Saturday, January 19, 2008

an update...

I have been suffering from a migraine for the last 24 hours. I was hoping to be able to post today but even the few minutes on the computer right now is making me queasy. I hope to be able to share something new with you tomorrow but I am thinking this may not be gone by the time I usually post...
If you have ANY remedies (besides sleep and dark rooms) for migraines I would love to hear them. I will have DH check my messages when he gets back from work later tonight.

Alli

23 comments:

Donna C. said...

My 21 year old son has had chronic migraines since he was 4 years old. Both of my sisters also have them. They have all found that a hot bath at the beginning provides relief. My son even puts his head in the water. The doctor said it may increase circulation and that may be what is working for them. Doesn't take it completely away but makes it milder and if done early enough in the beginning, it can help them greatly. I do know, though, that migraines are very individual and what works for one works for another. My SIL has not had one since she went through menopause and used to have 2 a month.

Mom22RedHeads said...

I have had luck rubbing vicks on my temples, I know it seems weird, but the sensation, coupled with an hour or so nap really works for me. Hope you feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

I have used ice packs on my forehead. Hope you feel better soon. I know how it is. I will say a prayer for you also!!

Lydia Fiedler said...

I used to have them really bad and three things helped:

1) Midrin - a miracle drug. It really knocked them out after they started. I had Imitrex also, but rarely needed it. Midrin is great. Ask your doctor.
2) Getting off birth control pills
3) Getting my allergies treated with shots. This is when I stopped having them all together.

Good luck. I'm sorry you feel bad

Lastel said...

Sorry about your migraine , when ever I have had them , a cold damp washcloth seems to help somewhat , also have yor husband massage thearea around the base of your thumbs , there are pressure points there related to the head that can help releive headaches . Hope this helps .
Also wanted to let you know I have added you to my blog roll .

Anonymous said...

Hi Alli,
Sorry to hear about your migraine. I was diagnosed years ago with "cluster" migraines. Here's some advice the neurologist gave me:

1. Take Tylenol or Advil at the onset of a migraine. Don't wait until the headache is full blown to take something because then it's too late.
2. He also suggested avoiding red wine, spicey foods and processed cheese.

Good luck, I hope this can be of some help.

Sheila

M!ssPr!ssy said...

I agree with the vicks remedy. I use a product similar to vicks and it is better. It is from a co. called Watkins and it is the ointment called menthol camphor. The camphor makes it different than vicks. I rub it on my temples, sinuses, neck. Wrap my neck in a warm towel. I also use one tylenol no3, 2 aspirin and a cup of coffee. The tylenol no3 is a prescription but if I take the above headache cocktail in time my headache is gone within 15 mins. I have had a headache for 2 days now and nothing seemed to work this time. Sometimes a claritin works and that tells me it is sinus related.

Lisa's Blessed A Latte said...

I have no remedy Alli, when I have suffered from them a few years ago I was given a perscription called "Migranol" it was a nose spray that worked fast. I will be praying for you, I know how misrable they can be.

Cindy @ Creating at Home said...

One thing that worked for me when I used to get migraines was to take 2 extra strength tylenol with a can of Coke. (not diet) It works best if you take it as soon as you feel it coming on, though.

Amy said...

sorry to hear that you are feeling so ill. I hope you feel better soon, I'l be praying for you.
Amy

Carolyn King said...

Oh Alli---hope you feel better soon.

I used to suffer from horrible migraines (always at that time of the month--very hormonal related for me)

Funny, when i had my first child they went away. Lucky I guess.

But for the 11 years that I did have them here are the things that worked for me:

1. Imitrex---this was not even invented when I began having migraines but by the time i was almost done---they had developed this drug and it is WONDERFUL...make sure to ask your dr. for this.

2. run hands under very hot water..somehow the heat takes your mind off pain.

3. Very cold wet compresses over the eyes. (i had classic migraines where the pain was right over one eye---this brought a lot of relief)

4. temple rub---if you can stand someone near you, have your hubby give you a temple rub---

hope you feel better soon.

(((hugs)))

Anonymous said...

I have had migraines for 25 years.
I am lucky, as I am one of those sufferers who gets the "aura" first as a warning of an oncoming migraine.
Even a dark room with a blind fold on is too bright for me. And I must have silence.
I have found a prescription spray called IMITREX has been amazing at stopping the onset of my migraines.
When I get the "aura" I grab the one dose spray and use it.
I don't leave the house without it.
It is in my purse, my car, everywhere, and has saved me more times than I can recall.
My husband also gets migraines and he uses it too. We swear by it.
I hope if you are able to try it, it will be as much of a life saver to you as it has been to us.

Hugs,
Susan C

safaricat said...

Hi Alli,
I have had migraines for 30 yrs... I use Imitrex but sometimes it doesn't work cause they'll go away & come back. I recently went to the health food store and the girl who works there is a sufferer as well and she recommended this BELL Master Herbalist MIGRAID headache relief you can take it when you have a headache or daily to prevent them. I did see some results as I have used it a few times already. I was also told it either takes away the migraine or at least lessens then severity. I am all for trying anything to at least lessen the pain. Take care and I hope you find relief.

Sherrie said...

Oh no Alli, so sorry you are feeling ill. I have no remedies but tons of cyber hugs and a prayer to get well coming your way!

Rose Ann said...

I'm so sorry about your migraine, Alli. I hope you're feeling better real soon!

Bellawhoop said...

I'm so sorry you've got a migraine. I can definitely empathize. I have about one migraine a month and like others, find that if I can catch it within the first 10 minutes, Imitrex (nasal spray) will usually take care of it within 10-30 minutes. However, if I don't have the medicine handy and catch it later than 10 minutes, it usually doesn't work. Best of luck finding something that helps!

Terri said...

Sorry to hear you are suffering with a migraine. I can definitely relate because I have been dealing with them for 8 yrs now. The only thing I have found to help the pain is a combonation of Imetrex and Phrenlin Forte and ice on my neck. I hope you will feel better soon

Dawn Easton said...

Sorry to hear you are suffering from a migraine Alli! I get them a couple of times a year and nothing really helps me. That is until I get sick...then it's all uphill from there...LOL. Hope you get over this quickly. I know the pain you are going through. Get rest if you can!

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear about your migraine. I used to suffer about one a month until I had my babies and now they come very rarely and they are not as bad as they used to be.
I am one of those sufferers who gets the "aura/tunnel vision" first as a warning of an oncoming migraine. I always have to have a dark room with a warm wash cloth over my forehead and eyes and complete silence.
I have an uncle that suffers from severe migraines and once, when I had one coming on at a family function, he quickly ran to the store and bought me a bottle of NIACIN (just regular, over-the-counter, vitamin section, $4.00 Niacin). We all looked at him like he was crazy - but I took 2 (and some tylenol) and it worked! I will warn you, you will get an extremely warm, itchy feeling after about 15 minutes, but don't worry it doesn't last long. It kind of feels like someone is slowly pouring very warm water over your head. Your skin gets flushed and you feel kind of tingly/itchy (again - don't worry, it doesn't last long). I am told Niacin opens the small blood vessels and increases circulation which seems to really help the migraine.
I hope I don't sound like a witch doctor! LOL! It really works for me and has worked for my mom and my uncle. I so hope you're feeling better very soon!

Holly said...

Have you seen the Migraine Pads at the grocery store or Walmart? I love those things. We keep a small stockpile of those for our migraines. They have a menthol-y smell to em, and feel so cold when you first put it on.

I will also try to drink a real Coke to get some caffeine in my system. Sometimes I'm not fast enough in getting to it, because then something else will happen. Read on.....

My other "remedy" is not very pleasant. I have found that when I have a severe migraine, it will make me throw up. Go figure, after that toxic waste dump, I actually feel better. Not fun, but it usually works.

Try to get some rest and I hope you feel better soon!

Jenn said...

Sorry to hear you're down with one! Some of mine are "estrogen drop-off" migraines; my ob/gyn prescribed HRT pills for two days before "D-Day" (I would get them on the same day each month). Keep track of which day you're getting them if that seems like a good idea.

Other than that, I'm another fan of Imitrex; if you sign up on their website, they send you coupons in the mail. I'm in the sleep, throw up, sleep camp, too.

Feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

I get my pillow really cold by putting it in the freezer. Laying on the cold pillow always help me........I hope you feel better soon!!

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Ugh! Migraines are no fun. I've had them for years. And only in the last few years have I found a medication that will actually take them away. It's called Maxalt - by prescription. And within 20-30 minutes after taking, the headache is gone.