I have been a sufferer of migraines since I was about twelve years old. It began when I got my first period and has gotten progressively worse over the years. Migraines can debilitate. They are painful and interrupt life. There have been times when I have had migraines and they were so painful that they made me throw up. I am sensitive towards light in these episodes. It can be hard to live with these attacks.
For many years, I just lived with them. There seemed to be nothing that I could do but pop some Tylenol and take the pain. As I got older, I began consulting with my physician. I have been prescribed everything for my migraines from Imitrex to Topomax, which is also a drug to prevent epileptic seizures. I have been on Maxalt and an array of other medicines. I’ve changed my diet. Nothing has worked.
Recently, I signed up for a migraine study through St. John’s Mercy Medical Center here in St. Louis. It seems I am a prime candidate and I am willing to try new treatments for this illness. It has begun to interrupt my life in ways that I never imagined it would.
Last night was an awful night. After having a blast with my family all day, I came home and quickly began feeling a headache coming on. I took some Motrin and the headache exploded into a migraine. Many people do not know the difference between a headache and a migraine, but those that experience migraines know what it does to your system. All I could do was lay down and go to sleep. I find when I do that, when I wake up, the migraine is gone. My symptoms seem to be getting worse and worse.
There must be something I could do to rid this. I’ve even thought about consulting an acupuncturist, which I have read can help those who suffer from excruciating migraines. At this point, I am willing to try just about anything.
Do you suffer from migraines? What, if anything, has helped you with the illness? Do you know someone who gets frequent migraine attacks? I would like to hear from you.
Diane says
I started gettiing them in college which is about the time my mom started getting them. She has been on a wide array of drugs non if which work well enough to provide relief. Now she is on Fiorinal and its a lot better than the rest for her anyway. My dr had my on imitrex but we quickly found out that it does make the pain go away but im also allergic (made my throat burn and close up). My dr told me to try yoga and to even out my caffiene intake to see if that worked before we started any drugs. I work 3 twelve hour shifts over the weekend so i was drinking a lot of coffee/ soda at work but hardly any on my days off. That did help some – Instead of getting a migrane 1-2 times a week i was getting them 1-2 a month. I havn't done yoga regularly for about a year now and im still only getting them 1-2 times a month. Lately they seem to always be stress induced. I have found Bayer Quick Release crystals to be the most effective for me. Its a powder you pour on your tongue and it just disolves. It tastes kinda gross but it does help so i deal with it. After i take it I usually still have to laydown with lights and sounds off for about 30-45 minutes but then the pain gradually fades and the nausea goes away.
Dannigyrl says
Thanks for the information. I will try the Bayer Quick Release tablets. I also heard yoga was helpful as well. I may try that too. 🙂
Jamie says
Oh my gosh, I have migraines, too, so I feel your pain. About a week before my period starts, I have really terrible ones for about four days straight. Sometimes Goody powders help, but if anyone knows of anything else, I'd love to hear about it!
Jamie says
Oh my gosh, I have migraines, too, so I feel your pain. About a week before my period starts, I have really terrible ones for about four days straight. Sometimes Goody powders help, but if anyone knows of anything else, I'd love to hear about it!
Shannon F. of Shannon's Tales of Motherhood says
I understand completly what your going through.You are so right about Many people do not know the difference between a headache and a migraine.Just like you,I get them so severe that I get the nausea feeling,the light and sound makes it worse.I try to go to sleep when I have a migraine but they wake me up out of my sleep bc their so bad.My Dr.has prescribed me Imatix and that was helping alot but due to my insurance not covering it I was prescribed another kind of migraine pill.(I forget the name,but it helps seisures)It makes me more light headed,hot and disoriented feeling.I take it as last resort bc I’d rather suffer those symptoms then the migraine full blast.Anyways,I think I’m going back to Imatrix and pay for it without insurance.Thanks for this post,I’m wondering how your study went and how your migraines are now? I hope things worked out for you. Sorry for the long post.lol