To others with the migraines

[Taramc]

To anyone out there who started getting MIGRAINES after a while, how are you treating these headaches? I get them for DAYS AT A TIME! Hot pads, cold packs, Midrin, etc are not enough!

Also, I have determined through trial and error that EATING NUTS is CAUSING MIGRAINES. So, migraines are another pain condition caused BY FOOD???? Within 10 minutes of eating nuts, the nerve pains in my face get bad... move from my eyebrows to my temples... downhill to hell from there.

What will there be left to eat after I figure out what foods trigger the migraines? Or are they going to be some of the same foods? Does anyone know?

Thanks,

Unemployed and waiting for the SSA to make their first ruling.

[ICNDonna]

I have a daughter-in-law who has migraines. She has found that sugar is her biggest enemy, along with odors. We are all very careful about perfumes, scented candles, etc., when she's around and it really helps control her symptoms.

I hope you find some answers soon.

Donna

[sailawaygrl]

some foods that can cause migraines are red wine, aged cheeses and nitrites or nitrates and msg, so yes they are some of the same foods

I hadn't had a migraine for quite a while. Then I ate a sandwich that had beef with nitrites in it and before I had finished I was in agony. I used to take imitrex for migraines but with my other meds I can no longer take them. I try using ice and cold presses. I know how unbearable they can be. Sorry you are suffering from them too.

I would talk to my Dr if I were you. They might be able to give you a beta blocker or some of the other meds to stop them. Be careful about taking tylenol or other over the counter pain meds too much for them, they can result in what are called "rebound" headaches. Those are headaches you get from actually taking too many pain medications, it can start a vicious cycle.

Good luck to you and keep us updated.
Sandra

[Taramc]

Thanks. I can't touch alcohol or MSG at all, anyway. And onions - omg onions are bad.

My neurologist warned me about the rebound headaches because he knows I take Percocet or Darvocet 2-3 times/week to survive bladder flares. I started crying because I felt judged for using narcotics... and I'm proud that I haven't become addicted to them over the years.

Omigosh - my memory is bad but did one of you say SUGAR is a problem? I snack on junk food instead of meals and have for years. Usually there's a LOT of sugar involved. *sigh* I will start cutting back, just as soon as I finish this caffeine-free Pepsi in my hand.

[KatieB]

Unfortunately, I have a lot of experience with migraine. Approx. 4 years ago I woke up with a migraine and it just never went away. I spent many nights in the hospital, took almost every kind of migraine med, and was finally diagnosed with intractable migraine. I finally found Botox for migraine. I had that SAME migraine for 2 years, it just never went away. I went vegetarian to no avail. I will say that the botox works and it was a gift from God when I first started using it. But after about 18 months the 30-40 injections which were supposed to last 3 months began to wear off earlier and earlier. I would get the $3000.00 injections (this was before it was approved for migraine treatment, so no insurance) and they would wear off before 2 months was over. And then I would just have to endure the pain until it was time again. I finally decided that I would have a somewhat experimental surgery for migraine. It was the best thing I ever did for myself. I still get migraines occasionally but only due to pressure changes in the weather. I don't know if this is anything you would be interested in. It's a very long, in depth surgery and the recovery is long. No sense in sugar coating it. But I would do it again in a heartbeat. I totally understand your pain and I'm so sorry.

[kadi]

My migraines tend to come the second day of my period. So, my doctor prescribed me an estrogen patch to put on when I'm off my birth control period for my period. This way there's no big drop in estrogen to trigger the migraines. It didn't solve the problem, but did reduce the intensity of the headaches.
Stress is also a big trigger for me. As is lack of sleep, so I'm really trying to get enough sleep & not let things get to me. Trying, I'm afraid, is the operative word here...

[icbeauty]

Mine are cyclical most of the time. I could set my clock by them because they come when my estrogen drops. I used to get them several times a month because my e2 levels dropped so low way too often, but I went on the birth control pill, and things evened out. Now I get them on schedule with my period and also when the weather changes. My mom has actually figured out that my migraines are triggered by the barometric pressure. I can't remember the number, but she'll call me and ask if I'm having a migraine because she just watched the weather and sure enough, I'm trying to find a dark closet to hide in until the stupid thing passes.

Once you figure out the trigger, you can try to find things to prevent them from being as awful. It's difficult to schedule your life around them, but it can be done.

[dg2901]

I've suffered from migraines for years. I was under the care of a neurologist who rx'd me Depakote to help control the frequency. I took myself off of that med after a year as it caused drastic and rapid weight gain; and I really didnt notice much difference in the headaches. The neuro also rx'd me Fiorinal #3 to take when I felt a headache coming on...I get the aura, then the visual disturbances (flickers and flashes of lights, zigzag light patterns, then a black spot that slowly moves from one eye to the other-once the black spot clears up, along with the other visual disturbances the headache sets in. Fiorinal 3 works wonders in helping to relieve the pain, and it also causes drowsiness/sleepiness which is wonderful when battling a migraine as we all know sleep doesnt come easily when they hit. My triggers are sudden changes in light (looking at someone who is backlit, going from a dark room to a heavily lit room, from inside to outside on very sunny days) basically anything that involves sudden drastic changes in light. I also tend to get them when drinking Sprite--fortunately this didnt take me too long to figure out and Sprite and I keep our fair distance (just as well i didnt really care for it anyway :) ).
Hopefully you can figure out the cause and the pattern in which they start, peak, and fade. From the ones I know who suffer migraines, the causes seem to be fairly basic--light, loud noise, smells, drops in hormones, certain foods, etc).
Good luck!
:)

[Taramc]

"My migraines tend to come the second day of my period. So, my doctor prescribed me an estrogen patch to put on when I'm off my birth control period for my period. This way there's no big drop in estrogen to trigger the migraines. It didn't solve the problem, but did reduce the intensity of the headaches."

This week is the SECOND time I've had a WEEK LONG MIGRAINE. It started Tuesday, the second day of my period. And I had one for a week last month, too. Seems like maybe it was 4 weeks ago. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!