Anyone suffer with migraine headaches? What are som meds that work?  Any other treatment sugestions?
340046
You need a good headache specialist.  Not all neurologists specialize in migraines.  \nThis is just a brief overview: There are many different medications for migraines, preventative, abortive and rescue.  \nThere are 4 classes of preventative medications: beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, anti-seizure, and antidepressants.  These drugs were all created for other purposes, but were found to have the side affect of lessening migraine frequency/severity.  These drugs are taken daily to prevent migraines.  \nWhen you get a migraine, you use an abortive (usually triptans--Imitrex, Amerge, Relpax, Maxalt, Frova, and one other I forget).  \nWhen abortives fail, you need rescue medication to keep you out of the emergency room when migraines are most severe.  \nIf you have more than a couple of migraines per month, you need to find a good preventative.  There are dozens and none work for all migraineurs all the time, each person is different. So its a trial & error process.  \nA great reference for migraine support & info is the Yahoo Group "migraine" and http://headaches.about.com\nGood luck!
952713
Migraine's really suck! I know-I suffer with them too. I also suffer with depression and insomnia. I then fall asleep during the day. These are probably all related somehow. I know if I don't get enough sleep or sleep too much, this can bring on a migraine. And living like that can make anyone feel their life sucks!!!\nDo you get any auras before a headache. I get "floaters" (tiny little lights a lot like fireflies!).\nI would ask to have your thyroid checked and get tested for diabetes. Both of these can cause daytime sleepiness, headaches and depression.I was found to have both. \nI treat my headaches with Tylenol#3 (codeine) I take Celexa for the depression. This usually cures the insomnia but I ***occassionally***take a sleep aid.\nAlso try some relaxtion techniques-it may sound corny but they really work. And try to stop worrying about it all-stress will just create a vicious circle of headaches and depression!!!
1106071
I have no idea on that med but I see a neurologist and I take Imitrex injections and that works great for me I'm assuming you have already tried that but I also take Topamax daily to prevent them. The meds were originally for people with Epilepsy but have recently been patented for Migraine prevention and work well for me. Sorry I can't help more but I wouldn't try anything without consulting your doctor. Especially not something in a magazine or something because it may help his headaches and then cause other problems in the future.
1064014
Alternative headache treatments include:\n• acupuncture or acupressure\n• biofeedback\n• chiropractic\n• herbal remedies using feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), white willow (Salix alba), or skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), among others\n• homeopathic remedies chosen specifically for the individual and his/her type of headache\n• hydrotherapy\n• massage\n• magnesium supplements\n• regular physical exercise\n• relaxation techniques, such as meditation and yoga\n• transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). (A test that electrically stimulates nerves and blocks the signals of pain transmission)
447523
just answered a similar question for someone else. I'll paste the answer below. Also...Excedrin now puts out "Excedrin Migraines". I've found that on the rare migraine I get now...it helps a lot! \n\nAnyway, here is how I finally stopped getting migraines so frequently:\n\nMigraines are caused by fluctuating hormones. I've suffered from them terribly! I finally found a doctor who gave me this advice...and it's very rare now that I get them! :)\n\nHe told me to stay away from the following foods for a week before my period is due..and until my period stops:\n\nOnions, caffeine, chocolate, red wine, cheeses, foods with electrolytes and nitrates (such as gatorade, bacon, ham, processed meats), nuts, dried fruit and yogurt.\n\nSounds like there is nothing left to eat..but you manage to find things when the alternate is those AWFUL migraines.\n\nI hope this helps you too
225749
If you have them repeatedly, you need to see a dr. about it.  I did and its the best thing.  They put me on a treatment program using a few different meds for about 6 months.    I have not had migranes in years.  Mine were from stress. Try yoga or some type of exercise if you are stressed! Both of these help!  Stay away from triggers like perfumes.  Sometimes foods cause them, like strawberries, wines and beers (the sulfites cause them) and chocolate.  My sister gets them if she eats foods with MSG (monosodium glutimate) it's a flavor enhancer that is in alot of seasonings and foods like chips, flavored crackers, etc.  Please go see a Dr. if you can!  I sincerely hope you feel better very soon!
779061
ugh i hate migraine advice from people that don't get them.  migraines often but not always have triggers.  the most common triggers are preservatives -- sulfites in wines, sodiums you can't pronounce in all kinds of prepared foods.  watch what you eat and see if you notice any patterns.  for me there is something in hotdogs, canned beans (like baked beans), soy sauce is practically deadly.  \n\ni find the best treament for mine are a cup of french coffee -- thats espresso roast coffee made in a french press. \nAlso a chunk of bakers semi sweet chocolate helps -- even better are chunks of chocolate you can find in latin supermarkets made for putting in hot drinks.  these are both relatively unproccessed and you get more chocolate goodness and less processing indgrients.  unfortunatley chocolate is also a migraine trigger for some.  \n\nsome life change things you can do to reduce migraines -- \n\ndrink lots of water -- at least 2 liters a day -- 4 is better.  water means water.  don't count juice or soda or anything else as water.  your body processes it differently.  it seems most headaches have something to do with brain dehydration including migraines.  \n\nvitamins -- b complexes and calcium/magnesium suppliments are most often recommended -- i can't guarantee this but if i eat a bunch of calcium/magnesium while i have a headache i usually feel a little better after.  \n\nmelatonin works better than any pain reducer.  i take about 6 mgs if my head hurts 9 mgs if my head hurts and i am going to sleep.  \n\nThese are just the basics.  there is a lot of info out there -- much of it is conflicting.  these are things that work for me. doesn't mean they will work for you.  best of luck.
1031683
I don't know what's available in the US - is there no possibility to do something against the cause...?\n\nFor migraines and back aches (without organic cause) go for a one-time manual treatment called Atlasprofilax - the effects are amazing.
338932
Sleeping is the only way I can get rid of my migraines but to ease the pain I've found caffeine sometimes works, pulling on my hair, tying something tight around my head (in a kung-fu-fighting style... I use the belt from a bath robe), putting anything that is very hot or cold on my head... and when all else fails I just bang my head against a wall, I really do!
420648
Headaches or Migraines?\nMigraines Are A Serious Condition That Can Be Treated. Learn More.\nMigrainesolutions.com \n\n \nThe Secret Headache Cure\nNew Brainwave CD Gets Rid of Pain. 100% Natural And 100% Guaranteed\nwww.Binaural-Beats.com \n\n \nStopain Topical Analgesic\nStopain w/ Glucosamine, MSM and Boswella at discount prices.\nwww.harvesthealth.com \n\n \nHeadache & Migraine Info\nAnswers to your questions about headaches, migraines and more!\nwww.paincenteronline.com \n\n \nHead, Neck & Facial Pain\nRelief for Headaches, TMJ, Jaw Pain Facial Injuries, Neuralgia & More\nwww.dockeller.com \n\n \nStop Headaches\nPhysician-reviewed articles about stop headaches.\nwww.healthline.com \n\n \nHeadache Relief & Facts\nWhat does your headache mean? Stress? Migraine? Find Out Now.\nwww.ivillage.com \n\n \nTampa Pain Clinic\nNeed meds for pain control? We treat pain the old-fashion way!\nwww.tampapainclinic.com \n\n \nHeadache information\nFind information on headaches on MerckSource\nMerckSource.com \n\n \nBeating Headaches\nOvercome & treat headaches now Fast, easy, effective, 100% natural\nwww.beating-headaches-migraines.com
941381
To go and have too much fun is RIGHT up my alley! I like a little girlfriend action myself.. then Im having LOTS of fun! As far as your headache goes, take two excedrin for migraines and you'll feel better in 20 mins.
4778
There's some meditation techniques that may be able to help relieve psychosomatic disorders such as migraine, i.e. check out Vipassana Meditation, from my experience I believe it and it makes sense.\n\nYou may want to check out a doctor to see if there's something physically wrong however.
318750
Cut down on the caffeine and alcohol, drink more water, get regular sleep, eat a healthy balance of foods.  If absolutely necessary, do not exceed the recommended dose of an OTC pain killer such as Tylenol, asprin or Advil.\n\nFor migraines, what has helped me is taking magnesium supplements (a magnesium deficiency causes the same symptoms as those by a migraine) and seeing a chiropracter.
882554
Mayo Clinic:\nhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/migraine-headache/DS00120\nThis one is really good, too:\nhttp://headaches.about.com/About_Headaches_Migraines.htm
869484
Topamax works great on migraines. You just have to find the dosage that is right for you. I was up to 400mg a day, but it does cause a lot of side effects. Need more info e-mail me. lkarr1979@aol.com
329681
It depends on what is causing the headaches.\n\nI think a lot of migraines stem from sinus problems.  Try flushing your sinuses with a lukewarm saline rinse.  Also, try tiger balm under your eyes and nose while standing in a steamy shower.  Open up those sinuses!\n\nYou might want to check your diet and activities.  Smoking, alcohol, and caffeine withdrawel is notorious for setting off migraines.\n\nI would seriously recommend keeping a migraine diary.  Record every time you have a migraine.  Also record such things as the pollen count, barometric pressure and what you ate that day.  I know it sounds tedious... but it is an excellent way to start to track down alternative causes.\n\nGood luck!
283868
Excedrin Migraine.  I have suffered with migraines since I was in the Fifth grade.  And I have tried everything from prescription shots to eating icecream quickly.  The best I have found it the Excedrin.  I take three and in an hour or less I am back at it.