Seeking Alternatives for Teen W/severe Migraines and Depression

I had horrible migraines all through my teenage years. I was tested for everything under the sun and the doctors never could come up with any answers. I finaly went to a nutritionalist who tested my sugar levels. Everytime I would come in with a migraine she would test my sugar levels again. We found out that my sugar levels would drop drastically at the begining of every one. She put me on a diet that cut out a huge amount of the processed foods that contain high amounts of sugar and salt. This includes cereals, most breads, and processed pastas. She also recomended an herbalist who started me on Green Tea. I drink one cup with every meal.
I don't know if this will help, but it's better to stay off the pills if possible. They are too easy to forget if you ever travel.
H. S

Hi D....

I too suffer from migraines and they are NO fun!! I had test run to make sure there was no tumor of any kind. When that was cleared...I began making a note of everything I ate (or exactly what I was doing) right before my migrain started. I've found that eating too much dairy and drinking diet sodas are KILLERS for me. They bring on strong migraines. Also, too much stress brings my on as well. I've had to learn to take "one day at a time" and relax a little more.

My doctor put me on a medication called "TOPOMAX" which I take once daily (every night before I go to bed). This is to help ease the tension in my head. It has helped ALOT. Once I feel the migraine coming on however, I take a pill called "AXERT". This is also a once a day pill. It really stops the pain. I don't suffer for long.

Perhaps you can speak with your daughter's doctor about these two medications if you haven't already.

Many blessing to you and your daughter!

S. V.
www.dreamplanters.com
____@____.com

Have you tried chiropractic treatment? I do not have experience with migraines but I have a wonderful chiropractor who has helped me with some of my physical problems and I know that he has helped other people with headaches.

Sincerely.
R.

HI D.,

I also say Craniosacral Therapy! That will take care of it!!!

ALSO go to www.wiseworldseminars.com and order
12 Stages of Healing

Peace & Blessings, D.

HI,
I would recommend Cranial/Sacral Therapy and a good nutritionist.

I would recommend DR. Marla Scripter ###-###-#### For the nutrition part and some chriropractic work
and
Brenda Barnetson for the Cranial work. ###-###-#### Her website is
www.craniosacralhealth.com
Brenda also has good contacts with alternative dentists. Dentists who understand how to support the mouth and jar and cranial bones while correcting teeth.

I use both for my own heath care and people I refer to them are very pleased.

M. Barone MA MFT

HI D.,
Sometimes migranes are caused by toxins in the body that build due to an allergy of some sort. My sister had the same thing and she tried cutting different foods out of her diet. She found that she was allergic to wheat and gluten. Since she has cut that completely from her diet she has not had a migrane since! It could also be caused by possible pinched nerves.
I have been seeing a reiki and reflexology specialist and she has done wonders for issues that I have. You might want to try it. I tried acupuncture for a while and this seems to work better for me. If you would like her name and number email me back and I would be happy to share her!
Good luck,
J.

I work for a Chiropractor. He is known as the HEADACHE DOCTOR in our city. If you have not tried, I would suggest you find one in your area and GO SEE him/her for your daughter and even yourself. Chiropractic DOES NOT hurt and will help with NO MEDS AT ALL. Will help with depression as well. I know from experience.
If you have any questions at all, plz feel free to contact me anytime. I would love to answer any ?'s you may have.
Good Luck!!!

Hi D.,
As a teenager, I suffered from migraines as well.(I still get them occasionally). I found that my diet was the number one trigger. So, I cut out the MSG and caffeine. Also, I found that if i exercise too much I get one as well because I get dehydrated too easily.
It might be time for her doctor to get her on Imitrex, if nothing else is working. It is not a cure but it helps immensely with the pain.
So, please try to help your daughter find her triggers. Once those are found and eliminated I think you and your daughter will see a vast improvement.

I used to get severe migraines as a pre-teen, and again with menopause. I received the best help from Dr. Eve Berman in Makawao. She is a cranial osteopath M.D. who may be able to help. best wishes,

Hi D.,

I have suffered from severe migraines (aura-type) since I was 17, and my mother and 2 sisters also suffer. My mother sometimes has migraines that last from 2 weeks to 2 months! The only thing that we have tried that actually gave us some real relief is a muscle relaxer called Baclofen. I take 1-2 10mg tablets when the migraine starts coming on, and they make me very relaxed & sleepy, but they actually take away the migraine pain and the nausea/vomiting with it! It's strange because I was prescribed the medication for a knee injury, and it was just a lucky coincidence that it worked for my migraine within about 30-45 minutes. Being in a dark room with no sound and a warm, wet washcloth or towel across the back of my neck also helps.

I recently told a good friend/fellow migraine sufferer about the Baclofen, and she went to her doctor to try it out. She tried it, and came by the next day to tell me how grateful she was, because she has tried EVERYTHING else with no relief, and this medicine actually works. The only other option that has worked for me has been Vicodin, but it's not something I would recommend for teens, because they're habit-forming and can lead to other problems. But if that's something that works for their pain, you may want to consider getting a prescription for them, but keeping the medication in your possession and administering it to them as needed. I hope this helps you... best of luck to you and your family!

~M.

Hey D.,

As a teenager I suffered with severe migraines (I'm 44 now). After many tests, and medications.....my mother placed me on a no salt diet and all natural foods. It took a couple of months but it lessoned the headache frequency a great deal.

Regular massage has been shown to help with the frequency and severity of migraines. You could also try at-home acupressure. There is a marvelous book called Acupressure's Potent Points by Michael Reed Gach that has easy-to-follow instructions. You may be able to get it in the Library, or I'm sure Amazon has it.
Good luck!

Hi D., I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. Anyone would be depressed if they couldn't get rid of thier headaches and lead a normal life. My name is K. Henry. I am studying to be a naturopath (doctor of natural health). I can help your daughter. If you are in the San Diego area, I can help today. I am with a nanotechnology company. We do indeed deal with pain and depression. Your daughters pain can be relieved in about 60 seconds (I promise). No drugs and no chemicals. Please go to my website and read about ICEWAVE pain patches. My website is Lifewave.com/kherihealth You may call me with any questions and concerns, ###-###-####. For depression look at the Y-age patch. Your daughter will be a changed person. My email is ____@____.com. Everything is going to be alright.

Hi D., A friend of mine who has migraines has been using a vitamin supplement called VeMMA-(Vitamins, essential minerals, Mangosteen & Aloe) It is an all natural product and she says her migraines have all but disappeared. She also said that after taking this vitamin product she feels so much better. So I started taking VeMMA back in June 07 and I too have felt the effects. My cholesterol has gone down 60 points in 6mo. I am thinking that this supplement might help your daughter. If you would like more info about it please feel free to give me a call. ###-###-####.

Cheers~D., mom of 2 boys 3 & 20mo