Migraines - Oneonta,AL

L.,

It's my understanding that migraines are spasms in the blood vessels in your brain. They are caused by a hypersensitivity to the constriction and relaxation of blood vessels. Many things we eat, such as caffeine, cause our blood vessels to constrict (vasoconstrictors). Other things, such as foods with polyphenols such as wine, chocolate, and berries, cause our blood vessels to relax (vasorelaxers). For some people, too much of this constricting and relaxing will cause a spasm. While you are having the aura, that is the actual spasm. And as you know, the pain quickly follows. The first thing you can do is identify and limit how much of these foods you eat. Here's an article that lists some of the foods to limit: http://familydoctor.org/127.xml Cutting down on caffeine can especially help. Although, once you have a migraine, medecines like Excedrin Migraine actually have caffeine in them because that can help the pain once a migraine has started.

Many studies have shown that certain vitamins can stabilize your blood vessels to prevent all this relaxing and constricting and greatly reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. Riboflavin (which is vitamin B12) and magnesium are two that are available in health food stores and are completely safe to take, up to 400mg/day if you want. Feverfew is another herbal supplement that seems to help but that is not recommended if you are pregnant or nursing. My husband and I both take riboflavin and magnesium every day to prevent migraines and it has helped tremendously.

Here's a great article from the American Council for Headache Education:
http://www.achenet.org/articles/45.php

Good luck!
S. T.

L.,
This may sound "cooky" to some, but have you considered acupuncture? Your body may have a buildup of toxins or blocked energy that are contributing to these migraines. I have a good friend who was going through a similar thing and the acupuncture really helped her. If that's too off the wall for you, you may try a chiropractor. Either one will take a more holistic approach to your problem rather than throwing their hands up and perscribing meds.
Another thought is a detox, which will flush your body of toxins and may bring some long term relief. You can get a detox package at Wild Oats or your local natural foods store. There are alot of natural healers out there right now, and they take a much different approach than the allopathic medical industry, and are usually less expensive in the long run. Give it a shot, you may just find some help.
Good luck, I hope relief comes to you soon.

Hi L.-

I SO feel for you. My sister is in the same exact same situation. She feels that stress plays a HUGE role in her migraines, but you have to work, so what do you do? She is a nurse practicioner and has had to see patients with the lights off in the exam room until she has to look at their skin (she's in Dermatology).

I only occasionally have migraines and I can't take anything for them, either, because when you have two kids under the age of 5, you can't sleep 1/2 the day.

I have no suggestions, just empathy.

Good luck,
J.

I too feel for you ,I also have terrible migraines, I am currently taking Topomax for, still get them, I wish I had the answer for you. I took so many GoodyPowders(quick short fix) I got ulcers. I will be checking back to see what others have to say. The doc wanted to prescribe me Zanex-sp? but it knocks me out and with young kids that’s not a possibility, most of the time I end up squinting through the pain.
There are pressure points that seem to help if I can catch it early enough, one on the base of the back your head, slight firm pressure or cold will help reduce blood flow.
Also there is one on your hand this one is tricky but with enough pressure it will help. It is located in that area of skin between your pointer finger and thumb, you should feel it if you squeeze hard enough it may be a little painful(I find it relaxing)but it will also reduce blood flow.
Those help me. Hope they help you.
One more thing-have you had your eyes tested? For years I had horrible headaches only to find out I needed glasses.

Good Luck~N. J.

God bless you, L.. im so sorry about your pain. since you have explored several options you may want to consider a dental exam. i had never had a migraine until i underwent some extensive dental procedures. (bridge,etc.) i was prescribed lortab which helped somewhat but would only dull the pain. i truly believe that i developed what they call "rebound" headaches. these are caused from pain medicine and it's a vicious cycle to break. there are hospitals that specialize in the treatment of rebound headaches b/c the patient has to be carefully weaned off of the meds and monitored closely. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rebound-headaches/DS00613 luckily, i never had to be treated for them...later, i had a minor dental issue and i decided to try a new dentist. right away i was diagnosed with TMJ (grinding of teeth during sleep). the solution was so simple: a small clear plastic night-guard that is worn on the upper front (2) teeth. http://www.nti-tss.com/ it is truly amazing and the headaches are gone!(that page also has info about sleep-apnea) you may want to ask your hubby if he's ever heard you grind your teeth in your sleep.(____@____.com:"cooky":)....well, you just never know! sorry this is lengthy but i read about your sleep issue. my girlfriend's hubby had sleep ap.-she said it involved a simple procedure to remove the little piece of tissue that hangs in the back of the throat dangling between the tonsils..(what in the world is that thing called?lol) he is 100% better and the cost was relatively inexpensive, something like $600...i hope you feel better soon, L., good luck! J.

I am in the same boat as you. The only thing is I tried so many preventative meds (seizure,anti depressants, migrane, ect) that did not work or I was allergic to that I quit trying. Yes certain foods do "trigger" migraines but I had quit caffeine, chocolate, ect and it still did not work. Excedrin makes me sick in the stomach and tylenol and ibuprophen are like taking tic tacs. My sister in law suggested I take 1 80mg asprin a day but asprin makes me sick too. So my suggestion is to try taking a daily asprin, and if you havent already been checked, see about a brain aneuyism (spelling?). Some people can suffer from them and don't find out they have it untill too late.

I am not sure if you live here locally, but one great suggestion is acupuncture. Even being adjusted regularly by a chiropractor can help. I know because it changed my life. If in Knoxville check out Self Health and Wellness Center in Fountain City. Otherwise, try to get in touch with someone locally that can treat you.

There is a place in Birmingham called the Ford Headache Clinic....I suffered with migraines (I had one that lastest 7 months when I was pregant) This doctor also suffered from Migraines. Anyway, he mixes up a drug (I think is was called Ergonovein? this is something that you would have to get at a compound shop or a doctor would mix himself) that you take for a period of months and gives you med's for your migraines if you get one. Anyway, I use to have several a month and now for the past 9 years, I have one EVERY once in a while. Anyway, my suggestion is to visit a Doctor that only specializes in Headaches. (And by the way, I'm no longer on the medications, only use them if I get a migraine!!!!!) I was told that I also suffered from rebound headaches because of taking so many over the counter drugs)

L.,

I am so sorry about your migranes. I have had them but not as severe as yours. Here is what I do. I live in Chattanooga and I go to Miller Motte massage therapy school. Most migranes or any headaches are caused by muscle tension. Once the muscles are released or relaxed, if you can keep them relaxed you have a better chance of keeping them at bay. I am also on a nutritional suppliment that helps also. If you want to get the name of that and what it can do for you, please email me at ____@____.com. I will be happy to talk to you about that product. It is something that I have been on for 12 years, it has kept my chrones disease in check, virtually eliminated my headaches and have kept my menstral cycles to come regularly where as before I used to get my period once every 3-6 months and then I would be in bed for 2 weeks. Plus I have lost many children during that time and now I have a beautiful 6 year old daughter. It can only help and I know it won't hurt. Please let me know if you are interested in hearing more about that.

Other than that, regular massages will help with the migranes.

Good luck and I hope you feel better.

E.