeine. Topomax gave my daughter such bad side effects that I don't want to try it. My auras last about 20 min and then the headache comes. I have had auras with no headache but they are rare. My dad has these, my brother and now my daughter. What a thing to pass on!

I also meant to add that it takes several days to get to feeling back to normal. I had my last one Thurs and my head is still sore. I am going to my Neuro and see if there are any new things to try. Will keep you posted if I find anything.

I take Relpax and 2 nuproxin at the onset of a migraine on the recomendtion of my neurologst a headache specialist. Yes I went through much testing and it was well worth it. I had migraines that would last up to 6 weeks. I also take a daily preventative..Topamax, and 1000 mgs of magnesium (OTC, and an antidepressant Vivactil. E-mail me if you'd like I can send you the info he gave me. Some things that helped....Like Sandy said, I now never take anything for more than 3 days. Found I was rebounding rather than the original Migraine. I take the meds faster, many migrainers "Hord" meds, but the sooner you take them, the faster they work. If the meds you're taking don't seem to be working, then they're not, and you need something else. I've tried all the above mentioned plus more to find what would work for me. When the relpax stops working my next step is toradol injections, and not by the nice pen, but actual shots, and I don't know if I can do that. But if I have to I will. Also realize not all neurologist are good with migraines. I was seeing a nerologist and things just didn't "seem right" with what he was doing. He had me taking fiorinal daily. (remember the 3 day rule..yup, rebound headaches from the fiorinal were happening)..so I researched on my own, found this doctor that specialized in migraines, and what a difference. He right out said that the neurologist I was seeing was completely wrong in much of what he was doing, he removed me from all his meds, and we started a new regime. I had to see a occupational therapist, learn how to relax, I should see a speicalist in bio=feedback, but none are close to me. I had to see a psychologist just to make sure I didn't need more help there. Initially they were so bad he wanted to do botox, but after 3 months on the new regime, the botox was found not to be needed. The change in my life was amazing. I am getting them more freequently again (2-3 times a week and I don't know why) but they only last a few hours instead of days. I wish I was a person who a couple of advil and coke worked, but I'm not. I haven't had to go to the ER for over a year, so that is nice.\

Vickey-MN

My DD and DIL have migraines and besides the RX and OTC they have on hand, they also keep room temperature Coke, Pepsi or Mountain Dew on hand. They were told that at the first sign of a migraine to chug a room temperature caffeinated drink. It seems to help them a lot and either decreases the migraine or prevents it altogether.

Leslie/KS

I too suffer from the same foods you mentioned,and have gone without
I wear a patch for hormone issues....Estradot.
Without it,I migraine severely,as well as have issues with depression.This particular patch works wonders for me
I had a hysterectomy at 23,so the "system" isnt quite what it should be.
"If" I've had one of the trigger foods,and the migraine gets started,I take 1/2 of a Cafergot tablet,and that usually takes care of the majority of the headache,more or less makes it livable.
I have tried most of the migraine meds and none of them worked,or I would end up allergic or sensitive to them